Global Women in Tech (GWiT) launches the StartITup program, through which women founders or co-founders of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) startups have access to an international network of mentors and guidance to strengthen and scale their business.  The program is being carried out with the support of Banca Commerciale Române, the two organizations will jointly develop activities for female startup representatives in partnership with the BCR-InnovX Business Accelerator.

StartITup is run under the concept Be the one, you can do IT! and offers expert advice from founders of successful international IT companies. Registration runs from the 11th to the 31st of May and entrepreneurs who want to take part in the program can apply at www.globalwomenintech.com/startitup.

Procesul de selecție se va desfășura pe parcursul lunii iunie. Pentru a intra în finala programului, startup-urile trebuie să îndeplinească câteva criterii: să aibă cel puțin o femeie fondator, care să dețină cel puțin 50% din business, o idee bine definită de business în zona tech (produs sau serviciu), website sau o aplicație funcțională ori în curs de a fi lansat(ă) și un plan de business.

The selection process will take place during June. To enter the final round of the program, startups must meet several criteria: have at least one female founder who owns at least 50% of the business, a well-defined business idea in the tech area (product or service), a website or an app that is up and running or in the process of being launched, and a business plan.

Each finalist startup will benefit from access to dedicated consulting sessions with successful female founders and tech experts from around the world for 2 months. These consulting sessions will help startups identify their next steps for growth and open doors to new growth opportunities.

Upon completion of the program, startups can benefit from the opportunity to enter the BCR-InnovX Business Accelerator and continue their growth journey.

“We are always looking for solutions where we can contribute to the educational and professional development of women in tech. StartITup is one of the organization’s core programs, through which we aim to support female entrepreneurs in the industry through specific mentoring sessions tailored to the needs of each startup entering the program. Renowned national and international advisors have joined our mission, as well as BCR and InnovX, through the BCR-InnovX Business Accelerator, which adds substantial value to this challenge. Opening up to the international market through knowledge and collaboration opportunities, offered through our program in partnership with BCR-InnnovX, is the necessary launchpad for any start-up business. The visibility that this effort enjoys is thanks to Minio,” says Simona Sandru, President & Founder – Global Women in Tech.

The Global Women in Tech organization will carry out the StartITup program in partnership with Banca Comercială Română. The partnership offers participants the opportunity to meet potential clients, investors, and partners, to redefine their business using proven methodologies such as Blue Ocean Strategy or Disciplined Entrepreneurship or to obtain certifications through courses provided by edX.org, the platform founded by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In addition, startups will receive assistance in developing an application for the most competitive European Funds: Horizon 2020, EIC Accelerator and will be assisted by BCR-InnovX mentors in developing business plans tailored to each funding need. Among the participants, the top 10 startups will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses at international conferences in Europe and the US, which will guarantee them a high degree of visibility in different markets.

“The impact of women in the tech industry is growing and we strongly believe that global initiatives such as Global Women in Tech, which also have a local impact, should be encouraged. The BCR-InnovX accelerator has supported from the beginning the professional development of women who want to create added value through innovation and we hope that the partnership with StartITup will give more confidence and courage for the development of the women in the tech community,” said Ana-Maria Crețu, start-up program manager at Banca Comercială Română.

Elena Unciuleanu, CEO & Founder TechVentures, Raluca Resmeriță, Sales Director Druid,  Georgina Lupu-Florian, Founder and CEO Wolfpack Digital, and Alexandra Petruș, CEO & Co-Founder Bucharest AI & Product Strategist, four young women with outstanding achievements in technology and entrepreneurship, will promote the campaign on their social networks and inspire the female entrepreneurs as ambassadors of the program. With their experience and career stories, they will contribute to the growth of a new generation of young women who want to develop their careers in IT.

The program developed by Global Women in Tech is supported by Minio Studio, an advertising agency focused on strategic creativity and innovation. The association with GWiT came amidst the identification of the same values and principles: fast growth mindset, agility, concern for technology and those around.

Started in 2016 at the initiative of Ioana Mucenic, Minio Studio is an entrepreneurial business that, on the same principle, joins the cause of supporting young women starting their entrepreneurial journey in technology.

About GWiT

Global Women in Tech (GWiT) – www.globalwomenintech.com is a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and sustainable economic growth in partnership with other organizations, companies, or universities in technical fields in Romania and around the world. GWiT connects women involved or passionate about the sciences with the STEM industry, supporting their professional and educational development, providing access to national and international programs and events, mentoring, networking, or career opportunities.

About MINIO STUDIO

Minio Studio – www.minio.ro is an agency determined to develop bold and authentic communications campaigns. In addition to integrated communication campaigns, the agency also runs innovative technology projects. Minio Studio brings together 16 people with different expertise, led by Ioana Mucenic, a native entrepreneur with 15 years of experience and a passion for quality and innovation. The company offers a mix of strategy, creativity, and technology, which has allowed it to grow very quickly in its 4 years of existence. The agency’s clients include top companies such as Avon, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (Romania and the Netherlands), JYSK Romania, L’Oréal, Milupa, Miniso, Mondelēz, Novartis, Reckitt Benckiser (over 20 countries), Rowenta, Sun Plaza, Tefal, Tymbark or West Gate Studios.

More information about the program:

Raluca Dragnea, StartITup Marketing Manager

Tel.: 0724.214.608

E-mail: raluca.dragnea@globalwomenintech.com

Cristiana Dutca, StartITup Program Manager

Tel.: 0721.921.880

E-mail: cristiana.dutca@globalwomenintech.com

More information about the program:

Marius Marin, Reputation Manager Minio Studio

Tel.: 0751.265.507

E-mail: marius.marin@minio.ro