In an industry often dominated by men, Boston's tech scene is brimming with impressive women who are not just making a name for themselves but also creating opportunities for others. These individuals are not just blazing a trail for other women in the tech space; they are also creating products and services that are revolutionizing various sectors. It's time we highlight some of these trailblazers- these are the Boston women in tech to watch.
"Innovation is not the product of logical thought, even though the final product is tied to a logical structure." - Albert Einstein
When it comes to the Boston tech scene, there are great strides being achieved by women-led startups. Whether it's groundbreaking innovation or inspiring leadership, the women at the helm are leaving no stone unturned as they forge paths for themselves and others. Here are a few startups that deserve your attention:
- meQuilibrium: meQuilibrium ↗ was founded by Jan Bruce, it offers individuals and employees online stress management solutions and measurements.
- CabinetM: CabinetM ↗ was created by two incredible women, Anita J. Brearton and Sheryl Schultz, a company that is the MarTech Stack management platform for enterprise organizations who want to track, document, visualize, and report on their marketing technology use and spending.
- Kyruus: Kyruus ↗, founded by Julie Yoo, is a company that delivers proven provider search and scheduling solutions that help hospitals and health systems match patients with the providers best suited to care for them.
- Sustainable Minds: Sustainable Minds ↗ was founded by Terry Swack, is a cloud software and services company whose mission is to operationalize environmental performance into mainstream product development and manufacturing in an accessible, empowering, and credible way.
These startups represent just a glimpse into the dynamic Boston tech scene that is led by women who are challenging the status quo. But what about the community as a whole? What's happening in the Boston women in the tech community?
Building Networks: How Boston's Women in Tech are Connecting and Collaborating
From grassroots meetups to high-tech innovation centers, female tech leaders in Boston are coming together as never before. Armed with a shared vision of a more inclusive future, these women are fostering a sense of community, collaboration, and mutual support. In doing so, they are not only helping each other succeed but also laying the foundations for a more diverse and balanced tech industry.
Meetups and Events
From casual coffee shop meetups to large-scale conferences, women-led events are a key pillar of Boston's tech ecosystem. They not only facilitate networking but also provide platforms for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaborative learning.
- TechTogether - TechTogether ↗ is focusing on bridging the gender gap in tech, TechTogether is the largest initiative for women and non-binary hackers in the US, started right in Boston. They host hackathons to create a safe space for collaboration and innovation.
- Women Who Code - Women Who Code ↗ is a global non-profit organization that has an active Boston chapter. They organize meetups and networking events and offer career development workshops for women in tech, fostering an environment of empowerment and growth.
Digital Platforms and Social Networks
Through various online platforms, Boston's women in tech are maintaining connections, sharing resources, and fostering a supportive community. These digital spaces allow busy professionals to connect and collaborate on their terms, making the most of the modern digital toolbox.
- Boston Women in Tech (BWIT) - BWIT ↗ is a digital platform designed for women in tech fields. It offers job postings, event listings, forums for career advice, and material for skill advancement. It's a one-stop resource for staying current and connected in the bustling tech arena.
- LinkedIn community - BWIT also maintains an active LinkedIn group ↗ that facilitates professional connections and discussions. With a focus on promoting visibility for women in tech, this forum is an excellent platform for networking, mentorship, and employment opportunities.
Innovation Centers and Incubators
In the heart of Boston, innovation centers and incubators are fostering the growth of women-led tech startups. They offer supportive environments where women in tech can take risks, innovate and achieve their full potential.
- WeBOS StartHub - Boston's one-stop-shop for tech startups, WeBOS StartHub showcases a host of women-led startups and offers resources tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs.
- SheStarts - Specifically designed to support female founders in the tech industry, SheStarts offers a unique blend of coaching, networking opportunities, and collaborative workspaces to help startups get off the ground and onto the path toward success.
In the exciting and ever-evolving Boston tech scene, women are connecting, collaborating and helping each other reach new heights. By drawing upon the power of community, they are carving out spaces where they can break barriers, foster mutual support, and redefine what it means to be a woman in tech.
