From schoolgirls to CEOs: The awards giving women in tech the recognition they deserve

Emma Sims August 13, 2018

The 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards are now open for nominations – so what’s holding you back? If you know a woman of any age who’s making waves in tech – whether she’s a recent graduate or Sheryl Sandberg – get nominating now.

From schoolgirls to CEOs: The awards giving women in tech the recognition they deserve

The FDM everywoman in Technology Awards – which is entering its ninth year of existence – is free to enter, and welcomes tech entrepreneurs, from startup founders to scaleup maximisers. It runs in association with The Tech She Can Charter, and aims demonstrate how female achievement can help bridge tech’s gender gap.

In showcasing female tech talent, the awards hope to generate a new generation of role models, an aspiration backed up by some impressive precedent; former winners include 2018’s Woman of the Year Dr. Marily Nika, Engineering Program Manager at Google. How’s that for girl power?

Meanwhile, the awards couldn’t come at a better time; the UK’s tech industry is growing rapidly, but women comprise a paltry 17% of the workforce. Nor does this outlook on this look particularly sunny; research conducted by PwC shows that only 27% of young female students would consider a career in tech. When young male students were asked, the affirmative response more than doubled, with 61% saying they’d potentially like to get involved.

This discrepancy is something the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards wants to fix, but it needs YOU to sing the praises of the inspirational women around you by nominating them for the recognition they deserve.

Categories are extensive, and include the One to Watch Award, awarded to a girl aged 11-16 who is actively encouraging girls in school to study STEM subjects; the Innovator Award, awarded to women with a creative and unconventional approach to tech; and the Leader Award, bestowed to a woman who leads a team of over 100 employees, contributing substantially to the strategic vision and direction of the business she helms.

From schoolgirl to CEO, that’s a hell of a spectrum from which to nominate. With 13 category titles up for grabs, the odds are, if not in your favour, then certainly leaning towards it. Get nominating a parent, friend, colleague or daughter today.

More information on the 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology awards can be found here.