4 min. read
Xena Women in Tech Awards: The Founder of the Year Award 2024
Meet the Disruptors Transforming Tech with Preply
Meet Today’s Founders & Tech Trailblazers
Acknowledging founders is a pivotal initiative in cultivating and showcasing emerging talent, fostering diversity, and driving innovation within the tech industry. By providing a platform for founders, we not only recognise their potential but also inspire others to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, fueling a cycle of growth and progress.
In partnership with Preply, we are on a mission to identify the entrepreneurs shaping the landscape of the tech industry.
Meet Xena's One To Watch Winner 2023
Georgina Kirby co-founder & CTO at Vine Health
She has applied her data science background to develop data-driven health tech, particularly within the cancer domain.
Since 2018, Georgina has drastically improved the life quality of patients undergoing complex cancer treatment, enabling them to understand their care at home and connecting them to their care team through her software. Today their startup has 30 employees, has raised millions in funding and has been voted the nr.1 cancer app globally by Orcha.
Nominees should be:
1. An entrepreneur in tech who identifies as she/her or they/them and has founded +2 startups throughout the course of their career
2. Based in Europe/UK
3. Has created a product or service that is original and innovative in the tech industry
4. Is a champion for women in technology with quantitative evidence to support this
ANYONE. We encourage you to nominate yourself, your colleague, a friend, your manager or someone in tech who inspires you.
“Sponsoring “The Founder of the Year” category allows us to contribute to the creation of strong women role models. We believe that recognizing the accomplishments of women in leadership positions helps inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations in the tech field. It also provides an opportunity for Preply to showcase our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the tech community. It highlights our belief in the value of creating a workplace and industry that is welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds and genders.”
–Preply
Vanessa El Satri Garcia, Director of Business Analytics
“My team at Preply focuses on driving growth through data, engaging in both strategic long-term planning and fast-paced daily operations. We ensure marketing teams have the necessary data while tackling complex problems that demand our full attention. Our team embodies diversity, boasting six nationalities across five locations and a range of intellectual strengths. Embracing a strengths-based management approach, we align each team member with roles that allow their natural talents to flourish, fostering both individual excellence and collective intelligence.”
About Our Partner
Preply is an online language learning marketplace, connecting tutors to hundreds of thousands of learners in 180 countries worldwide. More than 40,000 tutors teach over 50 languages, powered by a machine-learning algorithm that recommends the best tutors for each learner. Founded in the United States in 2012 by three Ukrainian founders Kirill Bigai, Serge Lukyanov, and Dmytro Voloshyn, Preply has grown from a team of 3 to a company of over 600 employees of 62 different nationalities with offices in Barcelona, New York, and Kyiv.
How does Preply support the progression of women in tech?
Equal Opportunities and Inclusive Hiring Practices:
We actively promote equal opportunities during the hiring process, ensuring that all candidates, irrespective of gender, are evaluated based on their skills, qualifications, and culture-add. Our recent results show a 48% to 52% gender split between women and men in the company.
Educational Partnerships:
We collaborate with educational institutions and organizations to promote STEM education for women. By supporting initiatives that encourage girls and women to pursue careers in technology, last year, our women tech leaders shared their career tips with young community for TeachForUkraine.
Professional Development in and out of Preply:
All women Preplers have access to the Leadership Academy, Mentorship Academy, and Data Academy, which were designed for Preplers by Preplers. These programs include mentorship opportunities, leadership training, and targeted career development initiatives, as well as access to resources that may help women advance their careers. Moreover, Preply allocates an L&D budget to enhance the skills of their employees and professional growth.
Maryna Shananina, Engineering Manager
“Working on the Preply tech team is an incredibly enriching experience, primarily due to our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our team comprises individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, which makes our work environment incredibly dynamic and creative.
It’s a place where different backgrounds come together to solve problems and make cool things happen.”
