UTS recently teamed up with Australian start-up and innovation group BlueChilli to launch SheStarts – a national accelerator program and campaign to turbocharge female leadership in the start-up economy.
With $100,000 on the table for ten women in pre-seed capital and a spot in the SheStarts accelerator backed by corporate diversity champions including foundation partners ANZ, MYOB and Sunsuper, with UTS as higher education partner this program is a gamechanger.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said, "… we have always had innovation at the core of everything we do, be it teaching and learning, research or engagement. Given that, plus our strong commitment to social justice and recognition of the transformative power of education, the SheStarts program is a perfect fit for us … Australia has a real opportunity to lead innovation, benefiting all Australians and supporting a strong startup ecosystem. Empowering women with the confidence and skills to create and lead their own businesses is vital to ensuring Australian success.”
SheStarts Director, BlueChilli Head of Diversity and Impact Nicola Hazell said, "The program aims to change the face of the startup economy [...] Women make up more than 50 per cent of our population, yet in the startup ecosystem--where the most innovative, high potential businesses of the future are being created--women remain grossly underrepresented [...] Australian reports indicate women represent between 14 per cent and 24 per cent of startup founders, and when you look at those attracting investment, the stats are as low as four per cent said Nicola. Our startup ecosystem is undergoing major growth as both government and the corporate sector have recognised the potential to build an innovation-led economy. But we are missing a big part of this economic opportunity, and risk increasing gender inequality if we don't act now. Women-led companies drive three times the returns of companies predominantly led by men [and] female CEOs are leading the push for inclusive leadership, creating companies where all staff can thrive and drive innovation.”
A national talent search is underway to uncover the best tech start-up ideas from women so pass it along. Full details can be found on the SheStarts website. Applications close Monday October 31.
Photo of Nicola Hazell
Image attribution: Sourced from startupsmart.com.au