Every day that we don’t see equity in the tech sector is a day that we leave talent, ideas and growth on the table
GET Cities is designed to accelerate representation and build a more vibrant tech industry.
GET Cities is working to build a more inclusive future in tech, starting at the city level.
In 2011, the percentage of women receiving computing degrees reached a near all-time low of 16% and has remained stagnant around 19% ever since.➔
There are 3.5 million computing-related jobs anticipated to open by 2026.➔
At the current rate, the United States will only have 17% of the graduates necessary to fill these openings.➔
Every day that we don’t see equity in the tech sector is a day that we leave talent, ideas and growth on the table
GET Cities is designed to accelerate representation and build a more vibrant tech industry.
Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities is an initiative designed to accelerate the representation and leadership of women in tech through the development of inclusive tech hubs across the United States.
GET Cities is working to develop inclusive tech hubs across the United States. We believe that national change can be accelerated when we start at the local level. GET Cities launched in Chicago in January 2020 and DC in March 2021. Now we’ve expanded to Miami.
Build pathways into tech: Propel more women into tech education, tech careers, and tech entrepreneurship, through programs that encourage and incentivise more women to pursue computing degrees and then support them along their educational journey with real-world experiences and a network of supportive professionals and peers.
Align local tech ecosystems:
Convene city-based partners and collaborate on accelerating the representation and leadership in tech. City partners include universities, tech companies, entrepreneurial and venture support organizations and local and national organizations.
Create long-term systemic change:
Share insights, create space for a national dialogue, disseminate data and best practices, and provoke behavioral, cultural and narrative change.
SecondMuse and Break Through Tech partnered with Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates, to launch Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities in 2020. Contact info@getcities.org if you’re interested in working with us to accelerate women’s leadership in tech.
is an investment and incubation company founded by Melinda Gates that works to advance social progress for women and families in the United States
is an impact and innovation company that builds resilient economies that benefit people and protect the planet.
which originated as WiTNY, is a national initiative that propels women into higher education and careers in tech through innovative curriculum, career access, and community development.
GET Cities brings together key stakeholders from all areas of the tech ecosystem to align on shared goals and help move the needle on:
GET Cities believes that national change is accelerated when starting at the local level and will focus on three U.S. cities over the course of five years. We hope to create a model that acts as a lighthouse for other cities to replicate all over the US.
The program works to understand and amplify effective local models that can be replicated by other cities throughout the country with a commitment to gender equity in tech.
Over the next five years, we are focusing our investment on three U.S. tech hubs that we believe have the power to be national leaders in gender equity in tech.
In addition to the growing tech sector, strong academic institutions, and vibrant entrepreneurial and venture ecosystems in Chicago, DC, and Miami, the GET Cities team was inspired by the breadth and commitment to equity among the organizations already present in these cities as well. GET Cities believes Chicago, DC, and Miami have the momentum to see people from marginalized genders soar in tech and to develop models to share with the rest of the country. As of December 2021, Chicago, DC, and Miami have been announced as the three city locations for the GET Cities initiative.
GET Cities will have local teams based in each city to focus on connecting the many players and initiatives within each tech hub, understanding what works, and identifying barriers that prevent the change we are working toward. Each city will have a university partner committed to ensuring more women enter and graduate from computing degree programs. Local GET teams will work to make sure women coming out of these programs, as well as other programs working to advance women in tech, have access to the resources needed to do so.
GET Cities plans to amplify and support existing local organizations as well as convene organizations interested in and committed to closing the gender gap in technology. Please check back on our website as we start to support and amplify the work of existing organizations.
GET Cities is currently forming relationships with local organizations and ultimately aims to build on, support, and scale the work already being done. Examples of key partners include:
GET Cities will have local teams based in each city to focus on connecting the many players and initiatives within each tech hub, understanding what works, and identifying barriers that prevent the change we are working toward. Each city will have at least one university partner committed to ensuring more women enter and graduate from computing degree programs. Local GET teams will work to make sure women coming out of these programs, as well as other programs working to advance women in tech, have access to the resources needed to do so.
GET Cities plans to amplify and support existing local organizations as well as convene organizations interested in and committed to closing the gender gap in technology. Please check back on our website as we start to support and amplify the work of existing organizations.
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