Women in tech organisation TechFoundHer has launched in America participating in a series of high profile events in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area focused on advancing equity in tech entrepreneurship for women.
TechFoundHer was founded by County Down entrepreneur Máirin Murray who is on a mission to unlock the potential of women to start and lead tech companies for the benefit of the Irish economy delivering programmes to build tech and product skills whilst advocating for entrepreneur equality and system change.
Earlier this year Máirin worked with LA producer Catherine Gray, of award winning movie Show Her The Money, to premiere the groundbreaking documentary in Dublin and Belfast as part of the TechFoundHer roadshow. Now it's TechFounderHer’s turn to cross the Atlantic and head stateside.
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Máirin said: “The opportunity to bring TechFoundHer to America is a fantastic endorsement for our organisation and recognition of the hard work and dedication of our wider team and network.
“Being able to strengthen our work locally by reaching out globally is an important part of the work we do behind the scenes.”
Following the success of the Irish tour, producer Catherine Gray invited Máirin to launch TechFoundHer in LA by co-hosting their InnovateHer Too event earlier this month.
The round table event brought together a group of thought leaders, tech entrepreneurs and advocates to tackle a critical issue in the global tech ecosystem: the underrepresentation of women starting and leading tech companies.
The event, co-hosted by Máirin on behalf of TechFoundHer, Lata Setty (a serial tech entrepreneur and pioneering investor dedicated to transforming the venture capital industry) and Catherine Gray (founder of She Angels investors and Show Her The Money producer) focused on developing strategies to empower more women to launch and scale their own tech ventures.
Máirin explained: “I was delighted to get the opportunity to co-host this event and work with a group of enthusiastic and passionate women who are committed to changing the tech world for women entrepreneurs.
“The event allowed us to discuss some of the key systemic challenges women encounter whilst sharing our own current projects and experiences.”
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Máirin was also a key speaker at the Show Her The Money 100 City Worldwide Tour Finale in West Hollywood, as part of the international powerhouse women panel discussing the landscape for women founders in Ireland and throughout the rest of the UK and Europe with the audience.
She said: “This is our moment! There is an opportunity for women founders regardless of background to harness the power of tech to innovate and scale businesses. It’s an incredible time with women innovators and investors working together to organise globally so women entrepreneurs have the opportunity to fully contribute”
“We hear the same excuses over and over again—that women aren’t applying for funding or that there’s a lack of scalable ideas coming from women. The ‘pipeline’ excuse doesn’t wash. We are working to create a tidal wave of women entrepreneurs who are building tech solutions. “
“We’re dealing with entrenched stereotypes of what an ‘investable’ founder looks like—what a tech entrepreneur looks like - often a young, white, tech-savvy male. But women tech founders are here, we’re innovating, and we’re ambitious. What we need is the funding and an ecosystem that enables us to thrive.”
TechFoundHer concludes its US tour in the Bay area of San Francisco this week at a think tank hosted by Lata Setty of How Women Invest “The New Table”. Máirin was the guest speaker at the event with tech leaders and investors focussed on bringing TechFoundHer’s mission to the US and driving equity for women tech entrepreneurs.
Speaking about why she hosted the event Lata said: “It’s time to break barriers and reimagine women in tech. Máirín Murray, Founder of TechFoundHer and Innovation Labs champions connection, capital and community across the British Isles, and is now bringing her "Mairin Magic" to America to embolden female tech 'treps navigate the tech world with grit and grace.”
Speaking at the reception Mairin added "The ability to innovate, the ambition to build, and the commitment to succeed are spread across all genders, yet funding remains overwhelmingly skewed in favour of men.
“Women tech founders are here, and we are ready, but we are not being seen. As a result, we are not progressing at the same rate as our male counterparts. The time for excuses is over."
The TechFoundHer American launch comes on the back of TechFoundHer’s latest programme launch.
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The Innovation Labs programme which is funded through the Shared Island initiative, a collaboration supported by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, began earlier this month and will see 35 women entrepreneurs from both Ireland and Northern Ireland learn how to leverage emerging technologies such as AI, low-code/no-code tools, to overcome business challenges, optimise workflows, and accelerate product development.
“The Innovation Labs programme isn’t just for women who have tech industry experience, it will support all women regardless of their tech knowledge. We’re busting the myths surrounding the idea that you need to be able to code to start a company that creates a tech driven product or service,” explained Máirin.
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