Springboard Enterprises | Helping Women Raise & Rise

Life Sciences Innovation Program Application Period
2022-11-11 - 2023-02-01
Applications Are Now Open!

Applications are NOW OPEN for Springboard Enterprises’ 2023 Life Sciences Innovation Program.

Springboard is now recruiting women-led life sciences companies seeking growth, funding, and connections to experts and strategic partners for product development and expansion.

Areas of focus for the program include but are not limited to:

Biotechnology

Medical Devices

Diagnostics

Therapeutics

Pharmaceuticals

Rare Diseases

Healthcare and Hospital Systems

Consumer healthcare

Applications will be open through January 20th, 2023.

Check out our 2023 Life Sciences Innovation Program page for all the information you need on how to apply, see past program participants, and much more!

Learn More

Apply to the Program

Dolphin Tank Pitch Event: Kansas City Women in Tech
2023-02-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Polsinelli Offices, 900 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO, 64112
This event has passed

Click to see our Event Photos

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a pitch event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partners Wells Fargo, the Kauffman Foundation, and OneKC for Women, for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Tuesday, February 28, 20235:00 PM CT – 8:00 PM CT

Polsinelli Offices900 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO 64112

Please note: This will be an in-person event

RSVP to Attend

APPLY to Pitch

We’re Showcasing Women in Tech!

Does your company have at least one woman founder, entrepreneur, or executive in a key leadership position? Do you advise one? Pitch your company at Dolphin Tank!

Don’t wait! Applications are due February 14, 2023.

Criteria for presenting companies:

Applications are open to women entrepreneurs in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus that include, but are not limited to enterprise-focused tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present in Kansas City, MO on February 28, 2023

Apply by February 14 2023

Pitch Your Company Today

Meet our Panel

Judith Goldkrand SVP at Wells Fargo

Judith Goldkrand, a Senior Vice President with Wells Fargo, is the National Women’s Segment Leader and National Asian Segment Leader. Judith has more than 25 years of experience in banking including Corporate Finance, Private Banking, and Business Banking. She is a board member of the Women Presidents’ Organization and the Chair of the Foundation of the Women Presidents’ Organization. Judith is the Vice Chair of the board of Equal Rights Advocates and is chair of the development committee. She is on the board of Women Business Collaborative and a co-chair of the Advisory Council. Judith is also a member of the advisory board of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson and an advisory board member of Enterprising Women. In addition, Judith is a member of the Wexner Gender Summit. Judith is a past board member of National Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America, is a past board member of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco and a past president of Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco. She is a former board member of Pacific Community Ventures and chair of the loan policy committee. She is a Wexner Heritage Fellow alumna and a graduate of Yale University. Judith is passionate about women’s leadership and influence, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the growth of women-owned businesses. In 2016, Judith was honored with the President’s Award from the Women Presidents’ Organization. Most recently, Judith was awarded the Industry Leadership Award by Professional Business Women of California.

Aviva Ajmera CEO of SoLVE KC

Aviva founded SoLVE with the mission to help Kansas City businesses grow. Offering a unique, hands-on approach to business consulting, SoLVE’s clients are both B2B and B2C. They range from $600M national corporations to $500M regional companies, and also include local small business owners and start-ups. Aviva supports clients across numerous industries including Consumer Product Goods, Construction, Publishing, Wealth Management, Higher Education, IT, Manufacturing, CCRCs and non-profit organizations.

Margo Shepard Advisor & SVP of Investments at The Shepard Wealth Management Group

Through a long-term investment approach, Shepard helps high-net-worth clients develop and implement strategies to support their financial and life goals. She is a Private Wealth Financial Advisor and has provided guidance to individual and institutional investors since 1981. She helps to ensure that her clients receive the advice and service needed to help them preserve and grow their wealth across generations.

Bryan Shannon Managing Director at Trevipay

Bryan is a proven sales leader and executive with a strong track record of helping businesses drive sales, grow market shares, and increase revenue through strong leadership, effective communication, and business development. Outside of his profession, Bryan is also a non-profit board member, business advisor and advocate for small businesses.

Debra Ellies Ph.D CEO of OssiFi Inc

Dr. Ellies founded OssiFi Inc, and has worked to develop the unique business strategy, with a de-risked efficacious orally available drug and a spinal fusion synthetic device that will promote bone. Dr. Ellies has also written several international key scientific manuscripts and has over a dozen issued and filed patent applications. Debra continues to be a prolific entrepreneur in the life sciences.

Meet our Moderator

Evelyn Torres VP of Brand and Community, Springboard Enterprises

Evelyn is a seasoned marketing professional with Fortune 500 and Big Four experience. Her specializations are brand management, transforming insights into stories, innovation transformation, and digital/social strategy. Evelyn brings her expertise from marketing global corporations to Springboard Enterprises to grow our impact in the community. She is recognized as a leader in the marketing industry and has been named one of the “Top 20 Professionals Under 40 in Miami” by Brickell Magazine. She’s a contributor to British Airways Magazine, The Club, and Modern Luxury. Evelyn has also been featured in The South Florida Business Journal, The Sun Sentinel, Medium.com, Racked, BIKINI.com, Kitchn.com, and Brickell Magazine. She is an advocate for diversity and women entrepreneurs. She’s also passionate about improving children’s literacy in the United States. Pre-pandemic she was a volunteer for United Way Reading Pals. She currently splits her time between New York and Miami.

Meet our Entrepreneurs

See our Event Look Book

ONE KC Dolphin Tank Look Book

About Dolphin Tank

Dolphin Tank participants will have access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to capital via: Funding Your Small Business, Pitching to Investors, and Equity Prep classes offered by the KCWBC. Funding Your Small Business is a one-hour workshop providing an understanding of debt and equity funding. Equity seekers are encouraged to take the next step with pitching to investors an orientation workshop. Debt funding candidates may be interested in a microloan or banker referral or one-on-one counseling with KCWBC’s Client Services Manager for potential financial preparation. Pitching to Investors is a two-hour orientation that introduces the business owner pursuing equity funding with terminology and the process that is necessary to attract investors. Equity Prep takes a deeper dive into raising equity funding. The program helps entrepreneurs get ready for several pathways, including Digital Sandbox, Dolphin Tank, Angel Investors, and Demo Days.

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partners

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank at SXSW 2023
2023-03-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Waller Creek Boathouse, 74 Trinity St, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
This event has passed

Click to see our Event Photos

Watch the event

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is an event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank sponsor Female Quotient at SXSW 2023 for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Saturday, March 11, 202310:30 AM CT – 11:30 AM CT

Female Quotient Equality Lounge

Waller Creek Boathouse74 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Please note: This will be an in-person event

RSVP to Attend

APPLY to Pitch

We’re Showcasing Women in Tech!

Does your company have at least one woman founder, entrepreneur, or executive in a key leadership position? Do you advise one? Pitch your company at Dolphin Tank!

Don’t wait! Applications are due February 17, 2023.

Criteria for presenting companies:

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus that include, but are not limited to enterprise-focused tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present in Austin, TX on March 11, 2023

Apply by February 17, 2023

Pitch Your Company Today

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Download our Dolphin Tank Look Book

Meet Our Experts and Advisors

Ashley Balla Partner, Halogen Ventures

Ashley Balla is a Partner at Halogen Ventures. Halogen invests in early stage companies led by female founders. Among Halogen’s 70 portfolio companies are Babylist, Teadrops, the Skimm, Live Tinted, AllVoices, and The Flex Company to name a few. Balla brings a unique and valuable perspective to the industry. She is a leader and advocate for the diversification in venture capital and is playing a key role in shifting the playing field to become more inclusive on all fronts in terms of age, race, gender and backgrounds. She co-runs the Halogen Fellowship in Venture Capital, a Fellowship that aims to train exceptional undergraduate students in venture capital and to create more opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to become investors. She also started the Halogen Influencer Initiative. Balla sits as a board member of Los Angeles based Teadrops, StyleRow and board observer of Kentucky based Inked Brands. Balla is on the steering committee of AllRaise LA, on the Board of Latinx VC, and part of the Multicultural Leadership Coalition by Goldhouse. She is dedicated to supporting and growing young entrepreneurs, women in finance and creating a more diverse pipeline of investors in venture capital. She is a graduate of UCLA.

Rakia Reynolds Founder, Skai Blue Media

Rakia Reynolds is a thought leader, taste maker and branding expert who advises name brands on creative strategy. Her guiding principles as an intriguing storyteller focus on distilling equity in messaging, and her ability to navigate the ever-increasing complex cultural and social media landscapes are only some of the reasons Rakia has successfully created her own distinct brand of authenticity and expertise for over 15 years. Rakia has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the 27 Business Leaders Aiming to Change the World, was listed as one of the 25 Most Socially Influential Tastemakers on Dell’s “Inspire 100” list, and recently was also profiled by Forbes on their “Next 1000” list. Rakia regularly contributes her expertise to the pages of Forbes, Inc.com, HuffPost, Fast Company, and more. Onstage, she captivates audiences across many industries as her talks span branding, media, multicultural business, economic development, and the entrepreneurial journey, all of which are more than relevant to the recent challenging and changing times. Rakia is recognized for her innovative approach and commitment to authenticity and has spoken at TEDx, SXSW, Inbound, and others. More than a keynote speaker, Rakia is often called upon to moderate panel discussions due her in-depth knowledge of a wide range of topics affecting the business community.

