Even when companies with mixed-gender founding teams are included, startups involving women attracted just over 12% of global venture funding.

These are still among the most striking imbalances in the global startup economy.

But the funding gap doesn’t reveal the lot happening across sectors such as finance, healthcare, artificial intelligence, mobility and digital commerce. Women entrepreneurs are building companies that address everyday problems, including saving money, accessing diagnostics, paying school fees or commuting to work. 

Many of these businesses are growing quietly but steadily, creating new markets and improving access to essential services.

As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD 2026), the economic focus has gone beyond asking if women are entering business, but where they are touching and bolstering entire sectors.

Fintech: expanding access to money

Financial technology has become one of the most visible areas where women are building scalable companies.

In Nigeria, PiggyVest, co-founded by Odunayo Eweniyi, has grown into one of the country’s most widely used savings and investment platforms. The service allows users to automate savings and invest small amounts through a mobile app. For many youths, it has become a simple entry point into personal finance.

Eweniyi is also a co-founder of FirstCheck Africa, an investment fund created to provide early-stage funding for female-led technology startups across the continent.

Another Nigerian fintech platform attracting attention is Bamboo, where Yanmo Omorogbe serves as co-founder and chief operating officer. Bamboo allows Nigerians to buy and trade U.S. stocks directly from their phones, a service that has received strong demand from young investors seeking exposure to global markets.

Elsewhere on the continent, women are building platforms focused on financial inclusion.

Shecluded, founded by Ifeoma Uddoh, provides loans and financial training to female entrepreneurs. The platform supports women who usually find access to credit from traditional banks difficult.

Another example is Hervest, founded by Solape Akinpelu, which offers savings and investment products designed specifically for African women, including smallholder farmers.

At the grassroots level, social enterprise Mamamoni, created by Nkem Okocha, provides microloans and vocational training for women in low-income communities.

Taken together, these platforms illustrate how fintech innovation in Africa is addressing financial behaviour such as saving, investing and accessing credit, rather than simply digitising traditional banking.

Health technology: solving long-ignored healthcare gaps

Healthcare is another sector where women entrepreneurs are building companies around problems that were usually overlooked by traditional investors.

In Nigeria, Healthtracka, founded by Ifeoluwa Dare‑Johnson, allows users to book laboratory tests online and receive diagnostic results digitally. The company raised $1.5 million in seed funding to expand its services across Africa. 

Simplifying access to diagnostics, Healthtracka is tackling one of the toughest gaps in African healthcare systems.

Another Nigerian startup in the space is Clafiya, founded by Jennie Nwokoye. The platform connects patients with verified healthcare providers, offering digital access to medical consultations and services.

Pharmaceutical access is being addressed by Pharmarun, founded by Teniola Adedeji, which helps people locate and finance prescription medications across African markets.

Meanwhile, One Health, founded by Adeola Alli, is building a mobile-first platform that simplifies pharmacy services and access to primary healthcare.

Globally, women founders are also building large digital health companies.

U.S. platform Maven Clinic, founded by Katherine Ryder, provides virtual care services covering pregnancy, fertility and family health. The company has reached a valuation above $1 billion.

Another fast-growing health company is Kindbody, founded by physician Gina Bartasi, which operates fertility clinics and digital reproductive health platforms.

These businesses show how women founders are turning neglected healthcare challenges into scalable technology markets.

Enterprise software and artificial intelligence

The technology sector is male-dominated, particularly in enterprise software and artificial intelligence. But then several women entrepreneurs have built companies at the centre of the digital economy.

One of the most interesting examples is Canva, co-founded by Melanie Perkins. The platform has grown into one of the world’s most widely used design tools, serving more than 150 million users globally.

Another example from the AI sector is Scale AI, co-founded by Lucy Guo, which provides data infrastructure used to train artificial intelligence systems.

These companies operate deep inside the digital economy, building the tools and infrastructure that other businesses rely on.

Mobility and urban transport

Women founders are also addressing everyday urban problems, particularly transportation in fast-growing cities.

In Nigeria, Shuttlers, founded by Damilola Olokesusi, operates a scheduled bus-sharing platform designed to reduce commuting stress in cities such as Lagos. 

The company allows users to book bus seats through a mobile app and has raised more than $5 million in funding to expand its operations.

Urban mobility is one of the biggest challenges in rapidly expanding African cities. Platforms like Shuttlers provide structured alternatives to chaotic public transport systems.

Logistics and cross-border commerce

eCommerce is expanding across Africa, and logistics startups are becoming more important.

Sendsprint, founded by Damisi Busari, focuses on simplifying cross-border remittances and international payments.

