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Female founders in the technology industry: The startup-relatedness of the decision to become a mother

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  • Katherina Kuschel

    (School of Business and Economics, Universidad del Desarrollo)

Abstract

This paper explores decision-making for motherhood in the tech industry, and if there is an optimal context regarding their startup. The low female participation rate is a public concern in this extreme environment of long working hours, time pressure, and high competitiveness. Eighteen interviews were conducted to female founders and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings suggest two sources of “mumpreneur” in technology: 1) mothers that created a startup while young and childless, and 2) mothers that created a technology venture as a strategy to leave the corporate world. The first group is highly work-role salient while the second is highly family-role salient. Three subcategories divide the first category, that can be conceived as continuous stages: “not thinking about motherhood”, “wishing to be a mother”, and “mother”. Those codes are associated with the business stage, team size, and team gender diversity of the startup. Flexibility and autonomy allow work-family balance. Work-role salient mothers acknowledge a huge family sacrifice towards achieving business success. Further research directions are discussed as a way of extending the knowledge among this profile.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherina Kuschel, 2015. "Female founders in the technology industry: The startup-relatedness of the decision to become a mother," Serie Working Papers 25, Universidad del Desarrollo, School of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dsr:wpaper:25
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