Silicon Valley's Sexism Problem: Could The Tide Be Turning?

Silicon Valley's Sexism Problem: Could The Tide Be Turning?

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Sexism in Silicon Valley has been an open secret for years. What’s changing: A growing number of women are coming forward with personal stories of sexual harassment and discrimination, prompting apologies, resignations and plenty of hand-wringing.

It’s too soon to tell whether the incidents will lead to meaningful, long-term change. But the revelations, many implicating industry bigshots, are at least leading to some humbled self-reflection in an industry long criticized as arrogant and self-centered.

In the latest example, prominent venture investor Dave McClure apologized over the weekend for making “inappropriate advances” toward several women. His apology - titled “I’m a Creep. I’m Sorry” - follows a New York Times report that described offensive behavior by McClure and other prominent venture investors, as related by female entrepreneurs. On Monday, he resigned from the venture capital fund he cofounded, 500 Startups.

Reports of sexism in the industry are not new, as the male-dominated tech and venture capital industry has often downplayed or turned a blind eye to issues of discrimination and worse. The problems can be particularly acute for women leading startups, as their companies are dependent on clubby venture capitalists for funding.

So what’s prompting more women to speak out? Credit Susan Fowler, a former Uber engineer who outlined a culture of harassment at the company. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick resigned in the aftermath, and the company has promised to institute broad changes.