Four women are leveraging digital platforms, such as apps and games, to influence culture and create change.
In the dynamic world of technology and media, a growing number of women-led companies are making waves, challenging the status quo, and inspiring the next generation of women and girls.
Jes Wolfe, CEO of Rebel Girls, is one such trailblazer. Recognising the confidence gap between genders, Wolfe aims to address this issue from an early age. A study published in Science has shown that confidence is a significant predictor of a child's future success, and Rebel Girls is dedicated to bridging this gap. Their app and books feature stories of role models for girls aged 6 and up, with the aim of empowering and inspiring young minds.
Rebel Girls' efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, their app was awarded Apple's Design Award. The company, which is women-led, aims to provide a platform that empowers and inspires girls, addressing the confidence gap head-on.
Meanwhile, Dinosaur Polo Club, the creators of Mini Motorways, are designing their games to be approachable and welcoming for all demographics. Chantelle Cole, CEO of Dinosaur Polo Club, initially set out to create something that would connect with people who appreciate real-world systems. However, the impact of their games extends beyond entertainment, as they have become a positive and meaningful part of people's lives.
Dinosaur Polo Club's development team is diverse, reflecting the company's commitment to inclusivity. Their games, such as Mini Motorways, encourage users to take a closer look at the world around them and problem-solve in creative and unusual ways.
Dayo Akinrinade, founder of Wisdom, is another champion of diversity and inclusion. Inspired by the impact of a lack of social capital on systemic inequity, Akinrinade created an audio-first social discovery app that connects like-minded users for deep conversations on various topics. Safety and authenticity are at the heart of Wisdom's design, with user-generated content being algorithmically scored to reduce the probability of posting harmful content, and a deliberately friction-filled signup process to ensure safety.
Akinrinade's work extends beyond Wisdom. In 2022, she participated in Apple's Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders. Her mission is to replace inequity in closed networks with an open, diverse community of experts and helpful people, focusing on topics like women's rights, domestic violence, leadership, and wellness.
The future holds challenges for these companies, as they navigate ongoing digital transformation, climate change adaptation, and evolving demographic trends. However, they are well-equipped to meet these challenges, with a focus on innovative responses to sustainability, digital engagement, and market demands.
All three teams - Rebel Girls, Dinosaur Polo Club, and Wisdom - are women-led and share a common goal: to amplify women's voices and lead the charge for the next generation of women and girls in technology. Dayo Akinrinade hopes that the next generation of women technologists will be able to show up as their authentic selves and thrive in a technology field that accommodates diverse leadership styles.
In a world where women founders, creators, and developers secured just 2 percent of venture capital in 2022, these companies stand as beacons of hope. Jes Wolfe, with her vision of women founders securing at least 50 percent of venture funding, is at the forefront of this movement, inspiring and empowering the next generation to dream big.
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