What Femmes Digitales does

Femmes Digitales is an Azerbaijani non-profit Public Union (Public Association 'Supporting Women in TECH') founded on December 3, 2014 by Jana Krimpe and officially registered as a legal entity on May 21, 2021. The organization operates as a 100% volunteer-based community dedicated to closing the gender gap in Azerbaijan's technology sector, with a network of more than 200 active members and more than 5,000 girls and women served across 12 regions through in-person programming. Its core offerings are programs and events rather than technology products: the AWITA (Azerbaijan Women in IT Awards) annual ceremony, the STARTECH regional mentorship program reaching schoolgirls aged 12-16, Career Development and Board Readiness programs, TechTalk sessions, and the Women in Cyber Conference. The organization has reached more than 100 events, 50+ school roadshows, and 40+ training sessions cumulatively, with 50% of beneficiaries from rural areas including low-income households and girls with disabilities.

The business model is a charitable non-profit funded by corporate sponsorships and grants from a concentrated set of partners including B.EST Solutions (founder-linked, platinum AWITA sponsor), PASHA Bank, Azercell, Fominov Consulting, STEP IT Academy, Microsoft, MONT, USAID, and several Azerbaijani government ministries and innovation agencies. Distribution is direct and field-based: regional STARTECH conferences are hosted at ASAN Service Centers across multiple cities, with school and university partnerships (ADA University, Baku European Lyceum) enabling roadshows. Marketing is community-led, leveraging organic social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), newsletters, partnership co-marketing, and earned media via events like COP29 and InfoCity Magazine.

The competitive position rests on a deep multi-stakeholder ecosystem built over a decade, strong national brand recognition reinforced by the Tereggi Medal awarded to its founder by the President of Azerbaijan in April 2026, and an established pipeline running from rural school roadshows through regional conferences into a national AWITA recognition platform. Limitations include 100% volunteer staffing (no payroll), no disclosed revenue figures, and concentration risk on a small number of large corporate and government sponsors.

Name

Femmes Digitales

Legal name

Femmes Digitales – Public Association "Supporting Women in TECH"

Website

https://femmesdigitales.az

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Femmes Digitales is an Azerbaijan-based non-profit Public Union, founded in 2014 and 100% volunteer-run, that delivers mentorship, awards, and regional programs to close the gender gap in the country's technology sector, serving 200+ members and 5,000+ girls across 12 regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women in Tech Community & STEM Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)

Keywords

• Women in tech community
• STEM mentorship programs
• Tech education workshops
• Regional school programs
• Non-profit advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Baku

HQ country

Azerbaijan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Grants: The organization operates as a charitable non-profit receiving financial support from corporate sponsors and international development organizations. Major sponsors include B.EST Solutions, Fominov Consulting, STEP IT Academy, and various government and private sector partners.
2. Donations and Charitable Support: Relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and international organizations to fund educational programs and mentorship initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Femmes Digitales is a non-profit public association that delivers mentorship, education, and recognition programs to women and girls pursuing technology careers in Azerbaijan. Its core offerings include the AWITA annual awards, the STARTECH regional mentorship program for schoolgirls, Career Development and Board Readiness programs, the Women in Cyber conference, and TechTalk sessions. All programs are provided free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through corporate sponsorships and grants.

