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Sharon Vosmek, CEO Astia Message from the CEOKeeping the momentum! Back in August, we started a conversation about the opportunity to create a movement to ensure the participation and success of women as high-growth entrepreneurs. We discussed three needs: philanthropic investment, investment by women in to women entrepreneurs, and an actively engaged network to ignite the movement. In September, we highlighted the philanthropic investment of the forward-thinking Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. This sparked a philanthropic conversation and commitment from corporations and individuals alike to:
While many not-for-profit organizations and the foundations that support them invest in the most marginalized communities of women – which is valued and much needed – Astia also believes that now is the time to invest in the highest levels of success for women. Astia helps entrepreneurial women move into greater positions of power and influence by ensuring that they are able to develop core skills as well as gain access the social networks that provide the resources, expertise, and capital required for high-growth, innovation-driven, start-ups. Women are a resource that, when tapped for their existing educational, professional, and innovative capabilities, have the ability to dramatically improve the state of the American and Global economies, now and long into the future. Now doesn’t that sounds like something worth investing in? If you, too, feel inspired to support these endeavors, contact me today so we can discuss how you can participate in the current fund-matching program. Our goal is to raise another $2.5 million in the next 2.5 years. This can be your chance to join the movement! Next month, I will further explore the need for investment by women in to women entrepreneurs. As we gear up to welcome a new cohort of start-ups to Astia, I am excited to see the many investors and entrepreneurs who will participate in this fall’s Doing It Right program. If you are an investor – angel, VC, or strategic – save the date now for the 9th Annual Astia Investor Forum, January 20, 2011. And don’t worry – you don’t have to do it because it is the right thing to do – you can do it because it is the smart thing to do. Cheers, Astia Calls for Nominations for
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Astia CEO Sharon Vosmek participated in the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference convened by The
White House Council on Women and Girls, the Small
Business Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of
Treasury on October 4, 2010. Astia was named in the Opening Session by Karen Mills, Administrator of the US Small Business Administration, as providing
great leadership and was invited to share with these
agencies the learnings, perspectives, and experiences unique to women high-growth entrepreneurs.
Read the full press release here. |
Sharon Vosmek is one of BizTechDay's 25 Influential Business Women in San Francisco/Silicon Valley
Our very own Sharon Vosmek is included in BizTechDay's list of 25 Influential Business Women in San Francisco/Silicon Valley You Should Follow on Twitter 2010. She is part of a list of trailblazers in the Bay Area that BizTechDay recommends following on Twitter for inspiration! Read more here.
Astia COO, Katie Nittler Speaks at Golden Gate University
Based on the Stanford Case Study focusing on the Astia Business Model and opportunities to evolve the organization, this is a core part of Astia’s strategy to raise awareness in the graduate student community of the opportunities of entrepreneurialism, inclusivity and overall participation of women. Read the full press release here.
Astia Featured in French Newspaper - La Tribune
Sharon Vosmek shares her views under the feature "The women who changed the world." Readh the entire article here.
Do women fear rejection more than men?
Research suggests that entrepreneurial men view lower levels of achievement as success, whereas women see it as confirmation that they are not up to the job. Read more here.
In This Issue
JOIN Astia and become a 2010 member today!
The financial contributions received through our membership program help to underwrite Astia's mission of providing programs that accelerate the funding and growth of women-led companies, develop the executive leadership of the founding team, and enable new ventures to fully participate in high-growth markets. Operating on a less than one million dollar budget, Astia continues to deliver unparalleled programs and services to women entrepreneurs and leaders worldwide.
For more information on membership levels and benefits, visit our website.
Become an Astia Member:
We cannot do it without
you, so please become a member or renew your membership
today!
Astia is now blogging!
Join our ongoing discussions at Astia Notes
You can now follow Astia on Twitter: Sharon
Vosmek | AstiaSF | AstiaEurope |
AstiaNYC | AstiaIndia
Astia is also on Linked-In and Facebook. Be sure to join our groups!
Want to join the Astia community? Register for the community portal and fill out your member profile!
Astia Investor Advisory Council
JOIN Astia's Investor Advisory Council
Alloy Ventures
AOL Ventures
Asset Management Company
CalPERS
CISCO
Golden Seeds
Hummer Winblad Venture
Partners
Illuminate
Ventures
Levensohn Venture Partners
Prolog Ventures
RoseTech Ventures
StarVest Partners
How to Get Connected
Silicon Valley
siliconvalley@astia.org
New York
nyc@astia.org
Europe
europe@astia.org
India
india@astia.org
Market Updates
Silicon Valley
It is the final countdown to the Doing it Right Silicon Valley Program and we are excited
to host entrepreneurs from across the US, Europe and
Asia-Pacific.
