The end of the journey for women++: reflecting on our successes and the learnings of fostering diversity in tech

With deep gratitude and sense of accomplishment, we at women++ announce the conclusion of our journey as a non-profit association. Over the past seven years, our mission to elicit positive change for women in tech has touched thousands of lives.

Nevertheless, women++ is closing for good.

Still, we hope that the values that guided us — education, collaboration, inclusivity, and nurturing leadership to bring more gender diversity to tech — will continue to inspire others.

To understand why we decided to close women++, you need to understand how women++ came to be, what we achieved along the way and what we learned in the process.

How it began: A vision for diversity in tech

In 2017 next to no event or community offerings existed that catered to women who were interested in tech. Yet there was a need. Women, albeit not many, were looking for connection, for development, for opportunities in tech without finding anything. So, after years of experimenting, the founders of women++ officially formed an association that was intended to close this gap. Rooted in Aleksandra Soko?owska, PhD and Diana Flores’ own experiences, they wanted to create an organization that let women feel welcome and supported in the tech space in Switzerland.

The first meetings gave women in STEM the platform to voice their opinions and feel like they were being heard. Immediately it became clear that the Swiss tech ecosystem was in strong need of transformation.

As Aleksandra shares,

“In this context women++ was founded as a vehicle for change: to educate adult women interested in upskilling or transitioning careers into a lucrative, quickly developing space which completely transforms the way society operates. At the core of women++ has always been the advocacy for how absolutely critical it is for women to co-lead the direction of technological advancement. Thus, the very first series of initiatives organized by women++ were educational workshops on programming, data analysis, cryptoeconomics and blockchain, entrepreneurship and founding companies, as well as developing strong professional networks.”

From Idea to Reality: Early Goals and Challenges

The next major milestone came in 2018 with the launch of Hack’n’Lead, Switzerland’s first women-friendly, inclusive hackathon that combined the format of workshops with hands-on experience of developing real-world solutions and taking a step towards entrepreneurship. Designed to address gender disparities in the tech industry, Hack’n’Lead created a welcoming space for women and underrepresented groups to innovate, network, and advance their careers. The hackathon’s format was trendsetting, attracting an 80% participation rate from women applicants and setting a new standard in inclusivity. So much so that it received national media attention.

Its thoughtfully researched structure included, no overnight coding, childcare services, mentorship support, preparatory workshops, and a safe, promoting learning vs competing, inviting environment for first-timers and participants of all experience levels. Many of these features, now adopted by other hackathons, were pioneering initiatives introduced for the first time by Hack’n’Lead.

One standout success story is Stavroula (Laura) Skylaki , a data scientist who re-entered the workforce after a maternity leave by participating in Hack’n’Lead. She found her next role during the event, and came back to every other Hack’n’Lead edition, holding preparatory workshops or acting as a mentor.

However, creating impactful programs wasn’t without its challenges. As a volunteer-driven organization, women++ faced constant constraints of limited resources — in time, people and money. The team navigated the delicate balance of delivering high-quality programs like Hack’n’Lead while maintaining their commitment to hands-on support for women in tech, next to their day jobs.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic added an unexpected layer of difficulty. Organizing and attending large gatherings, such as hackathons, became impossible. Yet, the resilience of women++ shone through. By 2021, the organization restructured its approach, with a renewed vision under its first CEO, Luisa Contreras .

“Taking the helm of women++ meant more than leading an organization — it meant carrying forward a legacy of innovation and impact,” Luisa reflected.

Celebrating Achievements: What women++ Accomplished

From its inception, women++ didn’t just create programs — it created new possibilities for innovation and inclusion in the tech space. Building on the success of Hack’n’Lead, the organization launched a groundbreaking initiative in 2021: deploy(impact), a 6-week software development program that fostered collaboration between women++ and nonprofits tackling global social challenges.

One notable example is the partnership with InZone - UNIGE , a project of the University of Geneva offering comprehensive blended learning opportunities to students in transitory refugee camps in Kenya and Jordan. deploy(impact)’s teams developed a platform to provide these refugees with access to education, even without internet connectivity. This program gave participants valuable hands-on project experience while working in multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful tech solutions for social good.

Lou Pisani , product owner for InZone reflected after the program:

“Seeing so many bright, kind, enthusiastic and smart people wanting to create a solution was incredible. The energy within the groups was electric. Such a collaborative experience with plenty of ideas and questions challenging us on parts of the project we hadn’t thought of. It has been pure joy.

The program’s structure drew inspiration from the hands-on BSc degree in Applied Software Engineering at Cardiff University, adapted by Christopher Gwilliams, a women++ board member and contributor to its design. Unlike programs tailored for students, deploy(impact) was designed for working professionals, equipping them with practical experience and new career opportunities.

As Christopher Gwilliams shared before the second edition in 2022,

“The number of people who found employment , either from mentoring in deploy(impact) or participants using their work as a reference — is much higher than anything else we’ve done.”

Through deploy(impact), women++ not only addressed pressing social challenges but also created a platform where participants could advance their careers by building and delivering software, working in multidisciplinary teams and creating meaningful connections. In addition, the program fostered collaboration with employers, allowing their employees to share their expertise and develop their leadership skills, while women++ shared its expertise to help these organizations embrace equality and drive greater inclusivity in their workplaces.

A couple of standout success stories from our journey at deploy(impact) are Giada Fallo and Emilia Rigo , two remarkable humans who first encountered women++ through the deploy(impact) program. Giada participated in the first edition, and Emilia joined during the second. After completing the program, both were inspired to reach out and actively contribute to its organization. Since then, they have made an immense contribution to the women++ mission, dedicating countless hours to supporting our goals and ensuring the deploy(impact)’s success.

In a full-circle history, Giada Fallo, who was looking for her next career opportunity, is now a part of the team at Powercoders , the nonprofit that brought one of the projects to the 2023 edition of deploy(impact) and are in a mission to promote equal job opportunities for displaced talents in the IT industry.

By the Numbers: Impact Across Initiatives

Our flagship programs:

Our programs, Hack’n’Lead and deploy(impact), have consistently provided opportunities for participants at various career levels and experiences to engage in impactful tech initiatives. With 79% women, 20% men, and 1% other attendance ratio, these programs showcased a strong commitment to gender diversity. Participants ranged from those with less than 1 year of experience in tech projects (28.2%) to those with over 5 years of expertise (16.8%), ensuring a truly multi-level and inclusive approach to learning and collaboration.

Hack’n’Lead 2018, -19, -23:

• 300+ participants, 70% participated for the first time in a Hackathon.
• 56 tech prototypes built in 48hrs.
• 113 mentors engaged.
• 62 children joined childcare and coding classes, enabling parents to participate.
• Link to the initiative

deploy(impact) 2021, -22, -23:

• 176 participants worked for 6 weeks in multidisciplinary teams.
• 25 software MVPs developed for real-world social challenges.
• 75 mentors contributed and developed their leadership skills.
• 17,740 hours volunteered (656 days or 1.7 years of collective effort).
• 2,000+ applications received, with a record 1,222 applicants in 2023 for 80 spots.
• Link to the initiative

Workshops:

• 1,588 participants across 40+ tech and leadership sessions.
• Topics ranged from “Build and deploy your simple python data app from scratch” to “3 rules to elevate your pitch ” catering to diverse skill levels.
• Coding classes for 60+ kids in partnership with Youth Intelligence Agency

Scholarships:

• 60+ women received scholarships for continued education in partnership with Constructor Academy unlocking opportunities in data science and coding. Another batch of scholarshoips were awarded in collaboration with EPFL.

Advocacy and representation:

• Representation at the United Nations summit 2018
• Guest teaching of almost all-male audiences at co-educational conferences (Digital Festival, Applied Machine Learning Days) and large conferences for women (IWD, Google)
• Articles in mass media in Switzerland raising the issues of lack of inclusivity in tech spaces and offering solutions: Tagesanzeiger.ch, Swisscom, Tagesanzeiger.ch/ Women in business magazine and internationally: Interview with postdoc Aleksandra Sokolowska / Global tech non-profit CEO of the Year Luisa Contreras..
• Hack’n’Lead aftermovies: 2018, 2019 & 2023 // deploy(impact) aftermovie 2023
• In total 47 volunteers, 14 board members, 4 advisory members, 1000+ subscribers to periodic newsletters.
• women++ worked with 47 different companies.

