Technology is transforming every corner of sports, from ticketing to fan experiences, yet women remain underrepresented in shaping this change. On August 28, HotTopics TechGirl Festival 2025 will give young women (aged 16–21) the chance to step into this powerful intersection of tech, sports, and cybersecurity to innovate, lead, and leave their mark on the future of the industry.
Step into a high-energy arena where innovation dominates, creativity thrives, and the spotlight will be yours. This is a launchpad for bold ideas, mentorship, and hands-on experience. The future of sports and technology is being written today, and it needs the voices, vision, and ingenuity of women to shape it.
Participants will tackle real-world challenges, guided by industry leaders and cybersecurity experts, turning ideas into solutions that could redefine the fan experience and set a new standard for innovation in sports technology.
This Year’s Challenge: Reimagining the Fan Experience
Imagine thousands of fans entering a stadium, scanning tickets, ordering food, and interacting with digital displays, all while their personal data remains secure. This is the operational challenge Cambridge United FC faces every matchday.
At TechGirl Festival 2025, participants will tackle the mission:
“How can technology improve CUFC’s ticketing, fan experience, and food & beverage systems?” Winning ideas will be developed in partnership with CUFC across 2025 and 2026, turning creativity into tangible innovation.
This is your chance to solve a live operational challenge for a professional football club.
Who’s Invited & Why ‘You’ Should Be There
The Festival is designed exclusively for young women aged 16–21 who are curious, ambitious, and ready to explore the world of technology.
Whether you’re a student with a growing interest in STEM, a recent graduate seeking direction, or an aspiring innovator eager to make your mark, this is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.
Event Partners
This initiative brings together expertise from two very different but equally dynamic worlds: technology and sport.
Ping Identity brings decades of expertise in secure access management, ensuring that every fan interaction, from buying a ticket online to ordering food at halftime, is seamless and safe. With solutions that protect millions of identities worldwide, Ping stands at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation.
A leader in securing digital identities for the world’s largest enterprises, it has recently been named a leader in three 2025 KuppingerCole Reports and has surpassed 30% annual growth in SaaS revenue, approaching $800M in annual recurring revenue. Ping has also been named 2025 Best Place to Work for the seventh consecutive year by Built In.
These milestones underscore Ping Identity’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of cybersecurity. Their recent initiatives, such as the redesigned Nexus Partner Program, demonstrate a strong focus on collaboration and growth in the tech industry.
Cambridge United Football Club (CUFC) is a professional English football club with a rich history and a passionate fan base. Known for its community spirit and forward-thinking approach, it is embracing technology not only to engage supporters but also to safeguard them in an era where cyber threats can target any industry, even sports.
The Power Behind this Partnership
While CUFC brings the real-world operational challenge, Ping Identity provides the cybersecurity backbone, ensuring that any proposed solutions prioritize secure, seamless, and trusted digital experiences for fans.
It’s a partnership that blends sports passion with cybertech precision, showing how advanced security and identity solutions can transform everyday fan interactions into safe, streamlined, and unforgettable moments.
Festival Agenda of TechGirl Festival 2025
The Festival offers a curated program designed to inform, inspire, and connect. Attendees can expect a balanced mix of keynote presentations from industry leaders, expert-led panel discussions, interactive cybersecurity workshops, and live demonstrations of emerging technologies.
Networking sessions are strategically scheduled to encourage meaningful collaboration, while hands-on challenges provide opportunities to apply concepts in real time. The agenda is built to deliver both strategic insights and practical skills, ensuring participants leave with actionable takeaways and valuable industry connections.
The Powerhouses of Experience
Guiding participants through the challenge will be an elite lineup of mentors: senior technology leaders, sports business experts, and innovators who have delivered real-world impact.
From building seamless digital experiences to scaling operational efficiency, these mentors bring decades of expertise to help participants think big and execute smart.
