Quesnay launched the Female Founders in Tech program in 2017 to reward, mentor, and recognize women-led businesses while facilitating mutually beneficial corporate partnerships. Quesnay has run 3 Female Founders in Tech competitions to date, most recently completing Female Founders in FinTech, a program focused on financial services, in March 2019.
Over 300 women-led startups have submitted applications from 40+ countries, 17 of which were selected as finalists by over 250 industry expert judges from around the globe, and have since graduated from the program. However, our community support didn’t stop there. We continue to raise our founders’ visibility through speaking engagements, critical introductions, webinars, and via our recently-launched, invitation-only community of startups, experts, investors, and corporate executives - “Quesnay Connect”.
The great news is that our alumni have advanced on multiple fronts - read on about how the program benefited them, their key accomplishments, and future plans. Let’s jump in!
Female Founders in Tech helped Alumni Gain Significant Brand Visibility and Access to Networking in the Industry
Founders cited that visibility through media, social media, and the final pitch event, as well as access to Quesnay’s network, are the main benefits of participating in the program. Quesnay’s network helped them enter follow on accelerator programs, sign partnership agreements with corporations, raise funding, and receive recognition in the media.
Female Founders in Tech has been featured in American Banker, Digital Insurance, Insurance Business America Magazine, and Pymnts.com. Additionally, Female Founders in InsurTech finalists gained exposure by attending and presenting at InsureTech Connect in Las Vegas. All media coverage can be found on Quesnay’s Media page.
Since graduating from Quesnay’s Female Founders in Tech programs, our alumni have continued to thrive and grow.
Tanya Van Court, Founder & CEO Goalsetter
“Quesnay provides phenomenal exposure to companies. Also the Informal support from the Quesnay team has been tremendous, they are always there to help when I ask.”
Juliette Murphy, Co-Founder & CEO FloodMapp
“By participating in Female Founders, we were able to continue to develop our product, as well as undertake more marketing and business development opportunities in the US.”
Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, Founder & CEO Tapoly
“We are currently based in the UK but on our way to the US, so FFiT has been a great forum to connect with all the innovators in the US-based InsurTech ecosystem."
Sheryl O’Connor, CEO IncomeConductor
“Quesnay’s Female Founders in FinTech program provided us with excellent networking opportunities with sponsors and partners. This will be most helpful to us from a growth perspective.”
Female Founders in Tech Alumni* Key Accomplishments
$2M+ funding
Participated in Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab and JP Morgan In-Residence accelerators
Appeared on Shark Tank
$1.4M+ funding
Signed partnership agreements
with Amazon Web Services and Hewlett Packard Enterprise
$600K+ funding
Participated in Founder Friendly Labs accelerator
Interviewed Steve Wozniak at Dig In 2019 and featured on the cover of Digital Insurance magazine
$100K+ funding
Accepted to Plug and Play InsurTech
$600K in funding
Cover holder of Lloyd's of London Grant of $500k from Innovate UK
Partnered with Performance Lab Technologies and Corehealth Technologies
Awarded $10K prize in CTNext, Connecticut's Innovation Community’s Entrepreneur Innovation Awards (EIA)
Accepted to Plug and Play FinTech 2019
Signed partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana
Chosen as one of the Tech 5 by Web for Italy
$1.5M in funding raised
*Alumni represented are finalists who responded to survey. Infographic does not represent all Female Founders in Tech Finalists.
Looking ahead, Female Founders in Tech Alumni are Looking to Raise Capital to Grow
In order to grow and expand their teams, the majority of Female Founders in Tech alumni are looking to raise a funding round in the near future. Additionally, our alumni want to refine their products and services so they can better address their customers’ needs, such as updating their platforms or entering the US market.
FFiT Alumni 2019 Goals
Number of respondents
The great news is that since launching Female Founders in Tech, our applicants have gone on to raise $200mm+ in VC funding. In addition, several have been acquired and/or received acquisition offers.
What’s Next for Quesnay’s Female Founders in Tech Program
We will continue to support our existing alumni in achieving their goals and invite the community to get involved in:
Female Founders in InsurTech - now live & accepting submissions through July 22
Female Founders in FinTech - launching in October
Female Founders in Mobility - coming soon
Interested in becoming a Sponsor, Judge, or Prize Partner? Let us know with this form.