Notes While We Build Podium — Vol. 6 (2025 wrapped)
Our very own Podium wrapped: the year in numbers, milestones, and messy middles
Dear friends,
If Podium had a ‘Wrapped’ this year, it would look something like this:
Launched our membership and grew it to over 400
2 sold out retreats in Bali for 24 members
100+ member groups matched
160+ in-person gatherings hosted in Singapore for rooms of 3-60 women
US$300k raised in our first funding round, mostly coming from members
Sanity still (almost) in tact 😛
We grew from just 2 founders to a team of 6, from a bootstrapped idea into a funded startup, and from hosting dinners in function rooms to building a proper calendar of 20+ events a month. This December, we also held our very first Podium Party alongside a retreat in Bali. 60 women gathered for the party, while 14 were away on retreat, all at the same time. 🤯
🌀 Figuring out our messy middles together
It still feels a little unreal to say that we’re now 400+ members strong. As we read through hundreds of applications this year, we kept seeing the same pattern.
Women 5-15 years into their careers asking what’s next, those finding their voice in corporate settings, founders/solopreneurs building without a blueprint.
Many are also navigating relocation, breakups, burnout, motherhood, and what someone beautifully described as “a second-act season.” Another member shared she’s in her “wander-around-and-figure-life-out season”, describing it as “a bit chaotic, a bit magical, but definitely mine”.
That line stayed with us, because it’s exactly how building Podium has felt for us this year too. We’re constantly reminded of the beauty in building alongside a community of women who are also building their lives in real time.
❤️ Thank you for an amazing 2025
As we wrap up the year, what we feel most grateful is the honesty in the rooms. The thoughtful, constructive feedback. The voice notes. And most of all, the trust you place in us by showing up to our events as your whole selves, again and again.
Small things broke, and we made plenty of mistakes. But we’re so proud of how quickly we listened, iterated on feedback, and continue to learn as we go.
January will be about getting our new team up and running, as we gear up for a very full 2026. If you’re a member, thank you for your patience as we build. We can’t wait to share all that we’ve been planning for you.
Running an early stage startup is not for the faint hearted, but we’ve never felt more passionate or fulfilled.
Happy holidays and see you at our January events or Spring retreat next year!
With so much love,
Mai & Alka 🎄