Embracing Motherhood in the Entrepreneurial World: A Necessary Shift Towards Inclusivity
Image Credit: Catalin Abagiu for The Wall Street Journal
In a startling revelation that has shaken the tech and entrepreneurial community, founder Elena Brandt shared a disturbing experience at Y Combinator’s Female Founders conference. Her LinkedIn post (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7225268732447649794/) has ignited a crucial conversation about the realities faced by mother entrepreneurs.
Brandt, a mother of four, traveled across the country with her 6-month-old baby Darwin to attend the conference. During a talk celebrating mom entrepreneurs, Y Combinator partner Surbhi Sarna approached Brandt, suggesting she “stroll your baby outside” for others to “get the full experience of the conference.” This request came as another female founder discussed her experiences with pregnancy and pumping milk while fundraising.
The incident sparked widespread outrage. One commenter aptly described it as “performative activism at its finest,” highlighting the disconnect between public support for women and the actual treatment they receive. Another poignant remark suggested the conference “could have had a bigger impact if women felt they could turn up authentically as they are – babies, menopause symptoms, imposter syndrome, inexperience…whatever they are carrying.”
Lauren Ingram, Founder of Next Big Thing and Women of Web3, further amplified the issue in her LinkedIn post (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ingramlauren_byob-bringyourownbaby-womenintech-activity-7226712874910445568-4hy6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop), galvanizing the community’s disappointment and call for change.
Brandt’s composure in the face of this challenge is commendable. Her decision to share her story, rather than remain silent, speaks volumes about her commitment to driving change. The echoes of similar experiences from other founders, like Rachel Buchanan, underscore the systemic nature of this problem.
Y Combinator’s silence on the matter has not gone unnoticed. Brandt suggests their lack of response indicates they are “scared” to address the issue, highlighting the need for accountability in such situations.
At SheSight, we view this incident as a critical opportunity for introspection and meaningful change. The outpouring of support for Brandt demonstrates the growing demand for truly inclusive environments that support women balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood.
We believe that by embracing the diverse realities of women in entrepreneurship, we can unlock immense potential. When mothers feel empowered to bring their whole selves to professional spaces, their collective wisdom, resilience, and creativity will undoubtedly transform the entrepreneurial landscape.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for organizations like Y Combinator to foster genuinely inclusive environments. The time for change is now. With continued advocacy, empathy, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, we can create a future where motherhood and entrepreneurship are not just compatible, but mutually reinforcing paths to success.
Bidisha Ghosh, Staff Reporter
