Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT)

What Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) does

Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 by Google and AWS product managers and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The organization's mission is to accelerate the careers of women and underrepresented professionals into tech leadership roles at B2B companies, serving aspiring first-time managers, senior leaders, and founders. AWIT delivers programming through a community-led model combining skills-based workshops, executive mentorship, advocacy, and structured online education. The core product surface consists of five instructor-led Coursera specializations covering Real-World Product Management, Real-World Cloud Product Management, Real-World Engineering Management, Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership, and Real-World AI For Everyone, with the PM and Cloud PM tracks carrying American Council on Education credit recommendations for up to six college credits per course. Complementary offerings include a mentorship matching program, an annual Executive Summit, an Ambassador Program engaging male executives, a podcast distributed on Spotify, a content blog, regional chapters in Boston, Chennai, Berlin, and the Indo-Pacific region, and an AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders providing $125,000 cash grants and $100,000 in AWS credits.

AWIT's business model is that of a tax-exempt non-profit funded primarily through individual donations and corporate sponsorships, with Coursera as its exclusive global distribution channel. Major corporate partners include AWS, Microsoft, Anthropic, 1Password, Coursera, MongoDB, Twilio, Google, and the U.S. Department of State (through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program). Sponsors contribute financial support, in-kind curriculum expertise, and instructors from their leadership ranks, including AWS VP Todd Weatherby, Microsoft Global Director Kevin Magee, and founder Nancy Wang, who serves as General Manager at AWS Backup and Data Protection Services. To date, AWIT has trained more than 40,000 individuals globally, grown its professional network 2,000% since inception to 16,000+ members, and supported 300+ women into senior-level roles and promotions.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and an Executive Director (Kate Watts), with operational leadership provided by founder and Board Chair Nancy Wang. AWIT rebranded in 2023 from Advancing Women in Product (AWIP) to Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) to reflect expanded scope beyond product management into broader tech leadership domains. Notable external validation includes Entrepreneur Magazine's 2021 100 Women of Impact recognition of Nancy Wang, ACE credit recommendations, and earned media coverage in Forbes, GeekWire, SiliconAngle, TechRepublic, HR Dive, and Business Insider.

Name

Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT)

Legal name

Advancing Women in Tech

Website

https://advancingwomenintech.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that empowers women in product and engineering leadership through five Coursera specializations, executive mentorship, and corporate partnerships with AWS, Microsoft, Anthropic, and Coursera.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development and Mentorship

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAEANAG

Cloud & DevOps Training (Cloud, Containers, CI/CD, SRE)

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

SECONDARYEDABAFAB

Cloud Computing & Infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP, Virtualization)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Technical & IT Skills Training

SECONDARYBPAEANAA

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.)

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

SECONDARYEDABAFAC

DevOps, SRE & Platform Engineering (CI/CD, IaC, Containers)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Technical & IT Skills Training

Keywords

• Women in tech leadership
• Tech career mentorship
• Product management training
• Cloud computing education
• Nonprofit diversity training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, AWIT relies on donations from individuals and organizations to fund its programs and operations. Donations support mentorship access, startup accelerator, events, and Coursera content.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners and sponsors provide financial and in-kind support, including course sponsorship from AWS, Microsoft, 1Password, Anthropic, and others. Partners demonstrate support for tech leadership of the future.
3. Partnership Programs: Revenue generated through partnerships with corporations for educational content, mentorship programs, and skills training workshops delivered internationally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers skills-based training, executive mentorship, workshops, and events to accelerate the careers of women in product, engineering, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI leadership roles. Its primary structured offering is a portfolio of five instructor-led Coursera specializations (Real-World Product Management, Cloud Product Management, Engineering Management, Cybersecurity Leadership, and AI For Everyone) supplemented by mentorship matching, in-person/virtual events, an annual Executive Summit, and an Ambassador Program. Programs are funded through donations and corporate sponsorships and reach learners globally.

