“Technology is not just another industry. It’s all around us. It shapes how we communicate, how we move, how we learn, everything. But while technology is designed for 100% of the population, for all of us it is only shaped by 50%, that is, by men.”

OUR Eleni Aktypi he knows what he’s talking about. It only took seven years in the marketing and communications department of leading Greek startups to realize that the industry was dominated by men. “Especially when we talk about the technical teams that are also shaping the future of these companies,” says “K”currently Managing Director of WE LEAD, a new non-profit dedicated to empowering women in the technology and business of tomorrow.

Leadership problem

Let’s talk about data. Recent Marathon Venture Capital study in 40 Greek startups showed that only 19.5% of employees in technical positions (engineering, data and product) were women. The percentage of female engineers was much lower at 15.6%. The phenomenon is global. According to the World Economic Forum 2021 report, women make up just 26% of technical workers worldwide. As Ms. Aktypi notes, the biggest problem is in leadership positions. A study of Greek startups shows that the percentage of women in leadership positions does not exceed 12.6%. “I searched the market for a female CTO and found only…three.” The CTO is known to be the second or third most important person in any technology company. They are responsible for research and development as well as new product design. “When there are not enough women in leadership positions in technology companies, it follows that the products and services that these companies produce are not 100% meeting the needs of women.”

So the challenge is not just to get women into tech companies, but to be able to stay in them and grow. “Polls abroad show that between 22% and 38%, depending on the survey, of women working in the tech industry are considering leaving either because of discrimination or a lack of promotion prospects,” says Mr. Ms. Aktypi. “It is no coincidence that in companies where women occupy leadership positions, there are more women in general. It’s not about diversity. Women bring a different way of thinking, different needs, different points of view. They also help the company and its products to be more sustainable.” According to research, companies with at least 30% of women in leadership positions are 20% more efficient and productive.

Training and Consumables

WE LEAD strives to take a comprehensive approach to the problem. On the one hand, the biggest challenge is inspiring more women to get into tech. “There are still a lot of stereotypes around the industry. “Many women still think that technology is sitting in front of a black screen all day and writing code.” At the same time, it aims to provide women, through purpose-built learning spaces, with the tools and knowledge they need to build a growing career, and through networking and peer support programs to offer them networking opportunities. “Technology is not just a place for boys,” Ms. Aktypi says characteristically.