Niyo launches SheBuilds campaign to get 10,000 women into tech building roles

Birmingham-based Niyo Labs has launched SheBuilds, an eight-week mentorship and build accelerator programme designed to enable women to build the future of technology. The female-led organisation creates pathways into tech for women from underrepresented backgrounds.

Applications are now open for the programme, which runs this autumn and culminates in a hackathon at NiyoFest on 7th-8th November. The initiative directly addresses gender gaps in the technology sector, where only 26% of the UK tech workforce are women and fewer than 3% of global majority women are in technology.

SheBuilds connects participants with mentorship, practical experience, career development and investment opportunities. Participants can choose from four industry-aligned learning streams: UX/UI Design, Product Management, Frontend Development, and Backend Development.

The programme concludes with a two-day hackathon at NiyoFest, where participants will present their new tech products to a panel of tech leaders and industry judges to win prizes. The event serves as both a showcase and a celebration of emerging talent and ideas.

Oyin Adebayo, Founder and CEO of Niyo Labs, said: “Mentorship isn’t just a support tool – it’s a game-changer to elevate women to be the future builders of technology. SheBuilds is about creating tangible opportunities for women who are too often left out of the conversation in tech.”

Participants will work in teams to design and build real-world software solutions, guided by experienced mentors from across the industry. The programme supports leadership development and innovation alongside technical growth, helping participants advance in their careers with confidence.

Companies can get involved by sponsoring the programme, offering mentors or judges, sponsoring prizes, hosting internships, or providing job shadowing opportunities whilst meeting ESG goals in a high-impact, authentic and immersive way. Organisations have a chance to directly impact the future of tech.

Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, 3rd August. To apply or learn more about partnership opportunities, people can visit http://shebuilds.niyo.co/ or email partnerships@niyo.co.

Niyo Labs is a Black female-led organisation creating economic empowerment and pathways into technology for women and underrepresented communities. Through programmes like SheBuilds, Niyo is building a more inclusive and equitable tech industry.

Image from Niyo Labs