Women Still Hold Just 17 % of the Tech Workforce – Who Says That’s a Problem?
London’s biggest hub for high‑tech dreams, Plexal, has just opened its Plexiglass accelerator, a sweet‑sour cocktail of office space, mentorship and a needle‑point of networking. The goal? To lift 10 female‑led startups—think lofty visions in AI, VR, fintech and beyond—into the spotlight.
What’s the Gig?
- Rooms & Facilities – The chosen teams get a working seat in Plexal’s gear‑packed lofts.
- Mentoring – Guidance from corporate heavyweights like Barclays.
- Community – Instant access to the Here‑East loop, academic giants like UCL and the London College of Fashion, and the superhero network of local businesses.
- Support Services – Marketing, legal hacks, finance wizardry—everything that usually costs a fortune.
- Pitch Day – An eight‑week sprint ending with a showdown that draws big‑name investors and board‑room execs.
Eligibility or “Who We’re Looking For?”
Plexal’s founder, Claire Cockerton, has coined a daring mission: “Find women‑run startups (AI, VR, IoT, cyber‑security, sports‑tech, fashion‑tech, fintech, well‑tech, hardware, or any other frontier tech), already funded, London‑based.” It’s a punchy call‑to‑action that sends a clear message: take your seat in the city of innovation.
Why the 17 % Call‑Back Matters
Back in 2017, the world’s startup founders had about 9 % of the UK funding pool, and only 17 % were women. The Plexiglass scheme is ~filtered boredom, giving women a tangible plug‑in to the tangled web of capital, expertise and opportunity.
The 2‑year journey is like a 16‑year old following a YouTuber’s steps: “Follow the list, keep your hard hat on, and watch your data process become a snack item for investors”.
Real‑World Success Stories (Spoiler: They’re in the pipeline)
The cohort will meet fellow founders, get sneak peeks on how big businesses navigate the tech field, and finally present at a pitch event that bends the path for future funding. Wraps up with “Can You Read My Startup?” – a phrase that will have investors digging deeper.
Quotes from In‑Charge Figures
Claire Cockerton says:
“We built Plexal to feel like a mini‑city because cities are centres of innovation thanks to the melting pot of ideas they hold. Innovation is born when people meet, clash and collaborate. Now, as the 4th industrial revolution unfolds, we need a diverse tech sector to make the most of the scratch‑job opportunities waiting around the corner.”
And Lyn Garner from the London Legacy Development Corporation adds:
“Initiatives like Plexiglass shine a light in and around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a hot‑spot of emerging industries. This scheme is a stepping‑stone to tech for local female entrepreneurs. Imagine a place where a startup that came from a concert in the park becomes a product that gets on the shelf in every London shop.”
Sign Up, Join the “Tech City” & Spin Your Dream
Subscribing to the Plexal feed gives you instant updates on tech joy‑ride, and investors, nourish the next wave of female‑led innovation! Make sure you’re not left on the standby list when tomorrow’s start‑up gold rush tilts.