Shelley Zalis CEO, The Female Quotient

Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient, a woman-owned business working with companies and conscious leaders to curate experiences, thought leadership, and solutions designed to achieve gender equality in the workplace and beyond. The FQ’s end-to-end equality platform includes co-branded research, content campaigns, and partnership opportunities at its signature Equality Lounges®. Visibility is further driven through The FQ’s robust social, media, and editorial channels. The FQ approach is intersectional, inspirational, and inclusive, working with leaders and rising stars in every industry and around the world. Zalis is a pioneer for online research, becoming the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry’s top 25. Today, Zalis works with Fortune 500 companies, impact organizations, and conscious leaders to advance equality in the workplace. A firm believer in giving back with generosity, Zalis is a proud mentor to women around the world. Zalis authors a Forbes column that provides virtual mentorship for women in middle management. She is co-founder of #SeeHer, a movement led by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) to increase the accurate portrayal of women and girls in advertising and media.

Randall J. Clark Partner, Gunderson Dettmer

Randall’s practice focuses on the representation of emerging growth companies, including companies within the following industries: software, hardware, education, consumer, and healthcare. Randall’s work with companies spans the entire corporate life-cycle, including company formation and entity selection, general corporate representation and counseling, venture capital financings of equity and debt securities, and mergers and acquisitions. Randall also devotes a substantial amount of time to the representation of venture capital funds of all stages in their foreign and domestic investment activities. Randall graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. Prior to joining Gunderson Dettmer, Randall practiced in the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

Meet Our Moderator

Anna Consani Head of Community, Goodwater Capital

Anna Consani is Head of Community at Goodwater Capital, the largest consumer tech focused VC fund in the world. Goodwater’s mission is to empower exceptional entrepreneurs everywhere to change the world for good. At Goodwater, Anna works within Portfolio Services to better connect the Goodwater community of founders and support the growth of portfolio companies which range from seed to pre-IPO. Prior to Goodwater, Anna was Vice President of Community and Partnerships at Springboard Enterprises, a global network for women-led tech and healthcare companies. Anna led the Springboard Dolphin Tank program, a “friendly-feedback” pitch session for entrepreneurs as well as the Women’s Health Innovation Coalition. She has hosted and moderated pitch events in over 30 cities, across 6 countries and 50+ virtual events. Anna has worked for Members of Congress in both Washington, D.C., and California, and was a Panetta Congressional Fellow in 2012. Anna holds a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Sociology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and is currently based in Sacramento, CA.

Meet Our Presenters

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Springboard Brunch at SXSW 2023
2023-03-12 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Malverde at La Condesa, 400 West 2nd St, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
This event has passed

Click to see our Event Photos

Watch the event

Springboard is headed to Austin! We will be hosting a brunch event at Malverde at La Condesa on March 12, 2023 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm CT

The event will include a networking reception, brunch, feature a Springboard Alumna innovating in tech and more! We’re putting a Texas twist on this breakfast with a “Best Boots Contest.” Wear your best cowboy boots and enter the competition or as a host committee member, you can serve as a judge!

See y’all in Austin!

When and Where

Sunday, March 12, 202310:30 AM CT – 12:00 PM CT

Malverde

La Condesa400 West 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Please note: This will be an in-person event

Meet our Event Speakers

Kay Koplovitz Co-founder & Chairman, Springboard Enterprises

In 1999, Kay Koplovitz co-founded Springboard with the intention of tackling the founder pipeline and the investor challenges women-led businesses faced. This culminated in Springboard’s first demo day in 2000 where 22 out of the 26 participants received funding. Women helping women build their companies and create jobs is having an impact on our economy.

As Chairman of Springboard Enterprises, the nation’s premier platform for connecting women with venture capital, Kay spends much of her time and energy helping women find venture capital to fund their companies.

Chelsie Lee Alumna Speaker, NYFTLab ’19

Chelsie Lee is a Strategic Retail and Technology Executive who specializes in global and domestic business strategy and execution. Most notably credited as the founder of Shipsi, the technology platform serving as a conduit between last-mile delivery networks and providing retailers with same-day, next-day and scheduled delivery. Shipsi was acquired by Auctane, a Thoma Bravo company, in 2021.

Scope of expertise includes product innovation, sales and business development, go-to-market strategy, supply chain optimization, capital raising, marshaling the combined talent of a broad team of subject matter experts and executive leaders, buying/planning in corporate retail, and leading enterprise B2B sales teams in the retail technology sector.

Chelsie is a fierce advocate for identifying problems and leveraging high-impact growth strategies, as well as a frequent publisher of retail-focused thought leadership as seen in Nasdaq, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. She is a member of several founder centric communities, Techstars Alumni, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Nominee and honored as one of The Top 50 Leaders of Austin for 2022.

Meet Our Host Committee

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

ViVE Conference Cocktail Event
2023-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
This event has passed

Click to see our Event Photos

Springboard is heading to ViVE! We will be hosting an invitation-only cocktail event during the 2023 VIVE Conference in Nashville, TN.

Event Partners: Polsinelli, Ariat and Women’s Health Founders Forum.

Guest Speaker

Kate Liebelt, Chief of Staff to R&D Leadership Team | Executive Director, Organon & Executive in Residence – Women’s Health Innovation, Springboard Enterprises

Kate has spent the last 20 years helping organizations bring innovative products and services to market as both a corporate leader and entrepreneur. Her experience spans life sciences and health care across academia, industry and non-profits. R&D roles at Organon, AbbVie, Takeda, Organon, Baxter, TAP and Washington University in Saint Louis’s Office of Technology Transfer have positioned Kate well to help innovative teams think through the complexities of launching a new product or service in terms of planning, budgeting, and measuring progress.

Kate is a seasoned start-up and not-for-profit board member. She has been recognized for her entrepreneur advocacy and civic engagement by Springboard Enterprises and Becker’s Hospital Review. She is a published author and public speaker, as well as a graduate school instructor. Kate earned a B.A. in economics from Washington University in Saint Louis, certificate in healthcare innovation from the University of Pennsylvania, and certificate in cancer genomics and precision oncology, Harvard University Medical School.

Presenting the ViVE Host Committee

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

ViVE Conference Breakfast + Networking Event
2023-03-28 07:30 - 09:00 (America/Chicago)
This event has passed.

View the 2024 ViVE Breakfast Event

Click to see our Event Photos

Springboard is heading to ViVE! We will be hosting an invitation-only breakfast during the 2023 VIVE Conference on March 28, 2023 from 7:30 am- 9:00 am CT in Nashville, TN.

*Please note that this is an event within the conference and you will need a ViVE event pass to enter*

The Future of Health: Patient-centric and Digital-first

Meet the Panel

Dr. Jin Lee

Former Global Director of Digital Health, Astellas Pharma Rx+

Dr. Jin Lee is a digital health strategist, investor, and entrepreneur. She was most recently the Global Director of Digital Health at Astellas Pharma Inc’s Rx+ Business Accelerator, top 20 pharma in the world. Dr. Lee was formerly a committee member at the American Heart Association and worked in the innovation centers and venture arms of Humana, 4th largest health insurance company, and Providence St. Joseph Health, 3rd largest nonprofit hospital system in the USA. She also confounded and worked in multiple digital health companies in maternal/ child, radiology and education spaces. Based in Silicon Valley, Dr. Lee advises multiple digital health startups and accelerator programs. Dr. Lee received her Ph.D in Child Neuropsychology from the University of Oxford and BA in Biology and Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania.

Diane Smith

CCO, MedAware & Entrepreneur in Residence for Digital Health, Springboard

Diane has spent 15 years helping launch device, SaaS, and digital healthcare tech companies in the U.S. market. She’s currently the Chief Commercial Officer at MedAware, an technology company with proprietary AI that detects personal risk of medication related harm. In her role, Diane is leading the company’s adoption and growth in the U.S., bringing MedAware’s best-in-class medication safety monitoring platform to U.S. healthcare professionals, device, payer, and pharmacy partners. Diane is passionate about the healthcare tech startup community and is eager to contribute her firsthand expertise launching other “like” companies to the Springboard community.

Erin Scales

VP of Customer Development, b.well

Erin is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in sales and customer development leadership. She has a proven track record of success in aligning go-to-market teams with key market opportunities, and executing on them with precision. Erin has held leadership positions at prestigious healthcare companies, including 2bPrecise, NantHealth, CareFusion, and Motorola. Her passion for improving healthcare and unwavering commitment to excellence have cemented her reputation as a leader. Her strategic vision, exceptional communication skills, and talent for building strong teams have enabled her to drive high growth in fast-paced healthcare and technology companies.

Presenting the ViVE Host Committee

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Digital Health Innovation Showcase
2023-06-07 08:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Mintz Boston Office, One Financial Center , MA, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
This event has passed.

