Week 7 of 52 — Women in Tech Series
Welcome to our Women in Tech series. Over the next 52 weeks, we’ll spotlight inspiring women shaping the technology industry — sharing their stories, achievements, and insights.
From founders and engineers to designers, researchers, and community leaders, this series celebrates the diverse voices driving innovation and building the future of tech.
Marina Traversari
Founder & CEO of Chilled Squirrels
How did you first get into tech/innovation?
I actually came into tech through TV production, but I was always working very closely with technology. I managed technical teams and had to stay on top of emerging tools and production technologies, so I was constantly translating between creative and technical worlds. That experience gave me a really strong foundation, understanding both how technology works and how it’s applied in real-world environments.
From there, moving into the startup and innovation ecosystem felt like a natural progression, which led me to running accelerator programmes for Oracle across Europe, and Meta globally, supporting founders to scale.
It’s really shaped how I work today, sitting at that intersection of technology, people, and real-world application.
What did your career path look like before landing your current role?
Honestly, it’s been more of a jungle gym than a ladder, but that’s been intentional. I’ve moved across different sectors and roles, from TV production into tech, innovation, and ecosystem building. Each step added a different perspective, whether that was storytelling, technical delivery, or working with startups and corporates.
When I look back, it all connects. It’s given me a really well-rounded view of how ideas move from concept to impact, which is exactly what I apply in my work today.
What does your role involve day-to-day?
Day to day, I split my time between board-level oversight and building on the ground. As a Chair and NED, I’m focused on strategy, governance, and supporting leadership teams to make strong, long-term decisions. Alongside that, as a founder, I’m very hands-on, developing the business model, building partnerships, and driving growth.
A big part of my role is also connecting the ecosystem, bringing together founders, investors, and public sector partners to unlock opportunities. So no two days are the same, but it’s always a balance of strategic thinking, practical delivery, and relationship-building.
Was there a moment or opportunity that helped you break into the industry?
There wasn’t a single ‘big break’ in the traditional sense, but there was a really important moment where someone recognised my skills and advocated for me at Oracle. I was coming from a non-traditional background, but they saw the value in my ability to connect ideas, people, and technology, and gave me the opportunity to step into the innovation and startup space.
That kind of sponsorship can make a huge difference, and it’s something I try to pay forward now, particularly for people coming into tech through less conventional routes.
What challenges have you faced working in tech, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was coming into tech through a non-traditional route. I didn’t have a computer science background, so early on there’s always that question of credibility. I overcame that by really leaning into my strengths, understanding systems, connecting people, and translating complex ideas into something practical and scalable. Over time, that became an advantage rather than a limitation.
I think another challenge is building in spaces that don’t have a clear playbook, whether that’s working across ecosystems or now at the intersection of nature and technology. But I’m very comfortable operating in ambiguity. It’s about testing, iterating, and surrounding yourself with the right expertise.
And more broadly, as a woman in tech, there are still moments where you have to hold your ground, but I’ve learned to be very clear in my voice and confident in the value I bring.
What advice would you give to women who want to work in tech or innovation?
I have never thought of myself as a woman in tech, just someone who works in tech, although I was very often the only woman in the room.
I want every other woman who works in technology to feel exactly the same way. I want every girl who is considering a career in technology to feel exactly the same way. That they are just someone who works in tech.
What do you love about working in the South West tech ecosystem?
What I love about the South West tech ecosystem is how connected and collaborative it is. It doesn’t feel overly hierarchical, there’s a real openness to sharing ideas, supporting each other, and building things together. There’s also a strong crossover between creativity, technology, and purpose-led businesses, which makes it a really interesting place to innovate.
And importantly, there’s ambition, but it’s grounded. People are building serious companies here, while still being connected to place, community, and impact. That balance is quite unique.
Connect with Marina!
Follow Marina’s journey and connect with her on LinkedIn here
