The We Own It Collaboration announces its fourth annual Summit and Global Pitch Competition, June 27th & 28th in London, UK.
The We Own It Summit convenes visionaries, thought-leaders, idea generators, game-changers and disrupters to identify paths of success for women high-growth entrepreneurs: from women’s access to capital, to women’s participation on boards, to the full participation of women as investors. The summit is open to men and women, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, policy-makers. Tickets range from Premier All-Access Passes at GBP 370 ($550), to a la carte tickets, to a limited number of donate-what-you-can options. Registration is currently open: www.weownitsummit.org.
“We Own It is a unique opportunity to connect with accomplished entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and individuals in all fields who are passionate about helping women entrepreneurs reach their goals. It is an honor to be part of this global gathering of smart, accomplished, dynamic individuals who share the same objectives.” Ruth Owades (2013 Panelist)
The Summit was created by a global group of collaborators (of which Women 2.0 is a proud member!) with the goal of joining forces to support, assist and celebrate women high growth entrepreneurs. The collaboration is made up of individuals and organizations who are committed to the cause of improving the landscape for women high growth entrepreneurs, as well as promoting and facilitating women’s participation along the lifecycle as board members, investors and up and coming venturers.
The two day event includes salon-style discussions, designed to lead to actionable plans to make 2010 through 2020: the decade of the woman entrepreneur. Keynotes and panels of exceptional risk takers draw the larger funding and entrepreneurial eco-system into the conversation. A Global Pitch Competition highlights the most promising women-led high-growth companies, while the Awards Dinner celebrates great achievements in venture capital investment in women-led companies.
The 2013 We Own It Summit boasts an exceptional opportunity to connect with investors, entrepreneurs, and industry luminaries. Speakers will include Sallie Krawcheck (85 Broads, past head of Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney) Helena Morrissey (CEO of Newton Investments, Founder of the 30% Club), Ruth Owades (Serial Entrepreneur, Founder of Calyx & Corolla and Gardner’s Eden, lauded by Business Week as “Best Entrepreneur” for revolutionizing the fresh flower catalog business), Nicola Horlick (Chairman of Rockpool Investments, LLP, innovator in new investment vehicles, particularly for the film industry), and many more. To learn more and register visit: www.weownitsummit.org
Of particular note to Women High-Growth Entrepreneurs, the We Own It Summit Global Pitch Competition, presented by Astia and The Next Women, is currently accepting applications through June 1st. The competition seeks the most promising high-growth women-led companies from around the world. Five finalists will present on stage at in London on June 27th in front of an audience of preeminent venture capitalists and global investors at the summit. Finalists will compete for a cash prize, global visibility and unequaled promotion and networking opportunities. Qualifying applicants are high-growth businesses ready for equity funding with at least one woman in a c-level position or equity stake. Additionally, the company must either have a global market or be ready to expand into one.
Says Sharon Voskmek, CEO of Astia (the hosting organization for the 2013 We Own It Summit), “New research by Dow Jones shows that women-led venture-backed companies outperformed their male counterparts over the past fifteen years. As a collaboration, we believe that it makes absolutely no sense that women account for less than 5% of venture-backed companies while at the same time they account for over half the college graduates and graduate degree participants. With the Global Pitch Competition, we are increasing the opportunity for female entrepreneurs and investors alike.” (Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia)
We invite others who, like Sharon and the collaboration, think the numbers make no sense, see the opportunity and want to be a part of the change, to join us at the We Own It Summit in London.
The We Own It Summit is sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Thomson Reuters along with Dentons and Bloomberg. The Global Pitch Competition is sponsored by Technology Strategy Board along with Astia Angel, Gust and Startup Weekend.
About the post author: Victoria Pettibone ([email protected]) is the Summit Director of the 2013 We Own It Summit. Victoria produces socially-driven media, programs and events. She is the former Executive Producer of the not-for-profit production company WET Productions, was named one of “25 Visionaries Changing the World” in UTNE Reader magazine and is an Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund winner. Follow her on Twitter @vpettibone.
