Silicon Stilettos

On joining Rummble I got to observe the upcoming technology start-up scene here in London. However I was alarmed by the lack of females at some of the tech start-up networking events that I attended. The female sector isn’t well represented within the London tech start-up community.

All of the entrepreneurs I was meeting were male.

It struck me that the women that are running their own technology businesses are a very rare breed indeed. I thought networking for women was bad in Ireland, so was quite disappointed to find the same case scenario here in London.

Earlier last year I completed a commercialization course at the University I attended whilst based at DERI. At the time I wanted to commercialize my research. Commercialization is not an easy process and you need a number of invaluable contacts for networking. Now, that I had moved to the UK, all of a sudden things seemed to be looking a lot harder for me to even possibly consider any commercialization, never mind network with like minded ladies.

Around my third/fourth week here I had a discussion with Zuz from the upstairs office at Huddle. Rummble are also based in the Huddle office on Bermondsey Street.

I was anxious to have some sort of event for women. With numerous women beginning to choose technology as a career there is a need for informal events for them to network properly. At Coffee @ Bermondsey Street I discussed several issues with Zuz and out of our conversation Silicon Stilettos was born.

Zuz ran with the concept and using her PR role at Huddle, quickly setup the Silicon Stilettos Meetup group. Through her efforts she managed to get over 100 women to attend on Wednesday last. The event was held at the LVPO bar in Soho and there was a free bar sponsored by Winston & Strawn lawyers and the Bootlaw creators.

I think Silicon Stilettos is a great start for women to connect and network. I connected with a number of women running their own technology business and spent a while chatting to the QueenBee Louise Campbell from eHive. I look forward to catching up with more technology women at the next event and watching Silicon Stilettos grow.