Springboard’s Digital Health Innovation Showcase will feature top women innovating in Digital Health from Springboard’s most recent Digital Health cohort. Join us for their inspiring presentations followed by feedback and insight from our expert panel and audience. If you want to see what’s next in Digital Health or network with the broader Springboard community of investors, industry leaders, and top entrepreneurs, join us!

Event Partner: Mintz

When and Where

Wednesday June 7th, 2023

8:00 AM EST – 10:30 AM EST

Mintz Boston Office

1 Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Please note: This will be an in-person event

RSVP to Attend

Meet the Entrepreneurs

Melissa Bowley

Founder, Flourish Care

A tech-enabled maternal health platform for evidence-based community care improving equity and outcomes.

Sharon Samjitsingh

CEO & Co-Founder, Health Care Originals

Digital Respiratory Therapy Platform for Asthma & COPD. HCO’s current wearable solutions are optimized for respiratory system applications, providing revolutionary, actionable insight into Asthma & COPD.

Margaret Melville

CEO & Founder, Lasa Health

Platform for complex chronic conditions, starting with endometriosis through gamified patient educative, seamless care navigation, and a supportive community.

Shannon Field

CEO & Founder, SoShe

Partner-inclusive digital health & wellness for pregnancy, birth, and the years postpartum including app-based education, tools, and expert support.

Meet the Panelists

Cheryl Reicin

Partner, Mintz

Cheryl is an internationally recognized advisor to life sciences companies and some of the industry’s largest investors. She assists clients in developing innovative strategies for domestic and international growth and advises on highly complex transactions around the globe. She represents biotechnology, medical device, and health technology companies at all stages of their development, from inventors and start-ups to major public corporations, as well as venture capitalists, investment banks, and academic medical centers.

Pamela Goldberg

Former President and CEO, Medical Device Innovation Consortium

Pamela Goldberg is globally recognized leader in medical technology innovation, leading strategy to affect change for industry and regulators. Her focus on collaboration and driving change have been instrumental in making progress for the medical device industry in partnership with the FDA, patient advocacy groups and clinical sites. During her time at MDIC, she has led its growth with RWE, clinical trial science, digital technologies, and health economics.

Rachel Sha

Operating Partner, The Engine

Rachel Sha is an Executive-in-Residence at The Engine, a venture fund spun-out of MIT that invests in Tough Tech companies primarily in the Boston area. She advises companies and works with The Engine team in exploring investment themes, opportunities, and programming. Prior to this, she was the Global Vice President of Digital Strategy, Partnering and Governance at Sanofi where she led global strategy, business development, and governance of digital programs to transform Sanofi and healthcare.

Diane Smith

Chief Commercial Officer, MedAware

Throughout her career, Diane has held various leadership roles within sales, marketing, and operations for healthcare IT/SaaS organizations most recently successfully launching a real time Rx pricing decision support application (CenterX, an AmerisourceBergen company) in the Epic customer market and launching Israeli-based MedAware in the U.S. healthcare market. She has a unique ability to understand the complex “business of healthcare” and competing clinical-financial-quality drivers her customers face daily and thrives on providing creative solutions that move healthcare forward.

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Ashley Lundy, VP of Programs for Springboard Enterprises at ashley@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank: D.C. Metro Area
2023-06-20 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Deloitte Office, 1919 N Lynn St Suite 1500, Arlington, VA, 22209, United States
This event has passed.

Click to see Our Event Photos

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a showcase that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in Technology. Our Dolphin Tank events spotlight exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises for an exciting event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Tuesday, June 20, 20235:00 PM EST – 8:00 PM EST

Deloitte Office: 1919 N Lynn St, Floor 10, Arlington, VA 22209Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

We’re Showcasing Women Founders in the D.C. Metro Area!

Criteria for presenting companies:

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to enterprise tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present in DC on June 20, 2023.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Meet Our Experts and Advisors

Renata Aráuz-DeStefano, Investor, Pivotal Venture

Renata has spent the past decade bridging the finance and social impact sectors, having held roles in microfinance, investment banking, social enterprises, and venture capital. Most recently, she served as a Project Manager for the New Capitalism Project, an initiative co-creating a strategy to guide philanthropic investment. Prior to that, she was an impact investor at Nairobi-based KawiSafi Ventures, where she invested in the clean energy space.

A proud SEO and Toigo alumna of Ecuadorian descent, Renata is passionate about increasing access to capital for diverse GPs and founders and building a bench of future capital allocators who reflect the changing demographics of the US. Renata serves on the board of VCFamilia, an organization supporting Latinx investors and founders. She holds a BA in International Relations and French from Tufts University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jen O’Daniel, Senior Director, Virginia Venture Partners

Jennifer O’Daniel joined Virginia Venture Partners (formerly CIT GAP Funds) in 2003, where she leads seed and early stage investments in tech companies with a concentration on cybersecurity and enterprise software. A senior member of the investment team, O’Daniel has led over 50 investments in seed and early-stage companies as well as investments for MACH37, a cybersecurity accelerator. She is a frequent speaker at conferences like FinTechSouth, BlackHat, RSA, and SxSW.

O’Daniel has served as a board observer for several Virginia-based companies, including VividCortex (acquired by SolarWinds NYSE:SWI)), Canvas (acquired K1 Investment Management), Pype (acquired by Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK)), Latista (acquired by Textura (NYSE: TXTR)), ID.Me, Urgent.ly, PerformYard, HyperQube, RunSafe, Zoomph, Introhive and ThreatQuotient.

Brooke Nussbaum, Partner, Cooley

Brooke Nussbaum heads Cooley’s mid-Atlantic corporate practice. Brooke’s practice consists primarily of corporate and securities law. She represents a wide range of private company clients, from newly formed startups to high-growth companies, in all of their corporate needs, including corporate governance matters, equity financings, restructurings, recapitalizations and M&A. She also represents private equity funds, growth equity funds, venture capital funds and other investment entities on their investments in technology and life sciences companies.

Isabelle Styslinger, Investor, Revolution, Rise of the Rest

Isabelle is an Associate on the investment team at Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund. She joined the firm in 2023 and focuses on sourcing, due diligence, and supporting existing portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Revolution, Isabelle was a Corporate Venture and Innovation Associate at Silicon Foundry, a San Francisco-based firm, where she advised Fortune 500 corporations on investing in and partnering with innovative startups. Isabelle also worked for Netflix where she developed privacy products and solutions. She also has experience lobbying for major technology companies.

Isabelle graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in Political Science, with a concentration in Internet Law and Policy through a dual enrollment program at MIT. Isabelle was born in D.C. but grew up across five states and two countries, and considers the Bay Area home.

Event Partners

Questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Virtual Dolphin Tank: Kansas City Women in Tech
2023-08-16 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a pitch event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partners Wells Fargo, the Kauffman Foundation, and OneKC for Women, for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Wednesday, August 16th, 202312:00 PM-2:00 PM CT

Please note: This will be a virtual event.

RSVP to Attend

APPLY to Pitch

We’re Showcasing Women in Tech!

Does your company have at least one woman founder, entrepreneur, or executive in a key leadership position? Do you advise one? Pitch your company at Dolphin Tank!

Don’t wait! Applications are due soon.

Criteria for presenting companies:

Applications are open to women entrepreneurs in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus that include, but are not limited to enterprise-focused tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present virtually on August 16, 2023.

Apply today.

Pitch Your Company Today

About Dolphin Tank

Dolphin Tank participants will have access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to capital via: Funding Your Small Business, Pitching to Investors, and Equity Prep classes offered by the KCWBC. Funding Your Small Business is a one-hour workshop providing an understanding of debt and equity funding. Equity seekers are encouraged to take the next step with pitching to investors an orientation workshop. Debt funding candidates may be interested in a microloan or banker referral or one-on-one counseling with KCWBC’s Client Services Manager for potential financial preparation. Pitching to Investors is a two-hour orientation that introduces the business owner pursuing equity funding with terminology and the process that is necessary to attract investors. Equity Prep takes a deeper dive into raising equity funding. The program helps entrepreneurs get ready for several pathways, including Digital Sandbox, Dolphin Tank, Angel Investors, and Demo Days.

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Meet Our Experts and Advisors

Pam Berneking, Board Member, MRIGlobal

Pam has been extensively involved in civic and philanthropic activities. She has held leadership roles on the boards of the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate, the Economic Club of Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council, and Park University. She also serves on the Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University. She is a Kansas City Business Journal ‘Women Who Mean Business’ honoree. She is an angel investor and part of the Women’s Capital Connection, where she focuses on early stage companies led by women.

Joanne Esfahani, Market Leader, Wells Fargo Advisors

Joanne began her career at Merrill Lynch and has since dedicated her 25-year career to serving, developing and leading financial advisors. She leverages her background and experiences to advise and guide high-performing, success-oriented professionals to bring their unique vision for their own businesses into focus. She is results-driven and committed to helping advisors expand their comfort zones, set bigger goals and strive to achieve what’s most important to them.

Rosa Hathaway, Principal, Atento Capital

Rosa is an aerospace engineer with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Oral Roberts University and a master’s in aerospace engineering from University of Southern California. She started her aerospace career at NASA. This was followed by ten years at SpaceX. Rosa leverages her past experience with the incredible team at Atento Capital, driving innovation and accelerating economic development in Tulsa.

