Newcastle UK (March 31, 2016) — Sage, the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems is set to host the final of Doteveryone’s second 5050tech Challenge, an initiative launched to support female-led tech start-ups. Earlier this week Doteveryone revealed the twelve finalists that will pitch for investment and mentoring at Sage’s Newcastle HQ next week.
In the UK, women currently occupy just 17% of tech jobs. One of the core goals at Doteveryone is to change this by putting women at the heart of the technology sector by creating investment opportunities and meaningful mentorship from industry leaders. 5050tech Challenge is a new national initiative from Doteveryone designed to encourage gender balance across the UK’s technology sector.
The challenge has two parts. On the first day, 3 April, the twelve finalists will receive a day of mentorship and training from industry leaders at Sage’s North Park headquarters in Newcastle. Then on 4 April, the start-ups will give a two minute pitch to a roomful of seed investors and venture capitalists, followed by a hands-on informal showcase where they can demo their work.
Stephen Kelly, CEO of Sage commented: “This is a great shortlist of disruptive, innovative tech ideas that could go on to change lives and create prosperity – and they are all the work of women-led start-ups.
“We’re passionate about improving the diversity of our sector and about supporting entrepreneurs, the true heroes who are the engine behind the economy, so we’re thrilled to support these brilliant ideas.”
Doteveryone Chair, Martha Lane Fox said: “If the UK is to leapfrog every other nation on this planet to become the most digital, most connected, most skilled and most informed – we urgently need to address the gender imbalance within the tech sector and ensure that our leaders, investors and entrepreneurs come from the widest pool of talent.
“I’m encouraged to see so many amazing women-led tech start-ups apply to join us in Newcastle and believe we have a truly inspirational line up of diverse internet-enabled ideas to learn about and support.”
The twelve finalists for the second 5050tech Challenge, in alphabetical order, are:
(Please note, there will be no filming of the pitches)
About Sage
Sage is the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, supporting the ambition of the world’s entrepreneurs. Sage began as a small business in the UK 30 years ago and over 13000 colleagues now support millions of entrepreneurs across 23 countries as they power the global economy. We reinvent and simplify business accounting through brilliant technology, working with a thriving community of entrepreneurs, business owners, tradespeople, accountants, partners and developers. And as a FTSE 100 business, we are active in supporting our local communities and invest in making a real difference through the philanthropy of the Sage Foundation.
Sage – a market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, supporting the ambition of the world’s entrepreneurs.