Sharon Vosmek, CEO Astia

Message from the CEO

Dive right in! The water is fine!

If last year's We Own It Summit in New York was a dip of the toe into the water to see if it was warm enough, then this year's Summit in London was a dive into the deep-end followed by a charge to the finish line in 2020.

The Decade of the Woman Entrepreneur is upon us and the collaboration has firmly embraced the opportunity and the challenge this presents. The Summit participants have validated that the moment is now to propel women in to the high-growth, innovation economy - as entrepreneurs, investors, and ultimately beneficiaries of the wealth and influence created.

Our next steps have been identified in the goals below. It is now the responsibility of we, the collaborating organizations, to maintain the momentum and deliver on these shared commitments:

In 2011-12, we will:

• Create and implement collaboration processes for research and training.
  
  
• The annual research agenda will work to address 1-3 questions annually. This work is critical as the current dearth of data pertaining to women high-growth entrepreneurs is pronounced and does not allow us to measure our progress.
  
  
• The training objectives ensure that women gain exposure to the opportunity of high-growth entrepreneurship, investment, and board participation. The goal this year is to create a shared curriculum - via the many that already exists within the collaboration - that provides access to networks and access to maps to success.

• Communicate to the market the stories of successful women entrepreneurs and investors as well as clearly articulate the problem, issues and opportunities.

• 12 profiles each of female investors & entrepreneurs.
  
  
• A statement of why women's participation matters for key constituents (LPs, VCs, government, etc.)

• Take action that we believe will create real and measurable change in the market.
  

• A group, led by successful VCs, angels and LPs, has been created to raise an Astia Innovation Fund to invest in women-founded, women-led, high-growth start-ups.
  
  
• Borrowing from the model used by the Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley a decade ago, we will work to get women to invest in women (as well as the men who love women entrepreneurs), thereby owning the solution for ourselves.
  
  
• Where we have influence as industry leaders, LPs, Fund of Funds, family offices, VC firms, government funding agencies, etc. we will work to get women into decision-making bodies.

The nearly 200 thought-leaders who participated in this year's Summit have identified the above goals for the coming year, as the deliverables that will lead us to the success in 2020.

And for those new to this race, the finish line has been mapped. Through this Summit and this collaboration - and any other means available to us - we will:

Come on - dive right in. The water is lovely!

Sharon Vosmek, CEO

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Cherie Blair Keynotes Second Annual We Own It Summit

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"I was thrilled to see industry and venture funding leadership participating in the We Own It Summit. Progress toward a ‘Decade of the Woman’ high-growth entrepreneur is gaining significant progress."
Lesa Mitchell, Vice President of Advancing Innovation at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

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Astia's Global Entrepreneur Program
Call for Applications for 2011

The Astia Entrepreneur Program is an unparalleled resource for success - a transformative program designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs who want to become dominant players in their sectors.

The Format? A comprehensive multi-day workshop, 2-month program of personalized advising from premier experts and the opportunity to start benefiting from the global ecosystem of Angels, VCs, corporations, and entrepreneurs that is Astia.

Who Should Apply? Exceptional women-led high growth start-ups who know that success is not just about raising money but about growing a business and thriving in today's tough market.

Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

Apply today if you have:

• An innovative idea in either the Technology, Life Sciences or Clean Tech sectors
• A high-growth investment opportunity
• An exceptional team and business strategy
• A significant market opportunity
• A defendable competitive advantage
• At least one woman in a leadership role (at C level) or in significant position of equity and influence

Visit Astia and complete your application to be considered for the Astia Entrepreneur Program.

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Astia 2011 Calendar

Astia Entrepreneur Programs
New York: June 14 - 15
San Francisco: October 10 - 15

Astia Investor Forums
San Francisco: November 29

Annual Events
7th Annual Astia Awards: Mountain View, December 1

Save the Date!

