Proud of how much time, energy, love and thought have gone into Ladymates - if you care to - please read how I've been thinking about this:
*We are launching Ladymates from a place of authenticity.*
There is a story behind Ladymates. Its origins come from Startmate itself and the women who work here. (It's actually the name of our monthly recurring women's meeting.) Every month, we gather, share personal and professional challenges, offer advice and have a yarn. It’s a safe and empowering space, created by women for women. It's bloody EPIC.
Observing the need for change in the broader startup ecosystem, we decided Ladymates shouldn't remain behind closed doors.
Everyone needs/deserves ladymates.
We decided it could become a vehicle for that change. So that’s what it is. Ladymates is taking tangible steps to address systemic problems.
*As Shakespeare once said, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”*
We’ve considered the fact that the word “lady” means different things to different people, and it may not sit well with some. But what’s in a name? A name is just a name, what's important is what we do with it.
We have the power to redefine words and that’s why we have.
Ladymates is one word.
You can read the definition and etymology below. Ultimately we believe this name is the most authentic and honest representation of what we’re trying to achieve.
*We must have the courage to take risks.*
In a world where everyone has an opinion on everything, cynicism is pervasive and cancel culture, rampant, it’s easy for people to become paralysed by their fear of failure and oftentimes they end up doing nothing - or worse do something that isn't nearly as effective as what it could be.
Startmate and the community that underpins our very existence, is a living, breathing rejection of cynicism.
It’s made up of thousands of wise people who have observed the world around them and said - we can do better. I can do better.
People in our community share the belief that we as individuals and a collective have the power to pioneer change.
We started out addressing gender diversity in the startup ecosystem through our Women Fellowship - this was the first step. Now the ecosystem has grown - and the challenges have evolved.
Ladymates is the next step.
*We're going to make mistakes - and that's ok.*
The most important thing right now, is that we do something. Take action. Mistakes along the way will only aid us in building something better and more impactful than we could have ever imagined.
xx
#iotd
![View organization page for Startmate, graphic]()
There is a story behind Ladymates.
Its origins come from Startmate itself and the women who work here. Every month, these women gather, share personal and professional challenges, offer advice and have a yarn. It’s a safe and empowering space, created by women for women.
Observing the need for change in the broader startup ecosystem, we decided Ladymates could become a vehicle for that change. So that’s what it is.
🐞 Ladymates is taking tangible steps to address systemic problems 🐞
We’ve considered the fact that the word “lady” means different things to different people, and it may not sit well with some.
But what’s in a name? A name is just a name, what's important is what we do with it.
We have the power to redefine words and that’s why we have. Ladymates is one word. You can read the definition and etymology below.
Ultimately we believe this name is the most authentic and honest representation of what we’re trying to achieve.
For more in-depth information, read our White Paper here: https://lnkd.in/ey6jUdGS
Co-founder & head data @ Tibo Energy
1moFabienne Hayward , Andrea Zitna , Aiga Senftleben , Aneta Nakova , Cinzia Palumbo , Deepali Nangia , Eileen Burbidge , Lilian Schwich , Marie-Helene AMETSREITER , Martyna Lewinska , Tingting Peng (and everyone else that I still have to add to my LinkedIn 🙈) It was great meeting all of you. You're all such inspiring women. It was a fun and enriching experience, that I won't forget 💚