Mark Calhoun, Business Development Consultant, Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC

Mark has been a founder, co-founder, partner or investor in a wide variety of startups primarily focused on financial technology, retail or retail technology. In addition he has worked as a technologist or consultant in a variety of industries including banking, insurance, reinsurance, healthcare and transportation. Mark was recently an entrepreneur in residence at nbkc bank where he worked to develop consumer banking solutions and served as an informal advisor at Fountain City Fintech accelerator.

Debra Walton, Advisor, Investor & Coach, Springboard Board of Directors

Debra is a recently retired corporate executive who now spends her time doing advisory and board work. She has been a lifelong champion of women, and much of her focus continues to be the advancement of women. Debra is a tireless advocate of gender equality and speaks globally on diversity and leadership and the importance of ESG more broadly. She is a recipient of many industry awards, including the New York Women’s Agenda Galaxy Award and the Women’s Venture Fund Highest Leaf Award.

Event Partners

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

NEW, NOW, NEXT: Fundraising Celebration Event
2023-09-07 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Join us at our virtual fundraising celebration to meet and connect with exceptional women entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing industries and shaping what is NEW, NOW, and NEXT. You will hear about groundbreaking innovations, inspiring stories, and bold visions as well as gain a deeper understanding of Springboard’s mission and how you can further contribute to its impact on women entrepreneurs. You will have fun, meet some other powerful leaders, and of course hear from our exciting speakers.

You don’t have to wait to donate. Make a meaningful gift to Springboard and help pave the way for the next generation of women entrepreneurs to build high-impact companies.

Donate Today

The Co-Hosts

Rakia Reynolds, Founder and CEO, Skai Media, Springboard Board of DirectorsDebra Walton, Advisor, Investor and Coach, Springboard Board of Directors

Springboard Leadership

Kay Koplovitz, Co-Founder and Chairman of Board, Springboard EnterprisesNatalie Buford-Young, Chief Executive Officer, Springboard Enterprises

The Entrepreneurs

Lyndsey Harper, Founder and CEO, Rosy WellnessTope Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO, ReflektmeKristen Valdes, Founder and CEO, B.WellLuan Cox, President and CEO, FinMkt

Interested in attending or have additional questions?

Reach out to Kat Casaretto at Kat@springboardenterprises.org.

Women's Health Innovation Summit USA
2023-09-13 - 2023-09-15 | The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02116, United States
Springboard is heading to the Women’s Health Innovation Summit in Boston, MA!

Springboard Enterprises is proud to partner with the 2023 Women’s Health Innovation Summit. The Summit unites pharmaceutical companies, investors, medical device companies, biotechs, startups, femtech, payers, researchers, healthcare providers, consultants, and beyond, driving innovation at the convergence of healthcare and technology.

Springboard’s CEO, Natalie Buford-Young will be moderating the annual CEO & Founders Forum addressing specific industry challenges and opportunities as chosen by the attendees.

For our Springboard Community, the Women’s Health Innovation Summit is providing a special discount code! Please use code SPRINGBOARD10 for 10% off your registration.

Register for the Summit

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Life Sciences Innovation Showcase
2023-10-23 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Cure, 345 Park Ave South, New York, 10010, United States
Experience the Springboard Life Sciences Innovation Showcase, spotlighting visionary women driving innovation within the life sciences sector from our latest cohort. Immerse yourself in their captivating presentations, accompanied by evaluations and wisdom from our esteemed panel of experts and engaged audience members. If you’re keen on exploring the forefront of life sciences or establishing connections within the expansive Springboard community encompassing investors, industry pioneers, and accomplished entrepreneurs, we invite you to unite with us at this exceptional event!

Event Partners: Morgan Lewis and Cure

When and Where

Monday October 23rd, 2023

4:00 PM EST – 7:00 PM EST

Cure

345 Park Ave South, New York, NY 10010

Please note: This will be an in-person event and free admission

RSVP to Attend

Meet the Entrepreneurs

Esther Alegria, Ph.D.Founder & CEO, APIE TherapeuticsAPIE Therapeutics is a biopharma start-up pioneering the development of a portfolio of anti-fibrotic therapeutics drugs to treat chronic and debilitating diseases associated with injury to the vascular endothelium organ.

Megan LeslieCo-founder & CEO, NanoTess NanoTess Inc. is a material science startup developing nanomaterials to address some of the world’s toughest health challenges, beginning with chronic wounds.

Andrea Ashford-HicksCEO, Cayuga BiotechCayuga Biotech is developing first-in-class medicines that harness the body’s innate ability to stop bleeding and heal.

Jennifer Cheng, J.D., Ph.D.Founder & CEO, PTM TherapeuticsPTM Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage startup developing antibody therapeutics against post-translational modification targets with programs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Oncology.

Mary Weitzel, MBACEO, Yaso TherapeuticsYaso is a preclinical drug development company focuses on the global need for non-hormonal contraceptives and disease prevention.

Tina Garyantes, Ph.D.Co-founder & COO, Linnaeus TherapeuticsLinnaeus Therapeutics is a development stage biotech company engaged in the identification and development of small molecule agents for the treatment of cancer.

Melissa Kim, Ph.DCo-founder & CEO, LavaageLavaage is bringing antivirals to consumer health with a proprietary platform of polysaccharide-based drugs derived from seaweed.

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Ashley Lundy, VP of Programs for Springboard Enterprises at ashley@springboardenterprises.org.

Springboard's 2023 Gala Dinner
2023-10-24 18:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Nasdaq MarketSite, 151 West 43rd Street, New York City, NY, 10036, United States
View Springboard Gala 2023 Photos

View the 2024 Gala Page

Join us for Springboard Enterprises’ 15th annual Gala on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Nasdaq in Times Square, New York. This extraordinary event will be an evening of both professional elegance and joyous celebration, set in a venue fit for the occasion. Nasdaq’s MarketSite is a global destination for celebrating success, achievements and important milestones.

The gala will unite our diverse community of industry leaders, seasoned investors, corporate executives, and Springboard’s esteemed alumnae in honor of the incredible achievements of our vibrant network. Honors such as Entrepreneur of the Year, Investor of the Year, Rising Star and Champion are bestowed upon visionary leaders whose actions and impact contribute to the advancement of women entrepreneurs and our society as a whole.

2023 honorees include:

Rising Star – Mette Dyhrberg, Founder & CEO, Mymee

Champion Award – Gina Bartasi, Founder and Executive Chairman, Kindbody

Investor of the Year – Erin Harkless Moore, Senior Director of Investments, Pivotal Ventures

Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by CVS Health) – Julia Cheek, Springboard alumna and CEO & Founder, Everly Health

We gather not only to celebrate the achievements of Springboard’s network of 890+ women entrepreneurs who have led 27 IPOs and generated over $39B in value, but also to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a future where their impact knows no bounds. Through this event, we aim to raise funds for our not-for-profit organization, supporting our mission to empower and uplift women entrepreneurs. Together, we can continue to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and create a world that embraces and empowers women in entrepreneurship.

Make A Donation

2023 Gala Sponsors

Ways to Support

Benefactor Table Host – $25,000 Donation

VIP Table with premium seating closest to the stage for ten (10) guests

Opportunity to have Springboard’s newest entrepreneurs as guests at your table

Your name or company name as a host on Gala materials including:

Digital program

Email campaign

Event invitations

Other printed materials

Ability to announce your support of Springboard and women entrepreneurs through social media posts provided

Opportunity to network with key members of the Springboard community of top entrepreneurs, advisors and investors.

Champion Table Host – $15,000 Donation

Table for ten (10) guests

Your name or company name as a host on Gala materials including:

Digital program

Email campaign

Event invitations

Other printed materials

Ability to announce your support of Springboard and women entrepreneurs through social media posts provided

Opportunity to network with key members of the Springboard community of top entrepreneurs, advisors and investors.

Individual Dinner Ticket – $1,500

Ability to announce your support of Springboard and women entrepreneurs through social media posts provided.

Opportunity to network with key members of the Springboard community of top entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors.

Dolphin Tank: Kansas City Women in Tech
2023-11-13 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Polsinelli Offices, 900 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO, 64112
RSVP to Attend

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a pitch event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partners Wells Fargo, the Kauffman Foundation, and OneKC for Women, for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Monday, November 13, 20235:00 PM-8:00 PM CT

900 W 48th StKansas City, MO 64112

Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

About Dolphin Tank

Dolphin Tank participants will have access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to capital via: Funding Your Small Business, Pitching to Investors, and Equity Prep classes offered by the KCWBC. Funding Your Small Business is a one-hour workshop providing an understanding of debt and equity funding. Equity seekers are encouraged to take the next step with pitching to investors an orientation workshop. Debt funding candidates may be interested in a microloan or banker referral or one-on-one counseling with KCWBC’s Client Services Manager for potential financial preparation. Pitching to Investors is a two-hour orientation that introduces the business owner pursuing equity funding with terminology and the process that is necessary to attract investors. Equity Prep takes a deeper dive into raising equity funding. The program helps entrepreneurs get ready for several pathways, including Digital Sandbox, Dolphin Tank, Angel Investors, and Demo Days.

