Austin Female Founders featured in Silicon Hills News’ 2019 Austin Tech Calendar, photo by Errich Petersen

March is women’s history month and Friday is International Women’s Day, which happens to coincide with opening day of South by Southwest in Austin.

And while the tech industry is still heavily-male dominated and women-led startups only get 2 percent of all venture capital funding in the U.S., the industry is starting to change. And that is evidenced by all the programming focused on women in tech on the 2019 SXSW schedule. And it’s not all happening on International Women’s Day but throughout the conference.

For example, on Saturday, a panel of speakers which include Alex Williams of Austin-based Bumble will host a session on “How Women are Rebuilding a Man-Made Internet.”

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon G

Looking for a variety of female focused programming from investment to diversity and inclusion? Then Women2.0 has got it covered. Women2.0 put together a comprehensive list of events at SXSW focused on women.

Among the events listed is a discussion on Friday on Equitable Growth Ecosystems for Entrepreneurs.

When: Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Austin Downtown Salon K

And Springboard Enterprises Dolphin Tank – a pitch competition featuring female tech founders.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where: Palm Door, 401 Sabine St.

Fighting for Funding as a Female Entrepreneur” 

When: Sunday, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Austin Hilton, Salon ABC – 500 East 4th Street

International Women’s Day EU@SXSW – The European Union partnering with UN Women to be the official host of SXSW’s International Women’s Day celebration.

When: Friday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Palm Door on Sixth, 508 East 6th Street

There are also events taking place outside the convention center.

#Women4WomenATX: An interactive event celebrating all women in business is hosted by four female-led fashion and lifestyle brands, Rank & StyleKatie KimeMaggie Louise and Packed Party.

When: Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Katie Kime Store downtown, 500 N. Lamar No. 150

The Bumble Hive: Bumble is taking over Jo’s coffee shop on Second street from March 8th to March 18th with special programming.

On International Women’s Day, the Bumble Hive has free breakfast tacos from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and free coffee all day. It’s also offering speed mentoring with Bumble from noon to 4 p.m. and it is hosting a special International Women’s Day performance by Princess Nokia from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.

When: Friday, March 8th – Monday, March 18th

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day Special after-hours programming: March 8, 12, 15

Where: Jo’s Coffee on 2nd Street at 242 W 2nd St.

ACLU Kicks Off Its 100th Year Anniversary Tour at SXSW

At noon, the ACLU will host a Women’s Rights Brunch and Lightning Talks featuring the following speakers:

  • Michele Moore, ACLU Chief Communications Officer
  • Monica Poindexter, Lyft Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion
  • Jessica Massa, Buzzfeed Supervising Producer
  • Zulima Espinel, Starbucks Vice President of Global Public Policy
  • Lauren Johnson, ACLU of Texas Criminal Justice Outreach Coordinator

When: Friday, 12 p.m.

Where: 313 Red River St.

Smash the Glass Ceiling on International Women’s Day

ADP partnered with WIRED to create the activation and give SXSW attendees the chance to break down the barriers that stand in the way of realizing their full potential.

When: FridayMarch 8 – Sunday March 10, 12 PM – 6 PM.

Where: The Empire Control Room, Room 606 East 7th Street, Austin, TX, 78701

Also be sure to check out Austin-based Blnded Media’s Complete List of Diversity Focused Tech Events at SXSW.