2018 Midwest Women in Tech Conference
A Women Tech Founders’ Event
THIS IS YOUR TIME…TO LEAD.
On April 26th, the Midwest’s most innovative female startup founders, funders, and leaders
are coming together to equalize the power of the tech industry.
Connect and learn leadership heart, hacks and more.
From panels to pitches: Catch the fire.
Past Speakers
Angie Hicks
Founder, CEO Angie's List
Coco Meers
Founder, CEO PrettyQuick
Stella Ashaolu
Founder of WeSolve
View Past MWiT Speakers
Supporters
Hundreds of the Midwest’s Most Influential Founders and Leaders are Gathering in Chicago this April…
From globally-recognized names to local sheroes, these powerful women are driving change.
MWiT is your opportunity to meet, celebrate, and learn from the region’s “Most Influential Female Tech Leaders”.
This full-day event has been designed to rally powerful female leaders together to share their insights on what we can do to change our collective future.
The Midwest Women in Tech Conference will feature 20 leading tech rock stars.
If you’d like to be a part of a conference designed to help you shape the world and network with today’s change-makers, apply at MidwestWomenInTech.com or learn more about our work and get on our email to keep updated about all our mission-driven events at WomenTechFounders.com.
More than at any other time in history…. today’s women can change the world. That’s because today, women can use technology, not just as consumers, but as creators – to empower themselves, reach millions, and redefine our future. Today, tech is more accessible, more affordable, and more powerful than ever before; and it affects everyone. Whether you hope to tech-enable your business, amplify your mission through social media, or lead programmers or data scientists on a quest to save humanity, you’ve never had a better opportunity to reach your goals.
Unfortunately, technology like many other influential industries is a man’s world. Women are largely invisible. Although women-led companies show 12% higher profits and 35% higher ROI than men-led companies, less than 10% of all women-led companies get funded. And, although Fortune 500 companies with at least 3 women directors show higher returns in sales of 42%, less than 30% of corporate leaders are women. That means women are controlling only a fraction of, what’s often called, the most powerful industry in the world… an industry that will create the highest paid, most plentiful and most influential jobs in the future.
About Women Tech Founders
Women Tech Founders (WTF), is a grassroots-driven association launched through the efforts of passionate women in the region’s startup ecosystem. WTF is celebrating their 2nd anniversary and using its acronym as a call-to-action for women in leadership.
Last Year’s Midwest Women in Tech Conference Agenda:
(Stay tuned for our upcoming 2018 agenda – including special mentoring opportunities! )
10:00 – 11:30am
Investing in Women for ROI
Studies show that women-led businesses show a 35% higher profitability than men-only led business, yet just 10% receive funding.
- Meet the powerful female investors who invest in emerging women’s businesses
- Learn how you can profit while investing in women
- Network with leading female founders and investors
11:30am – 12:15pm
Woman Tech Founder Award & Keynote
Meet Angie Hicks, the face of Angie’s List, a $156 million dollar online marketplace, as we honor and celebrate her achievements and contributions with the Woman Tech Founder Award – an award representing the power of women in the technology industry to .
1:15 – 2:30pm
Workplace Innovation
We’ve gathered a powerhouse panel of leaders from Google, BMO, 1871 and other transformative organizations to learn how the leading women executives bring innovation into the world’s leading workplaces.
1:15 – 2:30pm
Town Hall: Technology as a Force For Good
“A woman multiplies the impact of an investment made in her future by extending benefits to the world around her, creating a better life for her family and community.” says US Aid. Imagine what she can do by leveraging technology. Meet female innovators who are leading change, and building a better world.
2:45 – 4:25pm
Leadership Stories
Meet women changing the world in diverse ways including:
- Caralynn Collens, CEO of UI Labs, described as being “the new face of our nation’s effort to revitalize manufacturing” and tasked with bringing innovative solutions to an industry known for inefficiencies and outsourcing.
- Sandy Kastrul – a teacher turned CEO and founder of i.c. stars, a highly respected technology-based leadership and workforce program for inner-city adults in Chicago
- Genevieve Thiers- the founder of Sittercity, Chime, the RISE campaign and an investor in women-led tech businesses.
5:00 – 6:00pm
FundHer Pitch Event
Join a panel of influential venture capitalists as they judge the Midwest’s first all female FundHer Pitch Event. From using virtual reality to train healthcare workers, to using tech-fueled algorithms for custom fitted jeans, these teams will highlight the diversity of solutions women bring to all of us.
6:00 – 7:00pm
Private Reception
Meet and mingle with corporate and startup innovators, investors and student leaders! Join a mentor circle and enjoy a round table discussion or free fall at our open reception enjoying the beautiful evening sky view inside Google’s skydeck view.
Tentative 2018 Overview
10:00am Breakfast and Reception
10:45am Women Investing in Women
11:45am Award & Keynote
12:15pm Networking Lunch
1:15pm Breakout:
Workplace Innovation
Technology as a Force for Good
2:45pm Leadership Stories 1
3:35pm Founder Circles
4:35pm Closing Comments
4:45pm Break
5:00 – 6:00pm WTF Pitch
6:00pm Food & Reception