FemaleTech Leaders MARCH 2023

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL WEB3 What do our physical world, Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 have in common?

WOMEN & FINANCIAL LITERACY A LOOK INTO THE ART MARK3T’S POTENTIAL WITH WEB3 WOMEN IN TECH SWEDEN 2023

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SIMPLE TECH. Dear Tech Leaders We celebrated International Women's Day to honour the contributions of women and promote gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender parity. Statistically, women are still underrepresented in the tech and startup ecosystem and post Covid the numbers got even worse. We talk a lot about diversity, minorities, and equality... but in reality, nothing has changed. I wear FEMALE as a badge of honour because I know that still have so much to do and that his change is very far to be a fact and the path is going to be hard. Despite significant progress in recent decades, women still face a range of challenges and one of the most significant obstacles is the hidden bias, which refers to the subconscious stereotypes and assumptions that we all hold about gender roles and expectations. Hidden bias can manifest in many ways, from subtle microaggressions in the workplace to more overt discrimination in hiring and promotion decisions. It can also contribute to the gender pay gap and limit opportunities for women in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented. Empowered women are a key driver of innovation, growth, and social progress. Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership teams perform better financially, are more innovative, and have higher employee satisfaction rates. Empowered women also serve as role models for the next generation of female leaders and inspire others to achieve their full potential. The hidden bias remains a significant challenge, but with concerted effort and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, but let's celebrate the achievements of women, and continue to work towards a more equal and just society for all.

Sincerely, Candyce Costa Editor-in-Chief and Disruptor

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ANERI MERCHANT Lead - Ecosystem Ventures XVC Tech

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your career /business please? Aneri is a seasoned finance professional with over 10+ years of experience into Venture Capital and Investment Banking. She has worked with Citibank, Deloitte, CLSA, BDO and XVC Tech across Hong Kong, India, and Dubai. Currently, she leads the VC team at XVC Tech and is focused on managing existing portfolios and evaluating new projects for investment. XVC Tech is a US$125mn ecosystem fund of the co-founders of the XDC Blockchain network located out of Dubai. The fund aims at investing in early stage Web3 startups mostly between Seed to Series A. XDC Blockchain is an enterprise-ready, EVM compatible, open-source, hybrid blockchain protocol specializing in tokenization for real-world decentralized finance. Which investment spaces are you most excited about? There are a lot of innovative startups coming up in the Web3 space that aims to solve real-world problems. This is something that excites me as an investor. For the startup to succeed, it needs to have (i) utility value, (ii) recurring demand from customers either through solving a pain point, disrupting an existing market, or creating a new market, and (iii) should be scalable and appeal to a large audience. Some sectors which entice my interest include core technologies such as Asset Tokenization, DeFi including yield farming and staking, Digital Asset Custody, etc. Trade Finance and LegalTech are also ripe sectors that have a lot of potential for massive scalability through blockchain technology.

What drew you to venture capital (or investment please specify if it is not VC)? I have always been fascinated with the amazing innovations and how it changes our lives in a way that we forget how we lived before. Long before Uber was invented, we used to call the telephone and book cabs, or maybe travel by public transport or spend a fortune to buy cars. Uber has made our life so easy. Just tap and book! It was many of such inventions that drew me towards the Venture Capital side. The more I read about how these companies were founded, the more amazed I was. While growing up, I always believed that in order to start a business you needed to have capital. When I read about fundraising, it intrigued me and the more I read the more amazed I was. How a person from a remote part of the country was able to create a unicorn? While studying finance in HK, I took a course on entrepreneurship and pitched to Venture Capitals to raise money for our "startup." This experience was the "Eureka" moment I needed. Now when I am on the other side of the table, I understand the story of the founders, the grit and determination of fighting all odds to do something on their own. Investing also gives a sense of responsibility because you are essentially investing money and resources and you want to make sure you give the best returns to the LP/GP. Investing money is also an entrepreneurship role. You are responsible from the time you meet the founders till the time you get an exit. The impact element of the VC side is also very intriguing. When you invest in a startup, you are investing in their product/service which is going to impact the lives of people. Are there any particular female founders who have inspired you and you want to share with us? While there are a lot of women founders out there doing a fantastic job fighting all odds, one of them who consistently stands out and give me a lot of inspiration is Ms. Shanti Raghavan, founder - EnAble India. What started out as a passion for training differently-abled people to stand up on their feet and find themselves a job has positively impacted the lives of 325,000+ individuals and their families worldwide. Even people with 70-80% disability levels can find a job, thanks to EnAble India. She has been conferred with the Presidential Award in India multiple times and has received awards worldwide for her efforts in this field. Clearly she is the face of Social Impact. This is the kind of impact that women can create if backed by a supportive family and an ecosystem that believes in them. Kudos to her!

What are the important and critical points to take into consideration between entrepreneurs' and investors' relationship? The relationship between an entrepreneur and an investor is a very delicate one. An investor has invested his time, money, and resources in the project he believes in and also the reason why, which is usually the entrepreneur. An entrepreneur on the other hand usually sells his stake to the investor, believing that the resources provided by the investor – financial, network, or otherwise- would help his business reach the next level. This kind of relationship is usually built on trust is extremely critical. Entrepreneurs right from Day 1 need to be highly transparent. Transparency builds credibility. The willingness to reveal uncomfortable details is actually an indicator of the integrity of the entrepreneur. It is always prudent to follow the “Promise less, Deliver more” approach while signing a deal with investors. Investors adore entrepreneurs who know the inherent risks of their business, accept the truth, and promise to find a solution to make it work. Yes, it is true that shortcomings would be highlighted. But it also means that you would get a helping hand at the right time and a higher probability of the problems being addressed at the root level. It is pertinent to note that both parties have a common desire for the company's success. What are the long-term changes or shifts on the horizon in the next 5 years? Until now the VCs were more focused on the market disruption side rather than investing in a profitable business. Any idea in any market with potential for mass disruption in D2C category was funded - not a lot of questions asked! VCs had the FOMO factor and wanted to get ahead of the race. Fintech, 10-minute grocery delivery, food delivery - you name it and it was funded! It was all about valuations. 100x returns were made within a couple of years. Investors were getting exits and founders were making more money than ever! But now the bubble has burst and tech companies are finding it increasingly unsustainable to keep up with the hiring, which has resorted to firing across divisions. A major change that I see going forward is the pressing need for startups to be selfsustainable and cashflow positive. The bull run is over and the startup ecosystem has got a reality check! It is essential for startups to be profitable. What's your favourite quote? Whenever I am in doubt to take a particular risk, I always ask myself "Can I afford to not take that risk?" and the answer is usually very clear to me! So, change the thought from "Should I take the risk?" to "Can I afford to not take that risk?"

What advice would you give to startups thinking of raising funds? Venture Capitalists love a strong pitch and a compelling story. Top it up with an attractive matrix and profit and you are good to go! Tell a story, it always sells. Startups looking at raising funds should shortlist VCs based on their expertise area, coinvestor network, prior investments within similar space, and reputation. It is not just about funds, it is also about the strategic partnerships and ecosystem that VCs would get in. Fancy pitch decks and flashy "profitable" financial models can only take the deal so far. Having worked in investment banking and the Venture Capital space, I can provide some insights into how startups are evaluated and valued. 1. Founders and Core Team: At the early stage of the startup business, it is difficult to evaluate whether the startup has the right product-market fit, customer validation, and whether it would succeed. So usually in such cases, the VC takes a bet on the entrepreneur rather than the business. Hence, it is extremely important for the founding team to bleed what they believe in. Also remember, it is ok to not know everything at the start! But be ready to listen to your customers and pivot accordingly. 2. Community: In Web3, the community is the MOAT. It is a game-changer for any project. Strong community support gives reassurance to the investors that the founders are delivering on the promise. Founders should allocate tokens, incentivize community members, and actively respond to their community concerns and request. 3. Tokenomics: Web3 projects rely more on tokenomics rather than a traditional equity cap table. It is important for the token to have utility value in the project, protocol and the entire ecosystem. Projects that require the use of native tokens to function are likely to have strong, intrinsic demand for the token thereby driving the price up for the token thereby generating higher returns for the investors, community and the team 4. Market Timing: It is not just important to launch a product, it is equally important to understand WHEN TO. During the crypto market collapse, opportunities have opened up in the Digital Asset Custody and Hardware Wallets space since it has created market awareness and generated fear among the crypto investors to keep their assets safe. Another good question to ask is when a regulation is passed, what could be some projects/areas that benefit from it? What could be projects/areas that are adversely affected? Does this project depend on another project? For example, a project that provides insurance for DeFi can only succeed if DeFi succeeds. 5. Know your metrics: A VC loves their number game. More often than not, an investor will quiz the founder on the financial metrics. So it is a great idea to include these in the pitch itself. e.g. Recurring revenues, acquisition cost, monthly retention, payback period, market size (TAM, SAM, SOM) 6. Product should sell itself: Create a product so good that your customers are your marketers. The product should sell itself. When the 10-minute grocery delivery or food delivery was launched, no one thought about the market disruption that was about to take place. But once people saw the use case, and benefitted from it, that's when they realized how easy and convenient it was to order something with the tap of a button. The service sold itself. Make sure your product solves a problem, targets the right people, stands out in the market, and gets to your customers via the right channel.

