Women CEO Pitch Resources And Opportunities

It almost wouldn’t be the startup scene without pitching. Pitch competitions, investor pitches, pitch decks. They are almost synonymous at this point. Yet, if you haven’t heard the stat by now, 80% of all companies don’t take external funding. So while pitching sounds vital for 20% of companies, does that mean it’s a waste of time for the other 80%?

The short answer is no. Still, it doesn’t mean all pitches and pitch environments are equally valuable. Women founders and CEOs in particularly don’t feel they are taken seriously at many pitches. In fact, 75% of women felt this way. Layer in the fact that women only get about 2% of business funding. If you run the math, it stands to reason that upwards of 90% of women don’t get value out of most pitch experiences.

When something that is so core to an ecosystem alienates upwards of 90% of women founders and CEOs, it’s not surprising that women are starving for real feedback and opportunities. And just as importantly, we help all women CEOs, not just those building investable companies, understand how pitching can help make them and their businesses better.

Here at Vaxa we’ve complied a number of resources that will help women find pitch opportunities, whether or not you are ready ,or even want, external investment. Our goal is not only to help women capture more than 2% of investable dollars available to businesses, but to also create a whole new ecosystem that will empower women to be businesses leaders even if their needs are not inside the traditional startup-investor world. And if the place for you in inside that ecosystem, we’re going to help bring you into those circles as well.

Below are a list of resources, organized by broad business stage. Each of these pitching opportunities are focused either exclusively on women, are run by women, have a mandate to include women or actively seek to include women. Don’t feel boxed in by the descriptions, if one of those programs sound interesting, apply. If you aren’t ready don’t worry, all are eager for spectators or those just wanting to observe.

Pitching For Early Startups

If you are an early startup or 0 revenue/low revenue company here are some pitching opportunities for you.

PITCH360 – focused helping founders develop as CEOs and hone their business concepts, even at the earliest stage. The goal of PITCH360 is to help you develop your skills as a CEO so you can apply those to any business. PITCH360s occur monthly. Applications are open and on going.

ATDC Pitch Circle – get live feedback on your ideas from successful entrepreneurs who have been there and done that. Georgia Tech ATDC community and network of entrepreneurs, advisors, coaches, mentor and investors will give specific advice on your idea and pitch, how to make it concise and compelling and what investors are likely to look for.

Pitching For Near/At/Pre-Product Market Fit Companies

If you have revenue and a product but have just recently hit, or are working towards hitting product market fit, here are some pitch opportunities.

PITCH360 – focused helping founders develop as CEOs, hone their business concepts and when ready laser in their investor asks. You’ll get real world feedback not just from other business leaders, but from your perspective customers and those in your industry. PITCH360s occur monthly. Applications are open and on going.

First Pitch Friday – provides women identifying founders the ability to pitch and get on the spot feedback from leading venture capital professionals who want to see you successfully raise. First Pitch Fridays occur monthly. Applications are open and on going.

Pitching For Companies Actively Seeking Investment

Whether or not you have revenue, if you are in a position that you feel you are investor ready and want to get in front of VCs, here are some pitch opportunities for you.

PITCH360 – focused helping founders develop as CEOs and laser in their investor asks. You’ll get real world feedback not just from other successful business leaders, but from VCs and those in your industry. PITCH360s occur monthly. Applications are open and on going.

Not Ready To Pitch Or Not Sure Where You Fit?

Not ready to pitch or not sure where you fit within this system? No problem, each of these events are open to non-pitching spectators. Joining as a spectator is a great opportunity to get a feel for how the event works, learn from the pitches you watch and prepare yourself. Everyone founder and CEO will benefit regardless of where they are by joining anyone of these great pitch events.