Web Summit’s report from October revealed that women in the tech sector continue to face significant challenges, including underrepresentation, funding disparities, and workplace inequities. Among the over 1,000 surveyed women, 29.6% cited lack of funding as a major barrier to starting a business, highlighting the ongoing struggle of women-led startups to secure venture capital.
Furthermore, 50.8% of respondents reported experiencing sexism in the workplace, while 51% felt unfairly compensated compared to male colleagues. Balancing career and family life remains a growing concern, with 49.1% noting pressure to choose between the two—an increase of 7% from the previous year.
Despite these hurdles, there is optimism. Close to 76% of respondents felt empowered to pursue or hold leadership positions, and over 80% reported having women in senior management roles within their organizations. Encouragingly, 68% of participants viewed AI and automation as potential drivers of gender equity, aligning with broader industry insights on technology’s role in fostering inclusivity.
It’s hard for me to sit back and do nothing when faced with these numbers. I believe that for real change to happen, women need to take action, support one another, and create opportunities for progress.
Female Founders & Investors Dinner: An inspiring evening with pioneering and forward-thinking women
As the Managing Director of Dataconomy Media and Founding Member of Thousand Faces, I’ve always been deeply committed to supporting women in tech. My mission has been to empower women to establish themselves in this industry.
We’ve hosted impactful gatherings this year, including the Female Founders & Investors Networking Dinner at Viva Technology on May 21st, held at the iconic House of Commons, where vibrant discussions with forward-thinking female entrepreneurs and investors fueled potential collaborations. Another highlight was the Female Founders & Investors Gathering in Copenhagen on September 12th, creating a lively space for changemakers to share ideas, spark connections, and drive meaningful innovation.
On November 12th, 2024, Lisbon’s vibrant Palacio do Grilo set the stage for a truly exceptional evening—the Female Founders & Investors Dinner: Web Summit Edition. Co-hosted by Thousand Faces and Dataconomy, the event brought together pioneering female founders, forward-thinking investors, and tech professionals determined to reshape industries and drive meaningful change.
Standing in Palacio do Grilo, I couldn’t help but reflect on its significance. This extraordinary place, now a monument of public interest, took two centuries to build. Its blend of art, performance, food, and community provided the perfect backdrop for the evening.
When women come together, something powerful happens. Shared experiences create bonds of trust, transforming a room into a space where successes are celebrated and challenges are met with understanding. In these moments, ideas grow, confidence builds, and a collective drive emerges—a determination to not only support one another but to create meaningful change.
For me, the dinner was about creating a space where we could connect on a deeper level, share ideas, and inspire each other. It’s through these connections that we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for women in tech and business.
I shared with the guests, “It’s so inspiring to be in such a significant and symbolic place for this purpose. In a way, the time and effort it took to construct this monument mirror the work we’re doing to achieve equity and equality. I hope that, just like this place, our efforts to create these conversations between female founders and investors will stand the test of time. This setting allows us to come together, share ideas, and build meaningful connections that can drive change.”
The conversations highlighted the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces where challenges can be shared without judgment. Traditional environments often place unnecessary pressure on founders to mask their insecurities, which can make genuine dialogue difficult. At the dinner, it became clear how empowering it is to openly discuss struggles and connect with others navigating similar paths.
The value of these gatherings extends beyond networking; they create opportunities for meaningful collaboration. A powerful takeaway from the evening was how the smaller, more intimate setting allowed participants to pitch their ideas in a way that encouraged constructive feedback rather than high-stakes critique. This format enabled founders to share their stories honestly and receive insights that were both actionable and encouraging.
“We really want to create a safe space where everyone feels connected, able to share, and empowered to support each other. That’s why we’re bringing founders and investors together in one place. Our mission at Thousand Faces is to provide a platform to finance female-founded, impact-driven startups. We started as an accelerator program for female founders, supporting them by connecting them to capital. These dinners are an extension of that mission, designed to foster connections between female founders and investors and help them secure financing for their companies,” stated Moojan Asghari, the Founder of Thousand Faces.
Another key insight was the realization that closing the gender gap in investment requires systemic change. Initiatives like the Angel Program aim to address this imbalance by equipping more women to step into investor roles. What stood out most was the intentionality of everyone in the room. Each person came with a purpose: to connect, to learn, and to contribute to a shared vision of equity and innovation.
