Talking about technology means talking about the future, but that future still has a debt to settle: the representation of women in the industry. Globally, according to a World Economic Forum report, women hold less than 30% of STEM positions. To get more specific: just 20% of software development roles. In Latin America the number is even lower, especially at the leadership level.
Mexico is no exception. The tech ecosystem has been growing at a remarkable pace, with new hubs attracting global investment and talent: Mexico City has become the home of many startups, while Guadalajara hosts offices for major multinationals like Microsoft and IBM. Yet female participation remains limited. The good news: more women are challenging the statistics every year, taking on strategic roles and proving that change is not just possible, it's inevitable.
The tech boom in Mexico doesn't benefit everyone equally
Over the past decade, Mexico has gone from an emerging market to a key player in Latin America's tech ecosystem. With more than 4.3 million people employed in ICT-related activities, growing tech hubs like Guadalajara (known locally as the "Mexican Silicon Valley"), and a steady stream of startups attracting international capital, the country is writing a new chapter in its economic history.
But that growth doesn't translate equally across genders. According to IMCO (Mexico's Institute for Competitiveness), only 3 out of every 10 professionals in STEM fields are women. Look at leadership roles and the number drops further: only 9% of general management positions at tech companies in Mexico are held by women, according to a McKinsey study.
The causes go well beyond access to education. More women are entering engineering and computer science programs, but cultural biases, a lack of visible role models, and workplaces that aren't built for inclusion push many of them out of the industry before they reach positions of influence.
This creates a real paradox: companies compete fiercely to attract and retain talent in an increasingly demanding market, while a large pool of qualified women still can't fully break into the sector.
The trend is starting to turn, though. Public and private initiatives to boost female participation in STEM, developer communities gaining visibility, and examples of women in leadership across the ecosystem are laying the groundwork for structural change. The gap is still wide, but the foundation to close it is already being built. Companies like Howdy show that a different model is possible: of the 482 people who work at the company, 117 are women and 26 of them hold leadership positions, including CEO and Founder Jacqueline Samira. That number exceeds the industry average and points toward a more diverse, inclusive ecosystem.
Why it matters: impact on the industry and the community
When women hold decision-making roles, it's not just who's at the table that changes: it's how technology gets built. Multiple studies from the Niagara Institute show that more inclusive teams tend to be more innovative, more productive, and better at strategic decision-making.
In Mexico specifically, making women in leadership visible has a multiplier effect. It's not just about opening a door. It's about creating role models who inspire new generations of engineers, developers, and leaders to picture themselves as part of the ecosystem. Representation matters because it expands what people believe is possible.
Beyond that, women's active participation in communities, events, and mentorship programs is strengthening the fabric of the country's tech sector. From developer networks to STEM programs for girls, every step counts toward closing the gap.
The experience of companies like Howdy reinforces this impact: when diversity is part of the culture and not just a checkbox, the benefits reach beyond the organization and touch the entire tech community.
Howdy: a story that started in Austin and now connects all of Latin America
The story starts in 2018, in Austin, Texas, when a tech boom ran headlong into a clear talent shortage. Jacqueline's founding idea was simple: Latin America has plenty of top-tier talent. It just needs to be connected to the right opportunities.
That same year, with just five people and one client, she turned that idea into a real company. Two years later, in 2020, the company hit a major milestone: it grew to 50 team members and was accepted into Y Combinator, one of the world's most recognized startup accelerators. That boost opened the door to exponential growth.
In 2022, Howdy raised two investment rounds totaling $18 million, reaching a valuation of over $100 million and cementing its place as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. That same year, we acquired Geek Hunter, one of Brazil's largest tech talent marketplaces, adding more than 400,000 developer profiles to our network.
Today, seven years in, Howdy isn't just the fourth fastest-growing company in central Texas: we're also a community in constant growth, connecting talent from across Latin America with companies in the United States. A community where the focus isn't just on filling roles, but on supporting each person with career plans, growth opportunities, and a shared culture built on common values and vision.
A concrete example of community building in action: SHEntax Guadalajara became a real starting point for more women entering tech.
