Far from a typical mentoring program, Showpo’s Future Female Founders Program represents a bold investment in the future of female entrepreneurship. The program is spearheaded by Jane Lu, the CEO of Showpo. Aimed at driving real change, this not-for-profit educational campaign focuses on empowering college-aged women to break into the startup world.
Jane Lu—entrepreneur, media personality, and investor—is no stranger to the struggles of starting a business from scratch. Born to Chinese-Australian parents, she was on a traditional career path, working as an accountant at one of the Big Four consulting firms.
Even though she fulfilled her family’s expectations on paper, Lu still felt unsatisfied. Without letting anyone know, she left her job to pursue entrepreneurship, keeping her decision a secret. Her first business unfortunately failed. Yet, she continued pretending to work in accounting each day—an act that reflected both resilience and determination.
Despite that early setback and being $60,000 in debt, Lu picked herself up, dusted herself off, and founded Showpo in 2010 from her parents’ garage. Within just 15 months, the company generated over $1 million in revenue.
Today, Showpo is a globally recognized fashion brand, bringing in over $100 million annually. Lu’s journey has been spotlighted by major outlets such as Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and the Australian Financial Review’s Young Rich List.
Today, Lu is currently turning her attention to uplifting other aspiring women through the Showpo’s Future Female Founders Program. As a regular investor on Shark Tank Australia, she understands the barriers women face in the business landscape. She is also very passionate about reducing them. “The goal,” she explains, “is to help young women dream bigger, build smarter, and believe in themselves. It’s not just an educational opportunity—it’s a launchpad.”
To bring this vision to life, the program partners with universities across Australia. Some of which include Central Queensland University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of Victoria. Together, they deliver a comprehensive four-week experience that blends startup financing, personalized mentorship, and hands-on training in e-commerce.
The participants in Showpo’s Future Female Founders Program will receive:
- $5,000 in seed funding to develop and launch a business idea.
- One-on-one mentorship from Jane Lu herself.
- An immersive internship at Showpo’s Sydney headquarters, working closely with the executive leadership team.
Beyond the tangible resources, Lu emphasizes the program’s mission to empower. “It’s about providing access, opportunity, and the confidence to lead,” she says. Building on its strong foundation of mentorship, the initiative prepares young women not just to start businesses but to lead them with vision and impact through real-world experience.
Applications for the program are currently open and will close on May 11, 2025. Following the application deadline, the program will announce the selected participants two weeks later. The program will run from June 23 to July 20, 2025.
Since women still face underrepresentation in the startup world, initiatives like this one play a crucial role. The Showpo Future Female Founders Program sets a powerful example of inclusive entrepreneurship—one that equips the next generation of female founders with the tools and confidence to thrive.
For more details and to apply, visit the official page.
