WomenInWeb3 Summit to elevate local talent, startups

Canadian Web3 and public policy newsletter, d3crypto, announced its first-ever WomenInWeb3 Summit in Vancouver on March 27-28, 2023.

Taking place during Women’s History Month, the event promises to demonstrate that Web3 is an industry for all, but especially women, while highlighting local Vancouver talent working in a variety of areas.

Much like the rest of the tech sector, women are underrepresented in Web3 with women-led Web3 startups raising only 25 percent of venture capital funding compared to their male counterparts. Further, female founders are included in only 13 percent of Web3 startups, with that number plummeting to three percent for companies with only female founders.

“As a tech writer, I look to shed light on issues important to marginalized communities. Through my work and research, the lack of women in Web3 has risen to the top as a key issue. Raising awareness of the industry, as well as the profile of women who were early adopters, is important to me. I constantly hear that Web3 is still such a new industry, which means that we need to get things right from the start,” says Erin Gee, founder of d3crypto and lead organizer of the WomenInWeb3 Summit.

The event will feature international speaker, podcast host and high-end NFT consultant Megan Nilsson, AKA Crypto Megan, who will be sharing her insights about the importance of women becoming involved in Web3. She will also be leading a masterclass for businesses on how to leverage Web3 technologies.

“Erin has spoken highly of Vancouver’s Web3 ecosystem so I’m excited to make my first trip to Canada to experience the community first-hand. I look forward to sharing my experience as a woman in this industry as well as learning from the diverse experiences of the other speakers and attendees,” Nilsson said.

The Vancouver office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has signed on as a Gold Sponsor for the event and will be providing attendees with key knowledge that Web3 companies need to be aware of when starting out, including privacy, intellectual property and corporate licensing considerations.

In addition to Nilsson, a panel discussion will feature locals Katreena Tecson (Monaverse) and Ashley Smith (Fame Lady Squad/From The Blockchain podcast). Together, this group of women has a diverse skillset emblematic of the array of possibilities available in Web3 and will be able to share insights on the local community as well as Vancouver’s role on the international stage.

Gee adds, “Since it’s Women’s History Month, this event is the perfect opportunity for allies to show their support for women in Web3. It’s easy to say that you support diversity in tech but then fail to show up when it counts. Community is a huge tenant of Web3 culture and these women are part of Vancouver’s Web3 community.”

Other partners include entrepreneurship@UBC and the Vancouver Tech Journal.

For more information and to secure passes, visit womeninweb3summit.ca. Vancouver Tech Journal readers get 15% off with code vtjnetwork.