鈥淲omen-led tech companies achieve 35% higher return on investment, and, when venture-backed, bring in 12% more revenue than male-owned tech companies,鈥� 鈥淵et women are still underrepresented in startup communities. We think there are substantive ways to be more inclusive.鈥�
Google鈥檚 response? In March, the tech company launched an initiative called #40Forward, which spread $1,000,000 over 40 tech accelerators and incubators around the world specifically to encourage programs for female entrepreneurs. Here鈥檚 what some of the programs are doing, according to :
- in Chicago is launching a new accelerator program for women founded or co-founded companies that鈥檚 more flexible and family-friendly, with a customized plan for each start-up.
- in Gaza is providing rewards for women attending start-up events to demonstrate the economic value of them getting involved in tech to their families.
- chapters all over the world are hosting Women Take the Stage fireside chats featuring successful women business leaders in their communities.
- in Uganda is launching a year-long training to teach young women programming and entrepreneurial skills.
- is increasing female entrepreneurs鈥� access to capital by creating monthly opportunities for women-led companies to pitch to world-class investors.
Other organizations are looking beyond encouraging female representation in the tech world. For example, the Chicago-based group seeks to help women build their business through funding and mentorship. Its mission is to 鈥渆volve the conversation of female [entrepreneurship] beyond the issue of 鈥榗hanging the ratio,鈥� and towards actively advancing the quality of their businesses, networks and resources.鈥� Ms. Tech provides resources to help women better pitch their ideas to investors, how to dedicate time to a new venture while juggling another job, and create a robust network that can help them down the road.
