On Friday 12 June 2026, AspireHer brought Her Code participants to EY Wavespace in London for the Technovation London Roadshow: Shaping the Future of AI.
For the girls who joined us, this was much more than a visit to a technology company. It was an opportunity to present their ideas, meet industry professionals, receive feedback on their innovations and see how the skills they are developing through Her Code connect with the wider world of technology.
For AspireHer, it was also an important milestone in our mission to make opportunities in technology more accessible to girls across the UK – wherever they live.
A national community, not just a London event
One of the most important aspects of the day was bringing together teams from different parts of the country.
Access to industry experiences is not always equal. Opportunities often take place in London, while young people in smaller towns and other regions may face significant barriers to attending. Travel costs, transport connections, age and safeguarding arrangements can all affect whether a girl can participate.
We wanted the experience to reach beyond the capital and create a meaningful opportunity for girls from different communities.
The event brought together Technovation participants, industry professionals, mentors, judges and people working across the technology ecosystem. It demonstrated the value of connecting young innovators with the organisations and professionals who can help them understand what is possible.
It also reinforced an important lesson for us at AspireHer: creating inclusive opportunities means thinking about access from the beginning, not simply inviting people once an event has been organised.
Shaping the future of AI: Our CEO, Rana Alqrenawi, joins the industry panel
A highlight of the roadshow was the Shaping the Future of AI panel, featuring Rana Alqrenawi, Founder and CEO of AspireHer and the UK Her Code programme lead, alongside Laura Henchoz from NVIDIA and Jayney Howson from ServiceNow. The conversation was moderated by Abi Gooch.
The panel explored the opportunities emerging from artificial intelligence, the creativity and mindsets young people need, and the importance of ensuring that young women have a voice in shaping the technologies that will influence their futures.
For Rana, the discussion connected her experience across technology, product leadership, mentoring and community development with her longstanding commitment to helping girls become creators of technology.
Her work with Technovation began in Palestine, where she volunteered before continuing that commitment in the UK. Through AspireHer, she has worked to establish a programme that connects girls with mentors, supports their development and helps them turn ideas about real-world problems into technology-based solutions.
Her message behind this work is simple: young people should not be viewed only as future users of technology. They can be its designers, developers, entrepreneurs and responsible leaders.
And they should have opportunities to contribute to the conversations shaping that future today.
From preparing a pitch to presenting with confidence
The girls’ presentations were among the most memorable parts of the day.
During the roadshow, participants had opportunities to practise pitching their ideas, engage with professionals and receive feedback through interactive sessions. The experience allowed them to explain the problems they were trying to solve, discuss their proposed solutions and respond to questions from people outside their immediate teams.
Reflecting on the event afterwards, Rana described how the girls engaged with the room, asked questions, discussed their ideas and responded confidently to feedback.
She was particularly struck by how comfortable they appeared when presenting and answering questions.
For us, this is what meaningful technology education looks like. It is not simply about completing an app or learning to code. It is about helping girls develop the confidence to explain their thinking, listen to different perspectives, learn from feedback and continue improving their work.
When industry professionals take young people’s ideas seriously, the experience can help them recognise the value of their own voices.
Bringing industry, education and community together
The roadshow demonstrated what can happen when different parts of the technology ecosystem come together around a shared goal.
EY provided the setting for the experience, while professionals and partners, including ServiceNow, contributed to the wider industry conversation. Mentors and judges brought different perspectives to the girls’ work, and the alumni fireside chat created another opportunity to connect programme experience with personal development and future possibilities.
Schools and colleges are also essential to this wider journey. They help girls discover opportunities, provide spaces for learning and connect young people with programmes that might otherwise remain outside their reach.
AspireHer’s approach is built around these connections. We work to bring together girls, educators, volunteers and industry professionals so that learning can extend beyond the classroom and into real experiences of innovation.
No single organisation can create an inclusive technology pipeline alone. Progress depends on collaboration, sustained commitment and a willingness to open doors for young people.
What the experience taught us about inclusion
The London roadshow was a success, but it also gave us important lessons about what needs to happen next.
Bringing girls together from different areas of the country requires careful planning, appropriate safeguarding, accessible transport and resources to make participation possible.
We believe these experiences should not be reserved for young people who live close to major cities or whose families can easily cover the cost of travel.
Our ambition is to keep expanding opportunities through local partnerships, schools, colleges, mentors and employers – helping more girls access experiences that encourage them to stay curious, build confidence and explore careers in technology.
The journey should not end when a team submits its project or attends an event. Girls need ongoing opportunities to learn, connect and see where their skills might take them next.
Her Code: turning curiosity into innovation
Her Code is AspireHer’s UK delivery programme for Technovation Girls, supporting girls aged 8–18 to explore technology, work in teams and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Our 2026 season brought together 100 girls, 30 teams, 60 mentors and participants from 54 schools.
Every participant arrives with her own interests, experiences and ideas. Through the programme, girls have the opportunity to develop technical skills alongside teamwork, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, leadership and communication.
The EY Wavespace roadshow was one example of how these skills can be connected with experiences beyond the programme itself.
We want girls to see that an idea developed with their team can become the starting point for something bigger: a deeper interest in AI, a new career ambition, a connection with a mentor or the confidence to pursue another opportunity.
Join us for the next season
The success of the London roadshow has strengthened our commitment to building a more connected and accessible Her Code community.
As we prepare for the next season, we are welcoming girls, families, schools, colleges, mentors and industry partners who want to be part of this journey.
For girls aged 8–18: discover how you can explore technology, develop an idea and work with a team to create a solution that matters.
For schools and colleges: help your students discover opportunities in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
For mentors and industry professionals: share your experience and help girls develop the skills and confidence to shape their futures.
For organisations: explore how your expertise, people and resources could help open doors for the next generation.
At AspireHer, we believe talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not always reach everyone equally. Her Code is part of our commitment to changing that.
The next generation of innovators is already here. Our responsibility is to make sure they have the opportunities, connections and support to thrive.
Be part of Her Code
Explore the programme, register your interest and discover opportunities to get involved through AspireHer’s platform.
Visit aspireher.co.uk and follow @aspireher for updates about the new season.
Her Code is delivered in the UK by AspireHer. Technovation provides programme curriculum and resources. Optional registration for the global competition takes place separately through Technovation, subject to eligibility.
