Startmate Launches Women-Only Tech Fellowship Program

Startmate has announced partners for its women-focused Fellowship program, bringing AWS Startups, SafetyCulture and Secure Code Warrior on board, as it looks to funnel 300 women into tech startup jobs by the end of 2021.

The partners will enable Startmate’s Fellowship initiative to scale its mission of addressing gender inequality in Australian tech startups.

A 2018 report showed the female share of total technology workers was sitting at just 29 per cent.

Startmate chief executive Michael Batko explains partnerships with some of Australia’s most innovative and forward-thinking female leaders will help grow the women-only Fellowship into maturity, ensuring it can have greater impact on the local startup community and set a precedent for broader change.

“Having such a formidable partnership team will help us take the Fellowship to new audiences and tap into a wider talent pool. We’re excited to have the support of these leaders as we work to get 300 women in Australian tech startups within the next 18 months. Their involvement means we have an opportunity to create tangible change on a bigger scale,” said Batko.

The announcement comes as Startmate launches its first Liminal Conference in partnership with leading venture capital fund Blackbird.

Held between 27–31 July, the free virtual summit promises attendees the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of career defining moves and meet like minded people.

Since its launch in 2019, the Fellowship program has seen 700+ applicants whittled into three cohorts resulting in 40 alumni—most of which have found positions with a range of the country’s leading start-ups, from unicorns such as Canva, to early stage companies including Eucalyptus and Dovetail.

In February 2020, Startmate made the decision to make its Fellowship program open to women only, with the goal of increasing the number of women in top positions with the country’s brightest tech startups.

The first women-only Fellowship saw a 2x increase in applications on the previous Fellowship program, illustrating enthusiasm for pathways that provide greater employment opportunities for women in tech.

Along with sponsoring the Fellowship program, leaders at AWS Startups, SafetyCulture and Secure Code Warrior will offer their time as mentors to the Fellows in the upcoming spring cohort, which will be run virtually in line with social distanding requirements.

“SafetyCulture is excited to be a part of the next fellowship. We see this as a great opportunity to give back to the tech community that we love, plus support women of diverse backgrounds who may not have access to the type of support networks that would allow them to truly shine,” said SafetyCulture VP of people & culture Anna Wenngren.

“We’re proud to support initiatives that drive better diversity outcomes in the tech industry, and equally we are passionate about creating opportunities for our own talented leaders to grow their mentoring skill set. It’s a win-win.”

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