Sexual harassment in tech: a female founder's perspective

Executive overview

Sexual harassment is not a marginal issue for women in business — it is routine. The #MeToo moment revealed what women already knew: virtually every woman has a story.

The key insight is that harassment in professional settings is compounded by power dynamics. When a potential acquirer crosses into flirtatious territory, the woman is forced to choose between self-protection and business opportunity.

Unwanted sexual behaviour is not a rare exception — it is the baseline experience women navigate, especially where power is unequal.

How pervasive harassment really is

• Women who have raised money uniformly report sketchy situations — it is treated as normal.
• Visible public reports represent roughly 10% of what actually occurs.
• #MeToo surfaced stories of harassment, assault, and childhood abuse at massive scale.
• Women assume other women know this; men are routinely surprised.

Power dynamics make professional harassment uniquely coercive

• A potential acquirer sent a single-line email: "You're very photogenic" — in response to a business meeting request.
• The implicit question it creates: does she have to play along to keep the deal moving?
• Rejecting unwanted attention often triggers anger, adding another cost to saying no.
• Choosing not to respond ended contact entirely — confirming the intent behind the message.

The constant low-level vigilance women maintain

• Conferences require ongoing boundary-setting; body language alone carries the burden.
• Clubs are near-certain environments for unwanted physical contact.
• Women stay "on guard constantly" — a persistent tax on social and professional life.