Over the past decade, Web Summit’s Women in Tech initiative has demonstrably increased female participation in the tech sector. Recent data shows a 7% rise in women-founded startups this year, and a surge in female attendance at events, with a notable milestone reached in 2021 when women outnumbered men at the Lisbon summit for the first time.
The core mission remains clear: closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship is not just about equal representation, but about unlocking wider innovation by including diverse perspectives.
AI Fluency as the New Equity Challenge
The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce, and the conversation at Web Summit Qatar centered on ensuring women aren’t left behind. IBM’s Justina Nixon-Saintil underscored that access to AI tools is only half the battle ; true readiness requires AI fluency—understanding how the technology impacts individual roles and industries.
IBM is addressing this through its free SkillsBuild platform, partnering with educational institutions and nonprofits to offer AI training with clear pathways to employment. The goal isn’t just theoretical knowledge, but practical upskilling that leads to better job opportunities.
Bridging the Gap in Africa and Beyond
Anie Akpe, founder of African Women in Technology, emphasized that fear of AI is a barrier to progress. Her organization is providing free training in cybersecurity and AI through partnerships with companies like Cisco, aiming to equip young African women with the skills to compete in the evolving job market.
Akpe’s vision extends to empowering women entrepreneurs at all levels, even in traditional markets, by helping them leverage technology for growth. This approach highlights that innovation isn’t limited to elite circles but can be accessible to anyone with the right tools and training.
From Dismissed Pain to Femtech Innovation
This year’s Web Summit showcased the growing impact of women-led startups, particularly in the femtech space. ScreenMe, a Qatari firm founded by Dr. Golnoush Golsharazi, exemplifies this trend. Born from personal experiences with inadequate women’s healthcare, ScreenMe provides at-home reproductive microbiome testing to prevent infections, cervical cancer, and fertility complications.
Dr. Golsharazi’s work underscores a critical need for increased research and screening in women’s health, a gap that entrepreneurs like her are actively filling.
The rise of female founders, investors, and femtech companies signals a shift in the tech landscape.
“This is just the start. The region will see growth in women-led innovation and especially in women’s health.” – Dr. Golnoush Golsharazi
The Web Summit’s Women in Tech program has proven effective in amplifying female voices and driving progress. However, the work is far from over. The next decade’s focus must be on equipping women with the skills to thrive in the age of AI, ensuring that inclusion fuels not just equality, but broader innovation and economic growth.
