The Future Built by Women

8She Innovates: Building from Idea to MVP

Boys are taught to be brave, while girls are taught to be perfect.

—Reshma Saujani

I VIVIDLY RECALL the day when I found myself engrossed in the paperwork for my first patent. I was collaborating closely with our chief scientist, Niki Gitinabard, blending my innovative idea with her expertise in machine learning. It was an exhilarating journey, but it also highlighted an unfortunate reality—the rarity of two women coming together to build and innovate on the technical front. I couldn't help but reflect on the trailblazing women like Marie Curie and Grace Hopper, who made remarkable strides in innovation; yet, their accomplishments were exceptions in a landscape still heavily dominated by men.

Research reveals that the gender gap and discrimination are major roadblocks to women's participation in innovation. Even Marie Curie faced discrimination and was denied entrance to the French Academy of Sciences purely because she was a woman. I can't help but wonder how many women with ingenious ideas embarked on the path of innovation but were thwarted by societal expectations that pigeonholed them into predefined roles, particularly as caregivers. The lack of accessible childcare remains a significant hurdle for women today, affecting their ability to pursue innovative endeavors. As I completed that patent application, I couldn't ignore the privilege it represented, and the responsibility it carried. I fervently hope that one day my daughter ...