WoW Woman in Tech and Hardware | Anneza Pitsialis, Programme Manager at CRL Accelerator

Interview by Marija Butkovic

Anneza, tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far. How did you get into this industry?

By complete accident. I was doing freelance work in the arts industry (project management and performance) and my best friend, who joined a new startup company, asked me to help them with a short-term project - and I never left! I ended up establishing the companies international franchise and also worked across their startup programmes. That was about 7 years ago. I couldn't imagine working in any other industry now. The opportunity to be creative, to be constantly learning, feel challenged and seeing that my work has a significant impact is what I love most about working in and with startups. 

What does your current job role entail?

A mix of programme design, relationship management and event production. Lots of planning and coordination! I manage the delivery of our Accelerator and Boost programmes - designed to help startup growth. We have packages of support including business and product mentoring and prototyping facilities, to full day workshops, to 6-months intensive programme. It's important to understand the individual needs of each founder and business to curate relevant content for founders.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

Demo Day and our next Accelerator programme!!! 

Demo Day is on the 26th November so we are counting down the days and really excited to show off what our startups have achieved over the past 6 months, and will be going on to deliver! 

Alongside that we are scouting for our next Accelerator programme, that will kick off in January. Applications are live on F6S for. https://www.f6s.com/crlaccelerator2020/about 

We have just returned from a great trip to Shenzhen, where we introduced the cohort to a number of manufacturers and suppliers. They were able to witness many manufacturing processes that will helped them apply this knowledge to their product design. It was a full on week - but not without the obligatory night of Karaoke!

How has your career progressed since your degree? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?

I think the startup 'world' is great because it can be incredibly inclusive. There are lots of opportunities for people who don't necessarily fit the traditional education system or career path, but have the right ambition and attributes to establish a successful career. I work and learn best through hands-on experience and that thought I'd naturally find my way into something I enjoyed, and was good at - This fit startup life well and my career excelled since I joined a startup.  

It's an environment where small teams need to cover vast 'jobs' and you are forced to take on greater responsibilities and learn things as you go along... gaining a lot of experience much faster than in a corporate or public sector company.

I never knew what job I wanted to do and so didn't see the point of going to university. Eventually I gave in to the societal pressure and now have a BAHons in Dance! 

How long did it take you to be where you are now?

32 years. I've been working for 16 years. But in this industry for about 7. 

What was the biggest obstacle?

I think I missed out on opportunities in the workplace - such as promotions and pay rises - by being "nice" or perhaps lacking confidence. Having a balance of being a team player but being driven and focused on personal and professional interest, is something I am continuously trying to work out.

What are your biggest achievements to date?

This is a hard one. For example, It is much easier to recognise the big wins a startup has - investment/ launch/ first sale or partnership - but as we all know, these are the results of many small wins, and losses along the journey! I don't think I've reached my significant milestone, yet. A few smaller things I am proud of are: Becoming an accredited trainer for my past employer and running workshops and setting-up a dating event/ business with my two best friends - it was great fun!

What does the #WomenInTech movement mean to you? What are the challenges of being a woman in tech / STEM?

It is such an important movement - equality and diversity in all aspects are incredibly important and WomenInTech movement is absolutely necessary to normalise and encourage females, not only working within the Tech industry, but being leaders within it. To me an interesting challenge is not just around technical capabilities but the education or messaging that supports professional development and business acumen for young girls. 

What is the most important piece of advice you can give to all female founders, entrepreneurs and designers in this industry out there?

There are so many great initiatives and groups aimed to bring together and offer support to female entrepreneurs - so not to feel isolated. And, to encourage others women you see on the journey (and men too). 

In your opinion, what will be the key trends in the wearable tech and hardware industry in the next 5 years and where do you see it heading?

Sustainability and ethics are definitely up there - as a society I think we are becoming much more conscious of our impact to the environment and fair trade. This  is a focus of many entrepreneurs and designers I'm seeing and I think it will increase. We are working with a great startup who using brain stimulation for relaxation... I think this will become an interesting space for wearable tech.

Who are your 3 inspirational women in hardware and / or STEM?

I saw the film Joy and loved the story or Joy Mangano, who transformed her life by designing an innovative mop. 

Anne McCrossan who I worked while at the Open Data Institute is a wonderful person, mentor and entrepreneur that I aspire to.

And then I have worked with many female founders and women in tech who are incredible… there are too many who have made an impact!

Website: https://www.centralresearchlaboratory.com/

https://www.centralresearchlaboratory.com/team/

Social media:

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

LinkedIn: Anneza Pitsialis

This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship and diversity. Visit marijabutkovic.co.uk or follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic.