What tech would you build for a more equitable future, in a tech-limitless society?
- A tool to end the poverty cycle?
- A hormone tracker?
- Cryptography for ethical data processing?
- An app for people on the streets to locate immediately available housing?
- A delicious meal packed into a tiny pill, offered for free?
Every year, International Women’s Day celebrates the progress we’ve made towards gender equality. This year’s global theme of #EmbraceEquity pushes us to take the idea of equity beyond just words, and endeavor to make it something we value and embrace. Now, before you Google the difference between equality and equity, here’s my favorite example:
Equality is giving everyone the same type of ladder to pick apples from a tree.
Equity is understanding that not everyone is the same height, and thus needs different size ladders. Or maybe they are unable to make use of a ladder at all!
As a senior female leader in a largely male-dominated industry, I know first-hand that we still have a long way to go before it’s an equitable environment for all, despite the fact that Fintech in particular has made a lot of improvement already. I was the first female hire at Swan, employee #11, and I can say we intentionally put in a lot of effort to reduce inequity. It goes beyond addressing gender balance in the workplace. Equity is about ensuring that what you are does not block you from becoming what you want to be.
So, what can tech companies do to build a more equitable future? We reached out to the hive mind to find out! Here’s what we asked:
Imagine there were no barriers to building tech at all. Everything was easy, with no regulation in the way, you get all the developers you need, all the time in the world, all the money in the world. All your dreams are possible. What tech would you love to build? Think big — we aren’t looking for a reasonable startup pitch. We’re looking for crazy utopic ideas.
We all need to strive to do more, and this compilation of ideas from our network of inspiring friends is our first baby step at Swan to help push boundaries. Hope you enjoy the read. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration for your own endeavors!
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