What do you think are the main challenges and opportunities for the next generation of female founders? Let's face it! Although women entrepreneurship is growing by the day, it is at a nascent stage and massively underrepresented compared to men. As much as we hate to admit it, it is a truth that women need to defy social expectations, and "be comfortable" with the stereotypical make attitude and preconceived notions about not being able to handle work and home. Only 3.2% of the startups founded by women were funded by Venture Capitalists and only 15% of the chequewriters were women. This makes it incredibly hard to raise capital because somehow they are not taken seriously, rather not "credit-worthy" and are subconsciously looked at as a hobby that they are pursuing. However, in the US alone, women started 49% of the new business in 2021, up from 28% in 2019. This also shows that women of today are determined to make it work. No social stigma, no bias, and absolutely nothing can stop them from creating a wave of change that is long due. Gender equality and inclusivity is an issue that is being addressed at multiple levels in the startup ecosystem right from accelerators and incubators giving preference to women founders to banks offering a lower interest rate to women who want to startup. There are a lot of startups that are focused on hiring women specifically further helping them financially. It is also important to reach out to women mentors who can guide fellow women and introduce them to their network and learn from peers. From my point of view, creating a women-led ecosystem will bring out tons of opportunities in store. In the end, if you get rejected, don't let it stop you. Remember it is a sign of progress because you are getting feedback! What has been the most exciting startups you have seen in the past year? I am amazed by the innovations by the entrepreneurs these days. As a VC, I receive numerous pitches a day and very few stand out. One of the startups that I received pitch for was looking to tokenize space assets for governmental space agencies and then create derivatives of the product and sell them as security tokens on the exchange. This was an interesting use case of asset tokenization, if its doable legally. Another startup I looked at was making use of the blockchain technology to enable the farmers sell their produce directly to the end consumers, thus eliminating middleman and retain a good hefty margin for himself. There are lots of interesting startups coming on in the DAO space which generates a lot of interest from a VC perspective, particularly Protocol DAOs

AUNKITA NANDI Co-founder / MD Tier5 Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Tell us about you and your career and business! I always thought of starting my own company so that I can be able to help other people since my childhood. And, hence, I started my career during my college days by making WhatsApp API-based applications. After completing of my Engineering, I co-founded my company, Tier5 Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., along with my partner, Mr. Jon Vaughn. This is a completely bootstrapped company, which I started with my own investment. Like every start-up, we did not have any clients at that time. I, along with my partner, worked relentlessly on our services, and products and currently we have more than 30 software products that are loved by more than 15,000 customers globally. From a 2 member team to the 90-member team we have currently and from a cramped room where we started the company to the sprawling 15,000 sq ft. office that we have right now - it has been a journey worth remembering. How did you get into the technology sector? I have grown up loving every aspect of technology and always wondered about the plethora of opportunities that technology can bring in our lives. hence, I studied computer engineering to know the subject in better way and started working. Do you notice a lack of women in technology? If so, why do you think that’s the case? Studies have found that women make up only 25% of the workforce in technologyrelated occupations. There are a variety of factors that may contribute to this underrepresentation, including a lack of female role models in technology, unconscious bias in hiring and promotion, and a lack of support for women in the workplace. However, I believe efforts are being made to increase the representation of women in technology, such as offering mentoring and networking opportunities and providing training and resources to help women overcome the barriers they may face in the workplace.

Do you think that women in technology careers face different challenges than men do? Yes due to societal expectations and stereotypes surrounding women in math and science, as well as unconscious bias and discrimination in the workplace. Women also often encounter bias and discrimination during their education, which may discourage them from pursuing technology-related fields. But I believe we are strong enough to face those challenges and become a leader in our industry if we decide to do so. What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in your industry or what you wish to know before starting your career/business? I would say grow your network and collaborate with people. The tech industry is incredibly collaborative and building a network of peers, mentors, and industry professionals can be incredibly valuable. and then Be confident about your own abilities, and learn the balance of work and life if you want to start your own business. Who are your role models for women in tech? Grace Hopper, Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code, Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and computer vision. What do you think companies can do to encourage more women to choose careers in tech and rectify the imbalance? Increase visibility: One of the reasons that fewer women pursue careers in tech is that they may not be aware of the opportunities available to them Provide mentorship and networking opportunities to help women connect with other professionals in the industry and build relationships Offer flexible work schedule (This applies for men and women both). In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle for women to succeed in the workplace/business? Stereotyping: Often women are viewed through stereotypes, that hinder their progress in their careers and can affect their perception in the workplace, for example, being viewed as less competent, less ambitious, or less assertive than their male counterparts. I faced the same challenge during the starting of my business when some of my male employees took me as I was not worthy to be their leader but later they got used to it. Would you like to share some thoughts on how you’ve balanced your personal life with work? By using software to automate most of the processes in my business in that way I could focus on the most important things I needed to focus on. Hiring resources also plays a big role in it so that you don't end up micro-managing your employees. Another big one is Learning to say “no”: It's important to learn to say “no” to commitments and activities that are not aligned with your priorities, such as extra work projects or social invitations that don't fit into your schedule.

Do you think that women in technology careers face different challenges than men do?

In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle for women to succeed in the workplace/business?

Yes due to societal expectations and stereotypes surrounding women in math and science, as well as unconscious bias and discrimination in the workplace.

Stereotyping: Often women are viewed through stereotypes, that hinder their progress in their careers and can affect their perception in the workplace, for example, being viewed as less competent, less ambitious, or less assertive than their male counterparts. I faced the same challenge during the starting of my business when some of my male employees took me as I was not worthy to be their leader but later they got used to it.

Women also often encounter bias and discrimination during their education, which may discourage them from pursuing technology-related fields. But I believe we are strong enough to face those challenges and become a leader in our industry if we decide to do so. What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in your industry or what you wish to know before starting your career/business? I would say grow your network and collaborate with people. The tech industry is incredibly collaborative and building a network of peers, mentors, and industry professionals can be incredibly valuable. and then Be confident about your own abilities, and learn the balance of work and life if you want to start your own business. What do you think companies can do to encourage more women to choose careers in tech and rectify the imbalance?

Would you like to share some thoughts on how you’ve balanced your personal life with work? By using software to automate most of the processes in my business in that way I could focus on the most important things I needed to focus on. Hiring resources also plays a big role in it so that you don't end up micro-managing your employees. Another big one is Learning to say “no”: It's important to learn to say “no” to commitments and activities that are not aligned with your priorities, such as extra work projects or social invitations that don't fit into your schedule. How do you find inspiration in your life?

Increase visibility: One of the reasons that fewer women pursue careers in tech is that they may not be aware of the opportunities available to them.

I am a reflective person. I get inspired every moment of the day, from experiences, accomplishments and failures and from self-reflection.

Provide mentorship and networking opportunities to help women connect with other professionals in the industry and build relationships Offer flexible work schedule (This applies for men and women both).

Who are your role models for women in tech? Grace Hopper, Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code, Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and computer vision.

CAROLINE JOHNOVÁ Co-founder & CEO of WAGMI Guide

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your background and your journey, focusing on the challenges and the decisions you’ve made to get where you are today. My name is Caroline Johnova, and I'm a multi-disciplinary creative tech leader with a passion for tech-for-good initiatives, Web3, and blockchain strategy. My journey in the tech industry started with my background in marketing and branding, which led me to explore how technology could be used to create new and innovative solutions in this sector. Over the years, I've worked in various roles across different industries, including fashion, entertainment, and tech. One of the biggest challenges I faced early on in my career was deciding which path to take. There were so many different opportunities and directions I could go in, and it wasn't always clear which one would be the best fit for me. However, I always remained curious and open-minded, constantly seeking out new experiences and challenges to help me grow both personally and professionally. As I became more involved in the potential of Web3 and blockchain technologies, I made the decision to focus my career in this area and soon realized web3 strategy can be applied across all sectors that I am interested in. Last year, I co-founded WAGMI Guide, a platform that simplifies the use of Web3 tech for events and attendees, offering a user-friendly interface for managing and creating experiences that drive loyalty and growth. In addition to my work with WAGMI Guide, I also founded the "Women in Web3 Travels" membership community, which empowers women to achieve more in the Web3 space by connecting them with one another while enjoying exciting experiences and events. As a power connector, I'm dedicated to democratizing access to capital and empowering more people, particularly women and minorities, to enter the Web3 space. While there have been challenges along the way, I've always remained committed to my goals and values, and I'm excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the Web3 and blockchain space."

