Tech Ready Women

Tech Ready Women (TRW) is a prominent accelerator based in Sydney, Australia, dedicated to bridging the gender gap within the technology and entrepreneurship sectors. Founded in 2017 by Christie Whitehill, the organisation was established to address the underrepresentation of women in tech by providing essential skills, education, and a supportive community. TRW empowers female founders, including those from diverse, regional, CALD, Women of Colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, and women returning to the workforce, to confidently launch, build, and scale their innovative tech-based businesses.

The accelerator offers a comprehensive suite of programs tailored to various stages of the entrepreneurial journey. These include the 8-week Female Founder Startup Program, designed for idea validation and market entry, and the 1 to 1000 Customers Program, which comprises focused sprints for customer acquisition and scaling. Additionally, the Investment Ready Program, a five-month intensive, prepares founders for capital raising, offering expert guidance and investor connections. TRW's holistic and hands-on approach combines world-class education with community-style mentoring, addressing the unique challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry.

A key differentiator for Tech Ready Women is its strong emphasis on practical application and a robust support network. Participants gain access to a community of like-minded founders, expert mentors, and industry specialists in areas such as UX design, product management, and startup legalities. This ecosystem is further bolstered by strategic partnerships with local and Federal governments, universities, and other organisations committed to increasing diversity in innovation. In a significant development, Tech Ready Women was recently acquired by Scalare Partners, an early-stage private capital fund, which enhances TRW's capacity through increased access to investor resources and mentoring.

Over the years, Tech Ready Women has achieved significant milestones, supporting over 2,000 female founders in launching and growing their ventures. The organisation's programs have enabled alumni to successfully validate ideas, secure funding, achieve profitability, and navigate acquisitions. For instance, the Female Founders Program has provided hundreds of training places, including a partnership with Investment NSW to mentor 300 women over two years. TRW also received AUD 200,000 in funding through the Queensland Government's Accelerating Female Founders Program, which has facilitated scholarships for Queensland-based participants. The overarching vision is to support one million women on their entrepreneurial journey, fostering a vibrant and inclusive startup ecosystem across Australia and beyond.

Leadership at Tech Ready Women is spearheaded by Founder and Non-Executive Director Christie Whitehill, a recognised entrepreneur and mentor. The team also includes Crystal McGregor as General Manager and Program Lead, along with Directors Carolyn Breeze and Jenny Li, and Marketing Manager Diana Esqueche. Program Leads such as Renate Crollini, Jo Palmer, and Katherine Maree Pace oversee specific initiatives, bringing diverse expertise and a deep commitment to empowering female founders. Their collective experience and dedication drive TRW's mission to inspire, educate, and inform women about the vast possibilities within the technology industry.