Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in Lakeland, FL in 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Women in Tech in Lakeland
• RGA Network
• TechX Florida
• SEU Tech Program
• WICT Network Florida Chapter
• Women-in-Tech Global
• Girls Who Code in Polk County
• CORE Networking Lakeland
• Catapult Lakeland
• Tampa Bay Women Who Win
• Employer-Led Initiatives
• Frequently Asked Questions

RGA Network

Sales is the engine of any tech venture, and for women in client-facing or B2B roles, the RGA (Revenue Generating Activities) Network provides a direct pipeline. Based in nearby Clearwater, this sales-focused group draws professionals from across the region, offering a practical, results-oriented environment that transcends industry lines.

As highlighted in a Yelp review, new members find the group "very welcoming" with a "wide swath of industries" represented, making it an ideal forum for tech consultants, SaaS founders, or IT sales directors to connect with potential clients. The group’s core mechanism is passing qualified referrals, demanding a clear elevator pitch and turning networking into a tangible business development activity.

This focus on commercial growth is a critical accelerant for women-led tech startups in the I-4 corridor. It bridges the gap between technical skill and market success, a vital step in a region where a no-state-income-tax salary at a company like Publix can provide the financial runway to scale. The network’s value is echoed in regional success stories, such as Melissa Glossup, CEO of Safety Biometrics, being named a 2026 "Women Who Win" finalist for her wearable tech innovation.

TechX Florida

Visibility at the student level is foundational, and TechX Florida at Florida Polytechnic University serves as a critical stage. This annual student-led tech conference is more than an event; it's a talent pipeline for the I-4 corridor, deliberately showcasing female students in engineering and computer science leadership roles.

This platform is vital in a context where approximately 80% of Florida Poly's student body is male. By placing women at the forefront of a major tech gathering, TechX fosters early confidence and direct connections with employers from Tampa to Orlando, from Raymond James to burgeoning simulation firms. For professionals, volunteering as a judge or mentor offers a chance to shape and scout this emerging local talent.

The university is taking parallel steps to broaden its appeal, including launching an NAIA athletics program in 2026 with women's soccer and basketball. This initiative aims to attract a more diverse student-athlete base interested in STEM, complementing the exposure TechX provides. For a woman building her career in Lakeland, engaging with TechX means investing in the region's future talent density while securing a direct line to the 90,000+ tech jobs along the corridor.

SEU Tech Program

For women in Lakeland seeking to pivot or advance without relocating, Southeastern University's SEU Tech program offers a vital local pathway. The program provides certificates and degrees in high-demand fields like Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Software Development, with many courses available in online or hybrid formats for working professionals.

The most innovative offering is slated for late 2026: a 90-credit Competency-Based Education (CBE) Computer Science degree. This model allows students to advance based on demonstrated skill mastery rather than seat time, offering unparalleled flexibility. For women balancing career development with family responsibilities, this approach can significantly accelerate their transition into tech roles at major local employers like Lakeland Regional Health or Publix.

This expansion is part of a broader initiative by SEU to meet regional workforce demands. By providing accredited, career-focused education within Polk County, it reduces a major barrier to entry. Combined with the financial advantage of Florida’s no state income tax on salaries earned at local tech employers, SEU Tech creates a powerful, cost-effective foundation for building a sustainable tech career right in the Lakeland community.

WICT Network Florida Chapter

While its roots are in cable and telecommunications, The WICT Network's Florida Chapter has evolved into a robust resource for women across the broader tech and media landscape. Its event calendar features specialized offerings like "Tech It Out" sessions and "Career Mastery" webinars, providing structured professional development focused on leadership and in-demand technology skills.

For women based in Lakeland, the chapter's strategic value lies in its hybrid model. While major in-person events may be in Orlando or Tampa, virtual access ensures relevance, connecting local professionals to the larger corridor's ecosystem. Membership opens a detailed directory of Florida-based peers and schedules for networking luncheons, creating a bridge to companies like Spectrum or other Tampa Bay Tech member firms.

This connection directly addresses a common local challenge: gaining visibility within the expansive Orlando/Tampa tech and media market. By participating, Lakeland professionals can tap into high-quality development resources and a network deeply embedded with major regional employers, paving a clearer path to advancement without necessitating a daily commute. In a region competing for talent, such connectedness is a significant career asset.

Women-in-Tech Global

For women in Lakeland seeking to transcend geographic limitations, Women-in-Tech® Global is an essential digital hub. It provides the scale of a worldwide community - with access to over 65 chapters - alongside substantive programs like one-on-one mentorship and a dedicated "Talent Marketplace" for job opportunities.

This global perspective directly mitigates a key local risk: professional insularity. By plugging into international conversations and trends through virtual mentoring circles and digital events, Lakeland-based professionals ensure their skills and career outlook remain competitive. The platform facilitates finding a mentor outside one's immediate company or city, which can provide crucial, unbiased guidance for career growth.

