Celebrating Europe’s Most Impressive Women Students in Computer Science & Engineering
Milan
October 3-6, 2024
Applications close on June 2
WHAT IS FIRST ASCENT: WOMEN IN TECH?
First Ascent, Women in Tech is an exclusive, four-day, all-expenses-paid retreat for twenty impressive women Computer Science & Engineering students who are studying in Europe.
- Get to know plenty of other super-talented women
- Test your technical skills with a series of complex team challenges
- Tap into the wisdom of experienced pros from top tech company Bending Spoons
- Enjoy all the fun that Milan has to offer!
WHO ORGANIZES FIRST ASCENT: WOMEN IN TECH?
Bending Spoons, a leading European tech company, organizes and hosts First Ascent, Women in Tech.
Bending Spoons has brought incredible products like Remini, Splice and Evernote to over half a billion people since its launching in 2013. Thanks to its exceptional company culture and an international team of top-tier talent, Bending Spoons has been consistently ranked as one of the best workplaces in Europe.
The event is hosted in Milan, Italy’s epicenter of innovation, and is completely free. All expenses, including travel, accommodation, and activities, are covered by Bending Spoons.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN FIRST ASCENT?
Network with the best
Collaborate with other incredibly talented women. Forge lifelong friendships and share your passions with like-minded peers.
Exercise your curiosity
Learn what to expect from a career in tech. Experienced, senior software engineers from Bending Spoons are on hand every step of the way to answer questions and provide insight.
Stimulate your mind
Search for creative solutions in a collaborative environment. Unleash your problem-solving skills through team challenges that fire up your imagination and help you grow professionally.
Experience a stunning city
Discover Milan, Italy’s tech capital. With its medieval structures and jaw-dropping skyscrapers, past and future stand side by side in a city that’s home to a thriving startup scene.
(The food, culture, and nightlife are rather remarkable, too!)
All expenses paid
Travel, accommodation, food, drinks, activities—it’s all paid for by Bending Spoons, sponsor and organizer of First Ascent, Women in Tech.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Twenty applicants make the cut. We value an excellent academic track record, and you also score big by pursuing cool, tech-related or entrepreneurial side projects.
Here’s a full list of what it takes to become an Ascender:
- You identify as a woman.
- You’re currently studying Computer Science, Information Technology, or Software Engineering, or you graduated in one of those fields within the last year.
- You’re either European or you attend a European university and are eligible to travel to Italy.
- You love creative problem solving and you’re eager to meet other talented people to share your passion with.
Applications close on June 2
WHAT’S THE SELECTION PROCESS?
The whole process takes place online. We’ll announce the successful applicants by August 2024.
A thorough selection process ensures that all First Ascent participants are extraordinarily bright, passionate, and driven. We’ve designed each step to make sure your talent has the opportunity to shine.
- Screening based on CV, motivation letter, and academic transcripts
- Online logic-based and behavioral challenges
- Online interview
- First Ascent
