2014-2015
News Release
REF NO.: 189
SUBJECT: Peer group to increase advancement of women in local technology sector; St. John's chapter newest in Canada
DATE: July 16, 2015
The Genesis Centre at Memorial University is pleased to announce the newest chapter of the Women in Technology (WIT) Peer2Peer Group in St. John’s.
The St. John’s chapter has 28 members and is the newest of eight peer groups across Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries and the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs are also involved with the initiative.
Women in Technology Peer2Peer is a national initiative offered by the Canadian Digital Media Network with sponsorship from Deloitte. It is designed to encourage the retention and advancement of women in technology roles or working for technology companies. As women are growing their footprint in the Canadian technology sector, only 30 per cent of the technology workforce is made up of women. Only 14.5 per cent of directors of Canada’s 500 largest companies as ranked by the Financial Post are women.
“The Genesis Centre is excited to lead this group and we want to see more female founders of technology startups,” said Michelle Simms, manager, incubation services, Genesis Centre, and leader, WIT Peer Group. “Less than eight per cent of Genesis Centre startups have been founded by women. We’re working to change that. Our goal is to explore challenges, share insights and discuss best practices to increase the number of women in the technology sector.
The focus areas of the WIT St. John’s chapter are encouraging peer learning, assisting in network building, providing mentorship to women in technology and providing a confidential environment for women to discuss business challenges and successes.
The Genesis Centre is interested in recruiting women for the chapter. Specifically, it is looking for women who work for technology companies and women who work in technology roles for private enterprises.
To learn more about the peer group, please contact Michelle Simms at (709) 864-2683.
About the Genesis Centre
The Genesis Centre is Memorial University’s business incubator for technology-based ventures with high-growth potential. It is one of the top ranked incubators in Canada and was named Canadian Incubator of the Year in 2011. Since the Genesis Centre was founded in 1997, it has helped almost 60 startups raise more than $85 million in private equity. Genesis alumni are among the leading startups in Atlantic Canada and include Verafin, Rutter Technologies, Avalon Microelectronics (acquired by Altera), Solace Power, SubC Imaging, EMSAT, ClearRisk, Genoa Design and Virtual Marine Technology. Please visit www.genesiscentre.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Digital Media Network
The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN), a federal centre of excellence in commercialization and research, is dedicated to establishing Canada as a world leader in digital media (ICT + mobile) by creating and enabling connections and collaboration between entrepreneurs, companies, research institutes, government and intermediary organizations across the country. CDMN helps bring more digital media solutions to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Together, the network provides access to the knowledge, connections, services and support that digital media companies need to successfully innovate and market their companies at home and abroad.
REF NO.: 189
SUBJECT: Peer group to increase advancement of women in local technology sector; St. John's chapter newest in Canada
DATE: July 16, 2015
The Genesis Centre at Memorial University is pleased to announce the newest chapter of the Women in Technology (WIT) Peer2Peer Group in St. John’s.
The St. John’s chapter has 28 members and is the newest of eight peer groups across Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries and the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs are also involved with the initiative.
Women in Technology Peer2Peer is a national initiative offered by the Canadian Digital Media Network with sponsorship from Deloitte. It is designed to encourage the retention and advancement of women in technology roles or working for technology companies. As women are growing their footprint in the Canadian technology sector, only 30 per cent of the technology workforce is made up of women. Only 14.5 per cent of directors of Canada’s 500 largest companies as ranked by the Financial Post are women.
“The Genesis Centre is excited to lead this group and we want to see more female founders of technology startups,” said Michelle Simms, manager, incubation services, Genesis Centre, and leader, WIT Peer Group. “Less than eight per cent of Genesis Centre startups have been founded by women. We’re working to change that. Our goal is to explore challenges, share insights and discuss best practices to increase the number of women in the technology sector.
The focus areas of the WIT St. John’s chapter are encouraging peer learning, assisting in network building, providing mentorship to women in technology and providing a confidential environment for women to discuss business challenges and successes.
The Genesis Centre is interested in recruiting women for the chapter. Specifically, it is looking for women who work for technology companies and women who work in technology roles for private enterprises.
To learn more about the peer group, please contact Michelle Simms at (709) 864-2683.
About the Genesis Centre
The Genesis Centre is Memorial University’s business incubator for technology-based ventures with high-growth potential. It is one of the top ranked incubators in Canada and was named Canadian Incubator of the Year in 2011. Since the Genesis Centre was founded in 1997, it has helped almost 60 startups raise more than $85 million in private equity. Genesis alumni are among the leading startups in Atlantic Canada and include Verafin, Rutter Technologies, Avalon Microelectronics (acquired by Altera), Solace Power, SubC Imaging, EMSAT, ClearRisk, Genoa Design and Virtual Marine Technology. Please visit www.genesiscentre.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Digital Media Network
The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN), a federal centre of excellence in commercialization and research, is dedicated to establishing Canada as a world leader in digital media (ICT + mobile) by creating and enabling connections and collaboration between entrepreneurs, companies, research institutes, government and intermediary organizations across the country. CDMN helps bring more digital media solutions to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Together, the network provides access to the knowledge, connections, services and support that digital media companies need to successfully innovate and market their companies at home and abroad.
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