Engagement is straightforward: a free membership grants access to global job boards and resources. Professionals should also look for regional "Connect, Grow, Lead" events that may have in-person components in Florida. In a region whose strength is often its intimate networks, this global connection ensures women in Lakeland’s tech scene are not just participants in local growth but are also attuned to the innovations and opportunities shaping the industry worldwide.

Girls Who Code in Polk County

Building a sustainable tech ecosystem, much like cultivating a citrus grove, requires early and attentive investment. In Polk County, Girls Who Code clubs represent this foundational work, fostering coding confidence in young girls at schools like Highland City Elementary and directly confronting the STEM gender gap at its origin.

The program's impact is both local and massive in scale. In 2025, Girls Who Code served 760,000 students globally, a testament to its reach. For professionals in the Lakeland area, engaging as a club facilitator or guest speaker is a direct way to give back and inspire the next generation. For parents, it's about ensuring their daughters see a future in technology from an early age.

This early intervention is a proactive investment in the community's economic future. By normalizing the presence of women in tech from elementary school onward, these clubs help ensure that local employers - from Publix's analytics teams to Florida Polytechnic University - will have a diverse, homegrown talent pool to draw from for years to come, sweetening the region's long-term prospects.

CORE Networking Lakeland

In a landscape sometimes crowded with transactional events, CORE Networking Lakeland has cultivated a reputation as the antithesis of superficial business-card swapping. It's built on the principle of intentional, high-quality connection, creating an environment where relationships are forged on substance rather than volume.

This curated approach resonates deeply. As shared in a local Facebook group for small businesses, one member's testimonial captures the essence: "If you've been craving a space to connect with real people and not just collect business cards... No fluff. No cliques. No wasted time." For women tech entrepreneurs, freelancers, and leaders, this intentionality saves a precious commodity: energy. Engagement is straightforward - follow their Instagram for event announcements and attend a meetup as a guest to experience the culture firsthand.

The value is in trusted, local connections that reliably lead to collaborations, client referrals, and genuine peer support. For women balancing the demands of a tech career with other responsibilities, a network that prioritizes depth over breadth is not just a luxury; it's a strategic tool for sustainable growth within the Lakeland community.

Catapult Lakeland

For turning a tech concept into a legally sound and financially viable business, Catapult Lakeland serves as the region's premier physical and programmatic hub. More than a coworking space, it’s an ecosystem offering specialized workshops, mentorship, and a community of fellow entrepreneurs navigating similar early-stage challenges.

The incubator’s workshops address critical nuts-and-bolts knowledge gaps. As one expert noted, "Catapult provides a clear path for business protection and financial clarity," which is essential for women-led startups navigating growth. Engagement involves applying for a membership, enrolling in a workshop series, or attending demo days to connect with other founders.

This tangible support directly addresses a common entrepreneurial hurdle: moving from idea to operational company. By providing access to legal, financial, and strategic guidance within Lakeland itself, Catapult empowers women to build their ventures locally, leveraging the region’s advantages like no state income tax and proximity to a network of potential partners and clients across Central Florida’s thriving tech events circuit.

Tampa Bay Women Who Win

Public recognition is the sunlight that helps a career ripen, and platforms like the Tampa Bay Business & Wealth "Women Who Win" awards provide crucial visibility. Highlighting success stories of women in the region, including tech innovators, this recognition is strategic: it inspires others and validates the area as a place where women-led tech companies can thrive.

The 2026 finalists included leaders like Melissa Glossup, CEO of Safety Biometrics, showcasing the wearable tech innovation emerging from the Lakeland-Tampa corridor. This kind of spotlight does more than celebrate; it builds tangible credibility that can attract investors, open doors to partnerships, and provide powerful role models for aspiring women in tech.

Engagement is active - professionals can nominate a peer or themselves for relevant awards and should attend the ceremonies for networking with established leaders. This counters a "hidden in plain sight" issue in growing ecosystems, amplifying local achievements to attract more talent and investment to Central Florida. As noted in commentary from female tech leaders, "visible support" and celebrating peer success are key drivers of meaningful change, creating a sweeter, more nourishing environment for all.

Employer-Led Initiatives

For many women, the most impactful and direct resource is their employer. Lakeland is uniquely positioned with two major organizations offering nationally recognized, supportive tech career paths. Publix, headquartered here, earned a spot on Fortune’s 2025 Best Workplaces for Women list, backed by strong DEI initiatives and merit-based advancement in its technology and analytics teams.

Similarly, Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) is a major employer for clinical IT, health informatics, and data roles, with a focus on building teams that mirror the community. Internally, these organizations provide substantial resources: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), formal mentorship programs, and tuition assistance for continued education in fields like data science or software development.

The value is multifaceted: career stability, clear advancement pathways, and a demonstrated institutional commitment. Crucially, a tech salary at a Lakeland-based employer like Publix comes with Florida’s no state income tax, translating to higher take-home pay - a tangible financial advantage. As reflected in regional employer ratings, these anchors prove that a fulfilling, top-tier tech career with competitive compensation can be built without commuting to Tampa or Orlando, offering genuine weight and substance right in Polk County.

Frequently Asked Questions