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partners

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank: DMV Women in Tech
2023-11-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Deloitte Office, 1919 N Lynn St Suite 1500, Arlington, VA, 22209, United States
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a showcase event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events feature exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partner Deloitte, for an exciting showcase event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Tuesday, November 28, 20235:00 PM-8:00 PM CT

Deloitte Rosslyn Headquarters, 24th Floor1919 N Lynn St Suite 1500 Arlington, VA 22209

Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

We’re Showcasing Women in Tech!

Does your company have at least one woman founder, entrepreneur, or executive in a key leadership position? Do you advise one? Pitch your company at Dolphin Tank!

Criteria for presenting companies:

Applications are open to women entrepreneurs in the greater DMV area.

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus that include, but are not limited to enterprise-focused tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present in-person on November 28th, 2023.

Apply to Pitch Your Company

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

Event Partner

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations, Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

ViVE Conference Breakfast & Networking Event
2024-02-27 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States
Breakfast Event Sign Up

Springboard is heading to ViVE! We will be hosting an invitation-only breakfast and networking event during the 2024 VIVE Conference on February 27th, 2024 from 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM in Los Angeles, California.

Join top women innovating in health and Springboard’s powerful network of entrepreneurs, investors and advisors for a breakfast reception, networking and a brief program. This is a great opportunity for you to host your key relationships, make new ones, and support the Springboard mission to accelerate the growth of healthcare companies led by women!

Please note that this is an event within the conference and you will need a ViVE event pass to enter. If you have not already purchased your ViVE conference badge use the Springboard Discount Code v24p_sb250 for $250 dollar savings!

Panel Discussion: The Power of Your Network

Join the Springboard Enterprises community for an engaging panel discussion centered around “The Power of Your Network.” In today’s dynamic marketplace, success isn’t solitary; it’s about leveraging the collective strength of your network. Learn how to propel your company and mission forward by cultivating meaningful connections and surrounding yourself with the right people. Discover the transformative impact of collaboration and community as we explore the essential role of building your village in achieving growth and realizing your goals.

Natalie Buford-Young, CEO, Springboard Enterprises

Natalie Buford-Young joined Springboard Enterprises as CEO in Jan 2021 and leads Springboard’s mission to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial companies led by women through access to essential resources and a global community of experts. An accomplished and innovative corporate executive, entrepreneur, and community builder, Buford-Young joined from Deloitte, where she served as Managing Director of Market Development for Deloitte’s venture capital, private equity, and emerging private company practices.

Kristen Valdes, Founder & CEO, b.well

Kristen Valdes is a transformative force in today’s healthcare marketplace, spearheading the conversation on how empowering consumers can transform healthcare delivery. She is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 20 years in the industry and has dedicated her life to pioneering inventive solutions that challenge the status quo. This quest has been largely driven by her powerful personal story as the mother of a child suffering from a significant autoimmune disorder. That compelling journey, along with her deep knowledge of the industry itself, inspired her to create b.well Connected Health in 2015.

Peter Micca, Senior Partner, National Health Tech Leader, Deloitte, Springboard Enterprises Board of Directors

Peter Micca is a Senior Partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP with over 30 years of experience serving a broad array of organizations in all sectors of the healthcare, technology and life sciences industries; including significant experience with emerging growth private equity, venture capital and strategic investor financed companies. Practical, deep knowledge of industry business issues and emerging trends surrounding consumerism, convergence, cost considerations, regulatory and compliance issues and consolidation.

Lyndsey Harper, Ob/Gyn, Founder & CEO, Rosy Wellness

Dr. Lyndsey Harper is a Board Certified Ob/Gyn, Associate Professor of Ob/Gyn for Texas A&M COM, a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Dr. Harper is the founder and CEO of Rosy, a women’s health technology company that connects women who have sexual health concerns with hope, community, and research-backed solutions. She has been named Forbes Top 53 Women Disrupting Healthcare, a Top Innovator in North Texas for 2020, a DBJ Top Woman in Tech and in 2023, Dr. Harper and Rosy were awarded the Women’s Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) Judge’s Choice Award.

Jessie Gabriel, Founder & CEO, All Places

Jessie stepped down as an equity partner and head of the Investment Funds practice at a major law firm in 2020 to launch All Places, a business and legal strategy firm seeking to create a more equitable world by actively helping women from all backgrounds and industries grow their business without limits. All Places is the only firm in the country focused primarily on female asset managers and entrepreneurs. In less than a year, the firm’s client roster has grown to include trailblazing consumer brands like Táche, Omsom, Rosy, Elims, and Lady Falcon Coffee Club, and funds like MPowered Capital, Turning Rock Partners, SoGal Ventures, Supply Change Capital, and Growth Warrior Capital, all led by women.

Special Thanks to Our 2024 ViVE Host Committee

Breakfast Event Sign Up

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank at SXSW 2024
2024-03-09 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Waller Creek Boathouse, 74 Trinity St, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is an event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partner Female Quotient at SXSW 2024 for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Saturday, March 9, 202410:30 AM CT – 11:30 AM CT

Female Quotient Equality Lounge Waller Creek Boathouse (74 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701, USA)

RSVP to Attend

Meet Our Presenters

Evelyn Mora, Founder & CEO, VLGE Inc.

VLGE is a 3D immersive world creation tool that enables users to socialize, gamify and monetize their real-time AI generated their experiences.

Evelyn Mora is an awarded inventor, tech entrepreneur, and sustainability strategist based in France. She is the Founder of VLGE Inc., a groundbreaking start-up that offers an AI Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform connecting people to the immersive web through the physical world. The company empowers communities, creators, and brands to create, monetize, share, and connect in the immersive spaces seamlessly. Her start-up is backed by the likes of BOLD by Loreal Group, Venture Reality Fund, British Fashion Council, and Venrex.

Arion Long, Founder & CEO, Femly

Meeting the demand of period equity legislation, Femly provides smart restroom dispensers and eco-friendly period care.

Arion Long is not just a CEO; she’s a visionary who is revolutionizing the FemTech industry. As the Chief Estrogen Officer of Femly, Arion has transformed a subscription box service into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with patented technologies. She is the mastermind behind the world’s first touchless pad and tampon vending machine, a game-changing innovation that is increasing period care access in restrooms across the nation. More than 25 states require access to period supplies in restrooms around the U.S Unlike public faucets and hand dryers, Arion’s invention uses sensors that work for Black & Brown skin and allow women to wave “hello” to access organic sanitary products from Femly.

Gerry Poirier, Founder & CEO, AngeLink

AngeLink is the world’s first AI-Driven crowdfunding platform developed and powered by women.

Gerry Poirier is the Founder and CEO of AngeLink, the world’s first crowdfunding platform powered by women. Visionary thought leader, champion of female empowerment and financial equity, Gerry is a diversity change agent with agility born from over 2 decades in finance. FinTech experience with leadership roles at Credit Suisse, Lazard Freres and Equity Growth Partners.

Briana Franklin, Founder & CEO, Cadet Prosparette

Closing the knowledge gap that turns debt from a tool into a trap.

Bri is the living embodiment of resilience and distance traveled. In 2017, she began her foray into life under the weight of debt constraints following her graduation from Dartmouth College with $100K in student debt principle (eventually $123K + interest and other forms of debt) and channeled her lived experience into action through meeting the moment of summer 2020 by forming The Prosp(a)rity Project.

Meet Our Panelists

Arlan Hamilton, Founder, Managing Partner, Backstage Capital

Arlan Hamilton built a venture capital fund from the ground up, while homeless. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a fund that is dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Started from scratch in 2015, Backstage has now raised more than $15 million and invested in more than 170 startup companies led by underestimated founders. In 2018, Arlan co-founded Backstage Studio which launched four accelerator programs for underestimated founders in Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and London.

Shelley Zalis, Founder & CEO, The Female Quotient

Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient, a woman-owned business working with companies and conscious leaders to curate experiences, thought leadership, and solutions designed to achieve gender equality in the workplace and beyond. The FQ’s end-to-end equality platform includes co-branded research, content campaigns, and partnership opportunities at its signature Equality Lounges®. Visibility is further driven through The FQ’s robust social, media, and editorial channels. The FQ approach is intersectional, inspirational, and inclusive, working with leaders and rising stars in every industry and around the world.

Zalis is a pioneer for online research, becoming the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry’s top 25. Today, Zalis works with Fortune 500 companies, impact organizations, and conscious leaders to advance equality in the workplace. A firm believer in giving back with generosity, Zalis is a proud mentor to women around the world.

Zalis authors a Forbes column that provides virtual mentorship for women in middle management. She is co-founder of #SeeHer, a movement led by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) to increase the accurate portrayal of women and girls in advertising and media.

Nneka Ukpai, Head of Financial Innovation, Better

Nneka is the Head of Financial Innovation at Better. In her current role, Nneka advises the tech unicorn on business and legal strategy, new financial technology products, and strategic investment. In addition, Nneka has created and operationalized new affiliates like the Better Opportunity Fund, a nonprofit arm focused on closing the racial and gender wealth gaps. In her prior role as Senior Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Nneka led cross-functional teams developing solutions to eliminate friction in homeownership and align the right incentives for borrowers to have the best customer experience imaginable.

