Hire Her

According to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report 2023, women comprise less than 30% of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce, yet these are the areas that must experience significant growth in the upcoming years. Globally, the tech industry has long been criticized for its homogeneous makeup, with women and minority groups facing significant barriers to entry and progress.

The specific problem we are addressing is the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry, particularly regarding the underrepresentation of women, especially those who are black, trans, and transvestite individuals. In Brazil, 36.9% of professionals in companies in the tech sector are black individuals, of which only 11% are women (Quem Coda BR, PretaLab and ThoughtWorks, 2017). Also, according to a 2022 survey by the National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals, only 4% of transgender women and transvestites were employed in the formal job market.

On the other side, many companies struggle to find tech talent that meets their requirements, leading to high turnover rates, inefficient recruitment processes, and a lack of variety in their workforce. Another critical issue we're tackling is the inherent bias in AI that guides ATS (Applicant Tracking System) due to their development by non-diverse teams, which often perpetuates systemic inequalities.This not only hinders the potential for innovation and creativity within these companies but also perpetuates systemic inequalities within the industry.

Our solution aims to address these challenges by enhancing {reprograma}'s hiring platform. By providing comprehensive HR solutions and talent development programs that offer both technical and soft skills training, while promoting diversity and inclusivity, we aim to bridge the gap between companies seeking diverse and skilled tech talent and individuals from underrepresented groups in tech. This will not only improve workforce representation and efficiency in recruitment processes but also create opportunities for economic empowerment and advancement for women and minority groups in the tech industry.

Since 2016, {reprograma} has been championing diversity in technology through education, offering free intensive tech courses. With a focus on black women, transgender, and transvestite individuals, our vision is to empower diverse women to excel in the tech sector. We've conducted 61 classes, impacting over 5,000 individuals, with 1,500 graduates. Achieving an impressive completion rate of over 80%, with 76% securing employment within 6 months, our organization is making a tangible difference. Notably, 62% of our students identify as Black, 11.8% as transgender or transvestite, 21% as mothers, and 93% have a monthly income of up to 3 minimum wages. This track record demonstrates that the organization has consolidated experience in the field of diverse women in technology and possesses expertise in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

Hire Her aims to increase diversity in the technology sector by connecting companies with candidates from underrepresented groups. Offering technical and soft skills training, we address the needs of companies struggling with high turnover and inefficient recruitment processes.

What is already developed:

1. Profile Module:

Users (both companies and potential employees) create detailed profiles that include information about their skills, experiences, job preferences, career goals, and selection criteria. AI algorithms process these profiles, identifying patterns, competencies, and interests relevant for matchmaking.

To be developed:

1. Recommendation Engine:

It utilizes machine learning algorithms to match companies and potential employees based on criteria such as technical skills, professional experience, company culture, location, and personal preferences. The recommendation engine is continuously trained with user feedback to improve the accuracy of recommendations over time.

2. Feedback and Evaluation System:

After each interaction between a company and a potential employee (such as an interview or collaboration on a project), feedback is solicited from both parties. The feedback data is used to adjust the matchmaking algorithms and improve the quality of future matches.

Demo link (PT): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCwWM5LM9LY&ab_channel=%7Breprograma%7D

https://reprograma.com.br/para-empresas/#plataforma

Our solution serves two primary stakeholders: companies seeking diverse and skilled tech talent and individuals from underrepresented groups aiming to enter in tech career. For companies, Hire Her streamlines the recruitment process, providing access to a well-trained diverse talent pool that has been capacitated in our award-winning methodology. This will lead to improved workforce diversity, reduced turnover, and increased efficiency in recruitment processes. For individuals from underrepresented groups, our platform offers opportunities to enter the tech industry, develop their skills, and advance in their careers. This will lead to improved employability, economic opportunities, and empowerment in the digital economy.

