What Women Tech Founders does

Women Tech Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a mission to transform and equalize power in the tech startup ecosystem by connecting, inspiring, and advancing female founders, funders, and startup leaders. The organization operates a community-led, event-driven model serving four primary segments: female tech founders (primary), female funders and investors, aspiring founders, and corporate partners/sponsors. Its core "products" are programmatic rather than software: signature events including the Midwest Women in Tech (MWiT) Conference, the annual Women in Tech (WiT) Awards, and WTF Wednesdays; a Founder Video Library of 100+ stories serving as a content asset and role-model platform; a women-led business directory with 500+ listings that offers member discounts; and an annual WTF Membership program providing access to a private community hub, WTF Digest newsletter, private Facebook group, and speaker opportunities.

The underlying technology is intentionally lightweight: a WordPress-based website (womentechfounders.com), YouTube and social channels for content distribution, and Eventbrite for event ticketing. Differentiation rests on community curation, content IP (founder video library), and ecosystem partnerships with 1871 Tech Incubator, mHub, ChicagoNEXT, the Illinois Technology Association, and Techstars, rather than on proprietary technology. The organization's revenue mechanics combine three streams: tax-deductible charitable donations (501(c)(3), EIN 47-2997368), corporate sponsorships (logos and benefits packages), and a quote-based annual membership with scholarships for financially challenged members. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

The organization is governed by Co-Founder and CEO Terri Brax and Co-Founder Riana Lynn, supported by an SVP of Strategy & Operations, an SVP of Membership, and a multi-member Leadership Council drawn from the Chicago tech, venture, and corporate ecosystem. In 2020, following the COVID-19 disruption, WTF announced a strategic pause to redirect operations from direct community programming toward developing education and leadership systems for future founders; the website remains active with a waitlist for the next phase. As of the available data, no equity funding rounds, acquisitions, or revenue figures have been disclosed.

Name

Women Tech Founders

Legal name

Women Tech Founders

Website

https://womentechfounders.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women Tech Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chicago that connects, inspires, and advances female founders, funders, and tech leaders through signature events, a 100+ video founder story library, a women-led business directory, and an annual membership community in the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Services for Women in Technology

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Professional & Career Networks (BPAMABAB)

Keywords

• Women in tech community
• Founder networking events
• Nonprofit technology support
• Women entrepreneurship programs
• Tech startup ecosystem

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds through charitable donations. EIN: 47-2997368. Donations support scholarships for financially challenged and underrepresented members of the startup ecosystem, educational events, and video production of founder stories.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship programs offering early access to invest in startups, opportunities to engage with emerging women in tech, media advertising, speaking opportunities, and exclusive networking. Sponsors receive prominent recognition through the organization's events and communications.
3. Membership Fees: Membership program with 7 benefits including access to private hub events, business directory listing, member profile, WTF Digest subscription, private Facebook page access, event discounts, and speaker/leadership opportunities. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Women Tech Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and serves a community of female tech founders, funders, and startup leaders through signature events, a paid membership program, an online Women-Led Business Directory, and a video storytelling library. Its primary revenue-generating offerings are corporate sponsorships, charitable donations, and recurring annual memberships, with its flagship programs being the Midwest Women in Tech (MWiT) Conference, the annual Women in Tech (WiT) Awards, and WTF Wednesdays networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WTF Membership Annual membership program providing female founders and tech leaders with access to private Hub events, business and member directory listings, WTF Digest newsletter subscription, private Facebook community access, event discounts, and speaker/leadership opportunities. Scholarships are available for financially challenged applicants.
• Midwest Women in Tech (MWiT) Conference The region's premier women in tech event featuring presentations from elite female founders, investors, and leaders, including workshops, panels, and networking opportunities. Held since 2017, with the 4th Annual Conference broadcast free online in 2020 due to COVID-19.
• Women in Tech (WiT) Awards Annual awards ceremony celebrating female tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across multiple categories including Ally, AR/VR/Gaming, Corporate Tech Leader, FinTech, Health and Biotech, Investor, Social Impact, and Women Tech Founder. Previous editions held in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
• WTF Wednesdays Regular recurring virtual and in-person networking events providing ongoing community engagement and connection opportunities for WTF members and the broader community of female tech founders.
• Founder Stories Video Library An online library of 100+ videos featuring stories and lessons of underrepresented founders, providing role model content for aspiring women in technology.
• Women-Led Business Directory A searchable online directory of 500+ women-led businesses offering products and services with discounts for WTF members, covering categories including marketing, design, financial, legal, education, accounting, web development, consulting, fashion, and networking support.
• Nonprofit Scholarship Programs Scholarship programs for financially challenged and underrepresented members of the startup ecosystem, supporting educational events, role model showcases, and membership access to advance female-led tech startups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of founders, funders, and changemakers have been part of the WTF community
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Flatiron SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoding and startup school offering educational programs for aspiring tech founders. Provided sponsorship support and logo placement on WTF website.
• GoogleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company providing sponsorship support and logo placement on WTF website. Google diversity trainers have supported WTF initiatives.
• UpworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFreelance platform offering sponsorship support to WTF. Logo featured on WTF website.
• 1871 Tech IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago's largest tech incubator and primary venue for WTF events. The inaugural WTF event was held at 1871 in January 2015. Long-standing partnership for event hosting and community building.
• mHub ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based hardware and product incubator. Listed as WTF supporter for events and community initiatives.
• ChicagoNEXTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Business Chicago's innovation initiative focused on growing Chicago's tech ecosystem. Listed as WTF supporter.
• Illinois Technology AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association supporting technology companies in Illinois. Listed as WTF supporter.
• TechstarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal startup accelerator. Listed as WTF supporter and sponsor.
• WiSTEMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in STEM initiative co-facilitated by WTF. Partnership for educational events and mentorship programs.
• PropllrminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing services company. Logo featured as WTF sponsor on homepage.
• ChykalophiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign agency that designed the WTF website. Co-founded by Ari Krzyzek who is listed on WTF's Founding Team Leaders.
• Journey FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood technology company. Listed as WTF supporter.
• Social SnacksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo production company. Co-founded by Tracy Hatfield who is part of WTF's founding team leadership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wtfounders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCU5tr1BP63B4hoAYA2chf_A
• Facebookfacebook.com/womentechfounders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-tech-founders
• Instagraminstagram.com/womentechfounders

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Women Tech Founders