The lack of women in the technology sector is a fact. Why do you think/opinion on this tendency? There are many factors that contribute to the lack of women in technology, including systemic biases and a lack of female role models. However, I believe that it is our responsibility as women in the industry to work towards changing this reality by promoting equal opportunities and representation for all. By doing so, we can help to create a more inclusive and diverse technology sector. Advice/ Tips would you give to women who want a career in the web3? My advice for women who want to pursue a career in web3 is to be fearless and to never give up on your dreams. Find a supportive community and surround yourself with people who will lift you up and encourage you along the way. It's also important to continuously educate yourself and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry. And most importantly, believe in yourself and your abilities, and never let anyone tell you that you can't succeed. What are you most excited about for the future and where do you see the industry in 5 years? I am extremely excited about the future of web3 and the limitless potential it holds for creating new interactive experiences that can transform the way we interact with technology. In the next 5 years, I see the industry becoming more accessible and user-friendly, with a greater focus on user privacy and security. Additionally, I believe that web3 will play a key role in shaping the future of online commerce, as well as becoming a driving force behind the adoption of decentralized technologies in various industries. Future of web3: People are prepared for the upcoming and unavoidable changes onboarding web3? The future of web3 is unavoidable and it is evident that the technology is rapidly evolving. However, I think that there is still some hesitation among the general public about the adoption of these new technologies. I believe that education and awareness about the benefits of web3 are crucial in preparing people for the changes that are to come. By understanding the benefits of decentralization and the security and privacy it offers, people can be more confident in adopting these new technologies. Your opinion on the state of the web3 industry now? The web3 industry is still in its early stages of development, but I am encouraged by the progress that has been made so far. The industry is still growing and maturing, and I believe that we are just scratching the surface of its potential. There are still many challenges that need to be addressed, particularly around scalability and usability, but I am confident that these will be overcome as the industry continues to grow. Overall, I am optimistic about the future of web3 and the impact it will have on the technology sector as a whole.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have felt discouraged to pursue your career as a woman? How did you handle it? I have definitely faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, but I have never let these experiences discourage me. Instead, I have used these experiences as fuel to work even harder and to help empower other women in the industry. I have also surrounded myself with supportive individuals who have encouraged me to keep pursuing my passions, and this has been invaluable in helping me to overcome obstacles. Women who have inspired you. There are few women in the tech industry who inspire me greatly but based on my recent conversation two names stand out: Amy Peck, the founder and CEO of EndeavorXR, and Sandra Helou, Co-founder of Metapolis. Amy Peck is a leader in the virtual and augmented reality industry and has been instrumental in shaping the future of XR. Her passion and dedication to the field have made her a true inspiration to many women in tech. Sandra Helou, on the other hand, is a visionary in the blockchain and decentralized technology space. Her work in bringing the power of blockchain technology to the masses is truly inspiring. Both of them have been trailblazers in their respective fields and are a testament to what women can achieve in the tech industry. Main challenges and opportunities for the next generation of women in tech specially web3? The main challenge for the next generation of women in tech, especially in web3, is overcoming the gender imbalance in the industry. Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, women are still underrepresented in the tech sector and this is particularly true in the web3 space. However, I believe that there are many opportunities for women to break into the industry and make a real impact. By building networks and communities, as well as advocating for greater representation and diversity, women can overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the tech industry. Most rewarding experience working in the industry. Being at the forefront of innovation and seeing it evolve first-hand has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling aspects of my work in the Web3 space. With WAGMI Guide, I've been able to witness and dive deep into the evolution of Web3 tools in the events and entertainment sector. It has been a learning curve for all of us involved, creating a strong sense of community. On the other hand, educating others about different Web3 use cases and helping them apply it to their sector of work has been incredibly rewarding. One area where I've particularly enjoyed working is with NGOs, as blockchain and Web3 technologies have enormous potential to help these organizations improve their operations and outcomes. As you can probably tell, I'm excited to continue working in this space to help unlock new possibilities for organizations and causes around the world.

HENRIETH OLIVEIRA IOUPIE Founder



Tell us about you and your career and business! I am the daughter of merchants and worked with my parents, in our old pizzeria, from age 3 to 18, when I moved to study Geology at the State University of Campinas. After graduation, I lived in Spain for a while, to study at the Complutense University of Madrid and that allowed me a good experience of living in a place with different cultures and people. I spent 10 years in the corporate world and have had the opportunity to understand the different departments of a company. At the same time, in my personal life, the long hours at the office resulted in everyday problems that I couldn't solve, such as the simple fact of not finding open laundry to wash my clothes. I'm an only child and even as an adult, due to the excessive hours at work, I counted on my mother's help to solve this simple task. I always told her that one day I would find a solution to this problem. I liked my career, but I wasn't satisfied with my routine anymore and I started to plan for a change. I just didn't know right away which sector I would go to. In 2017, I took an MBA in Business Management and in 2018, I took a Leadership and Management course with Abílio Diniz, one of the most famous executives in Brazil. I left the company in June 2019 and decided to fully open myself to new possibilities. Two weeks later, I had the idea for IOUPIE. Since that day, I've dedicated myself to the digitization of laundries, connecting customers to stores in a simple and fast way. Today we are the largest laundry delivery application in Brazil. We launched 3 disruptive innovations and are focused on digitizing this sector, which is still very traditional worldwide. Our mission is to provide gender equality, allowing men to connect more and more with an activity that is culturally feminine. We want the next generations of women not to spend another 4 years of their lives taking care of their clothes. We want this time to be converted into college, leisure, or any other activity that we deserve to include in our routine.

How did you get into the technology sector? Choosing technology as a new focus basically happened for two reasons. My husband is a developer and with him, I was able to deepen in the area. Within my old career, I worked with innovation projects that involved a lot of technology. Before IOUPIE I developed 2 applications and with that, I was able to discover more about this universe. When I had the idea for IOUPIE, I couldn't help but think about technology. Upon that, everything happened very naturally, according to every need we noticed in this sector. Technology is the way we can connect with anyone more easily and anywhere, solving the biggest pain point for laundry customers like me. Do you notice a lack of women in technology? If so, why do you think that’s the case? Yes, I would like the tech team to be made up of women only. I'm glad we have two women in our development team, one of them being a partner, but that's not the reality of technology startups. Not only is it difficult to find women in this area, but also, and especially, women who are knowledgeable in cutting-edge technology, such as that applied at IOUPIE. Last year we had an experience that did not yield the expected result. We explicitly wanted to hire a woman for our internship position. Even though we achieved that, even after much teaching, we were unable to obtain the expected return in the time we needed to. This showed us some points of attention, both due to the difference in knowledge between men and women in this sector, and the lack of opportunities for continuous learning, as women usually end up being immersed in other daily activities, to the detriment of the hours needed to continue learning within the profession. Do you think that women in technology careers face different challenges than men do? Certainly, as in all other professions, women need to show that they can perform the tasks and generate the expected results. The challenge is huge, either for women who are learning or for those who have already mastered the company's technology. In all cases, women must deal with the pressures of the double journey, the pressures of society and their own internal pressures to find work-life balance if this is possible. Who are your role models for women in tech? Some female examples with inspiring trajectories for me are Carly Fiorina, who headed HP from 1999 to 2005, Cristina Junqueira, founder of Nubank Fintech, who reports the day-to-day routine of co-founding a successful startup while raising 3 daughters and I also like Melanie Perkins, creator of Canva.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in your industry or what you wish to know before starting your career/business? The main advice is to persist, as it will not be easy. We are already going into our fourth year with the company and now we are seeing the results of everything we have built. I would like to see more content on how to set up a technology startup step by step, because books, in general, are an extract of everything that went well, with a few lines of mishaps, far from showing the entrepreneur a line of everything that needs to be done right at the beginning. I may still do this one day so that future entrepreneurs don't have the same difficulties I faced. What do you think companies can do to encourage more women to choose careers in tech and rectify the imbalance? Large companies, mainly in the area of technology, should allocate a budget for education, or even provide training materials in technology. Additionally, it is necessary to recognize that we, as founders of technology companies, need to develop a culture of continuous learning within our companies, giving equal opportunities to men and women. It is necessary to be clear that the learning time needs to be within office hours, to enable the adherence of women, who, culturally, have less chance of reconciling the study with the family routine, after the workday. In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle for women to succeed in the workplace/business? Human relations within the work environment have evolved, but we are far from a fair and egalitarian world. We live with sexist managers who do not recognize and do not promote women. Just as we also live with managers who go beyond ethical barriers to assume their leadership positions and, consequently, do not promote other women either. Some women spend decades in toxic corporate environments, without organizational culture and in positions that are completely below their deliverables. These women are so oppressed that they cannot see that there is a very different corporate reality in other companies, and they face the lack of equality and even disrespect as something totally normal because they do not know a really normal environment. We already see more cases of female success within corporations, but this is far from being considered a normal situation. If it were, it wouldn't still have so much prominence. As well as the need for quotas for women, especially in leadership positions. It will still take a few decades to change this reality, because the change comes from the base, from the creation of new generations that are the result of more conscious parents.