The Mentors Who Will Power the Future of TechGirl Festival 2025
One of TechGirl’s biggest strengths lies in its community of mentors, trailblazing leaders who have not only carved their paths in technology but are now committed to helping the next generation do the same.
This year’s program will feature an impressive lineup of senior tech executives who will bring their wealth of experience, leadership insights, and industry connections to guide aspiring innovators.
2025 TechGirl Mentors include:
- Avril Chester – Chief Technology Officer, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Lauren Dally – Director of Application Delivery, Ardonagh Group
- Indhira Mani – Chief Data Officer, RSA UK
- Mariana Reis – Enterprise Head of Data Governance, WPP
- Nareni Hourican – Digital Transformation Director & Global Head of Digital & Innovation, Brown-Forman
- Lydia Nicola– Head of IT Operations, Amnesty International
- Lauren Wilson – Field CTO & Strategic Advisor, Splunk
- Sara Mubasshir – Head of Digital Change, London Business School
From shaping digital transformation strategies to advancing data governance and operational excellence, these leaders will play a pivotal role in inspiring participants to dream big, build confidently, and lead fearlessly in the tech industry.
Mentorship in Action: From Idea to Impact, Learn From the Best
Participants will work in small teams, receiving hands-on guidance from industry leaders. Expect strategic insights, tech deep-dives, and practical feedback that push ideas from excellent to game-changing.
The Big Opportunity To Land Your Idea in the Real World
With guidance from mentors, teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of experts and CUFC decision-makers.
The winning idea will be developed in partnership with Cambridge United FC across 2025 and 2026, converting the idea born at the TechGirl Festival into a live solution that transforms the fan experience.
A direct line to brilliance: Participants will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced tech leaders. Mentors, ranging from AI pioneers to cybersecurity veterans, will offer real-time feedback, industry insights, and connections that can change a career.
Hands-on, high-impact learning: Teams will tackle pressing, real-world challenges, guided by experts who’ve solved them before, turning ideas into viable, testable solutions.
Impact that lasts: The winning project will be developed further with CUFC’s support, ensuring the work continues to create value long after the festival ends.
The TechGirl Festival 2025 isn’t just another event; it’s a launchpad. By incorporating the creativity of rising talent with the expertise of seasoned mentors, it will ignite careers, accelerate innovation, and set a new standard for what inclusion in tech truly means.
This is your ticket to step into the arena where ideas meet impact.
Sharpen your skills and get ready to create solutions that could redefine the sports-tech experience.
About the TechGirl Community
TechGirl is an initiative designed to help you discover opportunities in the technology industry, build skills, and connect with experienced senior leaders who can support you on your journey.
Through mentorship, hands-on experiences, and exclusive virtual masterclasses tailored to your preferences, you’ll gain practical knowledge, industry insights, and the confidence to take your next step into the world of technology. Whether you’re starting from school, college, university, or ground zero, TechGirl is there to guide and support you every step of the way.
FAQs
1. Where and when is the event taking place?
The TechGirl Festival will be held on August 28 at Cambridge United FC, bringing together young women from across the UK for a full day of innovation, learning, and connection.
2. Who should attend this festival?
Whether you’re a tech founder, startup team member, product manager, AI researcher, creative professional, or curious about the future of technology, there’s something here for you. This festival is built for learners, doers, and dreamers.
3. What will I gain from attending?
You’ll leave with actionable strategies, new industry connections, and fresh ideas for integrating AI into your work. And if your idea wins, CUFC will bring it to life. It’s your chance to contribute to real-world innovation.
4. Do I need a technical background to participate?
Not at all! You don’t need coding skills or deep AI expertise, just creativity and an open mind. Mentors will be on hand to guide you through the process, ensuring your ideas can take shape.
5. How can I register for the event?
Registration is available online via the official event page. Early bird tickets offer the best rates, and space is limited, so securing your spot early is highly recommended.
For deeper insights on agentic AI governance, identity controls, and real‑world breach data, visit Cyber Tech Insights.
To participate in upcoming interviews, please reach out to our CyberTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com.
