SheStarts is one of the few accelerator programs out there specifically targeted towards female entrepreneurs. Their primary aim is to help women build their tech startup dreams, providing investment, an extensive support network of experts as well as first class training in startup methodologies. But don’t take it from us, hear from Claire Jenkins from Vetchat and Emma Poposka from Brontech on their experience in the SheStarts program.
Introducing Vetchat
Tell us a little about VetChatVetchat is solving this problem with an online platform that connects veterinarians with pet owners to help their pets. Vetchat delivers easy access to affordable, expert vet advice online via 1:1 video consultations and on-demand chat. It’s peace of mind for pet owners, who are provided with care or referral when they need it, and avoid costly visits to the vet when they don’t.
We now have a commercial pilot, vetchat.com.au, that has tested the market exists and that customers are loving the service. We’re now looking to grow this amazing service.
Are there any tips you would like to share with budding female entrepreneurs?
My main tip is to make sure that you are passionate about the problem you’re solving with your startup- it’s going to take up more of your time than you could predict or imagine so it needs to be something you are happy to make sacrifices for. Tick that box and you’re halfway there! Also, make sure you’re all over the news in your industry.
Advice for anyone who is looking to apply for SheStarts 2
Make sure the program is going to work for your team and the stage that your business is at and provided that’s right- just apply! Put yourself out there and don’t worry about potential failure to get selected, but more about failing to put your best foot forward for the business by applying in the first place.
Introducing Bron.Tech
Tell us a little bit about Bron.Tech
Bron.Tech is developing a platform where people can extract the financial value of their data. Data is valuable, some people say it is the “oil of the 21st century”. Through information, we can better understand the World and find patterns. But, human-centric data is difficult to obtain, it is siloed and most of it is held by a handful of organisations. We provide companies an alternative way to tap into this valuable resource by facilitating the relationship between them and our users. To put it simply, we act as a two-sided data marketplace.
Going through the Shestarts program helped me refine how we explain what we do. The messaging was very important to us, as in the beginning we found it difficult to communicate our vision to our users and clients.
Why do you think it’s so important to have these types of programs for women in tech?
I think it is important to glamourise entrepreneurship and create role models for women to execute on bold ideas. The numbers don’t lie. The percentage of women in C-level positions in companies are far below 50% and the statistics are even worse for the tech-brotopias. We need female-focused programs that will swing the bias in the opposite direction to counterbalance and normalise seeing women in tech and in managerial positions in general. Young girls need to see strong female leaders to believe that they can become one. Advice for women looking to pursue a career in tech entrepreneurship Founding and running a company is physically and emotionally draining process. My strongest advice for someone who’s about to take this leap is from early on to set up a process for taking care of their physical and mental health. Accelerator programs like Shestarts offer good support mecBrohanisms by introducing founders to other entrepreneurs and mentors that have already been through this journey.
Also, during the past year, I was following the Y-Combinator’s start-up school to get exposed to the mindset in the Valley and I was religiously watching the Pando Monthly episodes to learn from the journey of other world-class entrepreneurs.
Applications for SheStarts 2 is open now! For more information and to apply, click here.
If you need that final inspiration and kick, make sure you grab a ticket to StartCon 2017.