We Own It Summit 2012
New York City: June 14 - 15, 2012

To request an invitation, send a bio and a brief explanation of why you would like to attend to invitation@weownitsummit.org

Become an Astia Sponsor

Join the Astia Community

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Client News

Congratulations to Pam Marrone, CEO and Founder of Marrone Bio Innovations on closing $25.4 million in funding. And congratulations to Lindsay Gaskins, CEO of Marbles: The Brain Store on closing $5.5 million in funding.

Marrone Bio Innovations announced on June 1, 2011 the closing of a $25.4 million private round of financing with a combination of new and existing investors. The financing is being used for expanding global sales of Regalia Biofungicide, launch of Zequanox and other pipeline products upon EPA approval and for development of new nematicides, herbicides, and fungicides from the discovery screen.

Pam Marrone has been a member of the Astia Portfolio since 2006, and was the recipient in 2008 of Astia's Innovator Award. Pam is a serial entrepreneur and founder of two previous companies. Congratulations to Pam and her team.

Marbles: The Brain Store announced today their closing of $5.5 million in Series A funding from private investor partners. Marbles will use the proceeds to invest in its website technology and infrastructure, grow its store base, develop new products under the Marbles brand name and boost its advertising and marketing initiatives. Several new stores will open later this year in Boston, New Jersey and Maryland; plans are in place to expand to the West Coast and South in 2012.

Blurb, the creative self-publishing platform, launched Blurb Mobile, its first iPhone app, and ProLine book customization options. Blurb also announced the launch of its German-language site. Blurb is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in the U.K. and representation in Germany, Australia, France, and Canada.

ColorModules unveiled 'beauty' beta, color p.i. With color p.i., a customer can simply upload a headshot photo and instantly receive unbiased, personalized beauty recommendations. To test color p.i., visit beauty.colorpi.com and click 'Begin' to get started. Interested in getting the technology for free? Send a note to asmau.ahmed@colormodules.com for more details.

DegreeArt celebrated their recent funding success on June 1st with an exhibition of some of the company's most promising artists. DegreeArt.com is also pleased to welcome two new directors and toasted the company's future during the night which was the perfect launch pad for the planned business growth.

Eve Medical was awarded a $10,000 first prize in a pitch competition put on by MaRS Discovery Direct, a Toronto-based business accelerator. Our pitch was very much influenced by the pitch workshop session and one-on-one training at Astia Europe this year.

Fanminder released our Facebook Savings Page, a new way for merchants to connect with their social and mobile fans. With the Savings Page, merchants can now publish their offers to a custom-branded Facebook Page that adds-on to their existing Facebook Fan Page. With this release we also launched a greatly improved set up experience for new merchants.

Hey, Neighbor! launched a new network for neighbor connections and collaboration. It's like a local Facebook meets a safer Craigslist. It features a MicroFavor exchange, a peer-to-peer marketplace enabling neighbors to ask for small favors and lend a hand easily. For more, follow Hey, Neighbor! on Facebook or Twitter.

MyLawSuit.com Founder, Michele Colucci, was recently named a Silicon Valley Women of Influence by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal. Michele has also been an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Stanford Global Entrepreneurial Marketing Program helping educate Stanford students on the business of entrepreneurship. The MyLawsuit.com team has continued to grow with CTO of Intuit, Bill Ihrie, and Tim O'Brien, former ABC law correspondent who covered the Supreme Court for 25 years joining the advisory board. Read more here.

RippleSend was selected to participate in Education Taking Flight: Venture Capital in Education Summit 2011. RippleSeed was one of ten companies featured in the Company Showcase.

TriBarter TriBarter Co-Founder and CEO Hedi Katz was selected to present at the 2011 PFF Pitch Summit on June 17th at the Eileen Fisher headquarters in Irvington, NY.

SNR Denton Venture Capital Roundtable: Operational Strategies for Driving Revenues

London, 21 June 2011

There is no shortage of interesting companies with great technologies, products and/or services in today's crowded marketplace. Developing and executing upon a sound go-to-market strategy is paramount to getting customers and clients to part from their cash in exchange for your next big thing. But how do you go about it?