We would also like to pay tribute to: Laurent Meyer . As the founder of the former Propulsion Academy (now Constructor Academy), Laurent aligned with our mission from early stages and sponsored every single edition of Hack'n'Lead and deploy(impact) all the way until the last in 2023. His unwavering support and funding have been invaluable to our cause. Under Laurent's leadership, Propulsion Academy established itself as a renowned bootcamp academy in Zürich, addressing the critical shortage of tech talent in Switzerland. Constructor Academy lives on today with an impressive 95% employment rate, training thousands of students from different backgrounds and equipping them to secure rewarding careers in the tech industry.

Laurent's dedication went beyond sponsorships. He introduced the popular scholarships for women pursuing a tech career and with financial difficulties. In partnership with women++, these scholarships enabled 60+ women to attend tech bootcamps and embark on life-changing journeys. As an advisory member and mentor, Laurent has provided guidance and inspiration to many, including Luisa Contreras.

Today, we celebrate Laurent Meyer and the many career doors opened thanks to his contributions. His vision, commitment, and unwavering belief in diversity and education have left a profound and lasting impact on women++'s success and the broader tech community.

Stories of Transformation

The programs didn’t just build solutions; they built futures. From Tanya Golubev, PhD , who secured a tech job after a career break through Hack’n’Lead, to volunteers who found their next roles while supporting women++, the impact rippled through lives and careers.

Below, some of the feedbacks from participants,

“Thanks to deploy(impact) and women++, I secured the scholarship in a Constructor Academy’s bootcamp, which helped me to get my current job”.

“Transitioning out of my full-time job and having a project like deploy(impact) to still keep doing something useful and tech related helped me by keeping me and my mind occupied on something fun. I’ve met incredible people, in Swiss tech, but also aspiring from other countries. Getting different perspectives from places and people that are not always as common in the tech world. I’ve made the decision to stay in tech after deploy(impact) because I know now that some of my not-so-fun employment experiences were not due to the fact that I don’t like the industry or the work”.

“In my case the impact was significantly higher in improving my soft skills. I was lucky to have the best team ever, and that really helped me understand how to collaborate with devs and PMs, handling stakeholder’s expectations and presenting my work. Those skills need real world practice and deploy(impact) provided a safe environment and resources to learn.”

For Luisa Contreras, the CEO of women++, the program also meant a huge career advancement and a completely new adventure in entrepreneurship.

The end of women++

Seven years later, the tech meetup space features over a dozen female-oriented initiatives (see some of the on-going initiatives under the WeTechTogether communities), each focusing on a specific issue that still needs to be addressed for women to thrive in the tech sector in Switzerland.

For women++, however, this chapter has come to an end. 2023 and 24 brought significant challenges. While widespread layoffs across tech and the bursting of the tech bubble made fundraising impossible, we realized something more fundamental: the pain we aimed to solve is not deep enough for the stakeholders we catered to. Even though our initiatives proved uniquely beneficial to our community, our elaborate programs demand resources that currently are not available; not on an enterprise level, nor on a governmental level does there exist enough urgency to act, to invest in programs like those of women++.

As Luisa Contreras, CEO and board member of women++, explains:

“When you dive deeper into the reasons for closing our association, there are multiple factors ‘behind the scenes’ that influence the lack of funding for these types of initiatives. Although we managed to bring our programs to life, it’s true that operating in this space comes at a high price. This conclusion is not merely an end — it’s an opportunity to reflect, learn, and share.”

Now, though our chapter is closing, the seeds planted will continue to grow through the individuals and organizations who carry forward its mission. Particularly, we invite anyone to take part in the Hello 50:50 World movement with the mission to foster conversations around diversity in tech that include everybody.

To everyone who made this journey possible: thank you. Together, we’ve made a real difference, and we are immensely proud of the fruits of everyone’s work.

We would like to give a special thank you to Mathias Keller . He supported women++ since 2018 with multiple official roles (teacher, project manager, board member, advisor, speaker and product owner). But not just, he remarkably pushed the organization forward behind the scenes, contributing unofficially with financial support, and with his many talents. Particularly with communications, mentoring the team of volunteers in their specific roles, as well as acting as a mentor and sparing partner to Luisa Contreras in the endless nights necessary to bring these programs to life, and all the way until the end. Thank you for making it happen. The organization and the cause are forever grateful.

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If you want to find out more about our learnings, the behind the scenes impressions of the Swiss tech industry and what you might want to take away for your own decision-making in IT, connect with Luisa Contreras — .

Luisa Contreras & team