Meanwhile, Fez Delivery, founded by Seun Alley, is building last-mile delivery infrastructure for businesses and consumers across African cities.

Logistics companies like these are the backbone of digital commerce, connecting online marketplaces to physical deliveries.

Education technology and financial literacy

Education financing is another area where women founders are developing new solutions.

Schoolable, co-founded by Angela Essien, provides financing tools that allow families and schools to spread tuition payments over time. The company has also developed digital tools that teach financial literacy to students.

Across many African countries, school fees sometimes limit education. Flexible financing platforms like Schoolable are attempting to solve that problem.

The funding paradox

Looking beyond these good works, women founders still receive a small share of venture capital.

Data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that women are launching businesses at rates close to men in many parts of the world.

However, access to capital is uneven. Across Africa, female-founded startups raised about $256 million in venture funding in 2025, representing 10% of the continent’s total equity investment, according to research from Partech Partners.

Part of the explanation is within the investment industry itself. Women still hold fewer than one-fifth of senior roles in venture capital firms globally.

Investment networks usually affect who receives funding, and those networks are dominated by men.

The industries women may transform next

Several emerging sectors could see stronger participation from women entrepreneurs in the coming years.

Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare and education are expanding, and climate technology, covering renewable energy, environmental monitoring and sustainable agriculture, is also attracting attention.

Another fast-growing field is the care economy, which includes childcare services, elder care and home healthcare.

With populations ageing and cities expanding, these sectors are likely to become indispensable to the global economy.

A change already underway

The venture capital gap is real and women founders still receive a small share of global startup investment.

But the companies they are building are doing exploits, solving problems that affect millions of people.

The change may not always be broadcasted, but across multiple industries, it is already enhancing markets.

Women are not simply joining the startup economy, but are helping determine what it becomes.

The post #IWD: The Industries Women Are Quietly Disrupting in 2026 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Women are still underrepresented in tech leadership, but those who do break through are changing the rules.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, themed Accelerate Action, Techeconomy spoke with Erica Cronan, global director of Marketing at Datadobi, to uncover what it really takes to lead in tech, scale through bias, and drive marketing innovation.

The Journey to the Top: Strategy, Adaptability, and Trust

Erica’s career path wasn’t a straight shot to the C-suite. Instead, it went from experiences across high-tech, sporting goods, financial services, and retail. Each industry refined her ability to think on her feet.

“Key moments that shaped my journey include learning from diverse industries such as high tech, sporting goods, financial services, and retail. These experiences broadened my ability to adapt, be creative, and be resourceful. I have found that each experience has been invaluable in shaping today’s strategic plan.”

Leading a global marketing team means constantly staying ahead of trends, but for Erica, the secret lies in combining insight with agility.

“By engaging with industry reports, thought leaders, and events like tech conferences, I have maintained a pulse on emerging technologies. Our team has a very collaborative culture that provides fresh, innovative perspectives. Analytics allows for data-driven decision-making, ensuring strategies remain proactive and agile.”

But moving from an individual contributor to leadership comes with its own set of growing pains. Trusting others and striking a balance between strategic oversight and laser-sharp focus were key to Erica’s transition.

“Trust is key, as is clear communication and confidence in others’ abilities. You also have to be ultra-focused but strategic at the same time.”

Breaking the Glass Firewall: Women in Tech Leadership

We’ve heard it before—women have to work twice as hard to be seen as competent. But for those navigating male-dominated spaces, survival depends on both resilience and strong alliances.

“Navigating spaces where I was often the only woman required great resilience and adaptability. Building a network of mentors and allies was instrumental in helping me navigate challenges and reminding myself of the value I bring. Over time, and with confidence in my skills, I learned to amplify my voice and make meaningful contributions, even in environments where representation was scarce.”

The industry’s gender gap won’t close on its own, and Erica believes real change requires dismantling ingrained biases. Policies like paid family leave and flexible work arrangements are crucial—but they must come with accountability.

“We need to see more women in leadership roles and take active steps to dismantle the biases that hinder progress. Equitable mentorship programs, sponsorship opportunities, policies like paid family leave, and flexible work arrangements are just the beginning. These initiatives must be paired with accountability measures to ensure real change. By fostering inclusive environments and providing women with the tools and support they need to succeed, we can break barriers and create a more equitable industry for everyone.”

Diversity isn’t just a metric, but a competitive advantage. Companies that want real inclusivity must go beyond tokenism.

“Focus on creating a culture where every voice is valued. Set measurable diversity goals, invest in unconscious bias training, and actively listen to underrepresented voices in decision-making processes. It’s also crucial to create clear pathways for career advancement and professional development, particularly for those in underrepresented groups. By prioritizing these efforts, companies can drive meaningful change and ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of their success.”

