OUR MISSION

Keeping Technical Women at the Forefront of AI

The next generation of AI is being built right now. Women hold just 20% of the engineering seats shaping it. We’re building the leverage that changes that.

Our Approach

Senior technical women often navigate high-stakes career decisions without full market context, leaving equity, level, and compensation on the table. 18C was built to change that.

Get matched to the right roles faster via our AI powered platform, and support when you need it via our team. Our network of experienced technical women is here to connect and push you towards your dreams.

Building Momentum.

Positioning is measurable. When leverage is sequenced correctly, compensation, level, and ownership shift. Here’s what that adds up to:

$20k-$50k+

Average compensation increases

3000+

Women supported

200+

Venture-backed companies in our network.

13+

Years connecting talent to opportunity

Meet Danielle

After 13 years building engineering teams at Square, Lyft, Waymo, and high-growth startups, Danielle kept seeing the same pattern. Talented senior women getting down-leveled, underpaid, and leaving ownership on the table.

Not a pipeline problem. A positioning problem, compounded by unconscious bias in leveling decisions, compensation bands scoped before candidates entered the room, and opportunities moving through networks women were not part of.

She had sat in compensation calibrations and offer approvals where those decisions were made. She knew exactly how the other side of the table worked.

AI is reshaping how the world operates. The people building it will shape who it works for.

18C exists to make sure women are in that room and positioned to lead.

The Story Behind the Name

What does “18C” stand for?

The name is a powerful reminder of the ongoing gender pay gap and the work to be done. As of 2023, women still earn 18 cents less per dollar than men on average in the US. The name symbolizes our commitment to closing this gap and creating an industry where talent is recognized and rewarded, regardless of gender.

At 18C, we see this additional metric not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity – to build tech teams that are rich in diversity and creativity. We stand firmly in our belief that the world will benefit from more female leaders.

Our work goes beyond just placing candidates in roles; we forge pathways for women to step into leadership positions at early stage start ups, receive fair compensation, and ultimately, reshape the technology landscape and the globe.