Product overview

Femmes Digitales is a non-profit organization (Public Association: Supporting Women in TECH) rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of community programs and initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in Azerbaijan's tech industry. The core portfolio includes AWITA (annual awards ceremony), the STARTECH regional mentorship program for schoolgirls, Career Development and Board Readiness programs, the Women in Cyber Conference, and TechTalk series. These programs provide mentorship, education, networking, and recognition to women and girls interested in technology careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AWITA (Azerbaijan Women in IT Awards) Annual awards ceremony organized to recognize and celebrate female role models in Azerbaijan's technology sector, featuring multiple award categories and bringing together hundreds of guests including parliamentarians, ambassadors, government officials, and tech leaders.
• STARTECH Regional Mentorship Program Regional mentorship program bringing technology education and inspiration to schoolgirls across 12 regions of Azerbaijan, including hands-on workshops in robotics, AI, and coding, paired with mentorship from women tech professionals.
• Career Development Program Program designed to enable positive career changes for women at various career stages, providing career advice, soft and technical skills training, and access to a Career Advice Clinic offering guidance from female technical leaders.
• Women in Cyber Conference International conference focused on cybersecurity, bringing together cyber experts, policymakers, academics, and rising talents to promote women's participation and leadership in cybersecurity across the Eastern Partnership region.
• TechTalk Series Interactive technology discussion sessions featuring women leaders in ICT, covering topics such as AI in life and work, with expert presentations and knowledge exchange opportunities for the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 5,000 girls served through in-person programming
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Azerbaijan Rural Women's Association (AKQA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2024Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 9, 2024, to empower women in technology. Partnership focuses on development of IT skills in agriculture, education, and industry for women in rural areas.
• MicrosoftmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft is listed as a partner/logo on the Femmes Digitales website, indicating support for the organization's mission to promote women in technology. The partnership contributes to credibility and potential technical resources for members.
• AzercellmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAzercell telecom company partners with Femmes Digitales, providing support for events and programs promoting women in technology.
• PASHA BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPASHA Bank is a key sponsor of AWITA awards and supports STARTECH regional programs. The bank provides financial support and facilitates access to corporate network for women in tech initiatives.
• B.EST SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerB.EST Solutions is a platinum sponsor of AWITA and consistent financial supporter of Femmes Digitales throughout its years of operation. Founder Jana Krimpe leads both organizations.
• STEP IT AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEP IT Academy provides robotics and AI workshops for STARTECH regional programs and has collaborated with Femmes Digitales for 9 years in regional initiatives reaching over 1,000 girls with coding and robotics training.
• Fominov ConsultingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFominov Consulting provides financial support for regional programs and contributes expertise. Natalia Osipova serves on the Femmes Digitales board while also serving as Commercial Director at Fominov Consulting.
• Bloom GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBloom Group provides organizational support for events and conferences. Sabina Parvizi serves on the Femmes Digitales board while also serving as Founder and CEO of Bloom Group.
• ASAN Service (ASAN xidmət)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASAN Service provides organizational support and venues for regional STARTECH conferences. Partnership with government service centers enables reach to rural areas across Azerbaijan.
• Ministry of Science and Education of AzerbaijancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry provides organizational support for educational programs and facilitates access to schools for roadshow programs and regional events.
• MONTmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMONT technology company is a sponsor and supporter of Femmes Digitales programs, contributing to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• CybernetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCybernet is listed as a partner logo, indicating support for the women in tech mission.
• SINAMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSINAM is listed as a partner logo, indicating support for the women in tech mission.
• DOST AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOST Agency partners with Femmes Digitales for initiatives supporting digital inclusion and women empowerment in technology.
• ADA UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADA University provides academic support and partnership. Dr. Fariz Ismailzade serves as Vice-Rector of ADA University and member of the Femmes Digitales Honorary Advisory Board.
• InfoCity MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfoCity Magazine serves as an information partner for events, providing media coverage and visibility for women in tech initiatives.
• Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner4SIM is the main partner for AWITA 2024 and collaborates on initiatives including AI and technology conferences. Fariz Jafarov serves as Executive Director.
• USAIDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAID supports Femmes Digitales initiatives, including research on best practices for retaining women employees in IT companies.
• American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmCham Azerbaijan supports women in business and technology initiatives through partnership with Femmes Digitales.
• Special Communications and Information Security State Service (SCISSS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment service provides support for cybersecurity initiatives and events. Tural Mammadov serves as Deputy CEO and member of the Honorary Advisory Board.
• Bestcomp GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBestcomp Group is listed as a partner and sponsor supporting Femmes Digitales programs.
• PASHA HoldingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPASHA Holding supports STARTECH programs and contributed to bringing the event to Karabakh region.
• TrendyolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational technology company supports Femmes Digitales initiatives including STARTECH in Karabakh.
• Tufan MotorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Femmes Digitales programs including STARTECH in Karabakh.
• Digital UmbrellamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Umbrella company, founded by Ulduza Khalilova who is a member of Femmes Digitales Council, promotes gender equality in tech with 35% female staff in technical roles.
• STEP IT AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration discussion on September 30, 2024 focused on expanding regional programs and AWITA 2024. Over 1,000 girls reached through 9 years of partnership with hands-on coding and robotics training.
• e-Governance Academy (eGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstonian-based non-profit advancing digital transformation collaborated on Women in Cyber conference 2025. Implements EU-funded 'Improving Cyber Resilience in the Eastern Partnership Countries 2.0' program.
• Association of Cybersecurity Organisations of Azerbaijan (AKTA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational platform uniting cybersecurity stakeholders collaborated on Women in Cyber conference 2025. Leyla Nasrullayeva serves as Board Member.
• TAG InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOctober 31, 2024 meeting focused on cybersecurity ecosystem discussions and promoting gender diversity in cybersecurity sector.
• C4IR Azerbaijan (Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Fourth Industrial Revolution Azerbaijan collaborated on Tech Talk with Prof. Salma Abbasi at COP29. Led by Khayala Fatullayeva.
• Asan Imza (Mobile ID)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMobile ID technology provider supports Femmes Digitales as platinum sponsor of AWITA and event supporter.
• Innovation Center under State Agency for Public Service and Social InnovationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment innovation agency supports AWITA awards and digital transformation initiatives. Vusal Rustamov serves as Director.
• Center for Economic Reforms and CommunicationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment center supports AWITA awards ceremony and economic reform initiatives related to women in technology.
• Enterprise AzerbaijanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnterprise Azerbaijan supports women entrepreneurs and technology initiatives through partnership with Femmes Digitales.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• TechWomen: US State Department initiative (run via IIE) that mentors women in STEM from Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Adjacent to Femmes Digitales given both serve women in the post-Soviet/Eastern Partnership region and overlap with USAID-funded programs.