Prior to Better, Nneka was a senior associate at a global law firm where she specialized in defending large corporations, boards and individual members of the C-suite in multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions. When Nneka is not practicing law, she is a two-time tech founder, angel investor, and advisor to startups and accelerators.

Nneka is a proud graduate of Howard University and Harvard Law School, where she currently serves on the distinguished teaching faculty of Harvard’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. Nneka also serves on the Board of Better UK, London’s largest digital mortgage broker, and on the Advisory Boards of Brex, Dandi, and Arara.io.

Kerry Rupp, General Partner, True Wealth Ventures

Kerry Rupp is General Partner at True Wealth Ventures, an early-stage VC fund investing in women-led businesses that are improving human and/or environmental health, where she sits on six company boards. For five years, she also taught for the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps innovation program. Kerry was previously CEO at DreamIt, a Top Ten US startup accelerator and VC fund. Before that, she founded Holiday Golightly, a group travel service for women, and held leadership roles at various startups and larger corporations. Kerry serves on several non-profit/advisory boards for organizations focused on healthcare, entrepreneurship and other civic improvement initiatives. Kerry holds an MBA from HBS and a BA from Duke.

Meet Our Moderator

Anna Consani, Head of Community, Goodwater Capital

Anna Consani is Head of Community at Goodwater Capital, the largest consumer tech focused VC fund in the world. Goodwater’s mission is to empower exceptional entrepreneurs everywhere to change the world for good. At Goodwater, Anna works within Portfolio Services to better connect the Goodwater community of founders and support the growth of portfolio companies which range from seed to pre-IPO. Prior to Goodwater, Anna was Vice President of Community and Partnerships at Springboard Enterprises, a global network for women-led tech and healthcare companies. Anna led the Springboard Dolphin Tank program, a “friendly-feedback” pitch session for entrepreneurs as well as the Women’s Health Innovation Coalition. She has hosted and moderated pitch events in over 30 cities, across 6 countries and 50+ virtual events. Anna has worked for Members of Congress in both Washington, D.C., and California, and was a Panetta Congressional Fellow in 2012. Anna holds a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Sociology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and is currently based in Sacramento, CA.

Check Out Our 2023 SXSW Dolphin Tank Event Video

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Springboard Brunch at SXSW 2024
2024-03-10 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
RSVP

March is Women’s History Month! Celebrate with Springboard at our exclusive Networking Brunch on Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT.

Join Springboard Enterprises as we mark 25 years of championing women-led innovation! This special fireside chat will explore the next 25 years of empowering women entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on the future of innovation, investment, and leadership.

Enjoy a networking reception, a curated brunch, and insights from a trailblazing Springboard Alumna shaping the future of tech.

Join the Host Committee! As a member, you’ll receive 5 exclusive passes for yourself and your guests to this premier networking event.

See y’all in Austin!

When and Where

Sunday, March 10, 202411:00 AM CT – 2:00 PM CT

Austin, TX, USA

Please note: This will be an in-person event.

Confirmed Speaker

Abe Minkara, Founding Partner at Legacy Knight, Springboard Enterprises Board of Directors

Abe Minkara is the Founding Partner of Legacy Knight. Prior to Legacy Knight, Abe was the Managing Director at Mark Cuban Companies. Abe managed the portfolio of investments at Mark Cuban Companies with a focus on technology, logistics, and consumer product goods (Shark Tank).

Abe is also actively engaged as an advisor and board member with a number of companies leveraging his expertise in strategy, operations, and capital allocation to help accelerate their growth. CEO Magazine has recognized Abe as one of the 500 most influential business leaders in North Texas for 2020.

Additionally, Abe is a Member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO Dallas Gold Chapter), Advisory board member at Eosera, Advisory board member at Productable, Advisory board member at Institute of Excellence in Corporate Governance (IECG), Advisor at City Rock Ventures, Mentor at Stadia Ventures, Advisory Council Member at Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), and Advisory board member at Eisemann Edge Initiative.

Abe received his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Special Guest

Stephanie Quayle, Singer Songwriter, Author, Speaker, Founder of Big Sky Music Group

Stephanie Quayle is a Nashville recording artist who tours the world with her music and an entrepreneur with her own record label, Big Sky Music Group. Rolling Stone Country called her “an artist you need to know,” CMT named her as part of its “Next Women of Country” franchise, and she’s appeared on popular programs like The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As an independent artist with two Billboard charted singles, “Selfish” and “Whatcha Drinkin ’Bout,” she has repeatedly performed at CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry. The Montana native has teamed up with recognizable brands like Wrangler, Harley-Davidson, Bass Pro Shops, Montana Silversmiths, as well as Lucchese Bootmaker in the creation of her exclusive boot line. Quayle’s latest album On the Edge chronicles her personal experience in a toxic relationship and the healing she’s gone through since—inspiring others and redefining her future. Stephanie is the author of the new book, Why Do We Stay? How My Toxic Relationship Can Help You Find Healing, releasing April 30, 2024. Please welcome Big Sky Music Group recording artist, author, podcaster, and entrepreneur, Stephanie Quayle.

Special Thanks to Our 2024 SXSW Host Committee

Watch Last Year’s Event Recap

Click to See Last Year’s Event Photos

Event Partners

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Digital Health Innovation Virtual Showcase
2024-03-20 12:00 - 2024-03-21 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
RSVP to Attend

Springboard’s Digital Health Innovation Showcase will feature top women innovating in Digital Health from Springboard’s most recent Digital Health cohort. Join us for their inspiring presentations followed by feedback and insight from our expert panel and audience. If you want to see what’s next in Digital Health or network with the broader Springboard community of investors, industry leaders, and top entrepreneurs, join us!

Immerse yourself in captivating presentations from the latest women entrepreneurs who are solving some of the most complex problems within the industry.

Explore the forefront of digital health, gaining insight into the latest innovations and technology hitting the market.

Establish connections within the expansive Springboard community encompassing investors, industry pioneers and accomplished entrepreneurs.

When and Where

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Thursday, March 21th, 2024

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Please note: This will be a virtual event

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Ashley Lundy, VP of Programs for Springboard Enterprises at ashley@springboardenterprises.org.

ARPA-H and Springboard Enterprises - Sprint for Women’s Health
2024-03-25 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Join representatives from ARPA-H and Springboard Enterprises to learn more about the ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health, which commits $100 million to transformative research and development in women’s health. This webinar will cover the ARPA-H initiative and the process for applying for funding.

The Sprint for Women’s Health will utilize two funding tracks to foster research and development efforts: one for early-stage research, or ‘Spark’ solutions, and the other for later-stage development, or ‘LaunchPad’ solutions.

Join us to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

RSVP Today

When and Where

Monday, March 25th, 20243:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

Please note this will be a virtual event. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Presenters

Natalie Buford-Young – CEO, Springboard Enterprises

Dr. Milad Alucozai – Expert in Residence, Digitalis Commons

Dr. Jenica Patterson – Division Director for T3X at ARPA-H and lead for the Sprint for Women’s Health

Dolphin Tank: Heartland Women in Tech
2024-04-03 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Polsinelli Offices, 900 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO, 64112
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a pitch event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partners Wells Fargo and OneKC for Women, for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

RSVP to Attend

When and Where

Wednesday, April 3, 20245:00 PM-8:00 PM CT

Polsinelli, 900 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO 64112

Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

Meet the Presenters

Shapree’ Marshall, Founder & CEO, A Traveled Path Homes

A Traveled Path Homes: Simplifying housing solutions for traveling medical professionals on emergency contracts.

Shapree’ Marshall, the founder and CEO of A Traveled Path Homes, is a first-generation entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the insurance and financial sector. Her personal battle and hospitalization with COVID-19 revealed the challenges faced by traveling medical professionals, inspiring her to create A Traveled Path Homes to provide housing solutions tailored to their needs.

Vanessa Jupe, Founder & CEO, Leva

Leva is a comprehensive ecosystem that provides pregnant and postpartum employees with the support they need to thrive.

Vanessa, CEO and Founder of Leva, has spent over 20 years in internet technology, innovating at giants like DIRECTV, USAA, and H&R Block. She is a leader in digital product management and driving profitable growth, leveraging her expertise in human-centered design and data-driven decision making. Vanessa’s academic credentials include a BBA in Information Systems from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX and a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization from UT Austin, coupled with a Women’s leadership certificate from Cornell University. She is passionate about continuous learning, her family, and freedom.

Ashley McClellan, Founder & CEO, MedCurate

MedCurate is the Uber for Healthcare staffing matching nurses and hospitals for half the cost of traditional staffing agencies.

Ashley McClellan is an experienced senior executive with over 18 years’ experience in Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer roles across three organizations who transitioned into Founder and CEO of MedCurate in 2023.

Ashley attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) where she obtained her BBA in Finance and BA in Spanish. She received her Master’s in Hospital Administration and MBA from Texas Woman’s University. She is currently in her Doctoral Program for Health Administration (anticipated graduation in 2024). Ms. McClellan is a Fellow and Board Certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and serves on several boards including SMU Cox School of Business Alumnae Board.

