Tech Ready Women Founder Christie Whitehill knows what it’s like to raise money as a female founder, and like me, it’s not surprising to learn it’s not a walk in the park. But with the right advice and determination, it can be done.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in raising capital, and helping other women do the same, is that confidence and clarity are everything. Investors want to see someone who can articulate their why, their why them? ” says Christie.
“The problem, the opportunity and the market, but most importantly, who knows their numbers! I always tell female founders, your story is your superpower. I’ve pitched while nervous, underprepared and overprepared. What works is knowing the business metrics, having real traction, and being clear about what kind of investor you’re looking for. And remember, rejection is redirection. Every “no” helped me refine the business and ultimately led me to better partners.”
Here Christie expands on her advice to other women trying to raise funds for their start-up.
What should a startup founder know?
Your mindset is everything. As a founder, you need to stay open, adaptable and willing to test, pivot and learn fast. When I started Tech Ready Women, I quickly realised that having a fixed plan wasn’t enough- it was the ability to to pivot and adapt that truly made the difference. Our success came from continuously iterating based on feedback and staying nimble.
Robyn Foyster: What inspired you to start Tech Ready Women?
Christie Whitehill: I was inspired by my own experiences in the tech industry. I saw a significant gap in support and resources for women looking to enter the tech startup world. I wanted to create a platform that could provide the necessary tools, education, and confidence for women to succeed in tech. Tech Ready Women was born out of a desire to empower women to turn their tech ideas into reality.
Robyn Foyster: How has the landscape changed for female founders since you started?
Christie Whitehill: There’s been significant progress, but we still have a long way to go. When I started, there were very few programs or networks tailored specifically for women in tech. Now, we see more initiatives, support systems, and a growing recognition of the importance of diversity in innovation. However, female founders still face challenges in accessing funding and mentorship compared to their male counterparts. It’s crucial to continue advocating for equal opportunities and representation.
Robyn Foyster: What advice would you give to women who are just starting their journey in tech entrepreneurship?
Christie Whitehill: Believe in yourself and your vision. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and continuously seek knowledge. The tech industry can be intimidating, but persistence and resilience are key. Lastly, celebrate your milestones, no matter how small—they are all steps toward your ultimate goal.
How have you helped hundreds of female founded businesses grow, seek investment and sell over the past 8 years?
Over the past eight years, I’ve worked with thousands of women through Tech Ready Women. We’ve run programs with government, universities and corporate partners to demystify the startup process, especially for women who don’t come from a tech background. It’s about more than training. It’s about giving women a space to be bold, to back themselves and to take action. Seeing our alumni raise capital, get acquired or launch game-changing products has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I love it!
What do you need to do to build an app or website that is dynamic?
You don’t need to know how to code, but you do need to know your user. I learned this when I built my own tech product in the early days and made all the classic mistakes- overbuilding, assuming I knew what users wanted, and not testing early. Now, I always advise founders to validate first, build lean and focus on solving one problem really well. Work with people who understand UX and product strategy, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working.
Research shows more mums are seeking to become entrepreneurs. What tips do you have to get started?
Us mums make amazing entrepreneurs because we’re natural problem solvers and multitaskers. Many of the women I’ve worked with launched businesses based on personal experiences- products or services they wished existed. My biggest tip is: start where you are. Use your time wisely, even if it’s just one or three hours a day while baby naps or kids are at school. Most importantly, build a network of other women who get it, and don’t let perfection slow you down. Progress over polish, always.
Tips for learning the ins and outs of tech and automation to help scale your business with less effort?
Tech can be your best friend when scaling, especially when you’re wearing many hats. At Tech Ready Women we use tools like Zapier and Notion to automate tasks, and I’m a big believer in low-code platforms. You don’t need to be a tech whiz- you just need to be curious and willing to experiment. Start by mapping your most repetitive tasks. Where are you spending time that could be automated? Things like customer onboarding, social media scheduling, lead capture and email flows can often be set up in a few hours using platforms like Active Campaign, Typeform or Airtable. Another tip? Document everything. Build systems as if you’re going to hand them off tomorrow- even if it’s just to future you. The mindset shift helps you move from reactive to proactive. I’ve seen founders go from overwhelmed to in control simply by setting up a few smart automations. Learning tech isn’t about becoming a developer, it’s about giving yourself time back to focus on what matters most: growing your vision.
About Tech Ready Women
Tech Ready Women is an Australian organisation empowering female entrepreneurs to build tech startups without prior tech experience.