Broad incumbents

• Women Techmakers (Google): Google's global program supporting women in technology through communities, events, and grants. Comparable as a women-in-tech community builder with global reach, though operating as a corporate program rather than an independent non-profit.

Direct peers

• Girls Who Code: US-based non-profit running club programs, summer immersion, and college-loops to close the gender gap in tech, with a strong focus on school-age girls. Highly comparable to Femmes Digitales' STARTECH regional mentorship model targeting schoolgirls aged 12–17.
• Black Girls Code: US-based non-profit delivering tech education, hackathons, and workshops to girls from underrepresented backgrounds. Comparable to Femmes Digitales in mission and program mix, with similar focus on closing representation gaps through hands-on technical training.
• AnitaB.org: Global non-profit advancing women in technology through programs, events, and awards (the Grace Hopper Celebration). Directly comparable to Femmes Digitales as a women-in-tech community organization focused on career advancement, recognition, and pipeline development.
• Women Who Code: Global non-profit community with hundreds of thousands of members focused on women in technical careers. Directly comparable to Femmes Digitales' 200+ member community, networking events, and TechTalk-style programming for working women in tech.
• Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS): Global non-profit dedicated to advancing women in cybersecurity through conferences, mentorship, and member networks. Directly comparable to Femmes Digitales' October 2024-launched Women in Cyber conference targeting the Eastern Partnership region.
• Technovation: Global non-profit running entrepreneurship and technology programs for girls, often through regional chapters and competitions. Comparable to Femmes Digitales in its pipeline-development focus and emphasis on girls in underserved/rural areas learning technology.
• Women in Tech (Global): International non-profit with national chapters running conferences, awards, mentorship, and community programs to promote women in technology. Closely comparable to Femmes Digitales' AWITA awards, regional conferences, and chapter-style operating model.

Regional players

• Coding Girls (Italy / global expansion): Non-profit running coding and digital skills programs for girls and young women, with a regional/country-based chapter model. Comparable to Femmes Digitales in the schoolgirl-pipeline program design and chapter-based national footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/femmes.digitales
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/femmes-digitales
• Instagraminstagram.com/femmes_digitales

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Femmes Digitales