GENDEX conference season debrief 🌍 + Web Summit giveaway!
Hi there,
It’s been a busy month here at GENDEX! 💥 Conference season is in full swing, and we’ve been making the rounds. Last month, at TechBBQ, this month at Sifted Summit and WVC:E Summit. 🌍
Next up? We’re getting ready for Web Summit where we’ll be hosting a workshop, keep an eye on our LinkedIn for details—we’d love to see you there. Oh, and we’re giving away a ticket for a woman in tech to join us at Web Summit! 🎟️ Check below for how to enter.
✉️ If you'd like to feature something in next month’s newsletter, just drop us an email with the subject line "Feature Request" at gendex@founderland.org.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you soon!
— Sophie Webber, Communications Lead at Founderland for GENDEX
Debrief incoming…
🇩🇰 TechBBQ, Copenhagen
We moderated a panel on building inclusive teams in tech. 💬 One standout story came from Crunchbase CEO Jager McConnell, who posed as a co-founder to help a female friend raise capital. Investors immediately assumed he was the CEO, leading to better fundraising outcomes—an example of the persistent bias women face in the VC world. 😤
💡 The need for better diversity data to drive change was clear—exactly what GENDEX is working on.
Catch the full recap in our video here.
🇬🇧 Sifted Summit, London
We hosted a GENDEX roundtable on diversifying deep tech: Where are we going wrong for women founders? 💬 A scheduling clash with a major deep tech talk meant fewer attendees, but the session still sparked insightful conversations. Founders opened up about their personal experiences, with many sharing a less-than-optimistic view of the current landscape for women in deep tech. 😕
🇫🇷 WVC:E Summit Paris
At the WVC:E Summit, we shared what we’re building and gathered valuable feedback. Our guests loved the idea of a continuous "progress bar" for diversity, ensuring transparency without overwhelming founders—rather than a simple good-or-bad assessment. 📊
We also learned that investors are tracking diversity in various ways, with no unified system across funds. Enter GENDEX. 💁♀️
Feeling inspired to collaborate? If you’re working on any diversity certification initiatives, we’d love to connect!
GENDEX October progress 🔥
Our deep tech survey is officially finished, and we want to thank everyone who took part. Here are some of the preliminary findings 📊
🎟️ Web Summit Ticket Giveaway!
Are you a woman in tech who’s ready to attend Web Summit? We’re giving away a ticket, and entering is easy! Here’s how:
Share this newsletter by clicking the button below.
Email us a screenshot of your share at gendex@founderland.org.
You have until October 31st to enter, and one lucky winner will be selected at random! Good luck! 💫
Content & Resource
📊 Mothers in VC. WVC:E’s latest report explores the experiences of mothers in venture capital. Download the report.
🔥 Safe Raise. A new platform tackling sexual harassment in venture capital, creating a safer space for women founders.
💼 What’s behind the success of women investors in reshaping the investment world and driving stronger returns? Read the article.
🩸 Leadership Change at Clue. Audrey Tsang steps down as CEO of fem-tech startup Clue, with Rhiannon White taking her place. Read more.
🇪🇺 Standardised EU Inc. Support the petition for a pan-European structure to help startups thrive. Sign the petition.
💪Top 200 Women-Powered Businesses. JP Morgan’s new report highlights growing progress for women-led businesses in the UK. Explore the report.
🤔 Why is DEI still a tough sell for some CEOs? Check out our latest article to learn more.