Background 

Wise’s mission “money without borders” has driven its focus on building diverse teams that reflect the global population it serves. Recognising the male-dominated nature of the tech industry, Wise set out to change the status quo by increasing the representation of women, non-binary individuals and other underrepresented groups within its tech roles.

Approach 

To achieve these goals Wise launched a series of initiatives, starting with WiseWomenCode in 2022. This three-day immersive programme provided women and non-binary individuals with hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and technical guidance to help them enter the tech world. The initiative quickly expanded across locations including London, Tallinn, Singapore and Budapest, supporting over 120 participants. In 2025, Wise will welcome a further 65 participants to the program.

Wise also rebranded its early careers programme as WiseStart, which includes internships, apprenticeships, graduate roles and career switcher programmes. To reduce bias it adopted a rigorous selection process based on technical assessments and interviews conducted by a trained, diverse panel.

“WiseWomenCode transformed participant confidence, with a Net Promoter Score jumping from -38 to +90 after attending the event”

In addition, Wise introduced financial scholarships to support students from underrepresented communities in Estonia and the UK, offering mentorship and networking opportunities alongside financial support. Partnerships with organisations like SheCanCode and CodingBlackFemales have further enabled Wise to connect with diverse communities.

Outcomes

Wise has seen impressive results from its efforts. By 2024, they almost doubled the number of women who joined compared to 2021. The WiseWomenCode programme also transformed participant confidence, with a remarkable increase from -38 to +90 in Net Promoter Score after the event.

WiseStart continues to grow, with 96% of interns receiving permanent job offers. The company has also awarded £30,000 in scholarships to 14 students and mentored 17 young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Wise’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has had a lasting impact, not only on its internal talent pipeline but also on the broader tech industry, fostering a more inclusive future for technology.