WVS 2021 RECAP
Pivoting to virtual was a complete success and attracted attendees across the globe.
“This event is so polished, informative and fun. WVS leading the way in virtual events!”
-Annie Brown, Founder of Lips
2021
RECAP
What You Can Expect at WVS 2021
3
tracks
Are you ready to level up your funder/founder game? WVS will feature three tracks, keynote speakers, engaging discussions (yes, you ask the questions!), a virtual Exhibitor Hall (we’re calling it the Ecosystem Showcase), and much more!
Learn
Gain useful insight on current trends and discover helpful resources for both entrepreneurs and investors with sessions covering 101 topics, case studies, and interactive workshops.
Inspire
Fuel your journey by hearing industry experts and speakers share powerful stories. You also won’t want to miss the live pitch competition where you can cast your vote!
Connect
You can sit with us! WVS values inclusivity and offers many opportunities to connect through roundtable discussions, happy hour networking, and 1-on-1 video calls.
Summit Schedule
Women’s Venture Summit is a two-day event from 9am-2pm Pacific Time on Friday September 17 and Saturday September 18.
WVS Day 1
Friday, September 17
| Time | Session Title & Description |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | One-on-one Networking Hour. Schedule ahead of time 1-on-1 video calls with other attendees you would like to meet. |
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Morning Toast featuring event emcees Elaine Swann of The Swann School of Protocol, Dr. Silvia Mah of Ad Astra Ventures, and Raven O’Neal of Stella Labs. |
| 9:20 – 9:40 | Keynote Session featuring Vanessa Johansson of RainShadow Labs and Jane Schwartzberg of UBS Global Wealth Management |
| 9:45 – 10:25 | Panel I – Women’s Power Index Did the pandemic derail you? Join us for a data-driven discussion on the current state of working women and mothers, led by a panel of change-makers who are working to keep women active and supported in the workforce. Featuring Kirby Brady of City of San Diego, Allison Robinson of The Mom Project, Kimmy Paluch of Beta Boom, and Cameron Rogers of Ellevest (moderator) |
| 10:25 – 10:55 | Women’s Power Index Roundtable Discussions breakout rooms facilitated by Cameron Rogers of Ellevest, Kirby Brady of City of San Diego, Alexa-Rae Navarro of Startup San Diego, Ana Bermudez of TAGit, Diana Melencio of XRC Opportunity Fund, Lola Adeyemo, Amy Trappey of Power to Fly, Callan Blount Fleming of Spark Collective, Sarah Bacerra of Sarah Bacerra Consulting. |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Panel II – Just Due It What does due diligence look like at different stages? This panel will break down due diligence among different investors: individuals, angel groups or VC. Featuring Cathy Gao of Sapphire Ventures, Marcia Dawood of Angel Capital Association, Noramay Cadena of Supply Change Capital, and Lauren Rowley of Stella Angels (moderator) |
| 11:30 – 12:15pm | Interactive Breakout Sessions (*limited seats, first come first serve)
Investor-focused Ask Me Anything with Heidi Patel of Rethink Impact* Entrepreneur-focused Ask Me Anything with Jaime Schmidt of Schmidt’s Naturals and Color Capital* Just Due It Workshop. Learn how to apply the framework to evaluae entrepreneur pitches in an accelerated timeline.* Grow Your Money, Change the World Workshop. Learn how to control your money, build your confidence as an investor, and put your money to work for themselves and the world.* Scaling Your Startup: Investors & Dealmakers’ Perspectives.* Next Gen Rising Panel. A panel of female college students or recent graduates discuss the current state of women in business and offer their perspective on innovative ideas on how to change the current trajectory.* General Networking Rooms Visit the Virtual Ecosystem Showcase (aka Exhibitor Hall) |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | Keynote Session featuring Sallie Krawcheck of Ellevest |
| 12:40 – 1:00 | Closing Remarks |
WVS Day 2
Saturday, September 18
| Time | Session Title & Description |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | One-on-one Networking Hour. Schedule ahead of time 1-on-1 video calls with other attendees you would like to meet.
