About Women Who Tech: Women Startup Challenge
As the founder of Women Who Tech, I am more than a little passionate about bringing together women breaking new ground in technology who use their tech savvy skills to transform the world and inspire change. I’ve produced several Women Who Tech TeleSummits and they’ve been packed with the most inspiring tech change-makers, disruptors, and startup entrepreneurs, ranging from Arianna Huffington, Founder of Huffington Post and now Thrive Global, to Rashmi Sinah, co-founder of SlideShare.
In 2015, I launched the Women Startup Challenge in partnership with Craig Newmark of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies to help fund and showcase women-led startups and it’s exciting to be a part of helping female entrepreneurs on their startup journeys.
By showcasing women-led ventures through the Women Startup Challenges, Women Who Tech deploys capital, mentoring, and resources across the continent to support women entrepreneurs creating the next generation of tech.
Our Success Stories
Since launching the first Women Startup Challenge, we’ve had some amazing impact that we’re proud to share:
- 84 percent of the women-led startups participating received investment funding
- $28M+ in funding invested in women-led startups
- 81 percent of the participants are still in business
- Startup partnerships have been secured with Amazon, Sony, Snap, Target, Microsoft, Intel, Mercedes Benz, Pepsi, Nike, and more
Here’s what we passionately believe: If we’re going to solve the toughest problems facing this world, we must close the funding gap to foster and invest in a culture of innovation from diverse perspectives. And that’s exactly what we’re doing with the Women Who Tech Women Startup Challenge.
Want to be a Part of Women Startup Challenge?
So what do you say? Does the Women Startup Challenge sound like exactly where you want to be? Are you in or do you know someone who should be? If so, now is the time to get moving. This is the chance to be one of 10 women founders from across North America to who get the opportunity to pitch your startup to top investors and compete for for $50,000 as a cash grant (equity-free) along with some awesome pro bono services.
The jury for this year’s Women Startup Challenge includes:
- Ellie Wheeler, Partner at Greycroft
- Esther Dyson, Executive Founder of Wellville and Investor
- Jen Wolf, Partner and COO of Initialized Capital
- Jennifer Fielding, Managing Director of Techstars and Cofounder of The Fund
- Nashilu Mouen-Makoua, Investor at First Round Capital
- Nisha Dua, General Partner at BBG Ventures
In addition to the $50,000 cash grant, all 10 finalists will receive fundraising pitch coaching leading up to the Women Startup Challenge and attend a half day mentoring event at Techstars in NYC where they will meet meet one-on-one with investors. Startups located within North America that have at least one woman cofounder, that are using tech to rapidly scale and innovate, and who have raised no more than $2.2 million can apply.
What are you waiting for? Let’s get you there! You can apply now right here: Women Who Tech Women Startup Challenge at Google.
Are you likewise passionate about diversity in technology (and every field) and empowering female entrepreneurs? Want to help in other ways? One easy way to do that is to simply share this information with your networks. We want to reach and support as many women-led startups as possible.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to both seeing your application for the Women Who Tech Women Startup Challenge, as well as seeing you in NYC. Let’s do this!
Allyson has been named one of the “Most Influential Women in Tech” by Fast Company, a “Tech Titan” by the Washingtonian, and “one of the top 30 women entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter” by Forbes for her leadership roles in technology and social media. Allyson is the Co-Founder of Rad Campaign, and has helped hundreds of organizations and causes build hard-hitting campaigns and compelling websites focused on increasing advocacy, donations, and community engagement.
Allyson is on the Board of Trustees for the League of Women Voters. She also has sat on the Advisory Board for the Anita Borg Institute and NTEN’s Nonprofit Technology Conference Planning Committee. She speaks at conferences across the U.S. ranging from SXSW to Personal Democracy Forum, NTEN, and BBCON. Previously, Allyson was a blogger for FastCompany.com focusing on trends in technology.
