Newswise — 

VetsinTech, in partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ (IVMF) V-WISE program, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosted the nation’s first hackathon exclusively for female veterans at Facebook’s Menlo Park headquarters.

The event was aimed at supporting STEM-focused female veteran entrepreneurs looking to launch businesses in the technology sector. More than 40 well-qualified and highly skilled female veterans from around the U.S. attended.

“This hackathon recognizes the wealth of leadership skills, technological aptitude and real-world experience veterans bring to the civilian workforce,” said Katherine Webster, VetsinTech Founder. “Research shows that veterans are 50% more likely to succeed as business owners than their civilian counterparts and we want to encourage that capability.”

Notable speakers will include Maria Contreras-Sweet, 24th Administrator of the U.S. SBA and an Obama Administration Cabinet member, and Terry Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Policy) for Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS) at U.S. Department of Labor.

Facebook provided advisors and employed veterans to support the teams and lead a “LeanIn” session for participants, focused on empowering women in the workplace.

“At Facebook, we believe that the power of community and technology can foster change,” said Amanda Talbot, a Facebook Diversity Recruiting Strategist and veteran. “This is an exciting opportunity to leverage that power with a hardworking, dedicated group of women, and we look forward to working with them.”

“Bringing together female veterans in and of itself is extremely powerful.  When you team their passion and drive to be successful in a niche industry with a dynamic support system, you create an energy and network that is unstoppable,” said Meghan Florkowski, V-WISE Program Manager with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).