Would you like to share some thoughts on how you’ve balanced your personal life with work? I don't consider myself as successful in this task as I would like to be, but I've been striving to improve. In 2022, I worked, on average, 15 hours a day, even on weekends, leaving no time for other activities. I still don't have children, which would certainly raise my internal demands, but I can see how life goes by quickly and that it is necessary to enjoy marriage and life itself, in addition to work. It's not nice working out always tired and running before the place closes, as well as shopping 15 minutes before the market closes. This really shows that I am far from the expected balance. Even with this unbalanced routine, I have no regrets, as I live the process of creating an innovation company and I see how challenging it is. In my case, the company demands many hours, because there are no references within what I produce and what I do is look for similarities with other markets and adapt to my sector. We have already reached a level of maturity; we have gone through many tests and today we understand the needs of our customers. It brings a sense of peace and comfort as I see the payoff over all the effort. I understand that achieving balance is far from being within a daily routine. I see it as phases, in which there will be more dedication to work and phases where I will be closer to family and friends. Above all, I see that the most important thing is to maintain inner peace and be aware that I am doing my best every day. How do you find inspiration in your life? Inspiration comes as the result of everything we produce. Each achievement shows me that I'm on the right track and that all the dedication is worth it. It is a commitment of great dedication, but I always see it in the long term, in the possibility of making the routine of the next generations of women more practical, without the need to do a daily task that only takes time and does not add any value. The result of the technology used at IOUPIE to facilitate women's daily lives is my main inspiration.

IPSHITA KUMAR Lemonade, Co Founder Hype, VP of Brand Innovations

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your background and your journey, focusing on the challenges and the decisions you’ve made to get where you are today? My journey has been anything but ordinary, and I've loved every minute of it. Starting in hospitality and tourism, I found my passion for creating magical moments for consumers. But after four years, I realized the industry lacked innovation and techforwardness, so I made the pivot to tech. I was drawn to the ability to solve problems and provide seamless experiences with just a click of a button. And as I progressed in the tech world, I saw the potential of blockchain technology and knew I had to dive deep into web3. But let's be real, taking that leap wasn't easy, and I've faced some challenges along the way. As a South Asian woman, society had certain expectations of me, and my chosen career in hospitality and tourism wasn't seen as a viable option. But my parents and I broke through those barriers and charted our own paths. And when I transitioned from non-tech to tech, I had to learn everything from scratch. But with the guidance and support of my Lemonade co-founders, I was able to make it happen. Finally, the pivot to crypto was intimidating. As a woman, and a brown woman at that, I didn't see many others like me in the industry. But I've always loved taking risks, and my passion for blockchain technology was too great to ignore; which led me to spearheading Brand Innovations at Hype, where my team and I help brands use emerging technologies to create a connected brand experience from offline, online to onchain.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have felt discouraged to pursue your career as a woman? How did you handle it? Oh, definitely. Moving from a non-tech to a tech background has definitely brought on a fair share of imposter syndrome for me. There have been times when I've questioned whether I know enough to succeed in this field. But I've learned that the key to overcoming these doubts is to constantly upskill and do my research. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, I make a conscious effort to seek out content that adds value to my life and helps me stay upto-date with the latest industry trends. It's not always easy, but I've found that putting in the work and staying curious has helped me overcome those moments of discouragement and continue to pursue my career in tech with confidence. And I hope that my experiences can encourage other women to do the same! The lack of women in the technology sector is a fact. Why do you think/opinion on this tendency? This is a really important issue, and one that's close to my heart. I think that the lack of women in the technology sector can be traced back to the way that we raise children and the expectations that we set for them. When I was in high school, for example, all of my female classmates were encouraged to take dance classes as an extracurricular activity, while I had to fight to be allowed into the robotics class. My dad was a big advocate for encouraging me to take on courses that were considered "disruptive" because he believed that this would pave the way for a more disruptive future. Unfortunately, not everyone has a dad like mine, and many girls are steered away from tech and other male-dominated fields from an early age. That's why I think it's so important to stop gender-differentiating careers and roles for kids. If we start by showing them that there's no difference between studying for an engineering degree or a degree in history or commerce, then they'll be more likely to pursue the tech industry without fear or hesitation. Of course, there are other factors at play as well, such as not having the right degree or lacking confidence. But I truly believe that if we can shift the way that we approach gender roles and career expectations from an early age, we can start to see more women breaking barriers in tech. Your opinion on the state of the web3 industry now? I think we're still in the early stages of web3. We have a long way to go before we see the mass adoption of these new technologies. When web3 is fully adopted, we'll be using blockchain technology every day without even thinking about it, much like we use apps today without thinking about the technology behind them.

What are you most excited about for the future and where do you see the industry in 5 years? I see the web3 and blockchain space growing exponentially in the next 5 years. We are still in the early stages of this technology, but the potential is massive. I believe we will see mass adoption of blockchain-based products and services, and it will become a normal part of everyday life for many people. Decentralized finance (DeFi) will continue to grow and become more accessible to the average person. We will see more use cases for blockchain technology in industries beyond finance, such as healthcare, supply chain management, and identity verification. The development of the metaverse and virtual worlds will also continue to be a major trend, with more people participating in digital communities and owning digital assets. Overall, I am excited to see how this technology will continue to transform the world we live in. Women who have inspired you. I am constantly inspired by women who challenge traditional notions of success and pave their own path towards achieving their dreams. One of the women who has inspired me the most is my own mother. She gave up a comfortable and secure corporate job in the luxury leather industry after 30 years to start a tech startup at the age of 52, with no prior knowledge of the tech industry. Her fearless and determined attitude to pursue her passion is a constant reminder to me that age, gender or previous experience should never hold you back from achieving your goals. Additionally, I must also give a shoutout to Priyanka Chopra and Kim Kardashian, who have both defied expectations and carved out successful careers in their own unique ways. They started out in very different fields, but worked tirelessly to build their own empires, capitalizing on what their audiences want. Their unconventional journeys remind us that success does not have to follow a particular script, and that the only limits we have are the ones we impose upon ourselves. Advice/ Tips would you give to women who want a career in the web3? My advice to women who want to pursue a career in web3 is to take a leap of faith and dive right in. The industry is still in its infancy, and there is so much potential for growth and innovation. Don't be afraid to learn on the job and upskill yourself constantly. There are numerous resources available online, from courses and tutorials to communities and forums, that can help you get started. Take advantage of entrylevel job and internship opportunities in web3 to gain valuable experience and network with other enthusiasts. Surround yourself with people who are as passionate about the industry as you are, and learn from each other's experiences. Remember, no one has all the answers, and we are all still learning every day. So, take that first step and keep moving forward, and you'll be amazed at how far you can go. Most rewarding experience working in the industry Haven't had it yet. Still working on it. :)

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ARTICLES ENGLISH

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL WEB3 What do our physical world, Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 have in common? Does Web 3.0 offer a solution? I’m sure if we were having a virtual meeting and everyone was dropping their answers into the chatbox they would all be different. The difference would be due to the fact that, despite appearing similar, each person’s life is unique to each of them. In that way, our physical life experience could be seen as similar to a Non-Fungible Token (NFT)! Because, whilst one NFT might look like another NFT, we all know NFTs are entirely individual, with their own digital code, just like our lives! So how would I answer the question? Well, my unique life experience, like many across the globe, has included abuse, disruption, trauma and disadvantage. Additionally, I come from a low social-economic background. Putting all this uniqueness together, the lens through which I see the world could be negative but, in fact, I’m an optimist and thanks to that I have dedicated myself for three decades to positively changing people’s lives.

Three months ago a friend invited me to join his Web3 venture. My response was “What is Web 3.0”?. His response excited me. Three months on, I’m still on a journey of discovery! I’ve learnt what cryptocurrencies are, how to buy and store (or HODL them); what is Blockchain, and how it operates; what is an NFT, how one mint NFTs, what are ‘gas fees’ and why NFTs have gas fees…. I have understood why someone would want a virtual pair of trainers, an outfit or a piece of land, and now I know how to buy and store them. I even also know what a DAO is. Sorry. I got distracted and haven’t answered my own question – perhaps everyone has sometimes done this: disappearing down a rabbit hole whilst talking about Web3… My answer is simple. What our physical world, Web 1.0 and 2.0 have in common is the existence and continued growth of inequalities. And Web 3.0 is a great opportunity to secure that equitable human-centric and inclusive world we desire. How? Through the infrastructure within the Metaverse. Among other examples: (i) Blockchain provides for self-sovereign identity, removing the need to depend on national governments to confirm our existence (ii) wallets allow us to hold money and carry it across borders independent of private companies and governments; and (iii) DAOs allow us to join communities of like-minded individuals, with equal voting rights, to determine what should happen and how should it happen. All these are examples of how intermediaries are being removed so that interactions between persons become direct. This allows startups to recruit individuals that can craft and build virtual environments, bring communities together in DAOs, build partnerships across industries and make companies and products attractive in the Metaverse. They are doing this regardless of where you live, what your socioeconomic background is, where you went to school, whom you know, what your gender, ethnicity, ability, or status are or any other criteria (economic or social) that have been standing in the way of equality for centuries. In other words, Web 3.0 can turn around the economic position of individuals and the economies of our physical world. A final thought: I’m often asked what I’m doing now, mainly by people of my age. When I describe the venture I notice some glaze over with confusion (who wouldn’t when I start talking about Metaverse?), but many more just share their view that the virtual world is not the real world, our physical world.

