Our women in tech event is always the most anticipated of the year. Being able to network with like-minded females in the tech startup space, while also being able to pick up a copy of the new Startups Magazine on the day it’s released, means there’s always a palpable excitement in the air at the gathering.

We know there is still a gap that we need to bridge when it comes to female founders, diversity, and inclusion and we want to make sure we're continuing the conversation every year. This yearly event, and the September/October issue of the magazine which covers all things women in tech and female founders, is our way of ensuring that this conversation is one that is constantly ongoing.

We’re especially excited, as we’re mixing it up from our usual event format. Firstly, as you may have seen or heard, this time we’re hosting our event in Hove, at the fantastic workspace PLATF9RM. And secondly, rather than only having a keynote speaker and some networking, we have decided to introduce some roundtables after the keynote speech, for the first time ever!

We have hand-picked experts in their fields to ensure you are able to get the most out of this event. See below for the topics, and experts, that will be taking part in this spectacular event.

Keynote speaker: Clare Griffiths

Clare Griffiths is an award-winning entrepreneurship educator, startup adviser and social entrepreneur who has over 20 years of experience offering business support and advice to startups and small businesses from a range of industries in London and the Southeast.

She is a strong advocate for female founders and women in business and is dedicated to developing effective ways to achieve gender equity within society - something which she studied at Master’s degree level at the Institute of Social Studies in Holland.

In 2018, Clare founded Thrive, an impact-led business on a mission to enable female founders, freelancers and changemakers to gain the knowledge, clarity and community they need to grow a resilient, small business.

"Scaling a tech startup during an economic crisis"

One of the roundtable discussions will focus on how you can scale a tech startup during an economic crisis, hosted by Polly Lavarello.

Polly Lavarello is a global leading business coach and marketing expert for women business owners. With more than 15 years of experience, Lavarello prides herself on making marketing simple. She is on a mission to help women entrepreneurs scale successful, sustainable businesses that enable them to have the financial and time freedom that she herself used to crave.

Lavarello champions neurodiversity and is a staunch believer that it is a superpower, not a disability. Having autism and ADHD herself, along with two neurodiverse children, she wants to change the associated stigma and show women, and the next generation, that nothing can hold you back from being who you want to be and creating the career you dream of having.

"How to build a tech startup without a technical background"

Another roundtable will discuss the ways you can build a tech startup when you don’t have a tech background, hosted by Lucia Desperati.

Desperati is a versatile problem-solver, seamlessly blending tech innovation and creativity. With nearly a decade of experience, she has developed skills ranging from project management, software development, creative direction and production. Operating remotely, Lucia has engaged with clients globally, from the US to Europe and beyond.

Without being bound by traditional education, Desperati’s eclectic foundation was built at the Art Institute, followed by studies in Law and Business, and further enriched through several specialised certificates in the fields of creative arts, marketing, and coding. This cross-disciplinary approach allows her to weave together logic, creativity, and technology to find innovative solutions for both people and businesses.

"Top tips for getting the most out of your product design"

Last but not least, the final roundtable will consist of how to get the most out of your product design, hosted by Jess Tyrell.

Tyrrell is a consultant helping creative industries, agencies and tech startups to scale. She relishes working in high-performing teams with a purpose, designing products, organisations, services and business models with users at the centre.

Previously Managing Director of Beyond's Europe studios, a design and technology agency making world-class digital products. She believes in the power of technology to improve people’s lives, and in agile design processes that harness the knowledge of people right across an organisation.

If you haven’t already, grab a ticket before they disappear!