- MeFBook, a Women’s leadership platform driven by MeF Colombia, opens its registration.
- 23% of startup founders in Colombia are women, while in the fintech sector, women have founded 42% of the companies.
MeFBook is an innovative platform designed to promote women’s leadership in the fintech sector, driven by the Mujeres en Fintech Colombia initiative.With a focus on inclusion and collaboration, MeFBook highlights outstanding women in the digital financial services industry and offers them a support network that fosters their professional growth. The launch of MeFBook marks a significant advancement in the goal of creating a more equitable and diverse fintech ecosystem, as well as promoting networking.
MeFBook was introduced at Colombia Tech Week 2024, which took place from late September to early October.
Benefits of joining MeFBook
Participants in MeFBook not only gain visibility within the #MeF digital assets but also have access to multiple exclusive advantages:
- Visibility and promotion: Participants’ stories will be published on the blog and promoted in media outlets.
- Professional opportunities: The catalog will be presented to headhunters, facilitating connections with potential employers.
- Events and networking: Participants will receive priority to act as panelists at industry events and can access networking opportunities within the community.
- Training: Three exclusive workshop sessions, including one on personal branding, are available for users.
- Event discounts: Members will enjoy discounts on key fintech ecosystem events.
How to apply to MeFBook Women’s leadership platform
The application period to be part of MeFBook is open from February 1 to December 30, though the website does not specify whether this year or next, with two selection rounds each year.
What is clear is that if you are interested in participating, you can register here.
Requirements include leadership in technology and active roles in the fintech industry, such as CEO, Country Manager, developer, or analyst, among others. Additionally, applicants must not have ongoing legal processes or be on restrictive lists.
The landscape for women in colombian business
The landscape for women in business in Colombia reflects significant progress in terms of participation, although major challenges remain to achieve gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Colombia ranks 42nd in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023, climbing 33 positions from the previous year. While this improvement is notable, it is still expected that Latin America will take 53 years to reach full gender parity, underscoring the need to continue promoting equity policies.
In the Colombian business arena, women play a crucial role, leading 47.6% of registered individual businesses in 2023, according to the Unique Business and Social Registry (RUES). However, their presence in larger, consolidated companies remains limited: only 13% of these companies are female-owned, and women hold only 16% of the capital of registered legal entities. These figures highlight a significant gap in women’s access to resources and leadership in more robust companies.
The tech and startup sector in Colombia also offers an encouraging glimpse into the role of women in business. According to the Colombia Tech Report 2023-2024, 23% of startup founders in the country are women. This percentage rises considerably in sectors like fintech, where 42% of founders were women in 2020, the highest rate in Latin America. This progress in fintech underscores the potential of certain sectors to lead the change towards greater inclusion and equity in the Colombian business ecosystem.
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