INVESTOR Networking: Finding Your On-ramp to Invest in Women Founders. Sponsored by The Impact Seat. Are you ready to invest in compelling innovation but unsure how to get started? There are many ways to start investing – during this informational networking session, we’ll join seasoned investors as they share their own on-ramp stories. |
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Morning Toast featuring event emcees Elaine Swann of The Swann School of Protocol, Dr. Silvia Mah of Ad Astra Ventures, and Raven O’Neal of Stella Labs. |
| 9:20 – 9:50 | Panel III – This Isn’t Tinder: Respectful Relationship-Building Between Founders & Funders
Ghosting? Nastygrams? No, thanks. This panel will discuss the secrets to building a constructive relationship between a founder and investor. Featuring Lauren Washington of Fundr and Black Women Talk Tech, Claire Chang of igniteXL Ventures, Alex Waters of CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center, and Dr. Debbie Chen of Hydrostatis (moderator) |
| 10:00 – 10:50 | Women’s Fast Pitch Finals Watch the WFP finalists pitch for the chance to take home a $10,000 investment. Attendees will participate in an interactive due diligence process AND help us pick the ultimate winner! Finalists to be announced after September 1 when we complete the regional Fast Pitch competitions. |
| 10:50 – 11:35 | Interactive Due Diligence & Voting Breakout rooms facilitated by Amy Duncan of Goldfish Consulting, Mysty Rusk of the Free Enterprise Institute, Oralia Alvarez of First Founders Capital Partners, Caitlin Wege of MooDoos Investments, Vidya Dinamani of Ad Astra Ventures, Al Bsharah of Interlock Capital. |
| 11:45 – 12:15pm | Panel IV – Accountable Womanhood How are you lifting others? Our panelists will discuss critical actions we can all take to create an equitable future, distribute wealth and build a legacy of good. Featuring Sienna Brown of Power to Fly, Flossie Hall of FJHall Media, Mac Conwell, II of RareBreed Ventures, Shan Cureton of Three Indigo (moderator) |
| 12:20 – 12:25pm | Women’s Fast Pitch Winner Announcement |
| 12:25 – 12:45 | Keynote Session featuring Elizabeth Gore, Danielle Telleria, Megan MacDonald of Hello Alice |
| 12:45 – 1:00 | Closing Remarks |
On-Demand Sessions & Networking
Additional founder- and investor-specific sessions to gain insight on current trends and discover helpful resources. These videos are pre-recorded. Speakers may join the chat to answer your questions live (only available during first livestream).
Friday, September 17
| Time | Session Title & Description |
|---|---|
| 1:00 – 1:15 | 101A (Investor) – Understanding SPVs and Micro Funds with Denise Dunlap of Loon Creek Capital and Sage Growth Capital101B (Founder) – Pitch Deconstruction with Moni Jefferson of AMSE, Mysty Rusk of the Free Enterprise Institute, and Ryan Kuder of Techstars |
| 1:20 – 1:35 | 101C (Investor) – Crowdfunding in 2021: Where Financing Meets Marketing with Kirsten Horning of Republic and Alex Wang of Ember Fund101D (Founder) – Be the Leader You are Meant to Be with Adina Veen of Midland Credit Management |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | General Networking Rooms and Virtual Ecosystem Showcase (Exhibitor Hall) are open to anyone |
Saturday, September 18
| Time | Session Title & Description |
|---|---|
| 1:00 – 1:15 | 101E (Investor) – Is There a Glass Ceiling in VC? with Kim Patel of Mainstreet101F (Founder) – Non-Techie? No problem with Nelly Yusupova of TechSpeak.co |
| 1:20 – 1:35 | 101G (Investor) – Pandemic Era Investor Trends with Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact, Rehana Nathoo of Spectrum Impact, and Al Bsharah of Interlock Capital101H (Founder) – Assemble Strong Leadership & Raise More Money with Cheryl Contee of The Impact Seat and Barbara Bickham of Women’s Innovation Fund Accelerator |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | General Networking Rooms and Virtual Ecosystem Showcase (Exhibitor Hall) are open to anyone |
SPEAKERS
Making an Impact: 8 Years in Review
2179
attendees
348
speakers
4.75M
impressions
236
investment groups
Thank You WVS2021 Sponsors!
TITLE SPONSOR
WOMEN’S FAST PITCH SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
IN-PERSON VENUE SPONSOR
TICKET SPONSORS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
