Resource Roundup: GET Cities and Techstars just launched programs for DC women

Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities DC, the national initiative aimed at boosting the number of women in the tech space, just dropped its very first fellowship for local leaders.

GET Cities opened applications today for its GET Champions Fellowship, a program to allow tech leaders to boost hiring for diverse women, transgender and nonbinary employees at their companies. Starting in March, 20 selectees will receive 12 months of coaching, where they’ll be matched with a woman executive coach, as well as participate in 90-minute virtual trainings monthly for six of those months.

They’ll also get the chance to put exercises and initiatives into practice in their own workplaces over the next year: GET Cities, in partnership with the Last Mile Education Fund, will help teams fill vacancies with diverse talent through three hiring events.

In order to qualify, applicants must have at least 10 years of leadership experience, and currently be leading a team of 100 or more employees. GET Cities is also requiring leadership approval and the ability and authority to hire tech talent in the DMV, although the fellows themselves can be located anywhere.

“With GET Champions our goal is to tie together a combination of virtual training, coaching, and hands-on activities that create measurably more inclusive hiring practices and workplace culture at each tech leader’s company,” said Leslie Smith, national Director of GET Cities at SecondMuse, in a statement. “Our research shows that many organizations already have DEI experts on their team as well as ERG groups; yet, they still struggle with pay equity, hiring diverse talent, and maintaining a healthy work environment. We know leaders are looking to accelerate and strengthen that change within their companies, and this fellowship is for them.”

Applications are open until Feb. 4, and the program is set to kick off in March.

###

Techstars, the national accelerator and incubator, is bringing its women entrepreneur-focused cohort to the DC area.

Following the success of its first cohort in Atlanta, the org opened applications to local founders today for its Techstars Founder Catalyst Program in partnership with JPMorgan. Twenty women will participate in a four-month program featuring mentorship, education and connections to fellow entrepreneurs and investors. LGBTQ+ women are encouraged to apply, and Techstars confirmed that nonbinary and gender nonconforming candidates are also included in the applicant pool.

“We witnessed many firsts for these women: first product demos, first customers, first revenue, and first fundraises from outside capital — it’s clear they are all just getting started,” Cheryl Kellond, entrepreneur-in-residence for the Founder Catalyst Program. “It’s exciting that the Techstars and J.P. Morgan partnership is enabling us to bring this experience to women founders in DC.”

The program will run from March through May 2022, with applications closing on Feb. 11, and will be completed virtual.