I’ve spent the last few months thinking rather seriously about the types of companies I’d like work with indefinitely and the kind of work I hope is included in whatever legacy I leave (as intense as that sounds this early in life, don’t we all think about this a bit?) and there’s a through-line in much of my thinking: companies that make a profound difference in our lives, our community, our planet (see header) and start-ups founded by women.
I’ve been buried with work for the better part of two years and other than long days of conference calls, strategy meetings and travel to/from those meetings and calls, I’ve been a bit of a hermit. As I climb out of my heads-down-let’s-work-like-crazy cave, I’m seeking out some great places to meet female founders and talk on a deeper level with women entrepreneurs and the many angels and VC’s who fund their endeavors.
I’ve been following several groups for awhile now and will be tip-toeing into a more meaningful (read: actually going to events and putting my words to action) dialogue with each of them.
Some great groups to check out if you are just as passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs or becoming one:
- Women 2.0 – “Our mission is to increase the number of female founders of technology startups. Women 2.0 enables entrepreneurs with a network, resources and knowledge to take your startup from idea to launch.”
- Girls in Tech – “An organization focused on women’s innovative and entrepreneurial achievements in technology.”
- The Pipeline Fund – “The Pipeline Fellowship trains women philanthropists to become angel investors through education, mentoring, and practice. Fellows commit to invest in a woman-led for-profit social venture in exchange for equity and a board seat at the end of the training. The Pipeline Fellowship aims to diversify the investor pool and connect women social entrepreneurs with investors who get them.”
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I wrote this top bit on Monday morning and planned to blog it later this week. Hours later, I declared aloud to a group of colleagues that I’m increasingly interested in becoming an angel investor at some point in the near future. Hours after that, I see Dave McClure on Twitter asking women who complain about the lack of female entrepreneurs to either become one or invest in one. I agreed and offered that instead of focusing so much on #changetheratio we might want to fund the ratio. That was followed by a flurry of great intros and DMs and emails that continued well into the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
These things did not happen in succession on Monday by accident. Call it a sign, call it whatever you want. Something is up and I’ve got to follow this thread where it takes me. I’ll be exploring it all in the weeks and months ahead. Stay tuned.
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