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Because there are fewer women then men in the technology space, they're a scarce resource. Startups who want diverse teams need to compete for them. Also, par

by jdp23 16y ago

Because there are fewer women then men in the technology space, they're a scarce resource. Startups who want diverse teams need to compete for them. Also, parts of the YC universe have a bit of a reputation for being uncomfortable with women. Reaching out sends a clear signal that you're not like that -- you're the kind of company that wants women to work there enough that you're willing to take the initiative.

thedz 16y ago
You're asking for startups to compete for a scarce resource (women) in an already scarce subset of engineers (good ones). That's a pretty tall order for startups. And an almost impossible one if you expect them to take time out of (likely) much more pressing matters to expressly reach out (in some as yet undefined "woman-friendly" way) to females just to that they'll apply. Not hire females. Just to get them to apply.
- jdp23 16y ago
  It comes down to whether you see diversity as valuable from a business perspective. If so, you treat this just like you would any other important business problem. If not ... well, then I guess it's not surprising that women don't want to work there.
spitfire 16y ago
Parts of the YC universe are uncomfortable with women? I believe it, but please explain.
- jdp23 16y ago
  Sorry for the belated response ... I said parts of the YC universe have a reputation of being uncomfortable with women. It's an overwhelmingly-male environments and a lot of the guys who hang out in that world are more comfortable with men than with women. If you're trying to recruit women, you want to actively signal that you're not like that.
  - spitfire 16y ago
    Thanks for the response. I was hoping you'd actually have an example. I'm not surprised that y-combinator seems to get the wallflowers when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex. I'm personally comfortable hiring women just to bring different perspective to problems. I'd be champing at the bit if I were in the "social" space.

by jdp23 16y ago

thedz 16y ago

You're asking for startups to compete for a scarce resource (women) in an already scarce subset of engineers (good ones). That's a pretty tall order for startups. And an almost impossible one if you expect them to take time out of (likely) much more pressing matters to expressly reach out (in some as yet undefined "woman-friendly" way) to females just to that they'll apply. Not hire females. Just to get them to apply.

jdp23 16y ago
It comes down to whether you see diversity as valuable from a business perspective. If so, you treat this just like you would any other important business problem. If not ... well, then I guess it's not surprising that women don't want to work there.

spitfire 16y ago

Parts of the YC universe are uncomfortable with women? I believe it, but please explain.

jdp23 16y ago
Sorry for the belated response ... I said parts of the YC universe have a reputation of being uncomfortable with women. It's an overwhelmingly-male environments and a lot of the guys who hang out in that world are more comfortable with men than with women. If you're trying to recruit women, you want to actively signal that you're not like that.
- spitfire 16y ago
  Thanks for the response. I was hoping you'd actually have an example. I'm not surprised that y-combinator seems to get the wallflowers when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex. I'm personally comfortable hiring women just to bring different perspective to problems. I'd be champing at the bit if I were in the "social" space.