She’s Next: Breaking Barriers in Tech Start-Ups

Over 2,300 local SMEs applied for the competition, each bringing innovative sectoral solutions. In the realm of technology, entrepreneurship has often been viewed as a male-dominated field. Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-Founder and COO of PiggyVest, addressed this issue in a UN e-zine article titled “Women-Led Tech Start-Ups On The Rise In Africa: Daunting Obstacles Remain In The Tech Industry.” Eweniyi asserted that “There is no single explanation for the limited number of women in tech start-ups,” highlighting culture as a significant barrier. 

The essence of a start-up lies in its willingness to embrace uncertainty, risk, and challenge beyond the ordinary. From a young age, women are often culturally conditioned to believe that such behaviors, work, or endeavors are unsuitable for them. Many times, societal norms discourage women from aiming too high, leading them to gravitate towards less risky ventures. 

However, I am thrilled to introduce the five finalists of She’s Next, a Visa-powered grant competition, who clearly did not subscribe to this limiting belief. These women-led businesses boldly integrated technology into the very heart of their operations. They stand as potential role models, demonstrating that it is possible to break barriers. The Visa beneficiaries not only gained valuable resources but also made a notable impact, however modest, in the funding landscape for women-led start-ups.

By Grace Ashiru.

Full story at Tech in Africa.