10 Years of Research
Over the past decade, RAD-founded independent venture Women Who Tech has surveyed thousands of people across the industry — employees, founders, and investors globally on their experiences in the tech sector and startup community.
Our Goal
Our goal was to identify the barriers and challenges people face in the tech and startup sector, and track whether the systemic sexism and racism that respondents’ experiences have shifted since our original 2017 and 2020 follow-up surveys.
Results & Findings
Our most recent survey paralleled previous 2017 and 2020 surveys, and introduced new questions around investors’ experiences with harassment since as more women launched venture capital funds. We also incorporated questions about workplace culture dynamics since COVID-19 uprooted traditional offices, a critical topic as we think about the future of work.
More Relevant than Ever
When we first launched the State of Women in Startups survey, we saw the #MeToo movement spark significant publicity, advocacy campaigns, lawsuits, and investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings and pledges. But the most recent survey results still clearly show that barriers for women — especially women of color — continue to be upheld at unprecedented levels.