Here is something you probably didn’t know: Just 3% of all tech start-ups are led by women, according to a Kauffman Foundation report. Despite this, it’s interesting to learn that women-led private technology companies are more capital-efficient, achieving 35% higher return on investment, and, when venture-backed, bringing in 12% higher revenue than male-owned tech companies.

At Co-creation Hub, we encourage, support and promote active female participation in technology and technology entrepreneurship. That’s why we are excited to be part of the Google for Entrepreneurs’ #40Forward challenge.

What have we done so far to get more women involved in technology?

In the last 2 years, we have hosted networking and information sessions where women, interested or already active in technology, get to learn and share their knowledge, experiences and challenges.

In December 2012, we had our first Ladies in Tech meetup with the purpose to form a synergy amongst women in technology and discover ways to maximize available opportunities, particularly with regards to what the CcHub community can provide.

Since then, we’ve hosted information sessions and focus group meetings with topics ranging from Starting a Startup to Overcoming Business Challenges to Leveraging Grants to Fund Your Startup.

From these sessions, we have identified some pain points for women in technology in Nigeria. There is the struggle to succeed in a predominantly male dominated field while learning to balance business and family life. All this in addition to the challenges common to all entrepreneurs such as how to:

• improve business and technical skills

• learn to build great products/offer great services

• learn to sell said products and services

• collaborate with partners and connect with potential investors

• finding good hands to work with

• identify opportunities to grow their business

Less Talk, More Action

With all these lessons in mind, this year, we are designing a high impact program that addresses these needs, and best of all, yields results. The program will identify aspiring and existing female technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria and provide them with necessary resources and support to grow successful businesses.

The goals of the program are to:

• Equip potential and existing female technology entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build and grow their businesses.

• Provide mentoring, training, and potential funding for female technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

By so doing, we will also:

• Increase the number of women actively involved in technology entrepreneurship in Nigeria

• Increase networking opportunities locally for women in STEM fields in Nigeria

• Develop a critical mass and build a steady pipeline of skilled women in STEM in Nigeria

At the end of the program, participants will have formed teams and transformed their ideas into products and/or services fit to push to the market.

Are you female? Do you have a startup? Do you have an idea for a startup? You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Simply enter your email address below and be one of the first to get notified about the program launch and application process.

About Co-creation Hub

Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) is a social innovation centre dedicated to accelerating the application of social capital and technology for economic prosperity. Our Innovation hub is Nigeria’s premier living lab designed as a space where work to catalyze creative tech ventures take place.

About #40Forward

#40Forward is a challenge Google for Entrepreneurs has issued to startup communities to increase participation by women by 25% this year. We’re one of forty startup communities taking new approaches to increase the representation of women in our community

About Google for Entrepreneurs

Google for Entrepreneurs empowers entrepreneurs around the world through programs, partnerships, and Google products. With over 70 programs in 125 countries, Google for Entrepreneurs seeks to grow entrepreneurial communities and to equip entrepreneurs with skills and resources to pursue their big ideas.