Join us for a highly interactive discussion as some of the area's hottest companies share their insights on what it takes to generate revenue traction and accelerate growth in competitive markets.
Topics discussed include:

• Researching and honing the revenue model prior to launch
• Identifying and recruiting key hires
• Stalking/pursuing major customers
• Avoiding common sales pitfalls
• Placing big bets to accelerate revenue growth

Registration Deadline: 16 June 2011

More information here.

SVASE StartUp-U SV: Hiring the Best Co-Sponsored by Astia

As any successful entrepreneur worth their term sheet knows, in times of economic uncertainty, the one critical asset they need to maximize their startup's chances of success is a cohesive core team with shared vision. But finding the right people to help your startup in the climb to the top can be tough. In addition, seeking an executive role and standing out in these trying times is especially challenging.

More information here.

Incubator Summit: How to Choose the Right Incubator for Your Startup

Menlo Park, Silicon Valley, June 21, 2011

Orrick's complimentary total access program helps entrepreneurs choose the right incubator. Topics Include:
the different approaches to startup acceleration and how to choose the right incubator for you and your company.

Register here.

BAIA Talk: The Startup Game - Bill Draper in conversation with Federico Faggin

A unique opportunity to hear the legendary venture capitalist, Willlian H. Draper III, in a candid conversation with Federico Faggin, an Italian IT entrepreneur and the designer of the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor. Draper will discuss the early days of venture capital, the creation and evolution of the industry, and its future. One of the first venture capitalists who invested abroad, Draper will address its challenges and extraordinary rewards. Venture philanthropy, his latest passion, will also be part of what we expect to be an unforgettable conversation between two individuals that have made a huge impact on the world.

Register here.

Smart Grids and Cleanpower 2011 Conference

Cambridge, England, June 23-24, 2011
Discovering the smart grid value network, and industry-trusted energy gap cleaner power road map.

More information here.

Capital Call

Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women program call for Applications

This is a competitive award and leadership program designed to connect a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs with the advisors, resources and insights they need to become market leaders. With our market leadership and long-standing commitment to entrepreneurship and the advancement of women, Ernst & Young can provide these opportunities like no other professional services firm.

Eligibility: Applicants are women CEOs who have founded their companies within the past 10 years and have reported at least $1 million in revenue during each of the past two. Typical applicant company revenue ranges from $1 million up to approximately $20 million annually.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2011

You can find more information here.

Accumen Fund Event - London Chapter

Acumen Fund is a non-profit venture fund that exists to help end poverty by using entrepreneurial approaches in alleviating global poverty. On June 30th the London Chapter of the Acumen Fund is hosting the first ever London chapter event. DIGNITY is a one-night photo exhibition and auction with all proceeds benefiting the Acumen Fund.

Sharon Vosmek speaking at CGI America - The Clinton Global Initiative

President Clinton launched CGI America in response to ongoing economic struggle in the United States. As such, the meeting will focus on recovery and job creation. To maximize impact, the event will be organized around working groups, each targeting a different major opportunity to create jobs. Each attendee will choose a working group, which will convene three times over the course of the meeting and focus on developing ideas for concrete, immediate action.

In particular, I would like to invite you to participate in the Supporting Startups and High Growth Businesses working group, which I will be coordinating. Young, high-growth firms are the leading creators of new jobs in the United States. Astia's great work helping to take women-led ventures to scale would make you a great addition to this working group timely.

Contact: Dan.Goldberg@clintonglobalinitiative.org
More information here.

Springworks Scholars Program

Eligibility: Open to currently enrolled female MBA students.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2011

More information here.

The 2011 New York Venture Summit

New York City, July 21, 2011

If you are a Startup seeking capital and/or partnerships submit your plan for the opportunity to present at the premier venue connecting emerging growth companies with active Venture capitalists, Angel investors, Corporate VCs and Investment Firms.

Presented by young Startup Ventures, The 2011 New York Venture Summit provides an unparalleled opportunity for startups to meet, network and showcase their innovative investment opportunities to a leading group of investors.

More information here.

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