That makes me remember that I am mainly talking with a generation who need to hear rather than the nature of the venture, the fact that I have a dream and I’m trying to fulfil it (what I have been doing all my life). That dream is securing an equitable human-centric and inclusive world and Web 3.0 provides us with the tools to achieve it. Generation Z and Alpha use Web 3.0 daily and they don’t see a difference between their ‘real’ and their virtual worlds – they are already one to them – and people of my age are only just starting to acclimatise to Web3. We are not different. As humanity, our collective role is to not be afraid of advances in technology; instead, use our experience and positions of power to smooth the way for the change to occur. We have been given a gift and it is our duty to utilise it to eliminate inequalities. So a time for thinking and acting big.

By Alison Alexander, Co-Founder, COO, and Director of Ethics at Metacampaus.ai Alison Alexander is known as a futurist visionary on the application of Web3 to enhance lives. Co-founder, COO, & Director of Ethics of Metacampus, her unique perspective is a consequence of operating for over 30 years at the intersection of leading public services and managing future-defining cutting-edge technology.

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Where are the female leaders?

An investigation into the gender diversity of FTSE 100 CIOs

Where are the female leaders? We live in an era defined by technological innovation and widespread progress. What’s more, organisations worldwide are advocating for diversity and inclusion, trying to create a workplace where everyone feels welcome. Successful companies like Canon, Bupa, Zenith, and Rolls Royce have already taken a pledge to stand against discrimination and foster inclusive work environments. But even so, women are still under-represented in science, engineering, technology, and many other sectors, with only a few holding managerial roles. A mere 8% of women in the UK have leadership positions according to data from the House of Commons, whereas 13% of men are employed as directors, managers, or senior officials—and the gender pay gap doesn’t make things any easier.

In 2020, men’s hourly earnings were about 13% higher than those of women, as reported by the European Commission. The gender pay gap was highest in Latvia (22.3%), Estonia (21.1%), Austria (18.9%), Switzerland (18.4%), and Germany (18.3%). Meanwhile, in the U.S., women earned about 16% less than men (Pew Research Center). Perhaps not surprisingly, these trends can be observed among FTSE 100 companies, too. Between 2018 and 2022, roughly just 21% of Chief Information Officer (CIO) positions were filled by women. And in 2022, there were only 10 more female CIOs than there had been in 2018, according to an internal study conducted by Frank Recruitment Group, a Tenth Revolution Group company. While this increase shows a step in the right direction, it’s further proof that we could all be doing more to build a more inclusive workplace and help level the playing field within global industries. On the positive side, there are steps you can take to build a more inclusive workplace. For example, you could start by focusing on making your recruitment process more appealing and fair to those from diverse backgrounds, and giving everyone equal opportunities. But first, let’s discuss our findings on gender diversity and the average tenure of FTSE 100 CIOs—and why it matters. Key Findings

CIOs are responsible for managing a company’s IT systems and functions, such as computer technologies, digital transformation, and data security. These professionals also make executive decisions, implement policies, and enable new business models. They are technology experts, strategic advisors, business leaders, and innovators. Our team at Frank Recruitment Group wanted to dig deeper into the gender makeup of FTSE 100 CIOs, so we set out to research the companies on the FTSE 100 list between 2018 and 2022 with an aim of finding out the gender identities and tenure of their CIOs during this period. Our new research reveals that across the past five years, just 42 women have had the opportunity to hold a CIO position at an FTSE 100 company, compared to 138 men. And in 2022, at just 27%, women still accounted for less than a third of all CIOs. When it comes to tenure, women tend to serve as CIOs for a shorter period of time, with the average tenure being two years as compared to three years for men. Additionally, while there were 37 men whose tenure had exceeded five years, only four women held that same distinction. During the data collection process, we looked at hundreds of companies, but only 15 had women as CIOs in 2022. These included AstraZeneca, HSBC, Intertek, and 12 others. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that some companies’ data wasn’t as clear-cut to analyse—which in itself contributes to the issue. For example, one of the largest global banks has four female CIOs in charge of its IT operations in different regions. Other companies made it to the FTSE 100 list year after year, but their Chief Information Officers have always been men.

Starting out in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 2006 with just three employees, Frank Recruitment Group has grown to a headcount of 1,700+ staff and 20+ offices worldwide, and we’re now firmly established as the leader in global IT recruitment.

WOMEN & FINANCIAL LITERACY

Managing money in the midst of life’s other priorities is no easy task. Women of all ages and backgrounds struggle with the pressure to earn enough, access education, care for a family and plan retirement. Taking the initiative to educate yourself about complex financial decisions will help you achieve your next major milestone. Every informed financial decision you make gets you closer to that goal. Informed Financial Decisions Women are three times as likely as men to say they can’t afford to save for retirement and have significantly lower rates of financial literacy. Women also make up the majority of caregivers, and are three times more likely than men to quit their jobs to care for a family member. Generally speaking, women earn less, save less, and live longer — but are still responsible for the same living expenses men pay. And since they live longer, they face additional costs, including more long-term and overall health care expenses.

Overcoming these obstacles demands serious dedication to planning. Learning how to increase earnings and make use of available resources to the fullest potential can help you make the most of paychecks and approach financial choices with confidence. Fast Facts Women who reach the age of 65 are expected to live more than two years longer than men who reach 65. In a 2022 study, women correctly answered 45% of financial-related questions, while men were able to answer 55% of the questions correctly. Women are not expected to reach pay equality for the next 43 years. More Women Struggle with Financial Literacy Low literacy rates dramatically impact the lives of women, demanding they work harder, take more time to pay debts and, sometimes settle for earning less. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 3.8 million American adult women possess literacy skills below a “basic” level. The basic level refers to reading, writing and math skills at a third-grade level. This lack of education makes it difficult to understand bank statements, credit card agreements and other financial documents. An American College of Financial Services literacy study of men and women between 60 and 75 found: Thirty-five percent of men passed a quiz on retirement income literacy Eighteen percent of women passed the same test Those who passed were more likely to have a retirement plan, as well as a plan to cover the costs of long-term care. Women lacking competency in financial literacy face serious repercussions, such as taking on large amounts of credit card debt, defaulting on student loans, and experiencing difficulty managing income, taxes and investments.

Costs after College Today women have a higher likelihood than men of completing college and graduate school. Unfortunately, graduation doesn’t guarantee financial stability. Student loans follow many graduates well into careers, and women face serious obstacles when it comes to debt repayment. As women dedicate more post-college earnings to monthly loan payments than men, they are drawing from paychecks that often are significantly smaller than a man’s income. Paying loans from their limited resources leaves less money to save for other financial priorities, like buying a home or building retirement savings. Fatima Goss Graves, vice president for education and employment at the National Women’s Law Center, recommends women pursue career options with high earning potentials. She points out that there aren’t enough women in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. Gender and the Wage Gap Participation in the work force has unique implications for women. An unfair wage gap and life interruptions can slow career progress and force some women to struggle with basic living expenses. When women take breaks from their career for childbirth, raising children and taking care of elderly parents, they often sacrifice the momentum they’ve gained from working in their field. In the United States, women make up 47% of the labor force, although that number is expected to fall slightly in the coming years. Fast Facts On average, women are paid less, making about 17% less than men working full time. Women’s median weekly earnings for full-time work were $943 in 2022. For men, that number was $1,144. Women are also much more likely to work part time than men. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research said the gender pay gap had a statistically significant reduction in the previous year for the first time since 2007. Yet researchers said equal pay will not be achievable for 43 years. At the same time, more women have joined the labor force — making up 47% of workers, compared to 38% in 1970.

