Although little known, there is a significant impact of Latino women in the technology sector in the United States, whether as engineers, data scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, or marketers.

The nonprofit “Latinas in Tech” estimates that more than 27,000 Latina women are currently working in the tech sector in the U.S. However, the organization’s CEO, Rocio van Nierop, highlights the underutilization of these women, many of whom occupy lower positions in technology companies, according to an article by Latin Times.

Despite the challenges, Latina-led businesses are generating significant revenue, estimated at about $78.7 billion, according to the National Council of Women’s Business. However, the article highlights that in the third quarter of 2022, companies founded by Latina and Black women received only 5% of venture capital funding intended for companies founded by women, according to a report by the "Diane Project".

Latin Times features three inspiring stories from Latinas who have founded their own companies in the U.S. tech sector, namely:

Alexandra Zatarain: Co-founder and vice president of brand and marketing at Eight Sleep, a sleep technology company in New York City. Zatarain played a crucial role in building the brand and the company’s success, being recognized for her accomplishments by Forbes and INC. “The wellness startup's flagship product is the 'Pod mattress cover,' which warms and cools between 55° and 110° F. By using an "intelligent sleep system" that analyzes the body of the person sleeping and the environment, it makes adjustments through the night to keep its users asleep and increase the duration of their deep and REM sleep stages.”

Karla Gallardo: Co-founder of the technology company Cuyana, which specializes in sales of high-quality leather bags and accessories. In addition to her endeavors, Gallardo is also an activist dedicated to Latino heritage, as evidenced by her campaign to rename the “Panama Hat” as “Ecuador Hat”.

Cecilia Corral: Co-founder and VP of Product at CareMessage, a San Francisco-based healthcare startup. Corral, named by Forbes and Univision, is recognized for her work on health equity and promoting the inclusion of Latinas in tech. “Named by Forbes to the 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare 2019 and selected by Univision among ‘The 20 Latina Business Women Who Have Raised the Most Money in the United States’, Cecilia Corral has become a recognized entrepreneur advocating for healthcare equity in the U.S.”.

These stories highlight not only the individual successes of these Latina women, but also the positive impact they have on their communities and industries. The article underlines the importance of addressing gender inequalities to enable more Latina women to reach their full potential in the tech sector.