It's crucial to emphasize that the platform holds significant potential to provide substantial support to existing ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) in the pursuit of diverse talent. Integration stands out as a pivotal strategy aimed at mitigating biases in the selection processes not only in Empower Her, but in the market itself.

Our team has been working in this market since 2016 and has extensive experience in addressing the challenges of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. We have a deep understanding of the needs of both companies and individuals from underrepresented groups, as well as the mechanisms necessary to bridge the gap between them. 

It's also important to highlight that the organization's team is 100% composed of transgender and cisgender women.

The platform, launched in 2021, has swiftly transitioned from concept to active usage. It's already consolidated for use by Reprograma itself in selecting students. Though not yet profitable, it demonstrates the early growth stages typical of a nonprofit endeavor. With a solid candidate base and ongoing company engagement, it represents an evolving solution poised for expansion. Our focus is on a sustainable model that prioritizes ongoing development and supports overarching mission of an inclusive tech market.

We are applying to Solve because we recognize the significant importance this program holds for organizations like ours. Being associated with the renowned MIT lends exceptional credibility and grants access to valuable resources. The visibility provided by Solve presents us with a unique opportunity to increase our exposure and attract potential partners, investors, and collaborators. Additionally, the MIT is a global reference in technology, capable of connecting us with individuals who can take our solution to the next level.

Although we have dedicated many years to developing the platform, we have not yet gained the necessary traction to establish it as a reference in the industry. We want to leverage the expertise and resources available through Solve to overcome this obstacle and drive our growth significantly. Our goal is to effectively integrate with existing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to maximize the impact of technologies and ensure that no one is left behind in the selection processes. We believe that participation in Solve can be a crucial catalyst for achieving these goals and turning our vision into reality.

Our solution stands out for its innovation in several key aspects, particularly in its approach to reducing bias using AI while addressing the challenges of talent selection and empowerment within marginalized communities. Our platform, developed since 2021 and already in use by Reprograma for student selection, represents a significant departure from traditional methods of talent assessment and recruitment.

Firstly, our solution leverages cutting-edge AI algorithms to minimize bias in the selection process. By utilizing machine learning techniques, Hire Her can analyze candidate profiles and performance metrics without being influenced by factors such as gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. This ensures that candidates are evaluated solely based on their skills, qualifications, and potential, leading to fairer and more equitable outcomes.

Furthermore, Hire Her adopts a holistic approach to talent development and empowerment. In addition to facilitating the selection process, it provides resources and support to help candidates enhance their skills, build confidence, and access opportunities for personal and professional growth. By addressing not only the immediate need for talent identification but also the long-term goal of skill development and empowerment, our solution catalyzes broader positive impacts within the industry.

Our solution also has the potential to catalyze positive change within the broader talent acquisition and development space. By demonstrating the effectiveness of AI-driven approaches in reducing bias and improving diversity and inclusion, we can set a new standard for talent selection practices. This could encourage other organizations to adopt similar technologies and methodologies, leading to a more inclusive and representative workforce across industries.

Moreover, Hire Her has the capacity to change the market landscape by disrupting traditional models of talent acquisition and recruitment. As more companies recognize the value of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and competitiveness, there is a growing demand for solutions that can help them identify and nurture talent from diverse backgrounds. By offering a scalable and efficient AI-powered platform, we can position ourselves as a leader in this emerging market and drive widespread adoption of our innovative approach.

In summary, our solution is innovative in its use of AI to reduce bias, its holistic approach to talent development, and its potential to catalyze positive change within the industry. By leveraging technology to address longstanding challenges in talent selection and empowerment, we aim to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

We anticipate a significant impact on increasing the presence of women, especially black and transgender, in the technology sector through our solution. By providing a platform that reduces bias in the recruitment and selection process, we aim to create immediate outputs such as increased visibility and access to opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Our platform's AI-powered algorithms will enable fairer evaluation of candidates based solely on their skills and qualifications, thereby mitigating the effects of unconscious bias that often disadvantage women from marginalized backgrounds. This will result in more diverse talent pools being considered for tech roles, leading to increased representation of women, including black and transgender women, in the industry.

