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In the technology industry, men have traditionally ruled the roost. Most of today's biggest tech startups were founded and are currently run by men, and statistics from the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that less than one-third of all tech workers are female. But some women are changing the status quo, and inspiring other women to join one of the fastest growing and most exciting sectors to work in. Here are eight ambitious female entrepreneurs who are making strides in the tech world.
Doreen Bloch
Founder of Poshly
What she does: In 2012, Bloch founded Poshly, a data technology company that enables consumers to enter beauty product giveaways by answering questions about themselves. Her company works with high-profile beauty industry players like L'Oreal, Avon and Cutex to provide them with the real-time, anonymous consumer data it gathers to help these brands make better decisions.
Why she loves the tech industry: "We get the opportunity to create immersive experiences online. It's a great time to be in tech because it's easier than ever to build solutions. People at brands of all sizes now know and want to harness the power of digital as well as connected devices, so it's easier than ever to get attention for what you're building."
Lauren Bigelow
Executive director of Accelerate Michigan and CEO of Growth Capital Network
What she does: Bigelow has been working with early-stage startups for the past nine years, helping hundreds of small businesses take their first steps forward. Thanks in part to the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, she has raised more than $60 million in funding and created more than 600 jobs in Michigan.
Why she loves the tech industry: "I love working with the creative visionaries in tech — those folks who are internally driven to develop solutions. It's inspiring for me to engage with people who are passionate about the impact their technology is going to have on the world, and see someone pull a groundbreaking technology from their imagination, design and prototype it, and create a company.
Kaethe Fine
Creative director of Mediander
What she does: As creative director, Fine oversees the marketing, vision, brand direction and content for Mediander, a "knowledge engine" and e-commerce site owned and operated by Fine Creative Media. This research tool allows users to input a search term, which is then overlaid onto "CultureMaps" that connect the topic to dozens of books, videos and other related content through the company's unique connectedness algorithm.
Why she loves the tech industry: "What I love is the constant meaningful tension among business goals, blue-sky ideas, and budgetary restrictions. Our creative solutions are not the result of huge budgets, but rather ingenuity, listening and long-term strategic planning. Limitations force us to utilize every ounce of the resources we have to move forward."
Isabel Hoffman
CEO of TellSpec
What she does: After starting eight successful companies since age 19, serial entrepreneur Hoffman launched TellSpec, the world's first consumer food scanner. The handheld scanner uses a spectrometer to measure a light beam reflected off a food item, and from that data, TellSpec is able to provide information such as allergens, chemicals, nutrients, calories, etc.
Why she loves the tech industry: "What's most fascinating about the technology field to me is the possibility of being able to apply technology to everyday things to build a better world. My mission with TellSpec is to build a healthier world by empowering people to make informed choices about what they eat."
Anna Perelman
Co-founder and CEO of Stellé Audio
What she does: Designed for women, by a woman, Stellé Audio's wireless Bluetooth speakers combine high-quality sound with chic style. Perelman, who left a career in the entertainment industry, started her business with her husband in 2008 to cater to the underserved market of female tech consumers.
Why she loves the tech industry: "I love being involved in an industry that's never static. The pace of change and innovation that is currently happening within technology is very exciting. And a big change is with gender — female consumers are finally becoming a bigger focus within the tech community."
Cheryl Rosner
Co-founder and CEO of Stayful.com
What she does: Stayful is a real-time bidding site for booking rooms at boutique hotels. After years of experience in the travel industry, Rosner co-founded Stayful in early 2013 to connect independent hotel owners with consumers who are looking for a unique travel experience that fits their taste.
Why she loves the tech industry: "It's fascinating and ever-evolving. The standard today will be different next month. The way people book their travel is drastically different than it was even a few years ago. We depend on technology for research, pricing, promotions, recommendations and more. Keeping and setting pace with technology today is much more challenging and much more fun."
Stina Wahlqvist
CEO of Penclic, AB
What she does: Wahlqvist is responsible for bringing innovation to the realm of PC mice through her company, Penclic. Her ergonomically designed Bluetooth mouse looks and functions like a pen, making computer work more functional, comfortable and efficient for the user.
Why she loves the tech industry: "I've always had a passion for product development, which fits fantastically with the tech industry. When making products with a great looking design that incorporate health benefits for the user, you have a chance to really help hard working people and resonate with the global community. The tech industry allows for great opportunities to touch the whole world with your products."
Dez White
Founder and CEO of Invisible Text
What she does: White's company developed a suite of secure communications solutions as a direct response to growing concerns about digital privacy. Her apps, which include the recently launched Invisible Call and Invisible Email, allow users to share sensitive details across multiple communications platforms without fear of privacy or security breaches.
Why she loves the tech industry: "I love working in the tech space because it allows everyone to become a part of the future. Technology is one of the few industries where the imagination can become a reality. Working in technology has been a great experience, allowing me to forge relationships and be a part of projects that will be around for generations."
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