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Home Ownership and Single Women While more single women are becoming homeowners, the long-term burden of paying a mortgage is no easy task. In the 1990s, single women began outpacing single men in home ownership. They outnumber men in the categories of first-time home buyers, repeat home buyers, living alone, owning a home, and in spending half their income on housing, according to the National Association of Realtors. Twice as many millennial women compared to men plan to own homes. If you’re spending 15 to 30 years paying a high-interest mortgage, it can make putting aside cash for emergencies and retirement savings difficult. Women are consistently shortchanged in the housing market, according to a 2022 study from Yale University. The study found that single women buy houses for 2% more than single men on average, but they also sell those houses for 2% less. Financial Realities of Divorce Nearly half of marriages end in divorce and, in many cases, women encounter financial consequences with higher levels of severity than men. Legal fees, tax liabilities and complications from dividing assets make divorce expensive, and it can take years before financial recovery is possible. Unlike other financial matters, divorce is hard to plan for. Emotional stress and household tension accompany the financial burden, and the legal process can take months or years to resolve. The majority of women retain custody of children, and struggle to make ends meet because of the high cost of child care. Some women without children also find themselves having to adjust to a lower standard of living following divorce. Divorce Threatens Financial Stability One in five women falls into poverty because of divorce. Three out of four divorced mothers don’t receive full payment of child support. About one out of every three women who own a home and have children lose the house after divorce. About a third of working women can’t meet an unexpected $2,000 expense within 30 days.

For nearly a decade, Annuity.org has provided readers with carefully researched, timely personal finance information. Our free and comprehensive online resource offers professional insights from experienced industry experts on a variety of financial topics. Whether you’re looking for tools to help you manage your finances, or you simply want to learn more about annuities and structured settlements, Annuity.org offers the information you need to make smart decisions about your money.

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BEING SAFE IN THE WEB3 / NFT INDUSTRY In the actual NFT industry there is a gap; like in any other WEB3 industry and this is the lack of safety. Lots of users are being scammed and like in the WEB2 environment, scammers can get very intuitive towards taking everyone’s assets - and this includes all players, not only those who are starting in this industry but literally all players. A great example of this is the #YugaLabs Discord hacking. So as you can see, even the big names can be somehow tricked into a downfall and this obviously affects the community, and stakeholders as well. With this said, this gap needs to be filled ASAP and it is possible that the KYC and AML strategies will might be used in the next steps, otherwise, this industry along with all WEB3 sectors will be faded to protect “bad players” who certainly will not refrain to swap a wallet with no pity, while the general public is disregarded. However, KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti Money Laundering) are clearly “against” the “Decentralized” idea behind blockchain itself so how to resolve that? That is a tricky task but a required one. For instance, a health diligence to detect bots and synthetic IDs is a good start - This will allow to reduce the cluttered amount of duplicated and sometimes unnecessary accounts:

1 - By doing regular Real-Time Digital & Social Checks 2 - By monitoring Live Transactions; 3 - By having a Risk Scoring for the wallets regardless AML and KYC compliance 4 - By pushing the AI and machine learning concept further. For your reference, there are lots of new apps that will do this for you - in case you have nothing to hide and are a legitimate individual using the WB3 scenario. Needless to say, DYOR before all and make sure that those you are dealing with are also legitimate players - even if they do not provide enough KYC/AML compliance. Some tricks that can do the job on safety for you: A - Make sure that all environment that is based on community engagement has a strong leadership, and that the management team of that specific environment is a well-known person IRL (In Real Life); NFT projects included, make sure that: A-1. Secret mints and seret mint dates along with pricing decided on last minute can be a pitfall - So make sure that things are researched; A-2. Amount of community members does not necessarily mean that the community is good or bad - bots and duplicated accounts are everywhere and by having lots of registered “customers” does not mean quality but quantity only in most of the cases; A.3 - Mind that people you know may be hacked and that is of right risk: hackers will contact you back as your legitimate “friend” and will ask for things - Taking into consideration, do not forget to act under a common-sense flag, otherwise you will be the next to lose your assets. While we do not have a proper regulatory set of rules for the above mentioned - and most of all other rules found on the WEB2 scenario - it is strongly recommended that you never share anything, even to known “friends” and people who you “know” for long time on the NFT industry and WEB3 in general. It is really simple: Do not trust! It may sounds rash or rude but in reality, the most precious things on the WEB3 industry in general is your own assets, like mine are important to myself so do not feel guilty if anyone ask you to share details or even send them precious information - do not forget the most important asset in the IT industry in general is DATA - more specifically - YOUR data! Other tricks that can do the job is having a “burning” wallet ( that you use for minting assets and transferring funds), a second burn wallet so you can have a contingency in case of having the first wallet compromised and finally, make sure that you have a COLD wallet - According to a quick Google, (it is also called "hardware wallet" and "offline wallet," the cold wallet stores the user's address and private key and works in conjunction with compatible software in the computer.) Overall, trust your gut, act under a common sense and always research - look for the “red flags” , the small bits and bobs here and there, those kinds of things that you never saw before on the WEB3 industry before spending your valuable assets.

Dead SIlverado NFT Collector & Investor

A Look into the Art Mark3t’s Potential with Web3 Exploring web3 opportunities for the art ecosystem beyond the first hype

In March 2021, NFTs exploded into the public consciousness with Christie’s sale of “Everydays: the First 5000 Days” by Beeple, for $69.3 million, promising a new future for art made possible by the emergent technology. Collectible NFTs rocketed to the top of the market, with OpenSea exchanging USD 4.8 billion in NFTs in January 2022. By summer 2022, though, the cryptocurrency craze had suddenly faded, Bitcoin tumbled in value to an all-time low and the market for NFT collectibles has plummeted 97% by the end of 2022. When FTX, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, collapsed last November, crypto winter had arrived. The art market had already shown a general reluctance long before, but in the middle of a bear market, with prices down, NFTs losing value, and crypto scepticism everywhere, it seems that the art industry is even less sure about how web3 will affect the traditional art market, and if at all. Is the hype (finally) over now?

Move Over, Hype! Well, the hype may have passed, but the technology is here to stay, with further meaningful applications still being explored. The use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has already introduced the innovation of creating one-of-a-kind digital artworks that can be bought and sold like traditional physical artworks, ultimately gaining value through scarcity. And blockchain technology has so far presented several benefits to the art market: making sales and provenance records more transparent and unable to be changed, as well as making buying and selling more efficient and direct, reducing the need for intermediaries. Web3 technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, and NFTs will certainly continue to play an important role within the art ecosystem. For wider adoption, however, we need to shift the focus from discussing the technical capabilities to focusing on the exciting innovations and the problems they can solve. So, in what other ways can web3 technology contribute? The Art Mark3t’s Potential with Web3 1. The Rise of Digital Fine Art: The art market will for sure see an even greater shift towards digital art as the use of NFT and blockchain technology enables the creation and sale of unique digital artworks, finally acknowledging them as an officially recognised category of art by the art market and canon. Thanks to web3 technology, the popularity of generative art will most likely continue, and the creative use by artists of the technology (on chain) will be pushed further, exploring new concepts such as dynamic (or living NFTs) or leveraging the play on open editions (OE). Although the secondary market will matter, collectors of art NFTs will be holding and showing their artist support rather than flipping them, as the cryptocurrency crash is luckily having a least effect on art NFT collecting (see Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2022 ). And after all, the prefix NFT will most likely be obsolete in the long run because it only describes a technology (and caused a lot of negative associations recently), so why not start referring to it as Digital Fine Art?

2. Pairing Physical x Digital Since web3 creates numerous new opportunities for artists, collectors, and art institutions to connect and transact in new ways, we will observe the blending of physical and digital, sometimes referred to as phygital. Digital artworks on the blockchain already come with permanent, clear records of who owns them and where they came from. But NFTs can also be linked to physical works of art. This way, the digital token can represent ownership of both the physical and digital assets, making it possible to trade physical artworks in the digital world. Artists might also explore giving away digital twins, like big brands have been doing recently: by purchasing either the digital or physical copy, you automatically gain access to the other version, creating one holistic collecting experience. Another way to connect the two worlds is physical-digital pairings unique for specific art NFT holders, e.g. physical experiences (manifested by POAPs), as a way to grow the artist’s community. And lastly, distributed ledger technology can also be used to store and preserve information about physical artworks, to keep track of who owns them and where they came from. But as for now, art collectors’ general reluctance to reveal personal data and price information might still form quite an obstacle, as currently this information is typically kept private.

3. Utility: A new Quality of Artist-Collector Relationship There has been a lot of talk about whether the intrinsic value of art in and of itself is utility enough for fine art NFT collectors. (Utility of a non-fungible token meaning going beyond just buying and holding a digital asset). But since NFT as technology is allowing artists to connect directly with their audience, we will eventually see a clear attention shift to utilities, in addition to being fine art. If this is done right, it can be a new and personal way for artists to keep track of their collectors, stay in touch with them, and keep their interest and support constantly going as part of a closed circle, similar to a “token-gated community.” As a result, both, artists and collectors, will benefit from the uniqueness of a higher level of interaction between holders and the creators. Lastly, web3 provides the infrastructure that allows new models of collective ownership set up and maintained in a safe and transparent way. Now that there is a way to assess digital ownership, web3 will foster the emergence of collectively owned artworks, thanks to the options of tokenization and fractionalization of both physical and digital art. Such fractional shares are also accessible to collector-audiences who may not have considered buying art before. As a result, more people can now benefit from owning high-value artworks, and artists can more easily monetize their creations. Which, admittedly, challenges traditional models of art ownership and patronage as we know them.

