Spark Festival is loving the official theme of International Women's Day 2019: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change. We've gathered up a special listing of all the events happening across the state in startups and innovation on March 8, which you can find below.
But before I get to that, I thought these words from the UN Women site were so on-message for everything we are trying to do here at Spark Festival, I just had to quote them in full:
The theme for International Women’s Day (8 March) this year, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality.
Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both women and men and leave no one behind. From urban planning that focuses on community safety to e-learning platforms that take classrooms to women and girls, affordable and quality childcare centres, and technology shaped by women, innovation can take the race for gender equality to its finishing line by 2030.
It begins with making sure that women’s and girls' needs and experiences are integrated at the very inception of technology and innovations. It means building smart solutions that go beyond acknowledging the gender gaps to addressing the needs of men and women equally. And ultimately, it needs innovations that disrupt business as usual, paying attention to how and by whom technology is used and accessed, and ensuring that women and girls play a decisive role in emerging industries.
Join us to celebrate women and girls, their limitless imagination, their joyous dreams and their boundless strength.
Friday March 8: Startup and Innovation #WomensDay events
International Womens Day 2019: Speed Mentoring
Sydney Startup Hub / Fishburners / 7.00-9.00AM
If you're working in the Digital industry and are seeking a new mentor, want to quickly solve a problem or just meet more people then our celebratory event is perfect for you.
Shine & Rise Speed-Mentoring Breakfast
Eveleigh / CSIRO Data61 / 7.00-9.00AM
A bright and buzzy speed-mentoring breakfast on International Women’s Day to connect tertiary women students to inspirational innovation leaders.
ACS International Women's Day Startup Breakfast
Barangaroo / ACS Technology & Innovation Hub / 7.30-10.30AM
Join Deputy Lord Mayor Linda Scott and four startup superstars at this premium breakfast celebration.
Women in Industry: Building Inclusive Teams for Success
Sydney CBD / General Assembly / 8.00-10.00AM
This panel will discuss unconscious biases uncovered during their journeys, the importance of taking an in-depth look into your company's culture and actionable takeaways you can implement into your talent pipeline strategies for meaningful impact.
INCUBATE – International Women’s Day Panel
Sydney Uni / INCUBATEHub / 9.00-10.30AM
To celebrate International Women’s Day INCUBATE is holding a panel event with impressive women from the tech, startup, and science industries. Start your Friday with an interactive and fun hour with BOSS ladies and brekkie!
Women in Business Forum
West Lindfield / CSIRO / 10.00AM-2.00PM
Join City of Ryde for an opportunity to connect with Andrea Watson of Sparrows.io, CSIRO’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and a whole host of like-minded women in business.
IWD panel discussion: Dealing with impostor syndrome
Sydney Startup Hub / Fishburners / 12.00-2.00PM
Impostor Syndrome is that feeling of doubt in your own accomplishments. It usually comes with a fear of being exposed as a fraud and the feeling that everyone else is succeeding on their own merit whilst your achievements are accidental. Come along to this lunch time event and find out how this panel of inspirational women have learned how to kick it to the kerb!
Female Founders Pitch Night
Sydney Startup Hub / Fishburners / 5.00-8.00PM
Every Friday night from 5pm, Fishburners opens its doors to host pitches and networking: join them this week for a #WomensDay special edition!
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