Digital technology is changing healthcare. Electronic health records are being introduced, wearable technology is making us more conscious of exercise and we can access health advice with the click of a button.
It is important that men and women contribute to these changes equally – a diverse tech and startup tech sector will ensure the greatest benefits. In the startup economy, where only 1 in 4 founders are female, there is a push to tackle the tech and digital entrepreneur stereotype of blokes in hoodies playing table tennis.
BlueChilli’s SheStarts is a multi-million dollar initiative that is doing just that – and GSK is backing the very best female tech entrepreneurs in Australia with their support for the program.
SheStarts is a competitive program for ambitious female tech entrepreneurs with ideas for high-impact startup businesses. The program offers ten female-led startups $100k each in pre-seed capital and a spot in the SheStarts accelerator to provide support to take their businesses from idea to launch.
This program is inspiring, not just because it facilitates innovative thinking and will help get incredible ideas off the ground, but because it is helping to break down the stereotypes that hold so many women back across tech and entrepreneurship.
The SheStarts top ten include tech innovations that have the potential to transform healthcare and help patients and healthcare professionals alike.
A documentary web-series will kick off this month to capture the journeys of the top ten, as part of a campaign to inspire women and girls across Australia to consider a future in tech and entrepreneurship.
The series will lift the lid on the realities and challenges female entrepreneurs face, touching on major issues such as gendered expectations for caring responsibilities, unconscious bias, conscious bias and the gender gap in financial security and investment.
By giving confidence and support to women with great ideas, we can foster a more diverse workforce.
Women Love Tech would like to thank Bernadette Murdoch for her article.
Bernadette Murdoch is Head of Corporate Affairs at GSK Australasia. She is fascinated by how digital technology is disrupting industries and changing the way we work, communicate and live every aspect of our lives. She is also passionate about diversity and inclusion and making sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute equally to the digital changes around us.
