FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering

What FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering does

FemEng (Glasgow University Female Engineers) is a student-led non-profit society at the University of Glasgow, founded in 2016, that supports and empowers women and non-binary students in engineering through outreach, mentoring, networking, and international STEM collaborations. The society delivers in-person school visits, a virtual outreach YouTube series, a formal mentoring scheme pairing students with industry professionals, networking events (Future You panels and discussion panels), and technical and soft skills workshops (Arduino, Electronic Lab, CV building). It also runs multi-year international programs — FemEng in Rwanda (2016-2019, reaching 3,600+ children), FemEng in Malawi (2020), FemEng in Kenya (2022), and FemEng in Botswana (2023) — in partnership with local universities.

The underlying technology is minimal: the organization operates on a Weebly-hosted website, social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and consumer hardware kits (Arduino, Ozobots, Sphero Bots, Meccano) used in workshops. There is no proprietary platform, no API, no app, and no AI components. Programs are delivered by a 12-person volunteer committee elected annually.

The business model is non-commercial. Membership is free for University of Glasgow students (via the SRC) and for affiliated professionals and alumni. Operating funds come from corporate sponsorships (RS Components, BAE Systems, Thales, SSE, RAF) supporting workshops and mentoring, donations via JustGiving for international projects, and institutional support from Equate Scotland's Interconnect Network and the Women's Engineering Society. The 2016 FemEng in Rwanda initiative won the IMechE Group Project Award.

Name

FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering

Legal name

Glasgow University Female Engineers

Website

https://gufemeng.weebly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FemEng is a University of Glasgow student society that supports women in engineering through school outreach, mentoring, networking, and international STEM collaborations in Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, and Botswana, funded by free membership and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Outreach

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGABAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYEDAMALAE

Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAMADAA

Robotics After-School & Enrichment Clubs

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

Keywords

• STEM outreach programs
• Women in engineering
• Engineering mentoring
• School outreach visits
• Student networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Free membership for current University of Glasgow students via SRC website. Affiliated membership (for professionals and alumni) is also free, providing access to virtual events.
2. Sponsorship and Donations: The society raises funds through sponsorships and donations for international outreach projects. JustGiving page used for FemEng in Malawi project. Corporate sponsors support workshops and mentoring programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FemEng is a student-led society at the University of Glasgow that empowers women in engineering through school outreach workshops, a formal mentoring scheme pairing students with STEM professionals, networking events with female industry leaders, technical and soft-skills workshops, and student-led international STEM outreach collaborations in Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, and Botswana. Membership is free for University of Glasgow students and affiliated members, with programs delivered in-person at schools and on campus, and virtually via YouTube and online platforms.

Product overview

FemEng is a student society network at the University of Glasgow focused on empowering women in engineering. The organization operates as a unified platform combining multiple interconnected programs: in-person and virtual outreach initiatives to schools, a formal mentoring scheme pairing students with industry professionals, networking events (Future You panels and discussion panels), international STEM outreach projects in Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, and Botswana, technical and soft skills workshops (Electronic Lab, Arduino, CV building), social events, and a content platform through guest blogs. These programs work together to encourage more women to pursue engineering careers through role modeling, education, networking, and hands-on experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Visits Program
• Mentoring Scheme
• Future You Networking Events
• Discussion Panels
• Ask an Engineer
• FemEng in Rwanda
• FemEng in Malawi
• FemEng in Kenya
• FemEng in Botswana
• Come to FemEng Lab - Electronic Lab
• Arduino Workshops
• Virtual Outreach Video Series

