Inspiring Women in the Digital Era

The Madrid Startup Community Forum, a Spanish association, runs the programme pro bono with the support of the public and private sector. The first event was supported by the European Commission, Startup Europe, the Health & Equality Ministry, Área 31 – IE Business School, Correos, Ferrovial, Gas Natural, the Spanish association Mujeres a Seguir, Microsoft, Siemens & Telefónica Open Future, within the IE Business School.

What is/was the challenge?

From our experience in Madrid, it became apparent that female scientists and entrepreneurs and women in startups often lack support and their needs are easily overlooked in the business world. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with guidance, support and more visibility. We need to raise even more awareness to reach more women and make them aware of digital transformation today and the opportunity they have to create startups. The local government/public sector should see this as one of their priorities for local activities, in collaboration with other stakeholders such as startup communities. This support is not just a question of justice but also a business case.

What is the project?

Inspiring Women in the Digital Era project works hard on raising awareness primarily through social media (twitter) and networking on a personal level. We organise events for female entrepreneurs, promote already existing among the female-led startups, coordinate coaching programs for women and lead a campaign to inspire women launch their own startups or become investors.

We give female entrepreneurs visibility in events such as:

• Inspiring Women in the Digital Era in September 2017 at the premises of the IE Business School, where more than 20 women presented their start-up at the presence of Lucia Cerón, the Director of the Spanish Women Institute (a public institution).
• Training in developing entrepreneurs involved in startups and improving their pitching skills in collaboration with KPMG, European Commission, Women Business Angels for Europe’s Entrepreneurs and IESE Business Schools
• We invite 20 female startupers to Startup Olé in April 2018: two roundtables about future trends and artificial intelligence.
• ICADE in April 2018: two roundtables about women in fashion and startups, the connection between blockchain and the fashion sector.
• Business Angels in collaboration with IESE: we coach female entrepreneurs to pitch and present their ideas in front, and then we try to match them with potential investors.

Full Version of the article is accessible via our Portfolio – SCALE.CITIES Handbook