“Be an active ally and get behind the incredible diversity of female-led talent our city has to offer” is the call to action from The Startup Network.

Continuing the momentum from International Women's Day earlier in March, the DIF team is featuring The Startup Network and their latest efforts to lead the charge to change the narrative and open up more opportunities for female entrepreneurs.

The Startup Network CEO Vicki Stirling recently sat down with Matt Vitale, the Co-founder of Birchal to discuss their exciting partnership which kicks off with the Female Founder Pitch Night. In a recent episode of The Birchal Podcast, they discussed the significance of giving female founders a platform to showcase their talents and innovations.

Vicki emphasised the importance of shining a spotlight on female-led ventures, citing statistics that demonstrate their significant impact on business performance. She highlighted the fact that companies led by women deliver 63% better returns than those led by men and stressed the need to address unconscious bias in funding opportunities for women-powered businesses.

"Breaking Barriers and Empowering Female Founders for Success" Vicki Stirling on The Birchal Podcast with Matt Vitale

Female Founder Pitch Night 

One of the highlights of DIF's Women in Tech Month is the upcoming Female Founder Pitch Night, scheduled for 26 March at the Commons in Collingwood. Co-hosted by The Startup Network  and Birhcall atendees can anticipate networking opportunities with a diverse community of investors, founders, service providers, and startup operators. They'll also have the chance to gain insights from a fireside chat featuring the team at Forever Projects, who will share their pioneering model of 100% funding to support women-led businesses in Tanzania.

The main event will feature four remarkable early-stage female founders presenting their innovative ideas and visions. Attendees are encouraged to cast their votes for their favourite pitch of the night, as their opinions play a crucial role in recognising standout entrepreneurs. With networking, inspiration, and the celebration of female-led entrepreneurship on the agenda, the Female Founder Pitch Night promises to be an evening to remember!

Pitch Night Finalists

Four exceptional early-stage female founders, will pitch their visions, offering attendees networking opportunities and insights from industry leaders.

👩‍💼 Maria Baker, the founder of Nobody's Princess, bringing confidence through comfort for women on the snow.

🍴 Sam Richardson, founder of Butter, is developing a community app to help evolving young adults build platonic connection by pairing their interests and preferences with the social plans of like-minded others.

🌊 Sarah Leung the founder of Alg Seaweed which produces healthy, nutritious and flavour-FULL seaweed condiments and snacks.

🕰️ Millie Marconi, the founder of Yesterday, which provides smarter screening for less bias, better hires & happier candidates.

Pitch Night Judges

The judging panel for the upcoming Pitch Night comprises esteemed professionals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the participating startups. Julie Stevens , representing Cremorne Digital Hub, brings her digital innovation and entrepreneurship expertise. Sarah McPhee, from the City of Stonnington, offers insights into local government initiatives and community development. 

Emily Macfarlane, hailing from Birchal, adds her experience in equity crowdfunding and fundraising strategies. Completing the panel is Aisling Curley of Think & Grow, known for her expertise in business development and strategy. Together, these judges will provide invaluable feedback and guidance to the aspiring female founders, contributing to the growth and success of their ventures.

Female Founder Showcase: Say hello to meaningful conversations

It's fair to say The Startup Network love Pitch Nights; but sometimes, removing the idea of winning and focusing on deeper conversations is the right move.

Looking ahead, the organization is excited to announce the first Female Founder Showcase, scheduled for 17 April. The event provides a unique platform for emerging female-led businesses to connect with investors, service providers, and fellow founders. Rather than emphasizing competition, this event prioritizes collaboration, allowing attendees to meet emerging female founders in a relaxed, convention-style setting and foster meaningful conversations and connections.

Small stalls set up convention-style will allow guests to engage directly with founders, sample products, and explore potential partnerships. Explore female-led products and services, from tech innovations to physical goods like apparel and healthcare solutions. Expected to draw a diverse audience of founders, investors, and service providers, the showcase builds on the success of The Startup Network's Female Founder Pitch Night.

As Women in Tech Month wraps up, we invite everyone in the ecosystem to continue the conversation and support women entrepreneurs.

We can build a more vibrant and equitable future for entrepreneurship in Melbourne and beyond by championing diversity, fostering mentorship, and creating inclusive spaces for innovation.

Together, let's celebrate the achievements of women in tech and work towards a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem for all.