Successful tech ecosystems are diverse ecosystems.
Too many groups are still “under-represented” in tech entrepreneurship. Talent is equally distributed but opportunity isn’t.
We’re committed to using our position of privilege to proactively dismantle barriers facing underrepresented founders, acting as a disruptor to bring about cultural change in the Irish ecosystem and beyond.
“Entrepreneurial ecosystems need diversity to truly thrive. We need a culture that supports heterogeneous communities, a range of industries, and a wealth of different ideas.”
(Kauffman Foundation)
A week long schedule of events addressing topical issues around diversity & inclusion in the tech sector.
As part of our work to foster a diverse tech community, last year we hosted “Diversity in Tech Week” a week-long schedule of events to share global best practice on how to operationalise diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Bringing key stakeholders from across the community to Dogpatch Labs, we were able to host a range of events on how to facilitate ‘Returnship Programmes’, how to bring greater diversity to your Meetup and how to foster an inclusive startup hub. The week culminated in our flagship event, Allyship in Tech, where 100 leaders and change agents engaged in discussion around how each of us can become an “Ally” to accelerate a culture of inclusion.
Diversity in Tech Week is back for 2020, with one big difference. This year, rather than host a full week of events in Dogpatch Labs, we’ve decided to take DITW on the road to 4 of Ireland’s leading startup hubs to help share best practice learnings across the island and help make Ireland a more dynamic and inclusive place for entrepreneurs.
Learn More
At Dogpatch Labs we are striving to foster an inclusive environment, where people of all backgrounds feel welcome. Below is just a sample of some of the groups we are proud to have as an active part of our community.
Women in Tech
Youth in Tech
LGBTQ+
Ethnic Minorities
Experienced Professionals
People with Disability
Learn more about some of the groups and their activities
LGBTQ+ inclusive workplaces foster a sense of openness and diversity, and have been linked to improved employee health, increased job satisfaction and to a culture of innovation. We all win when we can be open. Dogpatch provides a platform for the LGBTQ+ community within tech to share best practices, discuss issues, and to come up with solutions. We know these values will feed back into our respective organisations and into society as a whole.
We support current and aspiring female entrepreneurs by hosting high-quality curated events, fostering valuable industry introductions, and providing a home to amazing female-led high-growth startups. We’re passionate about breaking barriers to inclusion in technology, and to achieve this we support developer meetups that take particular care to attract and retain female membership. These range from groups catering to women in tech, such as PyLadies, to micro-communities fostering diversity across their membership base.
We help inspire future leaders. Dogpatch is home to CoderDojo HQ, the global volunteer-led community of free programming clubs for young people across 60 countries. The fortnightly “Docklands Dojo” regularly attracts upwards of 40 kids to our tech hub. We also host Girls Hack Ireland, “20 under 20” and the launch of the Irish Government’s Youth Consultation Report 2018 which strives for full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Ireland.
At this year’s edition of Trailblazers, hosted in New York, we were proud to accept an award, shared with CC Hub Africa, based on our initiatives in promoting diversity and inclusion. Google highlighted the success of Diversity in Tech Week, launched last year, in accelerating the adoption of best-practice D&I practices across organisations in the wider ecosystem from startups, to regional hubs to meetups.
"Everyone means every gender, every ethnic or religious groups or people who are just bringing their own identities to the table"
Some of the organisations we work with who are share our vision of elevating under-represented groups.
Facilitating meetups that foster inclusivity in the tech community
Fostering an inclusive culture for a diverse community
Working with experts to share and promote best-practice
We align ourselves with corporate partners who promote diversity and inclusion internally and throughout the tech ecosystem
