How female entrepreneurs are embracing tech opportunities

I have been using International Women’s Day on 8 March as an opportunity to reflect on the success of female tech entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands.

In partnership with Techscaler (The Scottish Government’s technology start-up programme), we’re supporting seven entrepreneurs with grants of up to £10k through the HIE Techscaler Kickstart Grant scheme.  Five of those seven entrepreneurs are women.

The grants are helping people to develop their tech concept, create a minimum viable product and turn their idea into a reality. Through the scheme, we’re supporting the start-up, development and growth of new tech businesses.

Inspired by personal experience of organising humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka devised a logistics platform ‘VanFill’ to revolutionise how goods are transported. This matches unused vehicle space with people and businesses struggling to find affordable transport options.

Annabel Illingworth, founder of Vocalista, came with the idea for a ‘virtual town hall’ to better understand how people in Skye feel about tourism and development. Her project aims to balance social, cultural, environmental and economic factors by blending big data with human sentiment and giving everyone a voice.

Linda Shore, a design researcher and research fellow at the Glasgow School of Art’s Highlands and Islands campus in Moray, is pioneering a new approach to menopause support through technology.  

Her company, Ethnologic, is developing MEG - Menopause Experience Guide, a digital holistic health tool powered by artificial intelligence and designed to offer real-time support for women navigating the PhEMiniNe challenges (Physical, Emotional, Mental, Nutritional) at peri and post-menopausal time.

Rhoda Cameron is working on a ‘virtual walking challenge’ adventure app, designed around many of Scotland’s iconic walking routes. Whether users are here or thousands of miles away, We Walk Scotland will offer an immersive experience that connects them with the country’s scenery and culture.

These projects highlight the ambition and determination of female tech founders in our region, to create new products and services that address key challenges. We’re proud to support them on their entrepreneurial journey.

The quality of applications has inspired us to look at running the HIE Techscaler Kickstart grant scheme again regionally later this year.