Catalyst Capital Symposia

Galentine's Day: Investing in Female Founders

Date:
2/13/2024 11:30 AM
-
7:00 pm
Location:
10918 Technology Pl, San Diego, CA 92127

Show Her the Money

Despite progress, women entrepreneurs still receive a disproportionately small percentage of venture capital funding compared to their male counterparts. This underrepresentation is a significant issue with wide-ranging implications.
It's time to break down barriers, promote gender equality, and empower women to lead and succeed in the business world.

Join us in supporting and investing in women-led startups!



This event is for: women, men, and anyone who want to show their support for women entrepreneurs, women investors, and women-led VC firms!

A film screening about the power of funding women entrepreneurs: Show Her The Money
Angelika FilmCenter Carmel Mountain
11620 Carmel Mountain Rd. San Diego, CA 92128
Film begins at 12:00PM (Doors open at 11:30AM) Lunch, movie snacks and beverages available for purchase at the cafe


Q&A w/ Filmmakers & Cast + Investing in Women: Startup Showcase Aquillius Innovation Hub
10918Technology Place, San Diego, CA 92127
Q&A begins at 2:00PM (Doors open at 1:30PM) Food and Beverages provided.

About the Film
This is a story that’s never been told. Show Her The Money addresses how women are getting less than 2% of venture capital funding and demystifies what venture capital is. Featuring rock-star female investors who invest in diverse women entrepreneurs with innovations that will change the world, Show HerThe Money reminds us that money is power and women need it to achieve true equality.

About Aquillius
At the Aquillius Innovation Hub, we support entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color. Join founders and funders in the gender equity movement!

Q&A Session with the Filmmakers and Cast.
Filmmakers and cast of "Show Her the Money" share their insights and experiences about the power of funding women entrepreneurs.
Investing in Women: Startup Showcase.
A showcase of women-led startup companies. Get to know the amazing entrepreneurs, investors and supporters to see how they are making an impact in society.

Investor Forum.
For accredited investors, a forum to share deal flow, best practices, insights, support and collaboration.

Networking Happy Hour.
An opportunity to expand your professional network and explore collaborative possibilities. Engage with mentors and supporters. Hors d'oeuvre and beverages provided.


The Startup Market.
Support women entrepreneurs with products/services ready to sell!

 

Register

Agenda

11:30 AM

  • Check-In at Angelika Film Center (11620 Carmel Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92128).  

12:00 PM

  • Showing of "Show Her The Money" starts promptly

2:00 PM

  • Q&A with Filmmakers and Cast at Aquillius (10918 Technology Pl, San Diego, CA 92127)

3:00 PM

  • Startup Showcase

5:00 PM

  • Happy Hour & Startup Market

5:00 PM

  • Investor Forum (accredited investors only)

Prizes

1st place winners will receive the following prizes:
  • $40k in office/lab space
  • $25k custom UX design package from the largest femtech incubator in the US
  • Exploratory biostatistics package: 3 reports
  • Membership to Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange
  • Regulatory kit and Regulatory strategy consulting (Medical Device only)
  • $5,000 Legal fees
  • Two months campaign on startup program

Learn from Subject Matter Experts

Silvia Mah PhD, MBA

Moderator | Associate Producer | GP at Stella Impact Capital

Dr. Silvia Mah is General Partner at Stella Impact Capital, a seed-stage venture fund, investing in diverse women founders building startups at the intersection of deep tech and impact and, as a redemptive entrepreneur and investor, serves as the Director of Innovation at Biola University. Focused on “Impact with Integrity”, Dr. Mah has invested in over 130 startups with 6 exits and 1 IPO. Dr. Mah is the founder & Chairwoman of Stella Labs, an accelerator for women-owned businesses; founding member of Stella Angels, a female angel investment group; President of Stella Foundation, a national conSTELLAtion of organizations and leaders walking alongside womxn-led businesses from startup to sale and the funders who champion them; and Investment Committee member of Next Wave Impact, a social impact venture fund.

Catherine Gray

Producer | Executive Producer

Ms. Gray is a producer, author, TEDx speaker, podcast host, founder of She Angel Investors and co-founder of the non profit She Angels Foundation. She Angel Investors is a multimedia platform designed to connect women business owners to funding, and to encourage women to become angel investors. She also hosts and produces the popular podcast series Invest in Her, focused on ways to accelerate the funding of women, and provide resources and inspiration to listeners. The show features both female founders and funders and is distributed on Apple, Spotify, IHeart Radio and wherever you listen to podcasts. Ms. Gray has produced, co-produced and directed several documentaries including I Can’t Marry You, with Ellen DeGeneres’ mom Betty as narrator for PBS, Millionaires True Stories and several LGBTQ films for LOGO. She also helped start a gay cable network and produced a series called Way-Off Broadway with trailblazing entertainers and recording artists. Currently, she is co-producing Millenials Are Killing Musicals, off Broadway in NYC. This female driven show focuses on motherhood and the impact of social media. The team behind it is 80% women.

Vicky Pasche

Co-founder + CEO of Dapper Boi

Vicky was raised in Ballston Lake, New York, and later was inducted into SUNY Cobleskill's Athletic Hall of Fame. After hesitating for years to fully embrace her masculine style, she has emerged as a celebrated entrepreneur and self-empowerment advocate alongside her wife, Charisse. Together, they have propelled their brand, Dapper Boi, to notable success, such as being recognized on the iconic OUT100 list and as key figures in the new documentary "Show Her The Money," currently under consideration for an Oscar nomination. Over the last year, Vicky has left her mark on influential summits, podcasts, national TV, and media outlets, not to mention her own recognition as "Fashion Entrepreneur" on the Champions of Pride 2023 list. Amidst these accomplishments, Vicky is driven to be a standout CEO and role model for her daughters. She continues to inspire the many Dapper Boi customers who share how the brand has positively impacted their lives.