On September 30th we had simultaneous screening of applicants in Palo Alto and New
York, both kindly hosted by SNR Denton on its first day after the
combination of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP and Denton
Wilde Sapte LLP. Also thanks to Osborne
Clarke for hosting screening in London a few days
later.
In addition to the new entrepreneurs joining Astia this fall we are pleased to see many
existing Astia companies participating on panels and in the
sessions to further extend their networks and knowledge.
Following the We Own It Summit we
have been looking at how we can collaborate more closely
with our partners. We are acting as judges for Women
2.0 and are working closely with Watermark (FWE&E’s new name) on
the Entrepreneur Conference - By Women - For Women: Money,
Markets and Customers on November 3rd. This is being jointly hosted during the Astia Doing it
Right Silicon Valley Program and gives the Astia companies
additional networking opportunities.
India
Development in India is continuing and we are looking forward to hosting a couple of our
Indian companies during the Silicon Valley Doing it Right
program.
We are currently in the process of building out our India Advisory Board, Planning Committee and
Working Committee. In addition, we are currently planning
to kick off the Astia community in India with About Astia events in December and January across the
Indian subcontinent.
New York
Thanks to everyone who attended the New York Investor Forum hosted AOL last month! It
was a great event with 13 Astia companies presenting - 30%
from the West Coast. We urge you to check out these remarkable women: Avid Trips,
BioVantage
Resources, Carat Exchange, Color Modules, GenGreen Life, Kiboo, Ology, Samara Innovations, savvy impulse, T-Star Media, Tonka
Beans, Travels
in Taste and Vivo Girls Sports
As the air becomes crisp here in New York, we continue to ramp up towards the Fall Doing it Right
program in Silicon Valley. We are excited to have several
East Coast companies join us at the Silicon Valley program.
Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank Jonathan Carter for his excellent work as an Astia
intern for the last 3 months. We are sad to see Jonathan
leave but wish him the best of luck as the new Operations Manager at The Autism Science
Foundation.
Europe
Simone Brummelhuis, VP Europe of Astia, spoke at the international conference NEXT'10,
which brings together creatives and engineers from the Internet, media and communications industries
and decision makers from established companies and
start-ups.
The European Astia program is developing under the leadership of Simone, with the expansion of the
existing UK Astia Board into a European Board focusing on
certain target countries. In addition, various European entrepreneurs with a strong international
plan are currently being screened to attend the 2010
Silicon Valley Doing it Right program. As Astia strengthens its footprint in Europe, it will
participate in various events in the UK, Scandinavia, France and
The Netherlands with partner organizations.
Market Spotlight
- Venture funds with no specific stage focus have consistently raised the largest proportion of overall venture capital fundraising . 39% of the venture funds that have closed in 2010 have no specific investment stage preference.
- 49% of the 1,365 venture fund managers are headquartered in North America.
- Europe hosts 26% of venture firms and Europe focused funds have raised 16% of aggregate capital commitments between 1998 and 2010.
- Asia and Rest of the World hosts 25% of venture firms.
Client News
AvidTrips featured in Tnooz as a TLabs
Showcase focus on startups.
The Comet was recognized by Web 2.0
Start-Up Showcase in NYC as a company to watch.
Ether gets tapped as Best
Mobile Book Company
LearnVest was featured in FastCompany for connecting financial literacy to a new
generation of women.
Marbles The Brain Store
has relaunched their website. Take advantage of the Astia
community promotion code (ASTIA10PERCENT) and receive a discount on orders through the end of
November!
Juliette Brindak's brand for adolescent girls, Miss O and Friends, has been valued by
Procter & Gamble at $15 Million. Read more here.
Quantum Intech recently received
$1.1 Million growth capital funding from RSF Social
Finance and Calvert Social Equities. They are also being featured on the new Mission Markets
platform and are in the process of raising an additional $1.7
Million in equity investment. Read more here.
Reality Digital supports a new media initiative and online video contest to spotlight global maternal
health as part of the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development
Goals (MDG) Summit.
Real Life Plus launched its first
game on Facebook on October 6th called Real Life Plus
Style Studio! In addition, Real Life Plus is currently in the process of raising its Series A round
and has already had great traction.
Jenny Zeszut of Scout Labs was
featured in the San Jose Mercury News.
Sponsor Spotlight
PwC Joins Astia as Silver Sponsor
PwC firms provide industry-focused
assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their
clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their
thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh
perspectives and practical advice.
Lowenstein Sandler Joins as Astia Sponsor Just in Time for the Silicon Valley Program
The Tech Group at Lowenstein Sandler is a nationally recognized thought leader in the development of
technology-based and venture-backed businesses across industries. Capital providers and emerging
companies rely on the Tech Group's industry knowledge, creativity and expertise for complex
intellectual property, financial transaction and strategic growth matters.