She resides in Kansas City with her husband, Brett, and their two sons. Brett is an experienced mortgage lender with UMB Bank, and they also own Sojourn Spa on the Plaza that opened January 2024.

Meet the Panelists

Aviva Ajmera, CEO & Founder, SoLVE KC

Aviva is the CEO and Founder of SoLVE. A Kansas City Based consulting firm. After 25 years of leading strategy creation and implementation, new product development, brand management, consumer marketing and organization re-design, there’s no marketing problem Aviva hasn’t SoLVEd.

Aviva founded SoLVE with the mission to help Kansas City businesses grow. Offering a unique, hands-on approach to business consulting, SoLVE’s clients are both B2B and B2C. They range from $600M national corporations to $500M regional companies, and also include local small business owners and start-ups. Aviva supports clients across numerous industries including Consumer Product Goods, Construction, Publishing, Wealth Management, Higher Education, IT, Manufacturing, CCRCs and non-profit organizations.

Maria Flynn, Founder & CEO, Ambiologix

Leveraging experience as an entrepreneur, executive, engineer, investor and coach, I work with select emerging and high-growth leaders, startups, investors, and entrepreneurial support organizations, helping them to make opportunity happen.

As CEO of Orbis Biosciences, I built a technology company that improved pharmaceutical manufacturing, won awards for its novel innovation, and was acquired by Adare Pharmaceuticals. As Managing Director of Techstars Kansas City, I invested in and coached startups across health tech, biotech, fin tech, deep tech, and consumer tech. I have been in the trenches with founders from over 30 companies and love being a business growth guide.

Vercie Lark, Author of Make It Rain & Small Business Investor

Vercie Lark, formerly one of ten SBA Regional Administrators appointed by President Biden in 2022 to play an important role helping small business owners access federally backed loans, contracts, and training to start, grow and expand. Although Mr. Lark is no longer working as a presidential appointee forthe SBA, he continues to invest in and advocate for small businesses to help expand America’s economic, education, employment, and entrepreneurial success.

Mr. Lark is the author of Make It Rain, a simple self-help personal finance book created to help increase wealth, jobs and financial security for hardworking Americans. Mr. Lark, recently launched the Prosperity Fund, a $20 million venture capital (VC) fund, to help fuel growth of U.S. SaaS technology firms founded by women and minority entrepreneurs. Mr. Lark retired from a successful career as an entrepreneur and corporate executive rising up the ranks in several fortune 500 firms before leading a billion-dollar business at DST Systems in Kansas City, MO.

About Dolphin Tank

Dolphin Tank participants will have access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to capital via: Funding Your Small Business, Pitching to Investors, and Equity Prep classes offered by the KCWBC. Funding Your Small Business is a one-hour workshop providing an understanding of debt and equity funding. Equity seekers are encouraged to take the next step with pitching to investors an orientation workshop. Debt funding candidates may be interested in a microloan or banker referral or one-on-one counseling with KCWBC’s Client Services Manager for potential financial preparation. Pitching to Investors is a two-hour orientation that introduces the business owner pursuing equity funding with terminology and the process that is necessary to attract investors. Equity Prep takes a deeper dive into raising equity funding. The program helps entrepreneurs get ready for several pathways, including Digital Sandbox, Dolphin Tank, Angel Investors, and Demo Days.

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partners

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Springboard Enterprises - Securing Media Coverage in STAT News Webinar
2024-04-10 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Are you interested in learning more about how to secure media coverage in top tier publications? Join Lizzy Lawrence, Health Tech Reporter at STAT News, Reporting from the frontiers of health & medicine and Ariel Kramer, Founder of Klover Communications, a boutique PR firm focused on healthcare and life science for an engaging conversation on securing media coverage in STAT News.

RSVP Today

When and Where

Wednesday, April 10th, 202412:00 pm – 12:30 pm ET

Please note this will be a virtual event. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Speakers

Ariel Kramer, Founder of Klover Communications

Lizzy Lawrence, Health Tech Reporter at STAT News

Springboard & NIH: Accelerating Tech Success Stories & Resources Webinar
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Attention founders who are fundraising or looking for places to start: Springboard is partnering with the NIH Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) office to share tips and resources for navigating non-dilutive funding options.

Many Springboard alumnae have also successfully completed a SBIR or STTR program through NIH, and on April 17, we will be highlighting some of their stories. Please join us for a free webinar to learn more about their experiences and to hear directly from the corresponding NIH program leaders who are offering their insight and support! Please register at the following link.

RSVP Today

When and Where

Wednesday, April 17th, 202412:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Please note this will be a virtual event. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Speakers

Springboard Alumnae

Trivia Frazier, PhD, MBA, President and CEO, Obatala Sciences

Obatala Sciences is a revenue- generating bioTools company that is revolutionizing drug development within the fields of obesity, diabetes, and regenerative medicine by manufacturing the first-to-market human tissue models of diverse patient populations for drug screening.

Tina Garyantes, COO, Linnaeus Therapeutics

Linnaeus Therapeutics is a development stage biotech company engaged in the identification and development of small molecule agents for the treatment of cancer.

Elaine Haynes, President and CEO, KaloCyte, Inc.

KaloCyte is a preclinical biotech startup developing ErythroMer, a bioengineered artificial red blood cell for treating treating blood loss after injury when blood is not available.

Arna Ionescu Stoll, CEO, Wavely Diagnostics

Smartphone-based medical diagnostics to enable virtual pediatric care.

NIH Experts

Julia Berzhanskaya, PhD, Program Director, REACH and Innovator Support Lead, I&C, NHLBI

Julia serves as a Program Director for REACH/NCAI and as the Lead Innovator Support for the Innovation & Commercialization Office. Prior to joining the Innovation Office, Julia served as a Program Official at the National Institute on Drug Abuse responsible for management of behavioral, device, big data, and digital health technology SBIR/STTR portfolios. At the Office of the NIH Director, she oversaw the biomedical facilities program, and prior to that had a range of SBIR/STTR and regulatory related responsibilities at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Julia also held the role of Scientific Review Officer at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She has contributed to several trans-NIH initiatives including HEAL, BRAIN, SPARC, MMM and Entrepreneurial Workforce Diversity Group. Julia earned her M.S. in Neuroscience from University of Pittsburgh and Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Systems from Boston University.

CDR Mike Banyas, USPHS, M.P.A., M.A., Health Specialist, Community Health and Population Science, NIMHD

Commander Michael Banyas is a Senior Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and a Health Specialist in the National Institute of Minority Health Disparities (NIMHD). The mission of NIMHD is to lead the nation’s scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. In his role, he is the Program Director for NIMHD’s SBIR/STTR program and oversees an award budget of almost $17.5 million and over 100 awardees. CDR Banyas specializes in underserved health care and public health systems with a focus on implementation science. Previously, he served as Public Health Analyst in NIH’s All of Us Research Program, where he led the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Pilot Project and Co Led the Tribal Engagement Strategic, as well as operational process improvement.

Patti Weber, DrPH, Program Director, NCI SBIR Development Center

Dr. Weber completed her Masters and Doctorate in Public Health with an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences at the School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley. She began work at the National Institutes of Health in the National Cancer Institute’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center in Oct of 2008. The SBIR Development Center is a division at the NCI that manages more than $180 million in technology projects within the small business community to accelerate the progress of cancer research. Her area of emphasis is in cancer prevention, digital health, therapeutics, and biologics. Prior to joining the NCI, she worked in industry managing drug discovery and development efforts at small biotech companies in San Diego followed by western Montana.

Todd Haim, PhD, NIA Senior Advisor on Biomedical Innovation

Todd Haim, Ph.D., is the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA) Senior Advisor on Biomedical Innovation and the Director of the NIA Office of Strategic Extramural Programs (OSEP). He leads a dynamic team focused on coordinating and continuing to enhance NIA’s training, career development, and small business seed funding (SBIR/STTR) programs. Under Todd’s leadership, NIA’s seed funding programs have grown significantly, incorporated more resources to enable awardee success, and have been demonstrated to support advancement towards commercialization for a diverse array of innovators. Todd’s previous position was Program Director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) SBIR Development Center, where he evaluated and managed cancer-focused SBIR & STTR grants and contracts and played a leadership role in several center initiatives. Prior to NCI, he was a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Academy of Sciences. Todd graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in January 2007 with a Ph.D. in biomedical research and obtained a certificate in technology commercialization from John Hopkins’ Carey Business School in 2011. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Pfizer in which he actively led Pfizer’s research efforts in a collaboration with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He has received several prestigious awards and honors, including the 2014 NCI Leadership Development Award, several NIA, NCI, and NIH Director’s Awards, and the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Volunteerism in the Field of Health.

