QueerTech Announces New Funding from WAGE to Advance Innovation Through Inclusion in the Tech Industry

Montréal, QC – January 2025 | QueerTech is honoured to announce that it has been awarded funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) to support its groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing systemic barriers faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ communities within the Canadian technology ecosystem. This announcement was made today at WAGE’s funding announcement event held at the Cabaret du Lion d’Or in Montréal. “We are thrilled to receive this funding from WAGE which will allow us to significantly advance our mission of Queering the Tech Ecosystem,” said Naoufel Testaouni, CEO of QueerTech. “This project is truly transformational as it enables us to harness innovation through inclusion, empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals and reshaping the tech industry to reflect the diverse communities it serves.” Through this 28-month project, QueerTech will focus on fostering inclusive workplaces, building awareness of 2SLGBTQIA+ realities in tech, and promoting inclusivity in AI products and services. The initiative includes developing a comprehensive toolkit and workshops for key industry professionals, including: 600 HR professionals trained to assess representation gaps and implement inclusive practices. 400 AI product managers and developers educated on algorithmic biases and responsible development to ensure AI tools and data models are inclusive and representative of 2SLGBTQIA+ realities. The project will impact the careers of over 2,500 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals while helping millions of Canadian AI users avoid exposure to harmful stereotypes or misinformation. “This funding enables us to take a proactive approach in creating a more inclusive tech industry,” said Eustacio Andy Saldaña, COO of QueerTech. “By addressing gaps in representation directly through HR professionals and fostering awareness about algorithmic biases in exponential technologies, we aim to build a future where every member of the queer-in-tech community feels seen, valued, and supported in the workplace and beyond.” Tech companies interested in participating in this program can reach out to Naoufel Testaouni at naoufel@queertech.org to learn more about how they can get involved in building a more inclusive tech industry. Stay tuned for updates on the rollout of this initiative in the coming months and discover how you can join QueerTech in advancing innovation through inclusion. -30- About QueerTech: QueerTech is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to queering the Canadian tech ecosystem. Since 2016, QueerTech has been fostering entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to access employment, professional development, and meaningful connections in the technology industry. The organization is also a national leader in workplace inclusion advocacy and progressive 2SLGBTQIA+ equity, diversity, and inclusion policy facilitation.