At Venture Atlanta, we are committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through and through. And, as we’ve seen, the impact of female entrepreneurship in the United States has flourished.
The Current Landscape for Women’s Business Opportunities
39.1% of all businesses in the United States are owned by women, generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue. Compared to their male counterparts, female entrepreneurs earn 10% more revenue in the first five years of running their business.
Despite their impact on economic growth, U.S. startups with all-women teams only receive 1.9% of the $238.3 billion in venture capital allocated. And, women make up only 11% of investing partners at VC firms in the United States.
Due to this funding gap for women, we can create connections, boost female tech founders, and start supporting women entrepreneurs further than ever before.
Venture Atlanta is committed to encouraging the flow of capital to talented women founders. We want more women founders to apply for funding and more female-led startups to get the spotlight they deserve.
Venture Atlanta Doesn’t Just Talk the Talk—We Walk the Walk
There is still a funding gap for women, and Venture Atlanta is helping to level the playing field while supporting women entrepreneurs. Here’s how we’re doing it:
Hosting Competitions, Networking Events, and Speaking Engagements for Female Founders and Investors
First Pitch Friday
First Pitch Friday is an event that provides a platform for female founders and student founders to gain live pitch experience and feedback from leading venture capital investors across the Southeast.
The top 10 pitches are selected to show their stuff at the prestigious Metro Atlanta Chamber and have the chance to secure their spot at Venture Atlanta, pitching in front of thousands of VCs and other founders. Not only that but if you’re selected, you’ll be able to build invaluable relationships and receive critical feedback that will catapult your startups to new heights.
Women in Capital Breakfast
For several years, day two of our conference has kicked off with the Women in Capital Breakfast—hosted by Kim Seals, The JumpFund, Christy Brown, and Build in SE and sponsored by Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP. We’re proud to share that since its inception, this event has grown year after year!
Show Her the Money
In partnership with Female Founders in Innovation, we hosted a special screening of “Show Her the Money.” This documentary follows four female entrepreneurs as they endure uphill battles to turn their ideas into reality. In addition to the screening, we hosted a panel featuring two female founders and VA alumni (Robin Gregg of Roadsync and Erica Tuggle of Cookonnect) and two female investors (Naseem Sayani of Emmeline Ventures and Kim Seals of The JumpFund and Venture Atlanta board member)
Islandpreneur
Venture Atlanta CEO Allyson Eman was a keynote speaker at the 2024 Islandprenuer Fest.
This event aims to empower 40 women entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to scale their business by:
- Connecting them with entrepreneurs from St. Maarten, Curacao, Aruba, and Atlanta
- Gaining insights to expand into new markets
- Improving business practices for better quality of life
Thriving in Atlanta’s Startup Ecosystem: State of Resources for Women
Allyson Eman also joined a panel of Atlanta’ leading media, investment, and startup experts for a webinar discussing the exciting opportunities for women founders in Atlanta’s startup ecosystem.
This webinar discussed:
- The current media landscape in Atlanta and how you can leverage it to amplify your startup’s story
- The current trends in venture capital and alternative access to funding with tips on how to secure investment for startups
- Valuable resources and support systems specifically designed for women-led startups in Atlanta
She was joined by:
- Christy Brown – CEO, Dr. Noze Best
- Eileen Lee – Managing Director, Endeavor Atlanta
- Jaisa Gooden – Vice President, Startup Banking, Silicon Valley Bank
- Maija Ehlinger – Editor in Chief, Hypepotamus
Finding Funding Panel
In March, Allyson Eman represented Venture Atlanta by providing resources and inspiration to a group of soon-to-be women entrepreneurs at The University of Georgia’s Delta Innovation Hub.
She was joined by:
- Brooke MacLean – CEO, Marketwake
- Katherine Shayne – CEO, CIRT
- Shila Nieves Burney – General partner, Zane Venture Fund
Leveling Up Your Leadership
Allyson was also a panelist at the Leveling Up Your Leadership event in April, a women’s panel discussion and networking event all about how you can thrive at the top of your game and not just be successful—but enjoy your success.
