The Agora Initiative DC

Congratulations to the finalists for our first-ever venture competition: After reviewing 70+ applications, our investor committee selected JoyLet, CyDeploy, Standd, and Enda to pitch live at our launch event on May 8. The winner will receive $10K -- and bragging rights :) We're beyond excited about the community we're bringing together, and grateful for the amazing investors and founder mentors that continue to support us: We already have 40+ investors and 35+ founders registered! (THANK YOU!!) For others who are interested in supporting our mission to elevate female founders in DC, you can register for our launch event: Link in comments! Half of all ticket sales and donations will go towards an audience-choice cash prize. But above all, you're supporting our work to advance female founders in the DMV, where last year 92% of venture capital went to all-male founding teams. (And there's also an application for a free ticket!!) Thank you to our investor committee for all of your work to select these awesome companies and for your generous support as we launch this new initiative! Jenny Abramson James Barlia Aaron Berkey Haley Bryant Jason Caplain Bill Collier Tahira Dosani Caroline Duffy Aurelia Flores Kristina F. Lisa Friedlander Sean Glass Amias Gerety Matt Gittleman Seda Atam Goff Brian Goldsmith Kate Goodall Alisha Griffey Daniel Hanks Phil Jung Lisa Marrone Anna Mason Emily McMahan Rashad Moore Rob Runett Braden Snyder Paige Soya Julia Taxin Meg Vorland Thanks also for the generosity of our awesome mentors: Serene A. Kevin Bennett Stephanie Cummings, MBA Dipanwita Das Tonio DeSorrento Cameron Hardesty Jocelyn King, SHRM-SCP Ajay Kori

We are honored to be named as finalists for DC's Program of the Year by Technical.ly! If you haven't yet, take a sec to vote for winners across all categories: https://lnkd.in/e2CGcTCG

Each year, female-founded Homemade in DC curates three phenomenal gift boxes -- all of which?can be further customized. Shop local and support small businesses by shopping?with Homemade in DC! https://lnkd.in/e5C7mfHA

We are excited to partner with DC Startup & Tech Week (Formerly DC Startup Week). The DC area’s largest conference for entrepreneurs and startups and is returning back in person for five days from October 21st through the 25th and registration is now open! ?? During this week they will have over 150 events, 300 speakers speaking to various core tracks including keynotes, expert programming, founder talks, pitch competitions, and networking happy hours every evening. To learn more, register, and check out the schedule of the event, click here! ??? https://lnkd.in/e8iG7MqK

To all the incredible women founders out there??? We all know we can do hard things. But what I've learned along the way, is that you don't have to do it alone. This is what we are building through our Fellows Program - a community that believes in the power of women supporting women. A place where you’ll find the guidance, friendship, and encouragement you need to build your business, because success isn’t just about resources or strategy; it’s about having the right people in your corner. Your community is waiting.??? Apply for our 10th cohort.?https://lnkd.in/eJc6DF2P

?? Our friends at Halcyon are accepting applications for three open fellowships to empower entrepreneurs across the United States and the globe leveraging technology in climate and health. Founders receive expert business training in leadership, product-market fit, and investment readiness, $10K in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits, networking opportunities with investors and diverse stakeholders, professional advisors, and more. Deadline: Friday, October 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e43KhuxB? Apply: https://lnkd.in/eKK83R9 #startupaccelerator #HalcyonFellowship #HalcyonInspires #HealthTech #ClimateTech

One of our fave community partners DC Startup Women (powered by DC Startup Week) is hosting an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary “Show Her The Money” on Monday, August 26th. The documentary discusses the funding gap for women and features a local DC founder,?Jasmine Jones. They will be highlighting other local female founders and funders throughout the event: It will be an awesome opportunity to connect with others in the DC startup ecosystem. Learn more here:?https://lnkd.in/eWhnfRpP

Yesterday, we held our first Breakfast Club event, where our founders had the opportunity to connect with mentors and discuss key topics on their minds. A big thank you to everyone who participated! We're already excited for the next one. cc: Amelia DeSorrento Kelly O'Malley Angie Collier Ann Marie Guzzi Alicia Fuller Bill Collier Steve Ryan, CFA Tara Shankar Meg Vorland Haley Bryant Kaela Roeder Rob Runett Karen Gordon

Speaker applications at this year's DC Startup Week close in four days! Excited to see you all there :)

Springboard Enterprises' Dolphin Tanks spotlight women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from an audience of investors, advisors and industry leaders. The next one is in DC, this Thursday June 20th from 5-8pm.?Click the link to learn more and RSVP! https://lnkd.in/eJdStgk2