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Women's Engineering Society (WES)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFemEng became formally affiliated with WES in 2016 and has established a collaborative relationship since. WES provides support including conference attendance opportunities for members.
• Equate Scotland - Interconnect NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFemEng has been strongly supported by Equate Scotland's Interconnect Network, which provides student engagement coordination and networking support.
• University of RwandaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for FemEng in Rwanda (2016-2019). The project brought together female engineering students from both universities to encourage high school girls in Rwanda to pursue STEM education.
• Malawi University of Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational outreach collaboration partner for FemEng in Malawi project (launched 2020, postponed to 2021 due to pandemic). Student-led team from both universities develops STEM workshops for school children.
• RS Components (Grassroots)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports FemEng's mentoring scheme through Introductory Mentee Training Workshop. Provides sponsorship for Arduino workshops, soft skills workshops, and technical workshop content including Arduino projects and video series.
• SSEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted FemEng for a visit to Clyde Wind Farm, providing industry insight for members along with members of Equate Strathclyde.
• ThalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLent FemEng a set of Ozobots for school outreach stalls. Provided training for mentors on using equipment including Ozobots and Sphero Bots.
• Royal Air Force (RAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorrowed Meccano sets to FemEng for school outreach. Provided training for volunteer mentors on Mechano and Sphero Bots equipment.
• Glasgow Counts and Literacy for All (Glasgow Improvement Challenge)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Glasgow City Council subgroup to deliver school outreach program reaching over 1,000 primary 7 pupils. GIC created worksheets, lesson plans, and found participating schools.
• MASS Design GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering company visited by FemEng in Rwanda 2019 team. Discussed civil engineering and architecture projects including natural solutions for filtration and ventilation through building design.
• ZiplineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical supplies drone delivery company visited by FemEng in Rwanda 2019 team in Muhanga. Team learned about drone operations and medical supply logistics.
• Bridges to ProsperityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering company visited by FemEng in Rwanda 2019 team. Company builds bridges across rivers and cliffs to connect remote communities.
• STRAWTECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding solutions company visited by FemEng in Rwanda 2018 team. Produces affordable eco-friendly wall systems using compressed agricultural materials. Former team member Olga interned with the company.
• BAE SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry professional represented on COP26 sustainability discussion panel with FemEng.
• EcoSwellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO focused on sustainable development. Professional represented on COP26 sustainability discussion panel. Previous collaboration involved Engineers Without Borders Design Challenge.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Girlguiding UK Engineering Badge: Girlguiding's engineering and STEM badge programs deliver engineering engagement to girls through existing youth club infrastructure. Partial overlap with FemEng's school outreach targeting girls interested in STEM.

Direct peers

• Engineers Without Borders UK: UK-based organization mobilizing engineers to address global development challenges through international partnerships and student chapters. Shares FemEng's international engineering outreach model and university-student engagement.
• Women's Engineering Society (WES): UK national body for women in engineering, providing networking, advocacy, conferences, and outreach. FemEng is formally affiliated with WES; WES is the institutional parent organization in the women-in-engineering space.
• WISE Campaign: UK social enterprise campaigning for gender balance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with a focus on workplace representation and educational pathways. Directly comparable mission of advancing women in STEM.
• STEMettes: UK-based social enterprise running structured programs to inspire girls and young women into STEM careers, including school outreach, mentoring, and events. Directly comparable mission, demographic, and delivery format, with a larger and more formalized organizational footprint than FemEng.
• Equate Scotland: Scotland's gender equality organization for STEM, supporting women in education and the workforce through the Interconnect Network. FemEng is a beneficiary and partner; Equate Scotland operates at the Scotland-wide level rather than a single university.
• EngineerGirl: National Academy of Engineering program providing resources and inspiration for girls interested in engineering. Comparable school-outreach mission aimed at challenging gender stereotypes in engineering careers.
• TechWomenUK: UK-based community supporting women in technology through events, mentoring, and networking. Comparable model of student/professional engagement and outreach to encourage girls into STEM.

Broad incumbents

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): Global professional organization supporting women engineers across all career stages, with K-12 outreach programs. A larger, more established incumbent that overlaps with FemEng's mission at a global scale.
• IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE): Global IEEE affinity group supporting women in engineering and computer science through networking, awards, and outreach. Comparable mission at a much larger institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UofGfemeng
• Facebookfacebook.com/gufemeng
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/femeng
• Instagraminstagram.com/gufemeng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering