Stamford Bridge

TechGirl Festival

Your ideas, your impact, your future.

Chelsea FC Stadium - 25th August

Register now

TechGirl Festival 2026

The HotTopics TechGirl Festival 2026 is a high-energy event designed to inspire, challenge, and connect the next generation of female leaders in technology.

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The ultimate tech challenge for future female leaders

The HotTopics TechGirl Festival 2026 is a high-energy, hands-on event designed to inspire, challenge, and connect young women aged between 16 - 21 in education who are passionate about technology.

This is your chance to work alongside industry mentors, solve real-world digital challenges, and showcase your ideas in a high-profile competition.

If you’re ready to put your creativity and problem-solving skills to the test, this festival is for you.

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TechGirl challenges

What is TechGirl Festival?

Designed to immerse you in innovation and leadership, the festival gives participants the opportunity to:

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Take on a real-world digital transformation challenge in teams

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Work with industry experts and mentors to refine your ideas

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Pitch solutions to senior technology leaders and Cambridge United FC

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Compete to have your idea implemented at the club

Apply to join TechGirl Festival

The TechGirl Festival 2026 is open to young women aged between 16 - 21 in education who are ready to challenge themselves, learn from industry leaders, and take their first steps toward a career in technology.

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TechGirl Festival agenda

09:30 → 10:30
Welcome to the TechGirl Festival
Chelsea Football Club
  • Arrivals
  • HotTopics and CUFC Welcome
  • Event agenda rundown and digital challenge rules
10:30 - 13:00
Creative Sprint: Innovate and build
Chelsea Football Club
  • Introduction and challenge briefing
  • Team formation and strategy sessions
  • Hands-on mentorship and idea development
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Chelsea Football Club
14:00 → 14:45
Tour
Chelsea Football Club
14:45 - 15:30
Presentations and winner(s) selection
Chelsea Football Club
  • Team presentations to the judging panel (5 mins each)
  • Thought leadership panels and networking
  • Work experience sign-ups with HotTopics mentors
15:30 → 16:30
Winners selection
Chelsea Football Club
16:30 - 17:00
Closing remarks and future vision
Chelsea Football Club
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Meet the TechGirl Mentors

TechGirl connects you with inspirational leaders across the tech industry. They’ve built careers at some of the world’s biggest companies, and they’re here to share their advice, experiences, and insights to help you succeed.

Amy Jones

Amy Jones

Chief Transformation Officer, Emerald Publishing

Anna Barsby

Anna Barsby

Founder and Managing Partner, Tessiant

Anna Verdian

Anna Verdian

CDO/Adviser, Axelrod

Aylin Orial

Aylin Orial

CEO & Chief Innovation Officer (Krytheon) & CEO/CTO (Think Techmode), Krytheon and Think Techmode

Charlotte Baldwin

Charlotte Baldwin

CIO, Burberry

Christina Scott

Christina Scott

Chief Product & Technology Officer, RWS

Christo Gouws

Christo Gouws

Technology & Data Director, Marine Stewardship Council

Darryl Beckford

Darryl Beckford

Chief Architect, Marks and Spencer

Dia Nag

Dia Nag

Director UK&I Public Sector - Strategy and Digital Transformation, Capgemini Invent

Dianna Pieper

Dianna Pieper

CEO and Founder, Executive Technology Advisor, Innovus Techne

Eugi Bartolo

Eugi Bartolo

CTO, Performance.io

Georgina Owens

Georgina Owens

CTO, Luxion Group

Giles Lindsay

Giles Lindsay

CIO Advisory, Government of Jersey

James Maunder

James Maunder

Director of Information Technology, King Edward VII's Hospital

Jason Parkhouse

Jason Parkhouse

VP Technology Operations & VP ITSM and Operations, Experian

Jevern Partridge

Jevern Partridge

CIO - UK and Ireland, Rexel UK Limited

Joanna Pamphilis

Joanna Pamphilis

Founder and CEO, JP Global Consulting

Krenar Muhidini

Krenar Muhidini

Director of Software Development, EML Payments

Lara Burns

Lara Burns

Consultant and Advisory Board Member, Self employed

Laura Prietula

Laura Prietula

Senior Advisor to the CIO and PDAS, US Department of Veterans Affairs

Lauren Dally

Lauren Dally

Technology Director, everywhen

Lauren Wilson

Lauren Wilson

Field CTO & Strategic Advisor, Splunk

Mathew Mallett

Mathew Mallett

Board Advisor / CIO, Root Cause Clinical

Mauli Tikkiwal

Mauli Tikkiwal

Group CIO, CWS Hygiene International

Mollie Brentnall

Mollie Brentnall

Director of IT, Crawford and Company

Nadia Bainbridge

Nadia Bainbridge

Group Head of Digital Innovation and Product, Oasis Group

Nareni Hourican

Nareni Hourican

Board Advisor & Fractional Executive (CMO/CDO/CGO), Tech Beauty & Fashion Startups

Nina Tatsiy

Nina Tatsiy

CIO, Quadient

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

CIO, Amnesty International

Peter Laflin

Peter Laflin

Director of Data & Analytics, Morrisons Supermarkets

Raghava Krishna

Raghava Krishna

Technology Director - Digital & AI, The AA

Rubi Kaur

Rubi Kaur

Chief Enterprise Architect Financial Services, Lloyds Banking Group

Steven Anthony Silverman

Steven Anthony Silverman

Co-Director of DDaT, Save the Children Fund

Who is behind TechGirl?

TechGirl is powered by HotTopics, the global C-suite community connecting 20,000+ senior executives from the world’s biggest companies.

That means when you join TechGirl, you’re connecting with leaders who shape the industry today—and can help you shape it tomorrow.

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Register for TechGirl Festival 2026