In the longer term, we expect these outcomes to lead to broader positive impacts. As more women from underrepresented groups enter the technology sector, they will serve as role models and mentors, inspiring future generations and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. This will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive tech industry, where women, including black and transgender women, are not only present but thriving in their careers.

Our theory of change is supported by evidence from third-party research, which highlights the significant impact of bias in recruitment processes on diversity in the workplace. Studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and better able to solve complex problems, leading to improved business performance and competitiveness. Additionally, findings from interviews with our target population underscore the importance of addressing bias in tech recruitment to create more inclusive opportunities for women from marginalized backgrounds.

Our impact goals for our solution are focused on creating a transformative change in the representation and opportunities for women, particularly black and transgender women, in the technology sector. We aim to achieve the following impact goals:

1. Increase in Women's Representation: Our primary goal is to increase the representation of women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, in the technology industry. We measure progress towards this goal by tracking the percentage of women in tech roles within organizations using Hire Her.

2. Access to Opportunities: We aim to improve access to opportunities for women by providing a platform that reduces bias in the recruitment process. We measure progress by monitoring the number of women who access job opportunities through Hire Her and the diversity of industries and roles available to them.

3. Quality of Opportunities: In addition to increasing access, we strive to ensure that women have access to high-quality opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. We measure progress by tracking the percentage of job placements made through Hire Her that result in long-term employment and career advancement for women.

4. User Engagement: We aim to foster active engagement with Hire Her among both job seekers and employers. We measure progress by monitoring metrics such as the number of active users, frequency of platform usage, and duration of engagement sessions.

5. Conversion Rate: We seek to measure the effectiveness of Hire Her in converting job opportunities into successful placements for women. We track the conversion rate of job postings to job placements made through our platform.

6. Technical Solution Quality: Ensuring a seamless user experience is crucial to our solution's success. Therefore, we monitor technical indicators such as system uptime, responsiveness, and absence of timeouts to gauge the quality of our platform's performance.

7. Feedback: We value both quantitative and qualitative feedback from our users to continuously improve Hire Her and better meet their needs. We collect quantitative feedback through surveys and user ratings, as well as qualitative feedback through interviews and focus groups.

At its core, Hire Her utilizes AI-powered algorithms to streamline the recruitment and selection process, thereby reducing unconscious bias and promoting diversity and inclusion.

The key technology components of our solution include:

1. AI-Powered Algorithms: Hi Her leverages advanced AI algorithms to analyze candidate profiles, skills, and qualifications objectively. By removing subjective biases such as gender or ethnicity, our algorithms ensure fair and equitable evaluation of candidates, leading to more diverse and inclusive hiring decisions.

2. Online Tools: We provide a user-friendly online platform accessible to both job seekers and employers, facilitating seamless communication and interaction throughout the recruitment process. Employers can post job opportunities, review candidate profiles, and manage the selection process efficiently, while job seekers can easily apply for positions and showcase their skills and experiences.

3. Mobile Technology: Recognizing the importance of accessibility, especially in reaching marginalized communities, we have incorporated mobile technology into our solution. Job seekers can access Hire Her through mobile devices, enabling them to search for opportunities and submit applications conveniently, even in areas with limited internet connectivity.

4. Impact Measurement: We prioritize impact measurement to assess the effectiveness of our solution in addressing bias and increasing diversity in the technology sector. Through data analytics and performance metrics, we track key indicators such as the percentage of women hired, the diversity of talent pools, and user satisfaction levels to evaluate our progress and identify areas for improvement.

Our application is based on JavaScript, using TypeScript with support from React on the FrontEnd and Node on the BackEnd. Additionally, we use tools like HTML, SASS, and some supporting libraries such as moment, mui, axios, among others. Our database is MongoDB, and we use Python, Redash, and PowerBI for data analysis. For code management, we use Git and Bitbucket, and our infrastructure is concentrated on AWS.