Marketing in Tech: The Art and Science of Influence

Marketing in tech is a balancing act, between hard data and the softer, human side of storytelling. For Erica, numbers provide direction, but creativity makes an impact.

“For me, data acts as a compass—it provides the insights needed to understand audiences, measure performance, and refine strategies. However, creativity brings a campaign to life and makes it resonate on a personal level. I focus on blending the two by using data to inform and inspire creative decisions rather than dictate them.”

With AI reshaping marketing, personalisation is no longer optional, it’s highly expected. But it’s not just about automation; consumers crave authenticity.

“Personalisation, driven by AI and data analytics, is now essential as consumers demand tailored experiences. Authenticity and purpose are equally crucial, with brands needing to align values with audiences and act meaningfully. Staying relevant requires agility, experimentation, and a focus on genuine connections.”

The Power of Mentorship and Owning Your Value

One of the most overlooked career accelerators? Meaningful mentorship. Erica’s longest-standing mentor has been by her side for years, proving that career growth isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about who helps you grow.

“I look for women whose leadership and values inspire me, whether through industry networks or professional events. My first mentor is still my mentor today. We worked together at several companies, and she taught me the invaluable lesson of creating genuine connections. I love hearing about others’ experiences. I am good at staying in touch, offering support, and expressing gratitude to build trust and mutual growth over time.”

And for those struggling with imposter syndrome? Erica says don’t let it silence you.

“My advice is to trust your abilities and remember that your unique perspective brings immense value to the industry. Many face imposter syndrome, but instead of letting it hold you back, use it as a signal to keep growing and learning. Surround yourself with mentors and allies who inspire and support you, and don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself.”

Finally, Accelerating Action in Tech Leadership

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Accelerate Action, but action doesn’t mean waiting for permission. It means taking up space, demanding equity, and refusing to settle for performative progress.

Being in tech leadership like Erica Cronan means going beyond succeeding in tech, to also rewriting the playbook. And for the next generation of women in tech, the message says the future isn’t waiting for you to fit in. It’s waiting for you to lead.

The post Interview: Erica Cronan Speaks on a Woman’s Guide to Thriving in Tech Leadership appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

International Women’s Day is a global event celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point for giving proper attention to the rights of women and issues about their wellbeing such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and protection against violence and abuse. The global theme for this year’s IWD is, ‘Embrace Equity.’

Built around the theme, the goal of Kuda’s IWD activities is to seek more opportunities for women to make progress in their personal and professional lives, as well as to reposition women for economic growth and success in career and business. 

The IWD activities planned to stretch the entire month of March include a showcase of the impact that Kuda has made in promoting gender equity from 2022 to 2023. The showcase will also include the company’s further commitment to gender equity.

Speaking on this year’s IWD, Rosie Hewat, the Chief People Officer at Kuda, said, “As an equal opportunity-promoting organisation, we are passionate about promoting a healthy work environment where everyone irrespective of gender can aspire, reach the top of their career and realise their personal goals. We have always been intentional about building an organisation where gender equity is an obvious norm and we are excited to report that we have made progress with reflecting this core essence particularly within our Engineering and Product teams. This is a part of our growth process and we will continue to work towards building the type of workplace we dream of.”

She revealed that over the past year, steps taken by Kuda to promote gender equity include fine-tuning its school-to-workplace internship programme aimed to imbue young engineers and product managers with the requisite skills for career progress.

Other steps include the development of a recruitment model that incentivises peer referrals; offering more opportunities for product management trainees to become product managers at Kuda, and the expansion of the Engineering and Product teams to onboard more women into leadership roles. More progressive initiatives are being championed by the company’s woman-led Diversity, Inclusion and Equity committee.

Hewat disclosed further that the company in 2022 bolstered career growth for 20 young women it sponsored to the Africa Girls In Tech bootcamp. The programme in partnership with Africa Agility afforded the beneficiaries opportunity to learn tech and product skills and helped them get internships at tech startups or start freelancing.

“As a result of these equity-promoting initiatives, Kuda remains a workplace of reference. Over the past year, we have increased the number of female hires by 133%, grown the number of women on our Product team by 87% and increased the female membership of our Engineering team by 144%. We’re also proud to announce that the ratio of female-to-male employees at Kuda is now 1:1,” she stated.  

Kuda is a fintech company operating in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Co-founded by Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustapha in 2019, the company is valued at $500 million and has raised over $90 million from institutional investors including Target Global and Valar Ventures. Kuda was listed as one of the seven WEF African technology startups in 2021.

The post Women’s Month 2023: Kuda Celebrates Progress in Gender Equity appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.