24-06-2025
Tech's Next Level: Unlocking Innovation Through The Genius Of Women
The technology industry, and other job industries historically dominated by men, is standing at a pivotal moment. The outdated notion of having the perspective and skills from a broad and diverse talent pool as being a 'nice thing to do' is not only inaccurate but actively hindering progress. In an era demanding innovation and fresh perspectives, the full participation of women is no longer optional. In fact, today it's an absolute necessity for competitive survival and success for most organizations.
Closeup side view of two mid 20's black women working in the tech field. Blurry coworkers in ... More background, all released.
Why Does Tech Need More Women?
Beyond ethical considerations, there's a compelling economic argument for increasing women's participation in tech. A BCG report showed that for every dollar of funding, female-founded startups generated 78 cents in revenue, while male-founded startups generated just 31 cents.
Additionally, having diverse teams leads to more innovative and well-rounded products.
What's the Current Landscape Today?
While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in tech. A recent report shows that only 2% of funding goes to women-led ventures, a statistic that Nomiki Petrolla, found "embarrassing" when she first learned about it. Petrolla is the founder of Theanna, a platform dedicated for women building tech startups. When she first began her career she didn't notice how often the individuals she was helping launch a new tech company were men. But when she started to engage with more women, she noticed some glaring disparities. 'The women were often starting from scratch in terms of funding, whereas the men were coming from senior executive positions that often provided greater access to networks, funding and guidance.'
Common challenges Petrolla called out as present for many of the women she's partnered with in their start up ventures include:
What's the Good News?
Even with those stark challenges, there is a lot to be excited about. There have been increases in funding women-led startups. This has been assisted by the creation of incubators for women founders, more females building careers in tech and becoming founders themselves, as well as platforms, such as the one created by Petrolla.
Petrolla believes that this trend upward will continue. She calls out the following opportunities arising that call to the importance of more women finding success in tech include:
How Can Others Effectively Support Women in Tech
'I saw, firsthand, the benefits that many of the male founders I've worked with have benefited from building careers in organizations that have supported their growth and development,' Petrolla shares. She recommends the following to those in critical positions of impact within tech organizations.
For People Leaders:
For Recruiting and HR:
To unlock the full potential of the tech industry and ensure its continued success, companies must prioritize women. As Nomiki Petrolla aptly puts it, " I just want to see access for everyone so they each have the opportunity to prove if they can do it or not." By embracing inclusive practices, investing in women-led initiatives and fostering a culture of authenticity, we can create a tech landscape that truly reflects the diverse world we live in.