22 of full time staff in {reprograma}

4 years

It's important to note that {reprograma}'s methodology is reflected in the organization's team composition, which currently consists solely of transgender and cisgender women, located in various states across Brazil. The fixed team comprises 58.3% black women, while the teaching team consists of 54.2% black  women (as of 2023). We are the first coding school in the country with 100% female-identifying instructors, including 13.2% transgender, transvestite, or non-binary individuals, inspiring diverse students.

Our business model is centered around providing value to businesses by addressing their recruitment and selection challenges, with a focus on increasing diversity and improving the employment rates and retention of women in the technology industry. As a business-to-business (B2B) solution, our primary customers are companies seeking to enhance their talent acquisition processes and foster a more inclusive workforce.

We offer a comprehensive platform powered by AI technology, designed to streamline and optimize the recruitment and selection process. Our platform provides features such as candidate profiling, skills assessment, and bias reduction algorithms, aimed at identifying and attracting diverse talent pools while minimizing unconscious bias in the hiring process.

Through our platform, businesses can access a range of services tailored to their specific needs, including:

1. Talent Identification: Our platform enables businesses to identify and attract women candidates from diverse backgrounds. By leveraging AI algorithms, we provide insights into candidates' skills, qualifications, and potential, facilitating more informed hiring decisions.

2. Bias Reduction: We utilize advanced AI technology to minimize unconscious bias in the recruitment and selection process. Our algorithms analyze candidate profiles and performance metrics objectively, ensuring that individuals are evaluated based solely on their merits and qualifications, rather than subjective factors such as gender or ethnicity.

3. Customization and Support: We offer customization options and ongoing support services to ensure that our platform meets the unique needs of each business. Our team works closely with clients to tailor the platform to their specific requirements and provide assistance throughout the implementation process.

4. Businesses choose our platform because they recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and competitiveness in the technology industry. They understand that by diversifying their workforce, they can tap into a broader range of perspectives and experiences, leading to improved problem-solving, creativity, and overall performance.

Businesses recognize the value of our AI-powered platform in streamlining recruitment processes, saving time and resources while improving hire quality. By partnering with us, they access cutting-edge technology and expertise to overcome recruitment challenges and achieve diversity and inclusion goals. Our business model focuses on providing this comprehensive solution to address recruitment needs and promote diversity in the technology industry, aiming to drive positive change towards a more equitable workforce.

Our approach to achieving financial sustainability revolves around positioning our solution as a valuable asset in the recruitment and selection processes for businesses, initially focusing on a business-to-business (B2B) model. Although we haven't yet implemented a fee structure for platform usage, as we're currently in a testing phase for external users, it's important to note that our platform has already been successfully integrated into {reprograma}'s selection process and is consolidated for our use. Additionally, we have received positive feedback from other stakeholders, indicating the potential for revenue generation once we transition to full-scale implementation.

We anticipate generating revenue through service contracts with organizations seeking to enhance their recruitment processes with our platform. These contracts will include licensing fees for access to our AI-powered platform, as well as additional fees for customization and support services. We expect that these revenue streams will cover our expected expenses in the long term, including ongoing platform development, maintenance, and operational costs.

In addition to revenue from service contracts, we are also exploring opportunities for sustained donations and grants to support our work, particularly in the context of advancing our mission to empower women.

Furthermore, we are open to exploring strategic partnerships and investment opportunities to accelerate our growth and scale our impact. By leveraging the expertise and resources of strategic partners and investors, we can enhance our platform, expand our reach, and achieve greater financial stability in the long term.

Overall, our plan for financial sustainability is grounded in a combination of revenue from service contracts, sustained donations and grants, and strategic partnerships or investment capital. We are confident that this multi-faceted approach will enable us to achieve our mission while ensuring the long-term viability of our organization.