Astia Newsletter: December 2011

Sharon Vosmek, CEO Astia

Message from the CEO

Thank you for your support in 2011!

On behalf of the Astia team, our entrepreneurs, and our community please accept our sincere appreciation for your generous support in 2011. Without the support and generosity of individuals and corporations, Astia would not be able to execute on our mission to propel women's full participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth businesses, fueling innovation and driving economic growth. Due to your support, in 2011 we have had tremendous success.

Astia has continued to excel at its key work of transforming the opportunity for woman-led, high-growth companies by connecting them to the individuals with the right expertise, interests, and opportunities that ensure their success. This important work of providing the connective tissue for the high-growth ecosystem directly results in Astia Portfolio Companies achieving milestones for high-growth, leading to, amongst other items, essential job creation.

In 2011, 64 companies have been welcomed into the Astia Client Portfolio and participated in the Astia Entrepreneur Programs (5 clean tech companies, 46 technology, 9 life sciences and 4 consumer products). These companies benefitted from the extremely committed and generous Astia community that has grown to over 1,500 men and women. In 2011, 376 community members participated as screeners, speakers and volunteers; and 108 Astia Advisors are currently working with the new companies.

Beyond entrepreneur program delivery your support enabled Astia to achieve new levels of partnerships in the US and globally, developing new market partners, most notably, the Startup America partnership and a new high-growth entrepreneur and jobs creation campaign in partnership with the State of Michigan.

In 2011 Astia continued to serve as a strong voice in key venues to promote the philosophy of the organization, with 2011 speaking engagements and recognition at the White House Women Entrepreneurs Conference, the State Department Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP), US Treasury's Women in Finance Innovation Symposium, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Women & the Economy Summit (APEC WES), the Cherie Blair Foundation Advisory Board, Illuminate Advisory Board, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America conference, the Tech America David Packard Innovation Award, and the Stiftung Charite Entrepreneurship summit.

Finally, as convening organization, Astia was delighted to witness the second We Own It Summit in London in June. Over 160 individuals representing over 10 countries participated in a day-and-a-half of conversations and goal-setting. The 68 organizations behind the Summit are all working towards shared goals to break down barriers to and increasing participation for women in high-growth entrepreneurship.

We are honored to be working in partnership with you to achieve these goals - and we sincerely hope that you will continue to choose to support Astia in 2012! Together we are able to deliver similar results and success in the coming year - for the benefit of women, innovation, society, and the economy.

Astia is a community. Astia is you!

With best wishes for the holidays!

Cheers,

Sharon Vosmek
Chief Executive Officer

PS - it's not too late to make your 2011 charitable donation to Astia!


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Astia's Global Entrepreneur Program - Call for Applications for 2011

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The Astia Community 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. And that is just the start! If your company is selected, you continue to gain access to the community of Advisors and resources through the full life-cycle of the company - all the way to exit! 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 before February 4th to be considered for the Spring cohort. Applications are being accepted from all geographies - so check us out today!


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Astia Calendar

In-Person Screening Day
Wed, Feb 22nd, 8:00am - 05:00PM

Astia CEO Summit
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City: February 15-16

Astia Entrepreneur Programs
Cambridge, UK: March 19 - 24

Annual Events
We Own It Summit: New York City, June 28-29, 2012


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Astia News

Exceptional female entrepreneurs wanted!

Read more here.

Where is the Female Mark Zuckerberg?

The stereotypical founder of a silicon Valley giant is an insanely arrogant, pathologically driven, geekily brilliant 22-year-old guy. This boom looks different. For the first time in startup history, girl wonders actually have an edge over the boys. (not that anyone has noticed.) Can the new femme entrepreneurs seize their moment? Read more here>>

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Become an Astia Sponsor

Join the Astia Community

Support this important work

Become an Astia donor!

Astia is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and its work is supported by individuals, corporations and foundations.

>>Click here or send your check to Astia: 833 Market Street, Suite 605, San Francisco CA 94103

Join the Astia Challenge Grant! Already Astia community members have donated over $55,000 in the hopes that you will help match their gift. To ensure your donation counts towards the match, email Sharon Vosmek.

If you would like to donate stock, please contact Catherine Berman.

Astia Blog Notes

Join our ongoing discussions at Astia Notes

You can now follow Astia on Twitter: Sharon Vosmek | AstiaSF | AstiaEurope |
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Astia Sponsors

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SVB Financial Group

Microsoft

Moss Adams

AOL

SNR Denton

PriceWaterhouseCoopers

US Trust: Bank of America Private Wealth Management

Angelsoft

Lowenstein Sandler

Wells Fargo

How to Get Connected

Silicon Valley
[email protected]

New York
[email protected]

Europe
[email protected]

India
[email protected]


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Client News


Avaxia Biologics, Inc. raises $2.2M angel round. Avaxia Biologics Inc., a Lexington-based developer of oral antibody drugs for the gastrointestinal tract, completed its first close of $2.2 million of a Series A financing led by angel investors, its CEO and founder Barbara Fox told Mass High Tech. Read more here>>


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Sponsor Spotlight


PricewaterhouseCoopers Renews its support of Astia!

PWC
For a second year in a row, the professionals in Silicon Valley, New York and London within PricewaterhouseCoopers have supported Astia, providing critical funds, event hosting, thought leadership and strategic partnership. Thank you to each and every one of the men and women who bring this engagement with Astia to life!


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