Charisse Pasche

Co-founder + COO of Dapper Boi

Charisse’s ascent in entrepreneurship is rooted in resilience from her Filipino-American immigrant parents and decades of sales and management experience in higher education. As the co-founder of Dapper Boi, she's played a crucial role in shaping the gender and body-inclusive apparel line brand born from her wife Vicky's personal journey toward finding clothing that truly reflected her identity. Charisse’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality and diversity has resonated across high-profile summits and also earned Dapper Boi recognition on the prestigious OUT100 2023 list. They also play a pivotal role in the documentary "Show Her The Money," which is currently a contender for an Oscar nomination. Despite a difficult IVF journey 5 years ago resulting in twin girls, Charisse now juggles two full-time jobs: being ‘Head B!tch In Charge’ of the Pasche household and Chief Operating Officer of the Dapper Boi team, with her mission to ensure their continued well-being, success, and legacy impact.

Marcia Dawood

Investor

Marcia Dawood is on a mission to empower and educate everyone to realize their potential to invest in positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies.

She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and a member of Golden Seeds, one of the largest angel groups in the US. Both groups focus on investing in women-led companies.

She is Chair Emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the global professional society for angel investors. She is a founding member and current chair of the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group, which is building syndication and collaboration among US investment groups focused on women-led companies.

Marcia received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.

A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over 50 early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change.

Ann Metzger

General Partner of 360 Venture Collective | Real Estate Strategist at The Agency

Ann Metzger, a community-driven marketing and sales professional, startup investor, and former marketing leader for Fortune 500 brands, brings over 19 years of expertise. Dedicated to achieving goals and building generational wealth, Ann co-founded a field marketing firm and led the inaugural team for a global LGBTQ+internet startup. As a General Partner at 360 Venture Collective, Ann leads marketing, branding, networking, relationship building, and fundraising efforts.

Judith Goldkrand

Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo | Small Business Mentor | WPO Board member

Judith Goldkrand is a passionate advocate for women, an experienced banker, board member, philanthropist, builder of high-performing teams, and creator of psychological safety in the workplace. Her goal is to change the world for women. Judith dedicates herself to the advancement of women, gender equity, access to capital for women, and empowering others to use their voices. Judith is a mentor for women entrepreneurs on growth and capital. Judith is currently the National Women’s Segment Leader, National LGBTQ+ Segment Leader, and National Asian Segment Leader at Wells Fargo.

MC/MODERATOR

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STARTUP SHOWCASE

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JUDGES

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Judges

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Sponsors

Startup Market

Innovative products from local founders

The Startup Market is a unique marketplace designed to promote local startups. The market provides founders with the opportunity to showcase their products and to sell directly to consumers.

Interested in a booth at the symposium?

Catalyst Capital Symposia

IMPACT

Activating Startups

Catalyst Capital Symposia is a platform connecting founders and funders to catalyze innovation.

This monthly forum provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain valuable insights into emerging sectors and disruptive technologies that have the potential to revolutionize human health, the environment, and society.

Through engaging discussions, informative panels, and interactive workshops, aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs and investors can learn about essential concepts, strategies, and best practices directly from industry experts.

By engaging the venture and startup ecosystem, the symposia encourages investors to be activists and empower startups with cutting-edge technology.
BECOME AN
INVESTOR-ACTIVIST

Investing in Startups

Stay ahead of the curve by joining us at the Catalyst Capital Symposia, where you can gain valuable insights into emerging technologies, spanning various industries, from tech and healthcare to sustainability and beyond.

Join the ranks of investor-activists who not only provide financial backing but also lend their expertise, networks, and influence to nurture startups, catalyzing a collective effort towards a brighter, more innovative future.


FUNDRAISING
&
RESOURCES

Startups: Apply to Pitch

Are you ready to supercharge your innovative startup? Don't miss this golden opportunity to bring your vision to life!

Pitch your startup to an audience of industry experts, colleagues, and seasoned investors to gain valuable insights and feedback, forge strategic partnerships and connections, secure vital funding for your pioneering project, and elevate your startup to the next level!

Apply to pitch at one of the upcoming symposiums.
SPONSOR

Connecting with Potential Customers

Position your organization as a corporate sponsor and connect with a deeply engaged audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.

Sponsorship at Catalyst Capital Symposia provides a range of advantages, such as heightened brand visibility, lead generation, networking opportunities, thought leadership, and early access to emerging technologies.

To explore the ways in which your company can benefit from sponsoring our event, reach out to us for more information.
SPONSOR

Be a Champion of Women's Health

Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider becoming a sponsor for Casino Night! As a sponsor, you'll receive prominent recognition at the event, on our marketing materials, and across our digital platforms. Sponsorship packages offer a unique opportunity to align your brand with a cause that resonates with so many.
NONPROFIT
INITIATIVE

Aquillis SEED Fiscal Sponsor

Aquillius is a Delaware C corporation operating as Aquillius SEED, a project of of Players Philanthropy Fund, Inc., a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178, ppf.org/pp). Contributions to Aquillius SEED qualify as tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.