Picture taken from Women Impact Tech.
The Power of Mentorship: Mentoring Programs for Women in Boston's Tech Community
When it comes to career growth and development, few elements hold as much power as mentorship. The Boston tech community has extensive networks where mentoring is highly valued, particularly in fostering the growth of women in technology fields. A helping hand, practical advice, experience sharing, an open ear - the benefits of mentorship are innumerable. Here, we'll delve into several robust mentorship programs tailored for women in Boston’s tech community.
Technovation[M]A
As part of its mission to cultivate young women leaders in technology, Technovation[M]A ↗ runs a mentorship program for girls across Massachusetts. The mentors, who are professionals from the tech industry, assist in enriching the technological and entrepreneurial skills of their mentees. This helps these young girls to develop tech-based projects that solve real-world problems.
Girls Who Code
Another organization championing women in tech is Girls Who Code ↗. With their exceptional mentorship program, they target high school girls, helping them nurture their digital skills. The mentors involved in the organization are tasked with instilling courage in these young minds to ensure they constructively impact the tech industry.
She Geeks Out Mentorship Program
Intended to bridge the gender gap in tech and related fields, the She Geeks Out Mentorship Program ↗ is a thriving initiative. The program matches mentors and mentees in the Boston area based on shared interests and goals. This mentorship initiative is particularly beneficial because the relationships fostered often extend past the formal program duration, leading to enduring professional and personal growth.
Each of these programs plays a vital role in scaling the engagement of women in the Boston tech scene, whether through formal training, mentorship, or networking opportunities. Access to experienced mentors can significantly impact a woman’s trajectory in the tech industry, leading to more visibility, growth, and ultimately, diversification in the field. Mentorship is undoubtedly a keystone for Boston's women in tech to watch.
Closing the Gender Gap: Initiatives Working Towards Equality in Boston's Tech Sector
As we make forays into the future led by technology, women in the tech industry still face considerable hurdles when it comes to breaking into this predominantly male industry. In Boston, however, there's an encouraging move towards bridging this gender divide. A parade of initiatives fueled by tireless organizations and dedicated individuals is striving to close the gender gap that persists in the city's booming tech sector.
Only 20% of tech executives in Boston are women. ↗
MassTLC’s Women’s Initiative
The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC ↗) launched an initiative in 2015 to drive change. It's a committed push to double the percentage of women in the senior leadership and the entire tech workforce by 2020. From organizing regular networking and mentorship events, to promoting STEM education for girls, this bold initiative is fostering interest and accessibility in the tech field for women.
Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS)
This initiative by the City of Boston aims to provide women entrepreneurs with the resources and community they need to thrive. Packed with powerful programs like the WE BOS Week ↗, it works to connect women entrepreneurs, promoting innovation, networking and collaboration among Boston’s women in tech.
RevolutionHER
Boston can also pride itself on playing host to RevolutionHER ↗, a unique initiative looking to encourage women-led tech startups. This initiative aims to bring together ambitious women, creating a nurturing network that fosters innovation, offers mentorship and provides opportunities to showcase women’s accomplishments within the tech industry.
These initiatives are just the beginning, with numerous other efforts underway to bolster Boston's tech community inclusivity. From nurturing women-led start-ups and encouraging more women into tech leadership roles, Boston is keeping its eyes on the prize – a diverse, inclusive, and equitable tech industry that uplifts women in technology.
How are women in tech in Boston breaking barriers and overcoming challenges?
The realm of technology, traditionally dominated by men, is seeing a clear shift in Boston, and much of this change is driven by women breaking barriers and overcoming challenges. These women are redefining the tech landscape, one step at a time.
One way women are breaking barriers is through risk-taking and entrepreneurship. For instance, a recent report highlighted that over the past decade, the percentage of startups in Boston founded by women has seen an increase from 26% to 30% - that’s higher than the national average which is closer to 20%. They are not only starting tech ventures but are growing them into profitable businesses that contribute to the larger tech scene.