Product overview

AWIT is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational and career development programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include five Real-World Specializations on Coursera (Product Management, Cloud Product Management, Engineering Management, Cybersecurity Leadership, and AI For Everyone), plus supplementary programs including mentorship, workshops, podcast, blog content, annual summits, and an Ambassador Program. The Coursera specializations form the primary structured learning pathway, while mentorship and events provide hands-on support. All offerings collectively serve AWIT's mission of advancing women into tech leadership through skills-based training, executive mentorship, and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Real-World Product Management Specialization Instructor-led Coursera specialization covering business, technical, and interviewing fundamentals of product management, taught by tech-industry leaders with real-world examples and projects. Designed for aspiring product managers and product leaders; ACE credit recommended for up to 6 college credits.
• Real-World Cloud Product Management Specialization Coursera specialization equipping product managers and tech professionals with AWS foundational knowledge including core services, benefits, pricing, and security mechanisms, and preparation for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. Sponsored by AWS; ACE credit recommended.
• Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization Coursera specialization covering CISO career paths, three core CISO mindsets (technical, cyber risk, and business enablement), metrics, vendor management, risk management, and leadership communication. Sponsored by 1Password and Microsoft; designed for beginners through aspiring CISOs.
• Real-World AI For Everyone Specialization Coursera specialization preparing learners of all backgrounds and tech literacy levels to use AI assistants like Claude, covering prompt engineering, workflow automation, and practical AI application. Sponsored by Anthropic and 1Password.
• Real-World Engineering Management Specialization Coursera specialization designed to help learners transition into engineering management roles.
• Executive Mentorship Program Mentorship program connecting members with experienced women leaders, speakers, and mentors through one-on-one mentoring relationships and structured support for first-time managers through senior professionals seeking career advancement.
• Executive Summit Annual flagship conference focused on leadership advancement and career pathways, featuring panel discussions, keynotes, and networking opportunities for tech professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 individuals trained globally through Coursera courses
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, regional and minor.

• AnthropicmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 November 2025Anthropic sponsors AWIT's Real-World AI For Everyone Specialization. The collaboration focuses on teaching learners how to effectively use Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, for career acceleration.
• 1PasswordmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 20251Password sponsors AWIT's Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization. AWIT Founder Nancy Wang serves as SVP, Head of Engineering at 1Password, creating a direct connection between the organizations.
• MicrosoftmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2025Microsoft sponsors AWIT's Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization. Kevin Magee, Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups at Microsoft for Startups, serves as an instructor in the program.
• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2023AWIT collaborates with the U.S. Department of State's Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program to provide skills training workshops and mentorship at international summits. AWIT participates in the U.S. Speaker Program, with Nancy Wang delivering keynote addresses at events in Kuala Lumpur and Indo-Pacific region.
• Madrona Venture GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2021Madrona Venture Group and AWIT co-host educational events and workshops for AWIT members interested in starting or joining technology startups. Partnership features best practices from industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs, inspired by the Future Founders community.
• Madrona Venture LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2021Madrona Venture Labs partners with AWIT to deliver startup-focused programming and workshops. The Seattle startup studio works with AWIT to provide frameworks and mentorship for product validation and startup development.
• PayPalregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2020PayPal co-sponsored the AWIP Chennai Chapter launch event in February 2020, supporting the organization's expansion to India with over 50 women participating.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWS sponsors AWIT's Real-World Product Management and Cloud Product Management Specializations on Coursera. AWS provides expert instructors including Todd Weatherby (VP AWS Professional Services) and Gordon Yu (Technical Program Manager). AWS also partners with AWIT for the AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders program providing $125,000 cash grant and $100,000 in AWS credits.
• CourseracoreTechnology or IntegrationAWIT courses are available exclusively on Coursera, making technical knowledge accessible globally. Coursera partners provide the online learning platform infrastructure and host AWIT's five specializations with over 16 courses.
• American Council on Education (ACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACE has validated AWIT's Real-World Product Management and Cloud Product Management Specializations, recommending up to 6 college credits per course. This enables learners to earn credits toward postsecondary degrees.
• AscendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWIT partnered with Ascend (founded by Shivani Berry) to deliver a workshop on advocating for yourself, teaching the Ascend method for career advancement.
• MongoDBmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMongoDB is a corporate partner and sponsor of AWIT, supporting the organization's mission to advance women in tech leadership through product and engineering programs.
• TwiliomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTwilio is a corporate partner of AWIT, contributing to the organization's initiatives for diversity in tech leadership.
• FitbitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitbit is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, demonstrating corporate support for the organization's diversity and inclusion mission.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWIT was founded by Google and AWS product managers. Google is referenced as a partner company that AWIT works with to advance its mission.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWIT works with Microsoft as part of its mission to mentor diverse talent. Kelli Burns serves as CISO at Accolade and previously worked with Symetra. Microsoft provides instructors and support for AWIT programs.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon partners with AWIT through AWS sponsorship of courses and programs. AWIT founder Nancy Wang serves as General Manager at AWS. Amazon is a key employer target for AWIT graduates.
• DropboxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDropbox is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, participating in panel discussions and supporting women in product management roles.
• HubSpotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHubSpot is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, supporting the organization's initiatives for women in tech.
• WorkdayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkday is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, participating in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Northwestern MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthwestern Mutual is listed as a company worked with, with employees participating in AWIT events and panels on product and engineering leadership.
• OutreachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutreach is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, supporting the organization's diversity initiatives.
• VMwareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVMware is listed as a company worked with by AWIT, participating in programs for women in tech leadership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AdvancingWomenInTech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advancing-women-in-product
• Xx.com/AdvWomeninTech
• Facebookfacebook.com/advancingwomenintech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT)