Portfolio Opportunity Fund
Czechitas
Supporting women’s aspirations to digital careers
The Foundation launched it’s Portfolio Opportunity Fund in summer 2024. Through the fund, the Foundation partners with software companies in the Hg portfolio on projects which forward our mission of helping under-represented groups access education and careers in tech.
The Hg portfolio employs around 100,000 individuals. The Foundation is keen to build on the portfolio’s expertise, ideas, and energy to widen the talent pipeline into the sector – and to help turbocharge portfolio companies’ own charitable and access-focussed programmes. To date, seven partnerships have been supported through the fund, totalling £440,000 in grants from The Hg Foundation and leveraging a further £540,000 from portfolio companies.
Women are underrepresented in the digital professions in France: according to Talents du numérique, only 27% of digital professionals are women, compared to 47% across all sectors. To address this issue, Digital 113 creates the ‘Les Femmes Digitales’ podcast showcasing female professionals in digital careers, and hosting discussion and debate on key issues affecting women in the workplace.
In alignment with its mission to improve tech education and skills, The Hg Foundation’s €10,300 grant, alongside funding from Septeo, will enable the podcast to become self-sufficient in recording and distributing the podcast, enabling it to reach a broader audience.
“We are delighted to have the support of the Hg Foundation and Septeo to expand the reach of the Femmes Digitales podcasts. Thanks to this partnership, we will be able to amplify our message and reach an even wider audience. Promoting the presence of women in the digital sector is about building a fairer, more inclusive, and more responsible society for tomorrow.”
“We are extremely proud to support the Digital 113 project, alongside The Hg Foundation. This podcast series, dedicated to inspiring women in tech, is of vital importance in a sector where women remain too often underrepresented. By highlighting these exceptional careers, we are helping to break down barriers and encourage greater diversity in the digital world.”
