In the lead up to International Women’s Day 2026, we decided to do something different. Rather than the usual articles with floods of stats on women in tech and the like, we chose to speak to the women themselves.
Who knows best what it’s like to be a female in the tech and startup landscape than the women navigating this environment every single day?
Our IWD 2026 interview series, “The Women Who Move Us” took off immediately, and although we knew it would be an awesome read, it was incredible to see so many of our readers share the sentiment. And not only in terms of agreeing with us and the ladies themselves, but literally share – share with colleagues, share with friends and share on social media.
Indeed, these women had a lot to say – their experiences were incredible to read about and their achievements exceptional. But the other thing that was great to read was their advice to other women, and that, I believe, is worthy of an entirely separate article.
So, without further ado, here’s some of the best advice we received from the ladies in our 2026 IWD “The Women Who Move Us” interview series.
Advice for Women Starting Out In the Startup and Tech Scene
We asked the ladies what advice they would give to women just starting out in tech or considering launching their own companies.
A few of our favourite nuggets of wisdom:
“The balance of confidence and humility will take you farther than you’ll realise” – Becki
“The right culture will amplify you, not diminish you” – Deborah
“There are so many people who want to help you out, in the same way that they themselves were helped before” – Zelda
“Find your community before you think you need it” – Miranda
“Cultivate confidence” – Vinny
“In a world of noise, focus and execution beat complexity every time” – Michelle
“Competence creates confidence, not the other way round” – Olga
“Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready'” – Cassie
“Don’t just ask for a seat at the table, but work to expand the table for those following behind you” – Meryem
“Don’t let stereotypes or self‑doubt dictate your path” – Gigi
Here’s a little more of what they had to say.
Deborah Overdeput is the Chief Operating Officer at Innovative Systems, Inc
“Trust your instincts. Build technical credibility and understand the commercial engine behind the business. Seek mentors who both support and challenge you. Do not confuse title with influence; real leadership comes from impact.
“And if you find yourself shrinking to fit an environment, pause. Growth requires alignment. The right culture will amplify you, not diminish you.”
Meryem Habibi is the Chief Revenue Officer at Bitpace
“Early in my career, I rarely saw leaders who reflected my own path. That experience shaped my commitment to visibility. My advice is to seek out environments where your voice is not just heard but integrated into the strategy.
“To truly make an impact, you must be prepared to challenge structural barriers and create environments where talent can thrive regardless of background. If fintech is about removing barriers to financial inclusion, we must also remove the barriers limiting who shapes its future. Don’t just ask for a seat at the table, but work to expand the table for those following behind you.”
Olga Ukrainskaya, Technical Marketing Manager
“Learn the technical skills relevant to your field and make them the foundation of your career or business. Skills compound faster than motivation. Choose one hard capability and get genuinely good at it, then link it directly to business outcomes: saving time, improving conversion, reducing risk, growing revenue.
“Stop waiting to feel ready. Start before confidence arrives. Competence creates confidence, not the other way round.”
Cassie Gasson, Co-CEO at Thrive
“Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready’- most learn as they go.
“Stay curious and close to your customers; that insight is your biggest advantage.
“Build a strong network around you – mentors, peers and people who challenge your thinking but back your ideas.
“And most importantly, back yourself. Confidence grows through action!”
Gigi Schumm, SVP, Americas Sales at Securonix
“Give yourself the gift of time. Your career doesn’t need to be perfectly mapped from day one. Try new roles, volunteer for opportunities, and learn what energises you and what doesn’t. Trust that skills compound in unexpected ways. Seek mentors who see your potential and challenge you to grow. And most importantly, don’t let stereotypes or self‑doubt dictate your path.
“This industry moves fast and rewards curiosity, resilience, and boldness. If you stay open to learning, you’ll find your place, and you may just surprise yourself.”
Zelda Mariet, Vice President Of Research And Co-Founder At Bioptimus
“The same advice I would give anybody is that people usually know that they will need to work hard, build up a strong knowledge base, and skill set. What they may not know is that the people who came before them want to support them and help wherever they can.
“Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you have a problem, either scientific or professional! There are so many people who want to help you out, in the same way that they themselves were helped before.”
Vinny Sharma, Senior Marketing Director – Global Field and Partner Marketing, Securonix
“Women aspiring to build companies or enter the technology sector should cultivate strong analytical and strategic thinking skills from the very outset of their journeys. If they aspire to excel in a tech career, they must gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals and develop excellent soft skills. With women naturally excelling in communication, they should work toward establishing collaborative leadership.
“Furthermore, as technology is no longer limited to engineering, women should focus on developing skills in creative problem-solving and cross-functional influencing, while keeping the customer at the centre. They should invest in building their skills in emerging technologies and go on the path of continuous learning. Mentorship and sponsorship should be sought out at early stages because feedback and new opportunities are critical.
“Women aspiring to be entrepreneurs should cultivate confidence, network, learn to take calculated risks and embrace failure as valuable lessons. They should establish a business model that will ensure they are on the right track.”
Becki LaPorte, Principal – AML Strategy & Innovation, FinScan – An Innovative Systems Solution
“Seek out a mentor or mentors who can help you grow. Be receptive to feedback. Sometimes we have blind spots that we need to find and improve upon. Those of us who have been around a while made mistakes and had to adjust as we grew our careers and would love to share those with the next generation.
“Few great careers are linear. You may do something for a few years and then a door may open that takes you in a whole new direction. Every step I took throughout my career prepared me for the next one. The knowledge I have due to the fact that I remained curious and wanted to learn. Ask questions. The balance of confidence and humility will take you farther than you’ll realise.”
Michelle Donnolly CRO of Crescendo
“To succeed in tech, adopt a future-first mindset. Watch where the world is going, embrace AI and build relationships with the builders, investors and operators already living on the edge of innovation.
“Curate your personal board of directors – people who give honest counsel, see around corners and keep you grounded. Your network isn’t just a bridge to opportunities. It’s your greatest source of insight.
“Be bold in execution and clear in communication. Be bold with your customers too – ask the right questions, listen deeply and guide them toward measurable outcomes. There is so much to learn from selling, if you’re willing to see it.
“Above all, simplify. Identify your top three priorities and ignore the rest. In a world of noise, focus and execution beat complexity every time.”
Miranda Mclean is the Chief Marketing Officer at Ecommpay
“Find your community before you think you need it. Don’t wait until you’re struggling to build your network – invest in those relationships early and generously. And trust your instincts: the perspective you bring as a woman, as a person with a particular background and experience, is not a limitation. It’s a competitive advantage. The industry needs what you see that others don’t. Back yourself.”
More from Startups
Here’s To the Women Who Move Us
To the women who we interviewed and to the many women we haven’t yet had the chance to speak to.
To the CEOs, founders and industry leaders, and to the aspiring entrepreneurs, budding career women and ladies who have taken their own unique paths.
To the ones who have always known exactly what they want to be, and to and to those who may never quite “figure it out”.
You are the women who move us.
And, as Miranda Mclean put it:
“Trust your instincts: the perspective you bring as a woman, as a person with a particular background and experience, is not a limitation. It’s a competitive advantage. The industry needs what you see that others don’t. Back yourself.”
