The 2025 program will take place from September 21 to October 25, 2025.
The Innovation Challenge will take place during the second weekend of the program: October 3, 4 and 6.
What is the Innovation Challenge?
Since 2015, TechWomen Emerging Leaders (ELs) have worked in country teams to design projects that address socioeconomic challenges in their communities. In 2025, the program will evolve this model through a new three-day intensive experience called the Innovation Challenge.
During the Innovation Challenge, country teams will partner with a team of Innovation Mentors to co-develop a project proposal. The process emphasizes design thinking, collaboration and leadership as ELs complete five key deliverables over the course of the weekend. These proposals will be evaluated for seed grant funding, awarded both during and after the program.
What is a TechWomen Innovation Mentor?
Innovation Mentors are volunteers working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago who have a strong commitment to empower women globally. Each Innovation Mentor will help TechWomen participants leverage their newfound skills and networks to develop a project proposal to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their community. They will join participants in-person for three full-day program events (occurring over a four-day weekend) to coach and support teams throughout the development of their project proposal, as well as have the opportunity to support their teams after the program concludes through implementation.
Each country team will be matched with approximately three Innovation Mentors. Mentors will:
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Support teams in developing their project proposals across five structured deliverables
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Participate in all three full-day, in-person Innovation Challenge events
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Attend virtual orientation and training sessions
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Demonstrate interest in supporting ELs post-program with concept refinement and implementation of their project
Key Dates
(These dates and times are subject to change)
Virtual Mentor Orientation: Wednesday, September 3
10 AM – 12 PM PT / 12 – 2 PM CT
Innovation Mentor Special Training: Tuesday, September 30
4 – 6 PM PT / 6 – 8 PM CT
Mentor Mixer: Tuesday, September 16 (evening, PT + CT)
Optional Events:
– Welcome Reception, Tuesday, September 23 (4 – 6 PM PT / 6 – 8 PM CT)
– Networking Event, Thursday, October 9 (6 – 8 PM, PT + CT)
Community Celebration Picnic: Saturday, October 18 (time TBD)
Innovation Challenge (in-person, full-day commitment required):
– Friday, October 3 - note that this requires all participants to take the day off work
– Saturday, October 4
– Monday, October 6
Please note: Innovation Mentors must be available in-person for the entire day (approximately 6–8 hours) on each of the three Innovation Challenge dates listed above.
Innovation Mentors are also invited to additional program events to connect with Emerging Leaders and the broader mentor community.
Expectations & Time Commitment
To serve as an Innovation Mentor, you must:
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Attend all three Innovation Challenge event days (6–8 hours/day)
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Attend one virtual orientation and one training session in September
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Engage with any pre-event resources provided
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Demonstrate interest in advising on project refinement and implementation post-program
Estimated time commitment: 18–24 hours during the Challenge, plus 4 hours of pre-program prep and optional post-program engagement.
Who Should Apply?
This role is ideal for individuals who are:
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Experienced in mentorship, coaching, or collaborative leadership
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Passionate about advancing women and girls in STEM globally
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Skilled at guiding teams through ideation, project planning, and proposal development
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Eager to build meaningful cross-cultural connections and support long-term impact
Applicants must live and work in the United States, and preference is given to those based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago.
If you live outside of these two cities but are willing to travel at your own expense to attend all three required in-person Innovation Challenge days, you are welcome to apply.
Application Deadline
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST
You may complete the application in multiple sittings. Be sure to use the “Save and continue later” option, and avoid using your browser’s back button. We estimate the application will take 20–30 minutes to complete.