The UK tech sector has seen the number of female workers dip between the first and second quarters of 2023, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The annual everywoman in Technology Awards, celebrating the most inspirational women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), are open for nominations for 2024 and have announced their new title partner, Bupa Global & UK.

Global hygiene and health company Essity has partnered with FemTech Lab to support startups in the area of women’s health, hygiene and wellbeing this Autumn 2023. 

It is vital to champion founders from underrepresented groups, especially in the tech startup ecosystem, as traditionally the tech space is majority made up of white males. According to “The Business of Tech Q4 2022 Diversity Report”, created by Dave Sobel, which examined diversity development in tech leadership, found that 88.92% of the tech industry’s leaders were white men.

Back in 2018, Fibank (First Investment Bank) launched its special Smart Lady programme in support of Bulgarian businesswomen.

Amelia Peckham, the CEO and Co-Founder of Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks personally knows the importance of genuine diversity and inclusion policies in the workplace. Having worked in a selection of startups throughout her career, she believes that they do in fact benefit from being smaller companies that can act faster. Decisions can be made quicker and red tape is minimal so it’s easy to pivot and adjust as things progress.

Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, and Sony Music UK, have announced a cohort of ten pioneering digital-first startups, to participate in the inaugural FutureScope Black Founders Programme. The programme will  support Black British entrepreneurs in the digital entertainment space, and encourage the successful commercialisation of their innovative new solutions. 

A groundbreaking research study conducted by campaign group Access2Funding, in partnership with leading organisations, has exposed the shocking disparities faced by disabled and neurodiverse entrepreneurs in the UK and the knock-on impact to the UK economy.

Resource Solutions, provider of workforce and advisory solutions, has announced a community-focused partnership with InnovateHer, a values-led social enterprise dedicated to addressing the gender imbalance in the tech sector.

The Treasury Committee is challenging the lack of diversity in the venture capital industry as only 2% of funding goes toward female founded and ethnic minority businesses, according to new report.

As a university professor and CEO of an EdTech company, I have experienced first-hand various challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the two sectors. While systemic issues persist, there are opportunities for individual companies to adopt best practices. Here are three tips for startups.

Take the time to do some research, and you can quickly find the names of 50 leading UK-based black tech entrepreneurs, all highly respected and the powerhouses behind successful businesses.

Pink Salt Ventures, the UK venture capital firm solely focused on funding female founders, announces the results of a survey of its founder community - which reveals startling new data and attitudes about how male and female founders are treated by investors - and the consequences.

Modern workplaces are a melting pot of different generations and perspectives. With Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z all collaborating in the same post-Covid working environment, business culture has had to evolve significantly over recent years.

Workplaces across the country aren’t providing working mothers with the support packages, pay-rises and promotions they need – according to a new survey of 6,000 UK professionals (in white collar jobs).

Oracle Red Bull Racing, the Formula One (F1) team, and its official Team Partner Rokt, a global player in ecommerce technology, has announced that they are launching a global talent search for female F1 sim racers.

2021 figures indicate that in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women. The percentage of female engineers and computer professionals varies by specialisation too.

London-based manufacturing specialist, Get It Made, has launched a new 2023 grant to support the potential of women in innovation and to boost the growth of female employment within the UK industry.

Mark your calendars for National Women’s Enterprise Week, taking place from the 19th to the 23rd of June 2023. This is the first nationwide campaign set to honour and empower female entrepreneurship.

As your business grows, creating a culture that supports your business goals and helps you deliver the experience you want for your customers and clients is vital.