Outlook

The art market is set to experience significant changes over the next years as web3 technologies, namely blockchain, cryptocurrency, and non-fungible tokens become more widely adopted. As more people become aware of the benefits of these technologies, they will be seen as an important tool for establishing a more inviting and efficient art market — beyond the impact on digital fine art’s rise. As the traditional art world and the web3 world start blending, long-established practices certainly will be challenged: We will see a continuous power shift to artists and collectors, as well as traditional value mechanisms being reshaped. We will also see new (centralised?) business models, web3 services and tools, unique hardware solutions, and innovative structural concepts emerge in how art, whether physical or digital, is created, bought, sold, distributed, and displayed in the future. Maybe it won’t come as one big revolution, but web3 technology will gradually contribute to a more transparent, accessible, and diverse art ecosystem. And I believe that’s something to look forward to.

Kerstin Gold is an art market strategy consultant for the art ecosystem and an arttech start-up advisor. She has a wealth of insight into the art business sector and a great passion for web3, NFTs, and the metaverse. Kerstin is co-founder of the ART+TECH Report, which in 2022 surveyed buying patterns and collecting motivations of art NFT collectors, and co-lead of the recently formed Berlin chapter of “Women in Blockchain Talks.” She is a DLT Talent and NFT Talent with Frankfurt School Blockchain Center (FSBC) and lives in Berlin, Germany.Please feel free to contact me at LinkedIn.

WHY IS BEING AUTHENTIC SO DIFFICULT? 15 SIGNS THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH Yes, you live within the confines of a societal framework. Most of what society suggests you do and be is deeply imprinted in the subconscious or the part of the brain where things are not so obvious to us in our daily lives. But, as citizens of this planet, there are practical responsibilities. It is important for you to be reasonably civilized, depending on where you find yourself. It is necessary to mind others to some extent. To allow grace and patience to enter your life when making changes that involve others. That said, there is a lot of pressure to keep it all together. To balance the inner and outer desires. And more often than not, we allow the outside outer to overtake the inner. The mind to rule the heart. The logic to block out the intuition. Most of this is due to our fear of not fitting in, belonging or being loved. It has been learned by each of us early on that we need to make others happy. Living as someone other than who we are is practiced from childhood. In every one of us.

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Primarily during the first six years of life, where our survival was dependant on those around us, and we learned to bend to everyone’s needs but our own. And so, the true self that fuels our creativity, our love for ourselves, our richest desires, was forgotten. As a result, we become adults who are overwhelmed by the thinking mind. Not really knowing what we want or how to go about it. We put our upsets on others, as we have learned that the solutions always come from outside of us. We stop trusting ourselves and hide our gifts away. Living this way allows us to be easily controlled, and manipulated, as we once were as children. Because taking a stand gracefully, for a life that is aligned with our values, feels terrifying. It is much easier to keep playing small and keeping our kids there too. And so, we arrive at where we are today. Relying on all sorts of bandaid solutions to ‘fix’ our mental and emotional distress, from weight loss to vacations. Yet, we are missing the point. We are not really seeing what is driving the imbalance within. Hoping that it can be remedied quickly so that we can return to life as it once was. Productive, effective and flawless. Fortunately, particularly during these unprecedented times as a planet, we are seeing the cost of not being authentic more and more clearly. Yes, re-meeting your true self is a life-long process. Feeling safe in your own unique expression, and being willing to share your innate gifts, is probably the most vulnerable and courageous act of service to yourself, and the world. For this is the path to lasting joy, fulfilment and freedom. In which case, you don’t spend your life getting the approval of others (including your parents, and your own children!) to live life in a way that serves you. Here are some signs that you are becoming more authentic: 1 - Expressing your feelings truthfully, without having to cover them up based on others’ expectations 2 - Staying present to the moment now, without distractions such as eating, phone use, socialization, numbing feelings 3 - Beginning to prioritize your self-care over social engagements 4 - Setting healthy boundaries through your day, and not over-committing your schedule 5 - Trusting your intuition, and making decisions from that place

6 - Stepping out of your comfort zone, and taking chances on yourself. Investing in yourself 7 - Honestly taking a look at the beliefs you hold, that drive your adult behaviours 8 - Accepting your own version of success, of beauty, of fulfillment fully and acting from that place 9 - Knowing you are enough, no matter what 10 - Knowing and living as per your values, and allowing others to live according to theirs 11 - Not depriving yourself of what brings you pleasure 12 - Forgoing convenience and comfort, and making decisions consciously – re your linework, food choices, use of personal items, how you raise your children, etc. 13 - Letting go of toxic relationships more easily and readily, without judgement of yourself or guilt 14 - Showing up to conversations feeling empowered and truthful, and willing to be uncomfortable in them 15 - Moving towards your life purpose – not due to a need to fill a void but knowing your personal story is to be shared and inspire others We understand that all of the above is easier said and done. That is why we support you on your journey back to your true self. As that version of you may feel unfamiliar. Unsafe. And even silly to go back to. That true version we were born as and began to give up at the age of 1 or 2, may feel impossible to reconnect™ with through adulthood. But what we know is our tears, our time for play and adventure and our creativity is necessary for our adult fulfillment. The journey back to your true self is worth it. You not only free yourself but many of those around you who you have unconsciously held to be a certain way to support your limiting beliefs or patterns. Allow yourself to be free. And with that, for those around you to be free. Particularly your children. They do indeed deserve a chance at being in their own full and authentic expression in this lifetime.

Ashley Singla Ashley is the founder of Raising Humanity and the Playground of Life. She is a curious explorer of life and passionate about helping bring mothers back home to themselves. If she is not in nature or writing, she will likely be found enjoying ice cream with her two little boys.

WOMEN IN TECH SWEDEN

The Women in Tech Sweden was a powerful and inspiring event showcasing the incredible contributions of women in the Swedish technology industry. I had a fantastic and valuable experience that gave me an opportunity to meet a range of fantastic women who took the stage to share their experiences, insights, and advice on how they achieved great things in the tech industry. Hearing their stories was extremely motivational and I am sure it helps women in the audience feel empowered and inspired to pursue their own goals. WiT Sweden's mission is to attract and retain more women in the tech industry. We had a day jam-packed with tech talks, focus sessions, inspiration panels, exciting presentations, and the most awesome crowd of techies one could ever wish for. We started the day with the core team welcome: Elin Eriksson, Director, Sara Cederberg, CTO and Åsa Johansen, COO followed by Mahan Moin, Artist and Atefeh Sebdani, Writer, Leader, Techie. Mar Hicks, Author, Historian and Professor talked about labour and gender in computing’s history and explains why understanding this history is still important. Åsa Zetterberg, managing Director of TechSverige, highlighted the crucial role of the tech industry in the Swedish economy and its potential in solving some of the most pressing worldwide issues, such as healthcare and climate change, followed by the panel: Ariella Rotstein Gille, Co-lead ICAx, Åsa Zetterberg, Managing Director, TechSverige and Charlotta Kvarnström, Partner and Nordics TMT Market Segment Leader, EY. Interesting talk "Share Your Passion: Diversity in Open Source projects" by Regina Nkemchor, Software Engineer and the groundbreaking full-parallax art hologram by Tove Noorjahaan Dalenius, Holography Artist, Researcher and Lecturer.

Back to the main stage, we had Dr Angel K. Durr, Researcher, Consultant, and Professor talk "World War 3.0 is Here: Are You Prepared to Fight?", Sanne Femling, IT Security Officer "Awareness – How to stay on top on your IT security awareness" and Maha Bouzeid, Investor, Board Member & Impact Maker "Supercharged for a Green Society", followed by the panel with Johanna Lakso, CEO, Power Circle, Yvonne Ruwaida, Business Strategist, Vattenfall and Maha Bouzeid, Investor, Board Member & Impact Maker. After lunch, we had several Focus sessions which provide valuable insights and support as you navigate your own career path. Back to the main stage, we started with "Building Trust in Times of Change" with Karin Zingmark, Author, Board Member & Investor, "Low-code / No code" with Vivien Boche, Senior Director – SAP BTP Center of Excellence, "Artificial Intelligence to Highlight, Improve and Enhance" with Alice Heiman, Student and Young Scientist, "Breathing life into AI: Designing Personality" with Madeleine Majenburg, Business & Innovation Designer, Deloitte Digital, "AI isn’t magic, it’s your new tool" with Annika Bäckström, Art Director, Designer, AI prompt Specialist and DJ. We finished the day with "Six questions for the future" with Azra Osmancevic, Head of Business Development, Viaplay Group. Overall, attending the Women in Tech Sweden event was an incredibly valuable experience for any woman who works in the technology industry. It was also an amazing chance to network with other women in the industry since I found women from a range of backgrounds and experience levels, and they also provide me with such valuable insights about the ecosystem - all of them are inspired to make a positive impact in the industry. Probably I will see you there next year! "2023 is a special year for us at Women in Tech Sweden - we've just hosted the conference for the tenth time. #WITswe2023 really showed us that we are stronger and more committed than ever and we see a great interest and willingness from partners, members and speakers alike to drive the change with us. As every year, there is really nothing that compares to the energy of gathering 2,500 enthusiastic and open-minded persons in the same room. Celebrating our differences and at the same time talking about topics that can truly drive change in the industry - we are overwhelmed by the conference this year and just how much we've grown in the last ten years!" Elin Eriksson, Director, Sara Cederberg, CTO and Åsa Johansen, COO

