Irish women in tech organisation TechFoundHer has launched in the US with a series of high-profile events in Los Angeles and San Francisco focusing on advancing equity in tech entrepreneurship for women.

TechFoundHer was founded by Dublin-based Máirin Murray, who wants to unlock the potential of women to start and lead tech companies by delivering programmes to build tech and product skills while advocating for entrepreneur equality and system change. 

Murray and LA producer Catherine Gray worked together to premiere Gray's documentary Show Her the Money in Dublin and Belfast as part of the TechFoundHer.

Following the success of the Irish tour, Gray invited Murray to launch TechFoundHer in LA by co-hosting their InnovateHer Too event earlier this month.

"The opportunity to bring TechFoundHer to America is a fantastic endorsement for our organisation and recognition of the hard work and dedication of our wider team and network," said Murray.

“Being able to strengthen our work locally by reaching out globally is an important part of the work we do behind the scenes.”

InnovateHer Too brought together a group of thought leaders, tech entrepreneurs and advocates to speak about the underrepresentation of women starting and leading tech companies in a roundtable setting.

Murray co-hosted the event on behalf of TechFoundHer, tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Lata Setty, and Gray, who founded She Angels investors.

“I was delighted to get the opportunity to co-host this event and work with a group of enthusiastic and passionate women who are committed to changing the tech world for women entrepreneurs," said Murray.

“The event allowed us to discuss some of the key systemic challenges women encounter whilst sharing our own current projects and experiences.”

Murray was also a key speaker at the Show Her the Money 100 City Worldwide Tour Finale in West Hollywood as part of the international powerhouse women panel discussing the landscape for women founders in Ireland and Europe.

“We hear the same excuses over and over again—that women aren’t applying for funding or that there’s a lack of scalable ideas coming from women.  The ‘pipeline’ excuse doesn’t wash. We are working to create a tidal wave of women entrepreneurs who are building tech solutions," Murray said at the event.

“We’re dealing with entrenched stereotypes of what an ‘investable’ founder looks like—what a tech entrepreneur looks like - often a young, white, tech-savvy male.

"But women tech founders are here, we’re innovating, and we’re ambitious. What we need is the funding and an ecosystem that enables us to thrive.”

TechFoundHer concluded its US tour in San Francisco with a think take hosted by Setty, with Murray speaking about driving equity for women tech entrepreneurs.

"The ability to innovate, the ambition to build, and the commitment to succeed are spread across all genders, yet funding remains overwhelmingly skewed in favour of men," Murray told an audience of tech leaders and investors.

“Women tech founders are here, and we are ready, but we are not being seen. As a result, we are not progressing at the same rate as our male counterparts. The time for excuses is over."

The US launch comes after TechFoundHer Innovation Labs, funded through the Shared Island Initiative, commenced earlier this month.

35 women from Ireland and Northern Ireland will learn how to leverage emerging technologies such as AI and low-code/no-code tools to overcome business challenges, optimise workflows, and accelerate product development as part of the programme.

(Pic: Supplied)