Laboratoria

Laboratoria enables women from underserved backgrounds to start and grow transformative careers in tech. Latin America’s growing digital economy is a source of incredible job opportunities, and Laboratoria exists to ensure no talented woman is left behind. Laboratoria has trained more than 4,000 women, and 77% of graduates start working at jobs in tech within nine months of graduating, leading to a 250% increase in income.

The Problem
Laboratoria works to eliminate the disadvantages women face in accessing quality jobs in the growing digital economy. Due to profound gender stereotypes and socio-economic barriers, women are underrepresented in this workforce. Only six of every 10 working-age women in Latin America are part of the labor market, and 80% are employed in low-productivity sectors. This is not only a huge lost opportunity for the economy as a whole, but also continues to perpetuate gender disparities. In tech, the gender gap is even greater. In a global economy facing increasing disparities between high-paying digital economy jobs and low-skilled positions at risk of automation, it is critical to equip more women to escape the trap of low-skilled employment.

The digital economy is growing in Latin America, but to advance at scale and transform our economies to be more knowledge-based and resilient, we are in desperate need of talent — particularly female talent. There is enormous opportunity in tech, with technical vacancies being the most difficult positions to fill. These are high-paying jobs that often look for skills over formal university diplomas, potentially providing a transformative path for millions of people in the region. Today, companies know the importance of recruiting diverse talent to ensure the products they design respond to the needs of society as a whole.

The Solution
Laboratoria’s mission is to empower women who dream of a better future to start and grow transformative careers in tech. To achieve this, they provide a six-month immersive boot camp in technical skills (web development, UX design, or data analytics) and life skills for women. Then, they connect their graduates to quality tech jobs. By fostering a strong community of alumni who support each other’s growth as future leaders of the tech sector, Laboratoria is changing the face of tech in Latin America. Students only pay for the training after securing employment, significantly increasing their incomes.

Since their launch in Peru in 2014, Laboratoria has expanded to open centers in Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. As of June 2023, Laboratoria has expanded to Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The goal is for their graduates to start a career in technology — significantly increasing their income and building a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. In 2023, Laboratoria launched a new membership platform designed to support women, including their alumni, as they advance their careers and prepare for leadership roles.