Women in Sportstech
Less than 5% of sportstech startups are women-led. ASTN is building a more inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive ecosystem.
Research shows that fewer than five percent of sports startups in Australia are led by women. Through our programs, ASTN has achieved above-industry-average outcomes, with more than twelve percent of female founders and co-founders participating. But ASTN recognises that creating long-term, systemic change requires a deliberate and dedicated approach.
At ASTN, we believe that supporting women in sportstech cannot be a standalone initiative. Instead, we integrate structured, targeted activities across all aspects of our strategy, programs, and operations. Dedicated mentoring, resources, and tailored activities for women complement – rather than sit apart from – our broader innovation initiatives, ensuring women’s participation and leadership are central to how we advance the ecosystem.
While recent efforts to improve gender diversity in sport have focused on governance, leadership, and physical activity, ASTN sees a critical gap in the area of sports innovation. Women-led innovation is foundational to building technologies, products, and services that create new pathways for participation, representation, and leadership. When women are active creators of sportstech solutions, the result is a more inclusive, dynamic, and globally competitive sports ecosystem.
Through our Women in Sportstech initiatives, ASTN is working to close this gap, championing women founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are shaping the future of sport and technology.
Partnering with WiST
ASTN and Women in Sports Tech (WiST) have a long-term partnership, working together to increase the representation of women in the sportstech industry in Australia.
WiST and ASTN run specialised programs, provide mentorship, and work with ASTN members to improve their culture to encourage a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
Learn more about ASTN’s commitment to women in sportstech below:
Game Changers: ASTN Celebrates Women Leading Sports Innovation with Power 100+ List
ASTN presents ‘Women-Led Design’: A showcase celebrating women founders in sportstech
ASTN Masterclass Series: Calling all Queensland-based female founders
ASTN Women in Sportstech Panel Discussion - 2023 Australia Sports Innovation Week
ASTN receives funding under the Advance Queensland initiative to accelerate female founders in QLD
Paving the way: ASTN-WiST power 100+ list of leading women in sports innovation
ASTN and WiST partner to change the ratio in Australia of women in sportstech
Leading change in 2023 for women in sports innovation
If you’d like to receive more information about the above activities, please email info@astn.com.au.