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Top women in tech pitch to global audience

– 29 July

Australia’s top women in tech will this week be able to pitch their ideas to the world at the Australian Women in Tech Pitch event.

The 11 women have been selected by the federal government to take their ideas to an international stage, and is part of the federal government’s efforts to improve gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

“We know that only about one in five people studying IT or engineering degrees are female, and that more needs to be done to boost participation,” said Minister for Industry, Science, and Technology, Karen Andrews.

The winner of the competition will gain gratis entry to an Australian Landing Pad in Berlin, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore or Tel Aviv. These hubs will facilitate connections between the winner and potential customers, clients, and collaborators, while also providing in-depth research and understanding of the local market.

Additionally, all of the 11 finalists receive mentoring from Main Sequence Ventures and a free ticket to the largest international women in technology conference, the Grace Hopper Celebration, to be held in Brisbane from July 29 to 31.

The finalists range from founders of programs using algorithms to process customer insights, platforms for the construction industry, smart mobility apps, medtech start-ups.

The prize is a partnership between Austrade, AusIndustry, CSIRO as well as IBM and the Alibaba Group.

“This initiative is about supporting Australia’s female entrepreneurs, particularly in the tech sector to take their innovations to the next level,” said Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment, Simon Birmingham.

While the program aims to reward those who are already at the top of the game, the ultimate goal is to encourage greater female participation across the STEM landscape.

“I hope this year’s event encourages many more Australian women out there to pursue their ideas, and explore what the possibilities are,” said Birmingham.

Source: Manufacturers’Monthly