Women in Tech Sweden in numbers: 😍 2500 guests 🗨 80+ speakers 🧠 20 Focus Sessions 🥷 30 partners companies

8 Steps to Fight the Hidden Bias in the Tech Industry

Unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias, refers to the automatic and often unconscious attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that people hold about certain groups of people. These biases can be based on various factors, such as race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Unconscious biases are formed through a variety of factors, such as upbringing, cultural and societal influences, personal experiences, and exposure to media. These biases can affect how people perceive and interact with others and can influence their decisions and actions without them realizing it. For example, a person with an unconscious bias towards a certain race may make assumptions or judgments about an individual from that race, even if they do not intend to. This can lead to unfair treatment, missed opportunities, and a lack of inclusivity in the workplace and other settings. It is important to recognize and address unconscious bias, as it can impact decision-making, hiring and promotion practices, workplace culture, and interpersonal relationships.

Strategies for addressing unconscious bias include education and awareness, training and development, and creating policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion. Here are eight steps that tech leaders and companies can take to fight the hidden bias in the tech industry: 1. Educate yourself and your team: Learn about unconscious bias and how it affects decision-making in the workplace. Provide your team with training on how to recognize and overcome unconscious bias. 2. Encourage diversity: Hire a diverse workforce and create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued. Encourage the hiring of underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities, and seek out diverse perspectives when making decisions. 3. Review and analyze data: Analyze data on hiring, promotion, and compensation to identify any patterns or disparities that may be influenced by unconscious bias. 4. Establish clear criteria for hiring and promotion: Use objective criteria to evaluate job applicants and candidates for promotion to reduce the influence of unconscious bias. 5. Be mindful of language: Use gender-neutral language in job postings and avoid language that may unconsciously deter certain candidates from applying. 6. Implement blind screening: Remove identifying information from resumes and applications to reduce the influence of unconscious bias in the screening process. 7. Foster mentorship and sponsorship: Create mentorship and sponsorship programs to provide opportunities for underrepresented groups to receive guidance and support from more experienced colleagues. 8. Hold leaders accountable: Hold leaders and decision-makers accountable for promoting diversity and reducing unconscious bias. Set goals and measure progress regularly to ensure that the organization is making progress towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace. By implementing these strategies, tech leaders and companies can work to reduce the influence of unconscious bias in the tech industry and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Where are the women in your company?

You, like me, are the result of a sexist society. From childhood, you learned that there are “woman” things and “man” things, as well as colors, behaviors, attitudes, feelings, professions, careers and places, explicitly or implicitly, assigned to genders in a binary and distinct way. It is very likely that you grew up listening to and laughing at jokes that offend those who are different from you: women, black people, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, old, fat, among others. Jokes that you unconsciously tell to this day. If you are a straight, white male with no apparent disability, who has had access to a quality education and the best job and career opportunities, the world has always been built for you. Meritocracy, in which you believe, defend and promote with such conviction, was made by all the white men who preceded you in command of nations, governments, institutions and public and private companies, ever since. It is not your fault. However, it is past time for you to assume your responsibility, non-delegable and non-transferable, to use your power position to change the reality around you.

Setbacks between advances You may have noticed that, in the last 60 years, we women have advanced in the occupying the workplace. If here in Brazil, until 1962, we needed our husbands' authorization to work, today, millions of us own our history, most of them in universities and we are everywhere, even if we are still far from having the same conditions as you. Our salaries are still, on average, 20.5% lower than those of men in the same roles. We continue to be severely penalized when we choose to donate our bodies to generate new life and continue humanity. Remember: that is what your mother did to bring you into the world! Unfortunately, here in Brazil, 50% of women are laid off within two years of returning from maternity leave. We still have to face a double working day, since taking care of housework and raising children are still responsibilities assigned mainly to women. We have been suffering all kinds of personal and professional violence, since childhood: harassment, maninterrupting, bropriating, mansplaining, gaslighting — at the end of this article, I will add a glossary on these terms —, rape, domestic, psychological, patrimonial violence, culminating in femicide. Despite all this, Microsoft, SAP, Twitter, Intel, Google, WeWork, Uber, Bayer, BP, Fleury, Sabin, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Citroen, P&G, UPS, GE, Equinor, Adidas, OAB SP, Gerdau Summit, Swarovsky, Sephora, Hinode, Travelex Bank, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Standard Bank, BMG, Rede and Nubank, among many other companies, are today led by women here in Brazil and/or in Latin America. Women who support businesses However, despite these white female leaders, this portion represents only 3.5% of the contingent of companies present in Brazil. As if that were not enough, we represent only 11.5% of the total number of directors, and six out of ten companies listed on the Brazilian Stock Exchange do not have any women on the board of directors. What are you waiting for to accelerate the inclusion and rise of women in your company's leadership positions? Remember: in Brazil, we represent 52% of the population; we are 67 million mothers, responsible for 38.7% of homes and 80% of consumption decisions in the country. The sustainability of your company depends on us. However, to ensure this sustainability, you have to be genuinely committed to changing reality, promoting gender equality (SDGs) as a value of your company's culture and leadership, with clear and measurable goals, affirmative policies, quotas and equal wages. Furthermore, it is necessary to encourage co-responsibility of tasks and child raising with parental leave, for example, by ensuring that women are part of succession plans. In other words, this means putting ESG into practice, with courage and agility. Besides, there is no future without women, and you know it.

To learn and not forget Maninterrupting: constant interruptions of our lines. Bropriating: misappropriation of our ideas. Mansplainning: Men explaining the obvious to us. Gaslighting: Men undermining our self-confidence. #FairCause #WhereAreTheWomen #GenderEqulity

I am Neivia Justa, awarded and recognized Brazilian businesswoman, mother of Luiza and Julia, two teenager girls, jornalist, entrepreneur, influencer, teacher, mentor, consultant and connector of purposeful leaders who think, communicate and act in a conscious, diverse, inclusive and innovative way to guarantee a sustainable future for all. Article originally published in Portuguese on https://www.revistahsm.com.br/post/onde-estao-as-mulheresda-sua-empresa

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recomended books

Best Books this month More than a Glitch Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech By Meredith Broussard When technology reinforces inequality, it’s not just a glitch—it’s a signal that we need to redesign our systems to create a more equitable world.The word “glitch” implies an incidental error, as easy to patch up as it is to i identify. But what if racism, sexism, and ableism aren’t just bugs in mostly functional machinery—what if they’re coded into the system itself? In the vein of heavy hitters such as Safiya Umoja Noble, Cathy O’Neil, and Ruha Benjamin, Meredith Broussard demonstrates in More Than a Glitch how neutrality in tech is a myth and why algorithms need to be held accountable.

The Adventures of Women in Tech: How We Got Here and Why We Stay by Alana Karen Winner of the Best Indie Book Award - Audiobook winner of the NYC Big Book Award for Audiobook Nonfiction. Can women have meaningful careers in tech? Are diversity efforts in Silicon Valley failing? Should women avoid working for technology companies? Alana Karen was annoyed every time she saw the latest headline questioning women’s survival in tech. She pictured a new graduate deciding on her career and only having one-sided articles to help make her decision. She saw colleagues roll their eyes at books about C-level women in tech and heard jokes about how inaccessible those stories sounded. She wondered how women could feel like they belonged if they didn't see themselves reflected in the media.

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Best Books this month I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic For readers of Sapiens and Homo Deus and viewers of The Social Dilemma, psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic tackles one of the biggest questions facing our species: Will we use artificial intelligence to improve the way we work and live, or will we allow it to alienate us? It's no secret that AI is changing the way we live, work, love, and entertain ourselves. Dating apps are using AI to pick our potential partners. Retailers are using AI to predict our behavior and desires. Rogue actors are using AI to persuade us with bots and misinformation. Companies are using AI to hire us—or not.

Future Ready: The Four Pathways to Capturing Digital Value by Stephanie L. Woerner, Peter Weill, and Ina M. Sebastian To be a top performer in the digital economy—to become truly future-ready—you need a playbook. Now you have one. It seems like almost every company you can think of—including your own— has embarked on a "digital transformation" journey. The problem is, many companies start down the road without a good sense of where they are going or a clear idea of how they will create and capture digital value. Not surprisingly, this leads to problems: failure to realize the value from digital in their bottom lines, wasted resources and effort, added complexity and dysfunction.

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