EQL:HER powers gender equity

Overview:

Informa Tech believes that diversity is key to the success of the tech industry and that by creating platforms that ensure representation we can lead the way for our industry.

Challenge:

Tech is the future, yet women make up only 25% of tech workers, 5% of tech leaders and 17% of tech founders. Fewer than 20% of all venture investors are women and just 2.9% of funding goes to female founders. Armed with the knowledge that diverse businesses are more successful, it is crucial to connect the global community of tech talent, investors and leaders with the shared goal of empowering and advancing women in tech and driving more opportunities for them.

Solution:

A joint initiative between Informa Tech and Founders Forum, EQL:HER is a network designed to provide the tech community with the opportunity to champion women, make connections and start key conversations. It brings together investors, influential leaders and the tech community to empower women at a global scale.

30,000+

women in the EQL:HER network globally

300,000+

employees positively impacted across the globe

territories elevating women in tech with dedicated award

Empowering change

EQL:HER (formerly AccelerateHER) is the leading network for women in tech, providing a place to network, engage with peers and discuss the challenges and opportunities in our industry. This powerful and growing global network counts more than 30,000 women in technology as members and benefits from the patronage of leading figures in business and government.

Established in partnership with Founders Forum, advisers include Cherie Blair CBE QC, Martha Lane Fox CBE, Stemettes co-founder Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and Mumsnet’s Justin Roberts CBE.

Over the past seven years, EQL:HER has provided opportunities for women to connect with mentors, sponsors, peers and employers in the technology industry. These range from private dinners to online audiences of thousands with global leaders such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Arianna Huffington and former CEO of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. In 2022, a Ukrainian Female Tech Talent Breakfast connected over 200 Ukrainian women with employers, mentors and investors in London.

EQL:HER has sought to build key partnerships to further its aims:

Champions of Change

Partnering with Global Tech, the Champions of Change Global Tech initiative brings together a network of CEOs leading in global companies such as WPP, Naspers, Condé Nast and the BBC. Together, they have implemented significant changes making a positive impact on an aggregate workforce of 300,000 employees from across the globe by taking action to improve inclusive workplace culture by tackling everyday sexism, everyday racism, homophobia and reducing the exclusive homogenous culture in tech.

The Pledge

EQL:Pledge is designed to help founders from underrepresented backgrounds to secure funding. In partnership with Pitch, EQL:Pledge facilitates connects between investors committed to equity and founders from underrepresented communities. Companies signing the pledge include a range of global venture capitalists including Capital T, Amadeus Capital Partners, Fintech Fuse and Channel 4 Ventures.

“The glaring disparity in representation across the startup ecosystem means we all miss out on the benefits that come from diverse leadership. In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to actively change the narrative. I believe that the work that EQL:Pledge is doing together with Pitch and EQL:HER will have the power to connect founders and funders and initiate this progress in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Former US Secretary of State

Inspiring Fifty

In 2018, EQL:HER launched an award designed to recognise women excelling in tech. Initially started in the Netherlands, it has spread across nine territories including the UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Canada, and the Nordic and DACH regions. Inspiring Fifty is now a global awards ceremony, recognising and showcasing outstanding trailblazers, innovators and leaders breaking the barriers in tech.