Girls in Tech Shuts Down After Two-Year Move to Nashville
The Closure of the Nonprofit Organization
The globally celebrated nonprofit organization, Girls in Tech, has publicized its dissolution two years after its relocation to Nashville in 2022. The decision follows a critical call from the organization in June asking for donations. They had announced they would be forced to shut down if they could not raise $100,000 to counterbalance funding shortfalls.
On Monday, July 8, the organization admitted failing to achieve the fundraiser’s goal and subsequently declared it could no longer continue operations.
Adriana Gascoigne, CEO and founder of Girls in Tech, lamented the closure in a moving social media post, stating, “For 17 incredible years, we’ve been a beacon of support, empowerment, and inspiration for women in the tech industry. Though we’re closing, the fight to eliminate the gender gap in tech must continue. Our mission lives on through each of you.”
The Journey of Girls in Tech
Founded in 2007, Girls in Tech has been an enormous force for change in the tech industry. It had a membership of around 130,000 people spread across 50 cities in 38 countries, making it a global force for female representation in technology.
It established its headquarters in Nashville in 2022 after leaving Silicon Valley citing the lively tech sector in the city. Gascoigne, in various appearances, highlighted the emerging startup culture and the increasing influx of people from other parts of the U.S. as clear indicators showcasing the growth and potential of the local tech landscape. However, she also felt that the venture capital community had not yet sufficiently expanded in the Nashville region, limiting the overall growth of the tech ecosystem.
Funding Woes Leading To Closure
Insufficient funding in the years 2023 and 2024 prompted the decision to close. As a nonprofit, the organization heavily relied on grants, donations, and support from corporate partnerships. However, raising adequate funding became a challenge in the recent years, leading to the regrettable announcement.
Impact On The Tech Industry
Though the organization may no longer be active, its impact on the tech industry remains apparent. The closure announcement made it clear that the organization’s mission to gender parity in the tech world should persist. They emphasized the necessity to maintain the momentum to inspire and shape the next generation of women in tech.
With their parting message, “While Girls in Tech bids you farewell, the journey towards equality doesn’t end here. We must persist in breaking barriers, challenging norms, and inspiring the next generation of women in tech.” underlines their unwavering commitment to the cause they championed.
As the industry comes to terms with the loss of such an instrumental organization, one thing remains clear – the blueprint left by Girls in Tech should guide future endeavors towards equality and representation in the tech sector.