I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible women who attended the dinner. Your passion, vision, and dedication made this evening truly unforgettable. Each of you brought not only your remarkable achievements but also your willingness to share your experiences, insights, and ideas. It’s because of your contributions that we were able to create an environment filled with inspiration, connection, and empowerment.
The women in the room represented the very best of what innovation and leadership look like today. From founders revolutionizing their industries to investors championing the next generation of female-led startups, each attendee brought unique perspectives and bold ideas to the table. Together, we explored transformative approaches to business and technology, discussed challenges with honesty, and celebrated the collective progress we’re making toward a more inclusive future.
As discussions ranged from sustainability to emerging technologies, this invite-only gathering reinforced the power of community-driven impact, proving that when bold minds meet, transformative ideas follow.
Spotlight on women-led innovation at Web Summit 2024
Web Summit 2024 saw an unprecedented gathering of investors, with 1,066 representatives managing $14.7 trillion in assets under management. These investors facilitated thousands of meetings with early-stage startups and one another, solidifying Web Summit as a critical catalyst for funding and growth in the tech world. With 3,050 companies exhibiting on the event floor—44 percent of which are women-founded—Web Summit showcased the diversity and depth of the global tech ecosystem.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the standout events featuring trailblazing women and their groundbreaking work.
Women in leadership: Challenges and opportunities for women in leadership roles
Leadership is both a privilege and a challenge, and for women, it often comes with unique hurdles. This engaging session brought together inspiring women leaders who have navigated these challenges and emerged as trailblazers in their fields. Antoinia Norman, CEO and Founder of Businesspros Global and UN Women Global Lead, Minna Taylor, Founder of Energize Your Voice, and Katarina M.V. Galic, Founder and CEO of Xlergy SusTech Powerhouse, shared their deeply personal insights into what it takes to lead with impact in today’s often demanding business environment.
From addressing systemic biases to leveraging the power of community and support networks, the panelists explored the strategies and mindset shifts that have helped them succeed. They emphasized the importance of building confidence, fostering resilience, and creating opportunities for others to rise. The discussion was both empowering and actionable, offering attendees not just inspiration but also the tools to redefine leadership on their own terms and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Navigating the challenges and impact of women’s health innovation
Innovation in women’s health isn’t just a necessity—it’s a revolution, and Valentina Milanova, founder of Daye, is at the forefront. In her focused talk, she shed light on the often-overlooked hurdles faced by femtech entrepreneurs. From bridging research gaps to overcoming fundraising barriers, Milanova’s insights resonated with anyone invested in creating a more equitable healthcare landscape.
This session was a powerful reminder of the critical need for innovation in women’s health, not just for advancing technology but for improving lives. Milanova’s work in the medical device space underscores the importance of persistence, bold vision, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.
Aspiration to reality: Closing the equity gap in women’s sports
The surge in popularity and engagement with women’s sports has been undeniable, with 2023 marking a watershed year. Yet, the journey to equity remains unfinished. In a compelling discussion, Leela Srinivasan, CEO of Parity, joined forces with Eric Johnson, CEO of SurveyMonkey, and Brittni Mason, a 5-time Team USA Paralympic Medalist, to examine the path forward. Moderated by Nicky Crosby, a sports journalist from beIN Sports, the session explored the ongoing challenges of inequity in pay, opportunities, and representation.
Their message was clear: addressing the equity gap is about building a more inclusive and prosperous sports industry for all.
A year in women’s sports: Elite performance and wellness
The past year has been transformative for women’s sports, and this session brought together three elite athletes who exemplify excellence in their respective fields. Demi Vollering, the 2023 Tour de France winner and a dynamic entrepreneur, was joined by race car driver Christine GZ (Giampaoli Zonca) and Paralympic gold medalist Brittni Mason. Together, they delved into the interplay of performance, wellness, and resilience in the lives of top athletes.
As they fielded questions from an engaged audience, the conversation illuminated the unique challenges female athletes face, from maintaining peak performance to navigating career transitions. This panel was a celebration of grit, innovation, and the unwavering spirit of women in sports.
Web Summit 2024 made one thing clear: women are leading and redefining the future.