The bold actions of women also play a pivotal role in breaking traditional molds and freeing the tech space from gendered stereotypes. We're increasingly seeing women occupying leadership roles in tech-related sectors. They are proving their merit as formidable leaders by successfully navigating AI, blockchain, and other technological advancements, proving that gender does not determine proficiency in the tech industry.
Women are overcoming challenges by leaning on their community for support and resilience. Knowing that they are not alone in the obstacles they face, women in tech in Boston have created a supportive network where encouragement, assistance, and comfort are generously offered. Fostering mentorships, forging partnerships, or simply exchanging ideas, these communities help individuals navigate the tech terrain.
Moreover, women in Boston's tech community have been proactive in tackling sexism and gender-bias, often head-on. They're advocating for equal opportunities advocating for equal pay and more representation in leadership roles. As a result, there has been a slow but steady increase in tech companies implementing and revising their policies to create a more equitable work environment.
Lastly, the sheer persistence and perseverance of women are driving change. Their tireless effort to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, including those beyond the workspace, serves as an inspiring testament to their resilience. Despite the hindrances and setbacks that are unique to them — balancing work and family, dealing with implicit bias, and more — women in Boston are moving forward steadfastly, carving out their place in the tech domain.
Thus, through tremendous determination and ceaseless effort, women in Boston's tech scene are shifting paradigms. They are triumphing over challenges and using obstacles as stepping stones, gradually transforming the tech industry and showing the world that they are here to stay and succeed.
Celebrating Success: Inspiring Stories from Boston's Trailblazing Women in Tech
Boston's women in tech are more than just members of the tech ecosystem; they're driving forces which are shaping its evolution every day. Let's learn about some of these inspiring trailblazers who are making waves in Boston's tech scene.
Diane Hessan
Considered one of Boston's most influential tech leaders, Diane Hessan founded the highly successful Startup Institute and C Space ↗. Startup Institute helps individuals build the technical skills, mindset, and network to get a job at a startup, and C Space is a global customer agency focusing on customer insights, brand communications, and experiences. Despite her high-profile successes, Diane remains firmly committed to believing in technology as a force for good, helping other entrepreneurs and startups thrive.
Rebecca Liebman
Identified by Forbes as one of the “30 under 30” in Education, Rebecca has set new standards of achievement. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of LearnLux ↗, a digital financial wellness platform that helps employees make informed financial decisions. Under Rebecca's innovative leadership, LearnLux has attracted major partnerships and investment from the likes of Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures, Salesforce, and the Financial Health Network.
Debbie Theobald
As the co-founder of Vecna Technologies ↗, an advanced robotics company, Debbie has spent the past two decades spearheading the use of robotics in healthcare. Under her leadership, Vecna has developed technology that improves patient outcomes and creates efficiencies in the healthcare industry. Her pioneering work earned her a spot on The Boston Business Journal's list of "Women to Watch in Science and Technology."
Boston's female leaders continue to redefine the frontiers of tech innovation. These stories of success remind us of the boundless potential of technology and the role of women in accessing and amplifying that potential.
Startups with at least one female founder perform 63% better than all-male teams. ↗
In conclusion, the advancement of women in tech in Boston is a promising prospect that deserves due attention. The successes of these trailblazers not only set an important precedent but also represent an opportunity for exponential growth, innovation and societal change. The significant performance of startups with at least one female founder underscores the importance of gender diversity in teams.
It is integral for the tech community to make conscious efforts to promote, nurture, and support the continued participation and contributions of women. Remember, progression and innovation thrive most in diverse environments. The stories of these women stand as a testament to the potential others have when given fair and equal opportunities.
"When one woman helps another, amazing things can happen. Professional careers leap forward." - Cindy Gallop
So, keep a close eye on the Boston women in tech and prepare to be inspired. They are the future pioneers, the exceptional leaders, and the problem-solvers of tomorrow - showing us all what is truly possible when barriers are broken and bridges are built.
Banner picture from Lance Anderson ↗ on Unsplash ↗
