In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling Triq San Kristofru, a group of women are quietly revolutionizing Malta’s tech scene. They’re not your typical Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, but they’re just as determined to innovate and disrupt. Meet Malta’s ‘Mothers of Invention’, the women behind some of our island’s most exciting startups.

Many of these women are mothers who, after taking a career break to raise their children, found themselves craving intellectual stimulation and a sense of purpose beyond the school run. Instead of returning to their old jobs, they decided to create new ones. “I wanted to do something meaningful, something that would challenge me and make a difference,” says Maria Aquilina, co-founder of Lean In Malta, a networking group for women in tech.

Maria’s story is echoed by many others. Take Natalie Muscat, for instance. After her second child was born, she realized she needed more than just playdates and coffee mornings. She co-founded Tech Savvy Mums, an initiative that teaches coding to mothers and helps them launch their own tech projects.

These women are behind some of Malta’s most innovative startups. There’s Claire Azzopardi, who founded EcoCoco, a sustainable coconut products business. Then there’s Nadia Theuma, who created MaltaPost, an online postal service that’s revolutionizing how we send and receive mail.

But it’s not just about business. These women are also driving social change. Sandra Mifsud co-founded Women for Women, an NGO that empowers marginalized women through education and skills training. And Nadia Vella started MaltaEyes, a platform that connects Maltese speakers of sign language with those who need their services.

Despite their achievements, these women face challenges. “It’s still a man’s world out there,” says Maria. “We have to work harder to prove ourselves, and we often face unconscious bias.” But they’re not deterred. Instead, they’re breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.

“We’re showing our children, especially our daughters, that there are no limits to what they can achieve,” says Natalie. “We’re not just mothers; we’re also innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.”

And they’re not alone. A growing number of Maltese women are joining the tech revolution. According to a recent survey, women make up 25% of Malta’s tech workforce, a figure that’s steadily rising.

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