Less Than 5% of VC Funds Go to Women in Tech—This Event Wants to Change That!

Discover how empowering female entrepreneurs can reshape the tech landscape and drive innovation across Africa.

Hello and welcome to this edition of our newsletter! We're excited to delve into the pressing issues surrounding women's representation in the tech industry and explore possible solutions through empowerment and support. With less than 5% of venture capital funds allocated to women-led startups, what innovative strategies and collaborations can we implement to change this narrative and foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem?

🚀 Startup of the Week: Armoire

• Industry: Fashion Tech
• Founder: Armoire is co-founded by a dynamic leadership team committed to diversity and inclusion. The founders have extensive backgrounds in the fashion industry and tech, with a vision to redefine how women engage with their wardrobes.
• Recent Achievement: Armoire has been recognized as a finalist in the 2025 GeekWire Awards for its innovative workplace culture that promotes female leadership and provides significant benefits for working parents, including paid maternity leave. This recognition underscores their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment in the tech space, which reflects broader industry trends supporting diversity and innovation. Read more about it here.
• Location: Seattle, WA

Additionally, during the recent Yiri Talk 3 event, discussions highlighted the importance of supporting women-led startups in tech, with key insights from Eva Sow of Meta. She emphasized the need for structural adaptations to benefit female entrepreneurs, which complements Armoire's mission of fostering an inclusive tech landscape. Find out more about these discussions here.

🌟 Why It Matters

Armoire is on a mission to redefine women's engagement with their wardrobes while championing diversity and inclusion in the fashion tech industry. Co-founded by a team dedicated to creating a supportive environment for women, Armoire stands out not only for its innovative approach to fashion but also for its commitment to fostering female leadership and providing substantial benefits for working parents, such as paid maternity leave. This is crucial in an industry where women are often underrepresented in leadership roles.

During the recent Yiri Talk 3 event, Eva Sow of Meta underscored the significance of supporting women-led startups in tech, calling for actionable measures to address the barriers they face, including limited access to funding and support. Armoire's dedication to creating a nurturing workplace aligns perfectly with these calls for change, challenging the industry standard by prioritizing inclusivity and supportive work-life solutions.

As a woman leader in the tech space, the founders of Armoire bring a fresh perspective that addresses the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Their leadership exemplifies how diverse representation positively impacts both the business and broader industry trends. By promoting female leadership and supporting working parents, Armoire not only enhances the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also sets a precedence for other companies to follow.

For further insights on the challenges faced by women in tech, read more about the discussions from the Yiri Talk 3 event and to learn about Armoire's role in fostering an inclusive workplace culture, check out this article on the GeekWire Awards finalists.

🏆 Key Milestones

• Recognition at the GeekWire Awards: Armoire has been recognized as a finalist for the 2025 GeekWire Awards, highlighting its innovative workplace culture that promotes female leadership and provides substantial benefits for working parents, such as paid maternity leave. This accolade exemplifies the startup's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within the tech industry. Learn more here.

• Support for Women in Tech: During the recent Yiri Talk 3 conference, Eva Sow from Meta emphasized the critical need for increased support for female-led startups in tech, aligning with Armoire's mission to create a nurturing workplace culture. This event signified a collective call for actionable measures to dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs, underscoring the relevance of Armoire's approach in the current entrepreneurial landscape. Read the discussions here.

• Championing Diversity and Inclusion: Armoire’s proactive stance on promoting female leadership and support for working parents sets a precedent for workplace culture in the tech sector, inspiring other startups to adopt similar values. This reflects a broader industry trend towards prioritizing diversity and innovation in leadership roles, paving the way for future women entrepreneurs.

📈 Market Impact

Armoire is redefining its position in the fashion tech industry by championing diversity and inclusion, setting itself apart from competitors through its unique offerings and workplace culture. Unlike traditional fashion companies, Armoire integrates a commitment to female leadership into its core business model, providing not only innovative fashion solutions but also substantial support for working parents, including paid maternity leave. This holistic approach fosters a nurturing environment that prioritizes the well-being of its team members while encouraging female representation within the industry.

The startup's ability to provide personalized styling solutions, coupled with the emphasis on inclusivity, allows Armoire to resonate deeply with a target audience of modern women seeking fashion solutions that cater to their lifestyle needs. By promoting female leadership and offering a supportive work culture, Armoire not only attracts talented professionals but also inspires a shift in industry standards regarding the treatment of women in the workplace.

Moreover, during the recent Yiri Talk 3 event, discussions led by Eva Sow of Meta highlighted the significant role of women in tech entrepreneurship and the challenges they often face, including limited access to funding and resources. Armoire aligns with these insights by cultivating partnerships and advocating for an ecosystem that fosters women's contributions in tech and fashion. This collective call for structural adaptation enhances Armoire's positioning in the market as a leader in promoting inclusive practices and innovative solutions.

Armoire's dedication to championing diversity and supporting women entrepreneurs extends beyond its internal policies; it creates a broader impact in the industry by encouraging other startups to adopt similar values. As noted in the coverage of both the GeekWire Awards and Yiri Talk 3, the ongoing advocacy for women-led initiatives and structurally inclusive practices is imperative to reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape for future generations.

For more on Armoire’s innovative approach and its commitment to fostering inclusivity, check out the articles from the Yiri Talk 3 event and the GeekWire Awards.

🤝 How You Can Support

• Follow Armoire on Social Platforms: Stay updated with Armoire's journey and innovations by following them on social media. Your support helps amplify their message and mission of promoting female leadership in the fashion tech industry.

• Share Their Story: Help inspire a new generation of female founders by sharing Armoire's story and recent achievements, especially their recognition at the GeekWire Awards for fostering an inclusive workplace and supporting working parents. You can read more about this here.

• Advocate for Inclusive Practices: Join the conversation around supporting women-led startups in tech by advocating for increased support and funding mechanisms. The discussions from the Yiri Talk 3 event highlighted the critical need for actionable measures to dismantle barriers for women entrepreneurs in tech. Read more about it here. Your voice can help drive change and encourage others to recognize the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship.