Select Global Women in Tech

Jump To: Become a Mentee | Become a Mentor

The Select Global Women in Tech (SGWIT) Program aims to promote American competitiveness and technology leadership by attracting talented women leaders in emerging technology sectors to spur economic growth and innovation, as well as to support women’s economic empowerment globally. The program is geared toward international women founders, entrepreneurs, and executives in the tech sector.

The SGWIT Mentorship Network is a year-long program that formally launches at the Investment Summit and introduces international women tech entrepreneurs to the U.S. market with the support of SelectUSA’s traditional data and counseling services as well as community, learning, and networking opportunities. 

The SelectUSA team is proud to bring together resources from across the United States to support international women entrepreneurs in their U.S. investment journey.

The SGWIT Mentorship Network offers all participants access to: 

  • An experienced mentor from the U.S. startup ecosystem as an informational resource on challenges in scaling, promoting, fundraising, and establishing a business in the United States
  • An exclusive networking platform to connect with the SGWIT Community
  • SelectUSA data and counseling services
  • Educational content, webinars, workshops, and virtual events, and networking opportunities, including but not limited to the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit

Participants in the Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network will be grouped into pods for group mentoring and informational support throughout the year-long program. 

The application includes more information about how to express interest in a one-on-one mentorship opportunity, which has limited availability. 

The networking opportunities within the Women in Tech program were invaluable. I had the honor of connecting with like-minded women who are driving innovation and making a significant impact in the technology sector. These connections have opened doors for potential collaborations and mentorship opportunities, fostering a supportive and empowering network of women in tech.
- 2023 Select Global Women in Tech Mentee


The Commitment

Participants in the group mentoring option can connect with one another on an as needed basis over the year-long program.

Participants in the one-on-one match program should aim to hold at least 6 meetings over 12 months. 

Throughout the duration of the cohort, SelectUSA will also host virtual events to share information and create space for connection between Mentorship Network participants. Participation is encouraged, but not required. 

Both mentors and mentees will benefit from the mentoring relationships as they build new skills, make new contacts, ignite new ideas, achieve their goals, and reinvigorate their own work.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the SGWIT Mentorship Network, check out the information below for more details.
 

Mentees

To participate in the SGWIT Mentorship network, interested women entrepreneurs must be approved to attend the 2024 Investment Summit as a SelectUSA Tech startup. 

SGWIT applicants identify as women, and participate in the program as representatives of foreign-based tech startups with plans for U.S. expansion. 

Eligible startups must be:

  • Headquartered outside the United States, and
  • Developing innovative technology products/services, and
  • Looking to the United States market for expansion within the next 2-3 years, and

Additionally, startups must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • 0-10 years old
  • 0-40 employees
  • $0-10M in annual revenue

SGWIT mentee candidates can indicate their interest in the SGWIT Mentorship Network on their 2024 Investment Summit application. The application will include additional details about the one-on-one mentorship opportunity, including recommendations about the job roles and company stages that may benefit from this limited offering.

Mentees will receive direct communication from the SGWIT Team with next steps for the program. Applications for mentees will be considered until Friday, May 17, 2024. After that time, we cannot guarantee a spot in the 2024 cohort of the Mentorship Network.

MENTEES APPLY HERE
 

Mentors

SGWIT mentors are U.S.-based successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, venture capitalists, angel investors, and attorneys interested in supporting international women entrepreneurs in tech in their efforts to achieve their U.S. expansion goals. 

Mentors will be selected from across the U.S. startup ecosystem based on their interest in supporting women-run businesses and their expertise in supporting tech startups on their U.S. investment and expansion journeys. Prospective mentors will be evaluated based on their:

  • Industry Knowledge 
  • Areas of Specialty
  • International Expansion Skills/Experience
  • Entrepreneurship Skills/Experience
  • Womens’ Empowerment Experience/Interest 

U.S. and Foreign Government employees and Economic Development Organization officials may not serve as mentors, but may support the network via educational content contributions or events.

Joining the Global Women in Tech mentor cohort connected me with a community of accomplished female tech executives and founders who are forging new paths and shattering glass ceilings. Their stories of perseverance in the face of adversity, as well as their vision for a more diverse and inclusive future, filled me with hope and motivation - knowing, thanks to visionary leaders like the Summit team, we are on the cusp of a more just and equitable tomorrow.
- 2023 Select Global Women in Tech Mentor


ADVANTAGES to mentoring

  • Make a meaningful impact on women looking to bring their business to the United States.
  • Join a supportive community of passionate, devoted mentors and ambitious women entrepreneurs working on expanding their business into the United States.
  • Strengthen your organization’s reach in key markets or extend your reach to new global markets by connecting with the Foreign Commercial Service and contributing to worldwide in-market events.
  • Raise your organization’s profile among a global network of tech startups, economic development organizations, public sector officials, and others in the tech and startup ecosystem.
  • Access to:
    • Numerous networking opportunities
    • SelectUSA’s diverse programming, including virtual events and the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit
  • Consideration for speaking opportunities with SelectUSA
  • Option to submit your organization’s profile for the SelectUSA Service Provider and U.S. Startup Ecosystem Directory

Interested mentors can apply until May 17, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT. All mentors will be vetted by SelectUSA before being confirmed. Accepted mentors will be notified by early June. 

Mentors Apply Here


The SelectUSA team looks forward to welcoming both mentors and mentees to support the growth of women-run businesses around the world.