Allyson was joined by these incredible panelists at this event:
- Marquetta Bryan – Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- Rachael Jones – MPA of Syntax Health
- Randi Braun – Something Major
Female Founders in Innovation Dinners
The Female Founders in Innovation Dinner was added to the Venture Atlanta conference schedule two years ago. This event gives female founders the opportunity to connect and network, with guided discussions lead by VA alum Inclusivv. It’s one of the most popular events in the Venture Atlanta schedule and has now grown to close to 200 attendees!
Leveraging the Expertise and Networks of Venture Atlanta’s Female Board Members
The women on Venture Atlanta’s Board of Directors bring impressive expertise, diversity, credentials, and a ton of experience supporting women entrepreneurs. Here are a few of our renowned female board members:
- Allyson Eman, CEO, Venture Atlanta
- Morgan Phillips, Director of Strategy & Investments, Cox Enterprises
- Jackie DiMonte, Partner, Chicago Ventures
- Elizabeth Stephens, NMP Vice President
- Vanessa Larco, Partner, New Enterprise Associates
- Kim Seals, General Partner, The JumpFund
- Loretta Daniels, Director of Bridge Builders Program, Technology Association of Georgia
Featuring Successful Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Tech, and Women Leaders as Keynote Speakers
Venture Atlanta offers investors more connections to women founders than any other venture event. It’s one of the largest venture conferences in the country, with over 1,500 annual attendees, 450 funds, $7.7B in capital raised, and $17B in successful exits.
We put the spotlight on successful women founders, not just through women entrepreneurs networking but also through sharing learnings and opportunities with our keynote speakers. Together, we’re supporting women entrepreneurs on stage every chance we get.
Past keynote speakers and pitch competition judges have included:
- Stefanie Diaz – Head of Industry Discovery & Venture Atlanta Deal Flow, Catalyst by Wellstar
- Christine Esserman – Partner, Accel
- Duriya Farooqui – Board Director for Intercontinental Exchange and New York Stock Exchange
- Lori Greiner- Shark Tank Shark, Investor, and Serial Entrepreneur
- Arlan Hamilton – Founder and Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
- Arianna Huffington – Founder of the Huffington Post and Thrive Global
- Lauren Kolodny – Founding Partner, Acrew Capital
- Vanessa Larco – General Partner, NEA
- Aileen Lee – Founder, Cowboy Ventures
- Phyllis Newhouse – Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
- Maya Noeth – Partner, Accel
- Nicole North – Talent Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners
- Dami Osunsanya – Co-Head, the Softbank Opportunity Fund
- Clara Sieg – Partner and CoFounder, Revolution Ventures
- Natalie Sandman – General Partner, Spark Capital
- Jewel Burks Solomon – Managing Partner, Collab Capital
- Melissa Taunton- Partner at NEA
- Ellie Wheeler – Partner, Greycroft
Connect With Other Women Entrepreneurs at Venture Atlanta
Here are what past female entrepreneurs have said about attending Venture Atlanta:
“Made lots of connections and witnessed many moments of inspiration and celebration at Venture Atlanta! As I reflect a bit on my experience, the thing that stands out most is the women. We all know…. Venture capital and the tech world is traditionally men, white men at that. But I felt the power of women everywhere.
“How do female founders get funded? Venture Atlanta Conference! What an experience! 24 meetings and am already following up with quite a few funds.”
“While I was waiting in line for the restroom at the conference, a female VC approached me and said, “I love that there is a line at the women’s restroom for Venture Atlanta.” In the past, women at the conference were fewer and far between. The fact that there was a line in 2023 was a great symbol for the future.”
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs at Venture Atlanta
One of our priorities at Venture Atlanta is to provide more opportunities, networking, and partnerships to support women tech founders to close the funding disparity gap. Let’s continue this incredible momentum.
If you’re a female founder, we encourage you to attend Venture Atlanta, and you’ll see first-hand the strong community of women entrepreneurs we’ve gathered over the years. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to stay up-to-date on announcements!
If you’re an organization in the Southeast that supports female founders and want to be involved with VA, please reach out! We’d love to get in touch and discuss partnership options.
