HomeKnow-HowBreaking the glass ceiling: How women are tackling tech's gender gap

Breaking the glass ceiling: How women are tackling tech’s gender gap

The tech industry has long been known for its lack of diversity, particularly in terms of gender. Women are underrepresented in the field, making up only 25% of the workforce. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to break the glass ceiling and increase the representation of success for women in the tech industry.

Looking at the outlook for diversity in Europe’s startup ecosystem, it’s widely reported that non-white and non-male founders are still reporting discrimination, are receiving less funding and facing more obstacles in accessing opportunities.

The gender gap in tech

The gender gap in the tech industry is well-documented. According to a report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, women make up only 25% of the workforce in the tech industry. This gap is even wider at the executive level, where women hold only 11% of leadership positions. To shed further light on the issue, we can look at Atomico’s State of European Tech report which exposed that the proportion of funding raised by women-only teams has dropped from 3% to 1% since 2018, and, of those receiving funding, they’re getting less.

For one, it means that the industry is missing out on the talents and skills of half of the population. In addition, it can create a culture in which women are not welcomed or supported, which can make it difficult for women to succeed in the industry.

Breaking the glass ceiling

Despite the challenges, there are a number of women who have broken through the glass ceiling and advanced to leadership positions in the tech industry. These women serve as role models and inspirations for others who are looking to do the same.

One of the women who has broken through the glass ceiling is Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube. Wojcicki is the first woman to lead a major tech company and has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth at YouTube.

Another woman who has broken through the glass ceiling is Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. Saujani has been a vocal advocate for women in tech and has worked to increase the representation of women in the industry through her organization.

Challenges women still face

While there are women who have broken through the glass ceiling, there are still many challenges that women in the tech industry face. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of representation, which can make it difficult for women to find mentors and role models who they can relate and learn from.

Another challenge that women in the tech industry face is the lack of support. Women often have to work harder than men to prove themselves and earn respect in the industry.  Taking an intersectional look at the entrepreneurial community, we see that women of colour are facing additional barriers – and discrimination is incredibly widespread. According to Founderland’s Rise & Thrive Report, in Germany, workplace discrimination is becoming increasingly prevalent. Before the pandemic, workplace discrimination was growing by 10-15% annually in Germany, which saw a significant increase to almost 79% during the pandemic.

Breaking the glass ceiling in the tech industry is an ongoing process. Despite the progress that has been made, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality in the industry. By highlighting the achievements of women in the tech industry and addressing the challenges that women still face, we can help to create a more inclusive and equitable industry where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed.

The power of women in the tech industry

The tech industry has long been known for its lack of diversity, particularly in terms of gender. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to increase the representation of women in the tech industry and to recognize the contributions and power of women in the field.

Recognizing women in tech means taking time to celebrate successes, highlighting inspiring women to provide references for the next generation, and giving these influential and impactful women a platform to share their voices.

We recently highlighted 25 of the most active female business angels in Europe and chatted to Eleanor Kaye about how we can diversify the VC space. She shared with us the importance of opening opportunities and addressing the big challenges.

We don’t shy away from the conversations that matter and are constantly learning, challenging ourselves to do better and to listen to those from marginalized communities.”

Women’s contributions to tech

Women have made significant contributions to the tech industry throughout its history. From Ada Lovelace, who is considered to be the world’s first computer programmer, to Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler, women have been instrumental in shaping the tech industry as we know it today.

Despite these contributions, women have often been overlooked and undervalued in the industry. We are now, finally, seeing a growing recognition of women in the tech industry. This is important because it helps to ensure that the industry is inclusive and equitable and that all individuals have the opportunity to succeed.

Women in leadership

One of the most important ways in which women are advancing in the tech industry is through leadership positions. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in the industry and are making a positive impact on the direction and success of the companies they lead.

For example, women like Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, have been instrumental in driving innovation and growth at their respective companies. In addition, many women are also starting their own tech companies and leading them to success, such as Jen Hyman and Jenny Fleiss, co-founders of Rent the Runway.

Laura Clay
Laura Clay
Laura Clay is a researcher and consultant focused on gender strategy and organizational development. With extensive experience in conducting research and providing recommendations for organizational change, Laura has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in this area. Laura has worked with a variety of organizations to improve their gender diversity and inclusion practices and is passionate about using their expertise to help create more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
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