Women's Startup Lab

Women's Startup Lab (WSL) is a global organization that provides resources and support for female entrepreneurs. Their mission is to help women succeed in the tech industry by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to help them grow their businesses.

WSL offers a variety of programs and initiatives to support female entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey, including accelerator programs, corporate innovation programs, and mentorship networks. They also focus on supporting women of colour and young women who are just starting out in their entrepreneurial journeys.

WSL's approach is rooted in the belief that diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation and success in the tech industry. They are committed to promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive startup ecosystem.

Women's Startup Lab (WSL) is a global organization that provides resources and support for female entrepreneurs. The organization was founded in 2013 by Ari Horie, a serial entrepreneur who recognized the need for more support and mentorship for women in the startup world. 

In 2014, WSL launched its first accelerator program, which provided mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources for female-led startups. The program received a lot of attention from the media and was featured in publications like Forbes and TechCrunch.

In 2015, WSL expanded its accelerator program to include a focus on social impact startups. They also launched a corporate innovation program, which partnered with companies like Cisco and Intel to provide mentorship and support for female entrepreneurs.

In 2016, WSL launched an angel investor network to help female investors support female-led startups. They also expanded their global presence, hosting events and programs in Europe and Asia. In 2017, WSL launched a new program called "Founder's Gym," which provided mentorship and support specifically for women of colour in the startup world.

In 2019, WSL launched a new program called "NextGenWomen," which provided mentorship and support for young women who were just starting out in their entrepreneurial journeys. Also in 2019, WSL continued to expand its global presence, hosting events and programs in Africa and the Middle East. They also launched a new program called "Global Lab," which provided support for female entrepreneurs who were looking to expand their businesses internationally.

Today, Women's Startup Lab continues to provide resources and support for female entrepreneurs around the world. Their programs and initiatives have helped countless women succeed in the tech industry and beyond, and they remain a leader in the movement to promote gender equality in entrepreneurship.

When evaluating startups for their accelerator programs or other initiatives, WSL looks for several key criteria:

• Female leadership: WSL is focused on supporting female entrepreneurs, so they give preference to startups with at least one female founder or co-founder.
• Innovation and market potential: WSL looks for startups with innovative ideas and products that have the potential to disrupt their industry and create new markets.
• Scalability: WSL looks for startups that have the potential to scale rapidly and achieve significant growth.
• Social impact: WSL has a particular interest in startups that have a social impacts component, such as companies that promote sustainability, diversity, or social justice.
• Coachability: WSL values startups that are open to feedback and willing to learn from mentors and advisors.

Women's Startup Lab (WSL) is guided by a set of core values that reflect their commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs and promoting diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem.

• Empowerment: WSL believes in empowering women to achieve their full potential as entrepreneurs and leaders.
• Collaboration: WSL values collaboration and partnership, recognizing that working together can lead to greater innovation and success.
• Inclusion: WSL is committed to creating an inclusive community that welcomes and supports women from all backgrounds and identities.
• Innovation: WSL believes in the power of innovation to drive positive change and create new opportunities.
• Impact: WSL is focused on creating a positive impact in the world by supporting women-led startups that are creating innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges.
• Learning: WSL values continuous learning and growth, recognizing that entrepreneurship is a journey that requires ongoing education and development.

Women's Startup Lab's mission statement is to support female entrepreneurs in achieving their full potential in the tech industry by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and community they need to succeed.

The organization is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem, recognizing that greater representation of women and underrepresented groups leads to more innovation, better decision-making, and greater economic growth.

Women's Startup Lab (WSL) has supported a number of startups through its various accelerator programs and initiatives. Some of the notable startups in their portfolio include:

• Aisera - Aisera is an AI-powered platform that automates customer service and IT operations for enterprise companies.
• AIQUEOUS - AIQUEOUS is a cloud-based platform that helps cities and utilities manage their water resources more efficiently.
• Artisan Connect - Artisan Connect is a platform that connects artisans in developing countries with buyers around the world, helping to promote fair trade and economic development.
• BeON Home - BeON Home is a home security company that uses smart technology to prevent break-ins and protect homes.
• BorrowMind - BorrowMind is a platform that connects borrowers with lenders, using AI and machine learning to match them based on their unique needs and preferences.
• EpiBone - EpiBone is a biotech company that uses 3D printing to create living bone tissue for bone repair and regeneration.
• The Flex Company - The Flex Company is a women's health company that produces innovative menstrual products, including menstrual discs and tampons.
• Instreamatic - Instreamatic is a voice-enabled ad platform that uses AI to enable consumers to interact with ads using voice commands.