Moderator

Renée JG Arnold, PharmD, RPh, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at NIH/NHLBI and BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

Renée JG Arnold is currently Entrepreneur-in-Residence with both BioHealth Innovation, Inc. and the NIH/NHLBI, with expertise in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and evidence development related to reimbursement. She is also President & CEO, Arnold Consultancy & Technology, LLC, where she oversees outcomes research and develops affiliated software for pharmaceutical and government programs. Her special interest in evidence-based health derives from her research that deals with use of technology to collect and/or model real-world data for use in rational decision-making by healthcare practitioners and policy makers. In addition, Dr. Arnold is Adjunct Professor, Master of Public Health program, Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, where she has developed and teaches the pharmacoeconomics coursework.Dr. Arnold completed her undergraduate training at the University of Maryland and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She also completed a post-doctoral residency at University Hospital in San Diego/University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy. Dr. Arnold is a founding member of ISPOR, the 20,000-member leading professional society for HEOR globally, and is the Chair of multiple special interest groups (SIGS) there including, most recently, the Open Source Model SIG. Dr. Arnold is an author of numerous articles, book chapters and books in the areas of pharmacology, pharmacoeconomics and cost containment strategies and the 2 nd edition of her pharmacoeconomics textbook.

2024 Women's Health Innovation Program Showcase
2024-06-04 15:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Amazon Offices, 450 W 33rd St, New York, NY, 10001, United States
RSVP to Attend

Springboard’s Women’s Health Innovation Showcase, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, will feature top women innovating in women’s health from Springboard’s 2024 Women’s Health cohort. Join us for an evening of inspiring presentations, accompanied by feedback and insight from our expert panel and audience. A cocktail and networking reception will follow.

If you want to see what’s next in women’s health or network with the broader Springboard community of investors, industry leaders, and top entrepreneurs, join us!

Immerse yourself in captivating presentations from the latest women entrepreneurs who are solving some of the most complex problems within the industry.

Explore the forefront of women’s health, gaining insight into the latest innovations and technology hitting the market.

Establish connections within the expansive Springboard and Amazon Web Services communities encompassing investors, industry pioneers and accomplished entrepreneurs.

When and Where

Tuesday, June 4th, 2024

3:30 PM to 6:30 PM ET

Hosted at Amazon, 450 W 33rd St Fl 7, New York, NY, 10001

Event Partner

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Miranda Ewald, Director of Programs for Springboard Enterprises at miranda@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank: Heartland Women in Tech
2024-06-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a pitch event that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises and Dolphin Tank partners the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Wells Fargo, and OneKC for Women, for an exciting pitch event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

RSVP to Attend

When and Where

Wednesday, June 12, 202412:00 PM-1:30 PM CT

Please note: This will be an virtual event.

RSVP to Attend

About Dolphin Tank

Dolphin Tank participants will have access to learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to capital via: Funding Your Small Business, Pitching to Investors, and Equity Prep classes offered by the KCWBC. Funding Your Small Business is a one-hour workshop providing an understanding of debt and equity funding. Equity seekers are encouraged to take the next step with pitching to investors an orientation workshop. Debt funding candidates may be interested in a microloan or banker referral or one-on-one counseling with KCWBC’s Client Services Manager for potential financial preparation. Pitching to Investors is a two-hour orientation that introduces the business owner pursuing equity funding with terminology and the process that is necessary to attract investors. Equity Prep takes a deeper dive into raising equity funding. The program helps entrepreneurs get ready for several pathways, including Digital Sandbox, Dolphin Tank, Angel Investors, and Demo Days.

Springboard Enterprises values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential to our mission and more broadly to a thriving, equitable, and just global community. We encourage women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email:

Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Dolphin Tank: D.C. Metro Area
2024-06-20 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Deloitte Office, 1919 N Lynn St Suite 1500, Arlington, VA, 22209, United States
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a showcase that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in Technology. Our Dolphin Tank events spotlight exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises for an exciting event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Thursday, June 20, 20245:00 PM ET – 8:00 PM ET

Deloitte Office: 1919 N Lynn St, Floor 10, Arlington, VA 22209Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

We’re Showcasing Women Founders in the D.C. Metro Area!

Criteria for presenting companies:

The company must have at least one woman founder or in a key leadership position.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, enterprise tech solutions.

Demonstrated innovation in your industry and traction in your market.

Seed stage to growth stage.

Must be able to present in DC on June 20, 2024.

How Dolphin Tank Works

While the venues and audiences may vary, every Dolphin Tank shares these core elements:

Entrepreneurs and their companies are selected via an application process.

Presenters deliver a three-minute pitch addressing a challenge or unique opportunity.

Solutions, connections, strategies, and opportunities for investment are crowdsourced from the audience.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partners

Questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

Springboard Webinar: The Importance of Women’s Mental Health
2024-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Join us for a panel discussion in celebration of World Mental Health Month. We’ll focus on the importance of women’s mental health in the workplace and the need for continuous dialogue. Mental health is not just a personal or professional issue; it’s a human one. As women, we navigate multiple roles and responsibilities. In this discussion, we’ll explore ways to balance work and family life while creating a supportive environment to share strategies and stories. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP

When and Where

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Please note this will be a virtual event. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Featured Speakers

Family Well, Jessica Gaulton – An evidence-based approach to integrate mental health support into your obstetric practice.

LunaJoy, Sipra Laddha – Holistic women’s mental health therapy, counseling, and medication management. For every phase.

Karen Drexler, Member Board Of Directors of ResMed – Ms.Drexler has been an active board member for public and private medical device and diagnostics companies for over a decade. She currently sits on the boards of ResMed (RSMD:NYSE), Outset Medical (Nasdaq: OM), Tivic Health (Nasdaq), VIDA Diagnostics, Huma.ai and EBR Systems (ASX).

Kara Glassman, Founder, Executive and Leadership Coach

Springboard Annual Awards Gala 2024
2024-10-22 18:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Nasdaq MarketSite, 151 West 43rd Street, New York City, NY, 10036, United States
Thank you for attending our Annual Awards Gala on October 22, 2024, at the iconic Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City. Your presence made the event truly special!

For over 24 years, Springboard Enterprises has been dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, and it was wonderful to come together with entrepreneurs, investors, and community members to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women-led businesses.

We invite you to view all the gala photos below and relive the inspiring moments of the evening. And stay tuned for our 25th anniversary celebration next year—exciting things are on the horizon!

Thank you for celebrating with us!

Make A Donation

View the 2024 Springboard Gala Photos

Known as the “Chief Troublemaker,” Shelley Zalis is a trailblazer for women in the workplace. An internationally renowned entrepreneur, Zalis pioneered online research through her company Online Testing Exchange which she sold to Ipsos for $80 million. Zalis is committed to raising the visibility of women and driving change across industries. Zalis is a contributor for TIME, Forbes and has been named the #18 most influential voice on LinkedIn in the world. She is also the co-founder of #SeeHer, has been honored as an “Industry Legend” by the AdClub, received the Matrix Award by New York Women in Communications and is a member of several equality boards.

It’s been said that Neha Sampat “goes against the grain of startup mythology.” She is a three-time tech founder and CEO, even though she comes from a non-technical background. Neha Sampat is the founder and current CEO at Contentstack. She has raised $169M for the company over the past four years. Neha previously founded and led digital transformation consultancy Raw Engineering and digital experience Platform Built.io, which was acquired by Software AG. Neha is a relentless advocate for building great places to work and achieving equity in tech.

At the intersection of financial success and transformative impact, DBL Partners is redefining venture capital. Co-founded by Nancy Pfund and Ira Ehrenpreis, DBL invests in diverse leadership, with women leading one-third of their 70+ portfolio companies. Nancy Pfund, recognized on Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list, has supported companies like Tesla and SolarCity, while Ira Ehrenpreis, honored with the Visionary Award, leads investments in firms such as SpaceX and Planet. DBL’s portfolio includes industry-shaping companies like The RealReal, Andela, and Revolution Foods. The firm is dedicated to fostering impactful, sustainable change through innovative leadership and strategic investments.

2024 Gala Sponsors

View Springboard Gala 2023 Photos

Dolphin Tank: Austin December 2024
2024-12-11 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is a showcase that brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in Technology. Our Dolphin Tank events spotlight exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.

Join Springboard Enterprises for an exciting event featuring women founders and entrepreneurs, expert panelists, and interactive audience participation!

When and Where

Wednesday, December 11, 20245:00 PM CT – 8:00 PM CT

AWS HQ Austin (11815 Alterra Pkwy Ste 900Austin, TX 78758)

Please note: This will be an in-person event.

RSVP to Attend

Event Partner

Community Partner

Questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Head of Community for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.

JPM Healthcare 2025: Springboard and Accenture Breakfast Session
2025-01-13 08:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Accenture Salesforce Tower, 415 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States
Join us for our annual breakfast and networking event at the J.P. Morgan Health Conference on Monday, January 13, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM PT in San Francisco, California! Together, let’s discuss how we can propel advancements in women’s health and build a healthier future for all. In partnership with Accenture, we are excited to unveil Part 2 of the State of Women’s Health Report. This comprehensive report sheds light on critical areas in women’s health that demand innovation and funding to drive meaningful change. We look forward to your participation in this important conversation!

Breakfast Event Wait List

Sponsored By

Interested in partnerships or have any questions?

Email Rachel Rong, Director of Operations for Springboard Enterprises at rachel@springboardenterprises.org.
