Leaning in: how startups can be more female-friendly

The tech industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, offering immense opportunities for innovation and growth. However, it's no secret that the sector has been predominantly male-dominated.

How can we get away from this perception and make the tech industry more appealing and accessible to women? Here’s a quick debrief of everything I’ve learned through my work at Investing in Women.

1. Early exposure is key

Promote STEM Education

Okay, so this is out of the hands of startups (for the most part) but an important piece of the puzzle is to encourage girls to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers from an early age.

Schools and educational institutions must encourage girls to explore these subjects and if startups can get involved (sponsorship for example, or giving talks in schools), all the better.

Offer coding workshops

Organisations like Girls Who Code offer coding workshops and programmes specifically designed for young girls. Such initiatives can spark interest and provide hands-on experience. Is there anything your company could do to help?

2. Create supportive communities

Build women-focused tech communities

Platforms like Women Who Code provide a supportive community for women in tech. Networking, mentorship, and collaboration within these communities can foster growth and confidence.

Coding Black Females is another excellent organisation educating and empowering black women in the tech sector. They also provide opportunities for those looking to return to the tech sector.

3. Ensure Inclusive Hiring Practices

Implement blind recruitment

Removing gender identifiers from applications can reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process. Tools like Applied can assist in creating a more equitable recruitment process.

Offer flexible work arrangements

Many women want to balance family and career responsibilities. Offering flexible work hours or remote working options can make tech roles more appealing. And advertising flexible, part-time and remote-based jobs on platforms such as Investing in Women can help you access talent looking for flexible work.

4. Provide opportunities for growth and development

Offer mentorship programmes

Mentorship from experienced professionals can provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Companies should actively promote and facilitate mentorship opportunities for women in tech.

Invest in continuous learning

Encouraging and funding continuous learning opportunities, such as online courses on platforms like Coursera, can help women stay up-to-date with the latest tech trends and skills.

5. Foster a respectful and inclusive workplace culture

Implement clear anti-discrimination policies

A zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment creates a safe and respectful environment. Clear policies and reporting mechanisms are essential.

Promote diversity at all levels

Diversity should be reflected not only in entry-level positions but also in leadership roles.

Encouraging women to take on leadership positions fosters a more inclusive culture - and ensure you are regularly conducting diversity audits within your organisation so you can monitor who is being promoted and if any biases are creeping in.

6. Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation

Provide access to funding

Women-led startups often face challenges in securing funding. Initiatives like Female Founders Fund provide capital and support specifically for women entrepreneurs in tech.

Create incubators and accelerators

Women-focused incubators and accelerators like FemTech Lab can provide the resources, mentorship, and network needed to launch and grow successful tech startups.

In conclusion, making the tech sector more appealing to women requires a multifaceted approach that addresses education, community support, hiring practices, growth opportunities, workplace culture, and entrepreneurship.

By implementing these strategies, we can create a more inclusive and dynamic tech industry where women not only participate but thrive.

The tech sector's future depends on diverse perspectives and talents. Let's embrace this challenge and work collectively to empower women in tech. For further insights on women in the tech industry, explore this report by McKinsey & Company.

Written by Elizabeth Willetts.
 
Elizabeth is the visionary Founder of Investing in Women, a groundbreaking job board and community dedicated to empowering women in the UK's workforce.

With over 15 years of distinguished experience as a recruiter - including in-house roles at one of the Big 4 and a position at one of the UK's largest recruitment agencies - Elizabeth has a profound understanding of the employment landscape and the unique challenges faced by women seeking balance in their careers.