The Women Startup Challenge has one goal - to disrupt a culture and economy that has made it exceedingly difficult for women founders to access capital. That’s a mission I adhere to and work towards every day at Global Invest Her - cracking the Funding Ceiling for Women Entrepreneurs. I speak around world to raise awareness about this and help women entrepreneurs get equal access to funding. So when my friend Mary McKenna (Tech entrepreneur & Angel Investor) told me about this great pitch competition, I just had to shout about it!
A Pitch Competition for European Women Entrepreneurs - with a difference:
The Women Startup Challenge was founded by Allyson Kapin, Founder of Women Who Tech (named one of the Most Influential Women in Tech by Fast Company), in partnership with Craig Newmark of craigslist and the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund. On why this partnership, he said “Women Who Tech have been doing great work for years supporting women in the tech industry. In addition, I was working with some of their team on my philanthropy, which includes supporting women in tech. So, they're the natural partner for me”.
Since launching the first Women Startup Challenge in the United States, alumni have closed seven-figure investment rounds, brought on stellar advisors, got accepted into competitive accelerators, and received incredible press ranging from TechCrunch to The Next Web. Plus, they have the support of movers and shakers such as Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Medium, BBG Ventures, 500 Startups, and more.
Why the Women Startup Challenge?
Globally only about 10% of investor money goes to women-led startups.
“This Pitch competition looks to showcase and help fund women-led ventures. Europe has an incredible tech community where many women-led entrepreneurs are launching innovative ventures but they need funding to scale” shares Allyson Kapin on why they are bringing this competition to Europe.
Most pitch competitions in Europe offer smaller prizes, so it’s exciting to see a significant 50K€ cash prize for women entrepreneurs.
Who is this for? You - yes, we want You!
- Women Entrepreneurs who have a tech-based startup and have raised less than $2M euro
- Your tech venture can be at the concept stage, prototype, or have already launched.
- Your startup must incorporate technology into the approach of your product be fast growing with degrees of innovation and technology.
- You are a technical Founder or you have a technical Cofounder. Note: If you are not a technical Cofounder and you don’t have a technical Cofounder, please email us and tell us more about your setup. (so, yes, you can still apply!)
- You are a woman-led startup (defined as at least having at least one woman Cofounder on the team).
Remember, your answers need to be pitch ready, not pitch perfect! Some advice from Craig for the pitch: “Applicants are competing with a whole bunch of worthy startups, so please respect the judges' time. "Brevity's the soul of wit," meaning there's needs to be some compromise between completeness of pitch and getting to the point.”
Why apply?
10 early stage women-led startups from across Europe will get the chance to:
- Pitch to a panel of the biggest investors and industry leaders including:
- Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Founder of Doteveryone;
- Jimmy Wales, Cofounder of Wikipedia; and
- Marie-Laure Sauty de Chalon, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of auFeminin.com.
- Win the grand prize of 50K euros cash and other prizes to help scale their startup.
It’s fantastic exposure for you both at the pitch and beyond - so just go for it! >>> Apply Here <<<
Key Dates:
- March 9th - Application Deadline (extended from March 8th)
- May 3rd: Final pitch competition at London’s City Hall, hosted by the office of Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Steps on the Road to Change:
It’s great to see influential male entrepreneurs support women entrepreneurs. We need many more of these ‘Male Champion’s if we are to bring about real change in access to funding. And he’s really walking the talk.
When I asked Craig Newark (Founder of craigslist and craigconnecst) why this is important to him he said
“In Sunday School, I learned to treat people like I want to be treated, and to me, that's basic fairness, to be practiced everywhere, and that includes fairness in the workplace. I'm pretty sure I was also heavily influenced by Seventies feminism.”
Come on European Ladies, - let’s show everyone we’ve got talent and passion to build great businesses!
>>>Apply Now! <<<- Deadline extended to March 9th!
Happy International Women’s Day!
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Watch Anne Ravanona’s TEDx talk on Investing in Women Entrepreneurs.
Learn more about Global Invest Her www.globalinvesther.com @GlobalInvestHer
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