forbes.com
Toast: Empowering Women in Tech Through Community and Innovation
Toast, a career platform founded by April Hicke and Marissa McNeelands, is empowering women in tech by connecting them with opportunities, building a supportive community, and launching the Toast Talent Connector in September 2025, exceeding revenue goals in two years without venture capital.
- What is the primary impact of Toast's approach to empowering women in the tech industry?
- Toast, a career platform founded by April Hicke and Marissa McNeelands, is addressing the underrepresentation of women in tech by connecting them with opportunities and building a supportive community. In two years, it has exceeded revenue goals without outside investment, prioritizing its mission over external funding.
- How does Toast's rejection of venture capital contribute to its overall success and mission?
- Toast's success demonstrates that prioritizing mission and values can lead to financial success. By rejecting venture capital, Toast maintains control over its vision, attracting a loyal community and creating a sustainable business model. This counters the narrative that external funding is essential for rapid growth.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of the Toast Talent Connector on the tech industry's diversity and innovation?
- The Toast Talent Connector, launching in September 2025, will further disrupt traditional hiring practices by focusing on skills and potential, promoting diversity and inclusion within tech companies. This will likely lead to more innovative and inclusive products, reflecting the diverse market.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is overwhelmingly positive towards Toast. The headline (assumed, as none is provided) and the overall structure emphasize Toast's achievements and the founders' vision. This positive framing, while not inherently biased, might overshadow potential criticisms or limitations of their model. The focus on the founders' success and the company's revenue growth without external funding is used to showcase their values, potentially diverting attention from the wider problem of gender inequality in tech.
Language Bias
The language used is generally positive and empowering, but some words and phrases like "smash through their revenue goals," "bold, no-nonsense choice," and "rewriting the narrative" carry a slightly celebratory tone, potentially leaning away from neutrality. More neutral alternatives might include: "exceeded revenue projections," "deliberate decision," and "making significant strides.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Toast and its founders' success, potentially omitting challenges faced by other women in tech or alternative approaches to increasing representation. While acknowledging the underrepresentation of women in tech, it doesn't delve into the systemic issues beyond the scope of Toast's initiatives. This might leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the broader problem and solutions.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the problem and solution. It frames the issue as a lack of opportunity for women in tech, which Toast solves. It doesn't fully explore the complexity of systemic bias, cultural norms, or other potential barriers. The solution is presented as solely Toast's approach, overlooking other organizations and strategies.
Gender Bias
The article centers on women in tech, which is positive, but primarily through the lens of Toast and its founders. While it highlights the underrepresentation of women, the analysis is somewhat limited in scope. The language used is generally positive and empowering, avoiding harmful stereotypes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article showcases Toast, a platform actively working to increase women's representation in the tech industry. By providing mentorship, targeted recruitment, and a supportive community, Toast directly addresses the gender imbalance in tech, contributing significantly to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and its targets on women's economic empowerment and equal opportunities.