WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Women Who Tech, a U.S.-based nonprofit that advocates to close the funding gap for women in the technology and startup industry, today announced the 10 finalists selected for the sixth Women Startup Challenge who will pitch their startup in a “Shark Tank-style” competition to top investors and an audience of tech industry executives at Google’s New York campus in Chelsea.
“A meager 7 percent of investor money goes to women-led startups. Through the Women Startup Challenge, we aim to shakeup a culture that has made it exceedingly difficult for women entrepreneurs to access capital,” said Allyson Kapin, founder of Women Who Tech. “We’re excited to showcase top early-stage women-led startups that are at the forefront of technological innovation: building drones and holographic displays, developing cutting-edge healthcare to save lives, creating renewable energy sources, and improving environmental sustainability.”
Since its inception the Women Startup Challenge has worked with over 1,700 diverse, women-led startups, awarded over $1,000,000 in cash and prizes, and seen alumni collectively raise over $20M.
“Fairness means supporting good ideas that are making an impact in this world, regardless of gender, and the Women Startup Challenge is an effective way to do that. Connections to serious influencers, like noted VCs, points the right way to a new normal,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
The Women Startup Challenge finalists:
The 10 finalists, selected from nearly 300 applicants from across the U.S., will present their pitches on March 6, 2018 at Google in NYC. The winner will receive $50,000 as a cash grant.
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The panel of judges who will be selecting the winners of the Challenge include:
Women Who Tech has been supported by Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Google, Blanc & Otus, Fred and Joanne Wilson, LinkedIn, the Office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Mozilla, Microsoft, IBM, General Assembly, Rad Campaign, and Donna Griffit, Corporate Storyteller.
About Women Who Tech
Women Who Tech is on a mission to close the funding gap. We’re shaking up a culture and economy that has made it exceedingly difficult for women to launch startups and raise capital. By showcasing women-led ventures through our Women Startup Challenges we put capital, mentoring, and resources behind women who are creating the most innovative tech companies so we can help them scale their products.
Contact:
Taylor Phillips
Account Executive
[email protected]
415 856 5129
SOURCE Women Who Tech
