The 2024 Women’s Venture Summit Recap

At The Impact Seat Foundation, we’ve always been passionate about building an ecosystem of founders, funders, and change-makers dedicated to empowering women in business. Why? Well, ?only 2-3% of women receive VC funding. That’s a lot of missed innovation created for women, by women!?

This year we? were thrilled to once again return to San Diego as sponsors of the 11th Annual Women’s Venture Summit, hosted by our partners at the Stella Foundation!

Over the years, the Women’s Venture Summit has catalyzed over $200 million in fundraising for women-led companies, and we’re proud to have been part of that journey. This year’s event was no exception, offering an immersive, two-day experience designed to inspire and equip women to thrive in the venture capital space.

Kickoff Party

We were honored to sponsor the unforgettable Kick-Off Party at the 2024 Women’s Venture Summit! Our CEO, Cheryl Contee, and Founder & Board Chair, Barbara Clarke, set the stage for what would become an inspiring two-day event!?

VIP attendees received free copies of Build Your Board, Build Your Business: The Path to Million Dollar Success Explained by Barbara Clarke and Mechanical Bull: How You Can Achieve Startup Success 2nd edition by Cheryl Contee, giving them valuable tools to build and scale their businesses.

The Kick-Off Party reflected everything we stand for: fostering connections, driving progress, and empowering the next generation of women entrepreneurs. It was the perfect start to what would become a transformative event for all who attended!

Day One?

Venture Industry Report for 2024

The first day of the Summit opened with a highly anticipated panel on the Venture Industry Report for 2024. Moderated by Lauren Rowley, the panel featured insights from industry heavyweights, including Geri Stengel, Julie Castro Abrams, and Nicola Corzine. Our very own CEO, Cheryl Contee, shared key trends and emerging sectors shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Cheryl emphasized the importance of diverse leadership in venture-backed companies, noting how women-led startups are often more innovative, capital-efficient, and resilient.

This session gave attendees exclusive access to data and predictions that will shape their investment and entrepreneurial strategies in 2024, making it a must-attend for founders and investors alike.

Icons Showing by Women In Cloud (Oscar Qualified Documentary)

We ended Day One with a public screening of ICONS featuring our board member Chaitra Vedullapalli, a powerful film which delves deep into the complexities of the tech world. ICONS follows a group of trailblazing women as they navigate industry biases, socio-economic challenges, and personal hurdles to create a platform aimed at democratizing economic access for women in technology.

This inspiring narrative underscored the central themes of the Summit—collaboration, resilience, and breaking barriers—and left attendees motivated to continue their own journeys in reshaping the future of women in tech.

Day Two

Breaking into VC and Angel Investing

On Day Two, The Breaking into VC and Angel Investing panel was a highlight, featuring insights from moderator Sue Bevan Baggott, Stella Lim, Kristina Montague, and our CEO, Cheryl Contee.?

Cheryl emphasized the importance of confidence and perseverance, encouraging aspiring female investors to break through the barriers of the male-dominated VC space. Her guidance was practical and empowering, leaving attendees feeling equipped to take actionable steps toward investing in the future of women-led businesses.

The panel was a significant moment for aspiring investors, as it offered a roadmap for success from women who have made their mark in the venture world.

Let’s Get To The Point: Unfiltered Perspectives from Investors

In the afternoon, the Let’s Get To The Point: Unfiltered Perspectives from Investors panel brought together some of the sharpest minds in venture capital. Moderated by Sydney Thomas, this session featured perspectives from Michelle Chang, Courtney Burnett, and our Founder and Board Chair, Barbara Clarke.

Barbara shared her invaluable expertise on conducting due diligence, navigating IPOs, and managing down rounds. She highlighted the need to align investments with long-term growth and innovation, reinforcing the importance of due diligence in making informed decisions.

Building Bridges: Strengthening Emerging Startup Ecosystems

Finally, the Building Bridges: Strengthening Emerging Startup Ecosystems and Empowering Underserved Communities panel focused on building strong networks and empowering women entrepreneurs in underserved regions. Our Board Member, Chaitra Vedullapalli, was joined by Kristin Slink, Misti Cain, and moderator Paloma Vidgen.

Chaitra spoke passionately about the need to tap into the potential of emerging startup ecosystems outside traditional tech hubs. Her vision for empowering local communities through innovation and investment resonated deeply with the audience, especially those looking to create lasting impact in underserved areas.

Women’s Fast Pitch Finalist

One of the most exciting moments of the 2024 Women’s Venture Summit was the Women’s Fast Pitch finals! After months of competing in regional contests, six finalists took the stage to present their ventures to the audience. Attendees were invited to vote for the finalist whose mission and vision resonated most with them.

Haley Marie Keith of MITO Material Solutions secured the top prize, receiving over $50K in grants and in-kind services!?

Closing Keynote: Elizabeth Gore and Arian Simone

We closed the day with an inspiring closing keynote from Elizabeth Gore, Co-Founder and President of Hello Alice, and Arian Simone, CEO and Founding Partner of the Fearless Fund. They addressed recent legal challenges facing their organizations, which threaten the progress of women and minority-led businesses.?

Both speakers highlighted their commitment to driving capital and opportunities to underrepresented founders, reminding the audience of the critical need to support diverse entrepreneurs in today’s economy.

We’re incredibly proud to have been a key sponsor of this transformative event. With leaders like Cheryl Contee, Barbara Clarke, and Chaitra Vedullapalli guiding the way, we are making real strides toward a future where women-led ventures are at the forefront of global innovation.

We can’t wait to see what next year holds, as we continue to build bridges, break barriers, and drive capital into the hands of women who are changing the world!