There was significant interest in Women in Tech in Dalarna, attracting around 100 women from the tech and industrial sectors. The event in Borlänge focused on networking, inspiration, and knowledge sharing regarding future technologies, leadership, and innovation.
“I’d sum up the day as a success! It’s wonderful to see all these women in tech sharing their experiences and making new connections,” says Gabriella Åström, project manager for the event at Dalarna Science Park.
“We have women in tech, and we need more of them”
The event was organized as part of Women in Tech Sweden’s annual conference, one of Sweden’s largest networks in the field. They work to help more women enter, advance in, and remain in the industry through networking, events, and advocacy. Dalarna is home to a strong industrial sector, growing businesses, and a clear need for future talent.
“The event sent a clear signal that Dalarna is an integral and important part of Sweden’s tech scene. We have women in tech, and we need more of us. By continuing to support, inspire, and lift each other up, we build both stronger networks and a long-term supply of talent—for Dalarna and for Sweden,” said Elmira Birkehag from Hitachi Energy.
Skills of the Future and AI Solutions
Elmira Birkehag moderated the on-stage discussions, featuring speakers from various sectors of the tech industry. First up was Elin Häggberg from Femma AB, a Swedish startup based in Stockholm that has developed an AI-based platform using technology that truly understands us.
“Our solution is the exact opposite of the technology commonly used today, which merely mimics empathy. Instead, our chatbot focuses on women’s self-leadership and well-being,” says Elin Häggberg of Femma AB.
Annica Lidefelt from EcoDataCenter spoke about the skills of the future and how the industry’s skill requirements are changing rapidly. The industry is undergoing a transformation, and AI is driving the emergence of new roles. There is still a need for qualified engineers and other specialized skills, but hands-on professions such as operations technicians and installers are becoming increasingly important.
“These days, it’s less about what you know and more about who you are and your ability to learn new things. We’re hiring one person a week right now and are looking for curious problem-solvers who can work with technology, and of course, we strive for diversity.”
Challenge established structures
Sara Facchini Frankental of Hitachi Energy described the company’s long-term efforts to promote gender equality, moving from a strongly male-dominated culture with only 5 percent female managers to about 30 percent today. She highlighted three specific areas of focus to ensure that women are seen, heard, and given a place:
“It’s about attracting more women to the tech industry, empowering those who are already in the organization, and giving them opportunities to grow. Above all, we need to change the work culture and make diversity a strategic priority,” she says.
During the breaks, the room buzzed with intense networking, while group discussions led to questions for the day’s speakers. The panel discussions focused on how entrenched structures in the tech industry can be challenged, from stereotypical perceptions to recruitment processes. When asked how organizations can attract more women, the panel highlighted educational initiatives and trainee programs as ways to lower barriers and open up more pathways. Job postings and recruitment processes also need to become more inclusive.
A local event with national significance
The event not only brought women together locally in Dalarna, but also nationally through a live broadcast from Women in Tech in Stockholm, where voices from across the tech industry came together.
“I had a wonderful afternoon and am so proud of the city I live in, for the innovation and energy we have here. Thank you to the organizers and all the women I met—let’s do it again soon!” said one of the participants.
“This day really showed how a strong local gathering place can help shape the inclusive and innovative Dalarna of the future,” says Ann-Louise Larsson, project manager for InDalarna, which co-organized the event.
A networking event in collaboration with the national IT network #addher brought the successful launch of Women in Tech Dalarna to a close.
Facts,
Women in Tech Sweden
Women in Tech Sweden is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014. With over 30,000 members in its network and 50 partners, its goal is to make the tech industry more inclusive and diverse. It is known for organizing one of the largest tech conferences in the Nordic region, where it inspires, educates, and empowers women in tech through events, partnerships, and advocacy work.
