New initiatives to foster diversity in the tech industry

Financial technology is a rapidly advancing industry with a huge growth potential for new business, providing numerous opportunities for monetization. Expertise and information exchange are crucial to keep track of developments. One of the goals of the Women in FinTeCH initiative is to complement existing activities with an important underserved perspective, in the wider support of commercializing ideas and growing them into successful and sustainable FinTech-Businesses.

Learning from start-ups
Additionally, women are more likely to opt for flexible working arrangements, which are currently still uncommon amongst large corporations. In contrast, startups might well be able to deliver on this growing need and a lot more able to provide attractive professional realization. For this the Women in FinTech group provides a support framework, enabling the community to learn from other knowledgeable members.

Through a joint effort of all members the organizing team aim to make the difference in the industry and in the broader Swiss community through

Facilitating the dialogue among experts and peers
Strategic networking is crucially important for a successful career , therefore we would like to facilitate the access to and engagement with a broader network of experts and peers for female professionals

Designing educational agenda
Ever changing landscape in financial services demands flexibility and adaptability. This have important implications for the young professionals since university or business school takeaways might reveal not directly applicable in the current environment. Women in FinTech aims to provide the next generation with the practical advice and mentorship in order to ensure a successful integration in the professional reality

Supporting and inspiring new business initiatives
Availability of the information about support programs and initiatives (i.e. subsidies, governmental programs) available for the female professionals is often limited. Swiss Finance + Technology Association though Women in FinTech group acts as an information broker for female professionals at different stages of their career

More information on the website of SFTA. If you are a female professional active in FinTech or related sectors and would like to be part of the women in fintech group, receive updates and participate to the next events, you can sign up sign-up through the following form. The initiative is supported by CTI Start-up and entrepreneurship.

WE SHAPE TECH expands to Bern

WE SHAPE TECH is a regularly meetup for women in tech with the goal of fostering greater diversity in the field. The initiative aims to unite Product Owners, Coordinators, Researchers, Designers, Frontend Engineers, Developers and Marketeers to create the leading community in this field.

The first events were held and Zurich and were a huge success. More than 100 women attended the first meetup in March (picture above). WE SHAPE TECH now expands to Bern. The launch event of the Bern chapter will take place on 14 September. The topic of the workshop is «More diverstiy in a digital future». Participants can meet and listen to Hanna Muralt-Müller, ex-Vice Federal Chancellor, about opportunities for women in tech.

More information on the website of WE SHAPE TECH.