Female
Founders
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Female Founders Initiative
Georgia Tech VentureLab Program Managers Sara Martin Henderson and Melissa Heffner co-founded the Female Founders initiative in the fall of 2020. The initiative was originally developed to provide a space for non-binary and female-led entrepreneurial teams to explore their first business model, engage with an all-female coaching team, and interact with successful female entrepreneurs. Georgia Tech had done an excellent job recruiting both male and female students to campus, and there was a desire to reflect the makeup of the student body into the entrepreneurial support network. Today, the initiative works to increase the sense of equity in the startup ecosystems on campus and nationwide by providing support through the training program and special events.
Join a Supportive and Inclusive Business Community
Female Founders gives you the opportunity to join a dynamic community of women and non-binary individuals who are not just dreaming but doing—transforming ideas into viable startups. This program is your launchpad to entrepreneurship, offering education, mentorship, networking, and resources to fuel your journey.
Gain an Entrepreneurial Foundation with Up to $9,000 in Funding!
The Female Founders Program is your gateway to turning that idea into reality. The program offers:
- Funding Opportunities: Accepted teams can receive up to $9,000 in awards and benefits.
- Expert Guidance: VentureLab’s female startup coaches take you through Lean Startup and Design Thinking methodologies, giving you a solid base for building a business.
- Community & Networking: Connect with like-minded leaders, inventors, and students, and grow your network.
Fall 2024 Program Highlights:
- Kickoff: Friday, September 6th, 12:30-4:30pm (In Person)
- Virtual Check-Ins: Regular sessions to keep you on track
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Virtual)
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Virtual)
- Inspirational Speakers: Hear from industry leaders
- Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:00-12:45 p.m. (Virtual)
- Wednesday, Oct. 2, 12:00-12:45 p.m. (Virtual)
- Midpoint Check-In: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (In-Person)
- Program Close: Friday, Oct. 25, 12:30-3:30 p.m. (Close - In Person)
Stay Connected
Have questions? Reach out to us at Skye.Svehlak@gatech.edu. We’re here to support your entrepreneurial aspirations and guide you every step of the way.
Although the Female Founders Program application season is closed for the fall, you still have an opportunity to jump into entrepreneurship. CREATE-X's Startup Launch program is now accepting applications for the summer 2025 program. Apply today, and spend 12 weeks over the summer building your own startup!
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The Program:
At A Glance
Who:
The Female Founders program is open to all women and non-binary persons who are considering a startup. Though most startups we coach are STEM-related, the program accepts applications for projects outside of the STEM category.
What:
The program provides the lean startup method modules supported by advice, resources, networking opportunities, and coaching to enable participants to do early customer evaluation (20 to 30 interviews).
Outcome:
Upon successful completion of the program, participants may receive modest funding to continue their work and may be recommended to apply to Georgia Tech's CREATE-X Startup Launch program and/or the National Science Foundation's I-Corps Teams program.
Funding may be used for the following:
Upon successful completion of the program, accepted teams are eligible to receive a number of non-dilutive awards/benefits.
- Utilizes AWS credits to help with website builds, cloud storage, AI solutions, and more.
- Develop a minimum viable product (MVP) or a prototype.
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Pinzhi Zhang, pneuma.ai
"Coming into [Female Founders], I had no idea how robust the GT entrepreneurship ecosystem is or the amount of resources available to students. The Female Founders program plugged me into a myriad of opportunities for my early stage start-up including grant funding, hardware funding, GT patenting / licensing, and most importantly mentorship from an experienced coach."
Ally McKinney, SoloPulse
"My eyes were opened to an entire new realm of potential learning opportunities in business development. Getting to learn from incredibly intelligent and professional females was empowering and exciting...Female Founders provides a great basis for any woman interested in becoming involved in entrepreneurship."
Mo Jourin, VoltaPure
“The Female Founders program introduced me to mentors who have helped guide and introduce me to other programs and
competitions, both inside Georgia Tech and external...The women entrepreneurs and mentors I’ve met through the program serve as
an invaluable network, providing feedback and support for the start-up efforts in my lab.”
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