SNR Denton Launches as Top 25 Global Law Firm on September 30th
Congratulations to existing sponsor, Sonnenschein, on their new launch as SNR Denton.
Astia Events
Doing it Right Silicon Valley ProgramDate: November 1-6, 2010
Be sure to check out the program schedule online!
Save the Date: Astia 6th Annual Awards Ceremony
Date: December 2, 2010, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Buy your tickets today!
Astia is pleased to announce the Venture firms winning this year’s awards:
Alloy Ventures, Diversified Portfolio Award
Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Breaking the Barriers Award
New Enterprise Associates, Shattered Glass Award
You can read more about the awards and register here.
9th Annual Astia Silicon Valley Investor Forum
Save the Date: January 20, 2011
This is the premier funding event for women-led technology, life science and clean tech companies where qualified companies from the Astia Doing it Right program will participate in this flagship event in the investment community’s calendar. Click for details and registration.
Astia Partner Events
Environmental Business Cluster's: Do’s & Don’ts for Cleantech Ventures - Strategic IP
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 8:30am - 10:30am
Location: Fenwick and West, 801 California Street, Mountain View, CA 94041
Strategic IP: Building a Portfolio & Managing Exposure:
The Do's and Don'ts for Cleantech Ventures is a three-part series designed to provide an in-depth review of the tools and process required to making a cleantech venture fundable, presentable and defensible.
More information & registration here.
SD Forum: The Future of Health Innovation Conference
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Location: Stanford University Tresidder Union, Oak Lounge, Lagunita Drive, Stanford, CA
The Future of Health Innovation is a two day gathering that will take you on a trip through the individual’s "health life cycle" and look at innovative solutions to optimize the health care system. The conference features health industry stake holders, including executives from private companies, public participants, health care providers, health promoters, hospital executives and researchers.
More information & registration here.La Tribune Women's Awards
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Support your favorite candidates by taking part to the online vote before October 27, 2010. It is about rewarding exceptional female business leaders for their career path, whether corporate or as entrepreneurs.
More information here.San Jose BioCenter: Startup in a Box | Efficient Operations Management
Thursday, October 28, 2010 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location: San Jose, CA
With increased pressure to deliver value efficiently and effectively, startups need all the help they can get. Accurate, comprehensive operational management from the start is a crucial first step to the success of any business. Join us for a one hour interactive session on how you can best manage your operations resulting in maximum time spent on value creation and minimum time spent on maintaining the back-end. In this session, you will learn the key steps to ensure every facet of your new business runs smoothly from finance, accounting, HR, legal/contracts, facilities management, general administration, and more.
More information & registration here.Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum: Financing Clean Energy/Cleantech: Politics, Policy, and Private Equity
Thursday, October 28, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Andersen Auditorium, Haas School of Business
This is a panel discussion of the current cleantech and clean energy environment and responses to key questions such as "What are the most promising sources of clean energy?", "What are the best financing models and sources of funding for cleantech and alternative energy?" and more.
More information & registration here.Angel Capital Association: ACA Leaders Workshop
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - Thursday, November 4, 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
New York Entrepreneur Week
Monday, November 8, 2010 - Friday, November 12, 2010
Location: The Scholastic Auditorium, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
NYEW is a semi-annual event built for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, providing an exclusive educational experience for innovation-minded start-ups to multi-million dollar revenue generators.
Click here for details and ticket information. Save 75% off with Astia’s special discount code: ASTIA345
SDForum’s Clean Tech Breakfast Series: "Greening Your Data Center"
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 8:00AM - 10:00AM
Location: Nixon Peabody, One Embarcadero Center, 18th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
Mission critical installations face a number of cooling system challenges in the modern
data center. The requirements of today's IT systems,
combined with the way those IT systems are deployed, has created new cooling related problems. These
are new problems which could not have been foreseen when
the data center cooling principles were developed over 30 years ago. Come listen to a panel of
experts explore the implementation, challenges and future
opportunities in data center cooling and capacity. What are the promising technologies in the modern
data center?
Register here with discount code
CLEAN05 for $5 off regular registration price.
Bloomberg Businessweek European Leadership Forum
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Location: City Hall | London
Bloomberg Businessweek invites you to attend the tenth annual European Leadership Forum. The Forum will host business leaders, policy makers and investors who will provide unrivaled insight into the emerging trends, strategies and prospects for growth in competitive enterprise, emerging markets, geopolitics, energy, sustainability, innovation, technology and the global village.
Space is limited. Astia members receive a special rate of US $1,500 - 50% off the regular registration fee.
More information & registration here.UK Trade & Investment & The Next Woman: Technology World
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Location: London - ExCel
Assess what international partnerships can help to grow your business that represent real
incremental revenue opportunities in the short and long
term.
Register by November 9 with code NXTWM for discount.
Silicon Valley | New York | Europe | India
