Venture Overview
Girls Who Code is a nonprofit organization committed to closing the gender gap in technology and computer science. Founded in 2012, it aims to prepare young people, particularly girls and underrepresented groups, for future careers in technology and AI. Its programs include school-based clubs for Grades 3 to 12 and pathways for high school students that support coding skills development and exposure to emerging technology fields. The organization also aims to shift broader cultural perceptions of who belongs in tech leadership roles.
Founder Biography and Entrepreneurial Analysis
Reshma Saujani is a lawyer, activist, and entrepreneur. She first entered public life as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress in 2010. During her campaign, she visited local schools and directly observed the gender gap in computer classes, which became the catalyst for founding Girls Who Code. She is also the author of Brave, Not Perfect, and a public speaker whose work focuses on encouraging women and girls to take risks and embrace imperfection.
Her background in law, activism, public speaking, and political engagement demonstrates strong communication and leadership skills, which are important entrepreneurial traits. Her ability to translate a social observation into a scalable organization reflects a strong social entrepreneurship mindset.
The organization’s leadership team, including CEO Dr. Tarika Barrett, brings additional expertise in education and community development, which strengthens its ability to operate effectively within schools and educational systems.
While the organization has achieved significant impact, one ongoing challenge is ensuring that its programs can be scaled equitably to reach students in under-resourced or underserved communities, where access to technology education may still be limited.
Personal Reflection
This example highlights how entrepreneurship in education does not always involve creating a commercial product. Instead, it can focus on addressing meaningful social challenges through structured programs and partnerships. I was already aware of the gender gap in technology and computer science, but it was interesting to see how directly observing this issue in schools led to the creation of a large-scale nonprofit solution.
It also reinforces the idea that a strong venture does not need to be for-profit to be impactful. This makes me think more about how educational change can be pursued through nonprofit or institutional pathways, and how good ideas can still have significant impact even when they are not driven by financial profit.
It also makes me reflect on my own entrepreneurial potential, particularly in terms of contributing to change within educational settings. While I may not see myself as someone who builds ventures independently, I can see myself playing a role in identifying needs and supporting innovation within organizations.
Reshma Saujani seems like a good entrepreneur by her ability to look at gaps where there is a need in society, building the foundation of the company so that it is self sustainable, then creating other companies like Moms First that continue to advance women’s rights in society. She has also shown that she is good at recruiting skilled individuals in her work, as Dr. Tarika Barrett, who has been in charge of Girls Who Code for a while now, has been very successful in leading the non-profit organization to further growth.
I enjoyed reading about Reshma Saujani’s background. I was already aware of the non-profit “Girls Who Code”, and it’s mission- but not the founder’s background. It is cool to see how she is a social justice advocate in real life, and she connects her work experience, and values to her business ventures. “Girls Who Code” has programs for high school aged girls in US schools, Canada, and even India. I know that in my school we use https://code.org/en-US (code.org). It offers free online activities and programs that we can use with students in schools. I am wondering what is the difference between Code AI (code.org), and “Girls Who Code”. I think both of these are fantastic not-for-profit initiatives, but could there be a redundancy of these types of business ventures? How do you stand out if you are making another coding program initiative?
Reshma Saujani seems like a great role model for would-be entrepreneurs, specifically because it seems she built her non-profit based on an inspiration for equity, rather than on a financial opportunity.
As you rightly said, Jodee, entrepreneurship doesn’t have to based on commercial interests. Impact is evaluated in many different ways, and providing benefits to the community, as well as to under-represented groups, is a healthier way to make that impact that just seeking financial gain. Saujani’s background also proves her to be an inspirational figure who seems to really be on a mission to make the world a better place for women and girls. We need more entrepreneurs like her.
I just did a quick search that said that women make up anywhere from 15-33% of workers in tech-related jobs, depending on the specific field. Saujani clearly saw figures like this and decided to do something about when she founded Girls Who Code. Definitely a strong entry in this Founder’s Parade. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Saujani is a strong role model for entrepreneurs because she identified an important social issue and seen an opportunity to make a big impact within education. Her ability to combine leadership and entrepreneurship to address an important issue is inspiring. Connecting to what’s important, and not just profits, is where entrepreneurs should begin and that is an important reason as to why Saujani is a strong role model for entrepreneurs!