Beyond the Fast Pitch: Raising Capital to Grow Your Company in Extraordinary Times

Meet WFN alumni founders who have successfully secured venture capital funding. They'll share stories and advice from their journeys. We'll open it up for audience Q&A so you can get your questions answered!

Also, learn more about the WFN 2023 Fast Pitch Competition, including application dates, criteria, benefits and awards.

Agenda:

5:30-6:30  Networking Reception (appetizers, beverages & wine)

6:30-6:45  Opening Remarks & Introductions

6:45-7:20   Moderated Panel Discussion

7:20-7:30   Q&A and Closing Remarks

Location & Parking:

Expert Dojo

395 Santa Monica Place, Unit 308

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Parking: Located on the top level of Santa Monica Place Mall in the center courtyard, right on Third Street Promenade. Parking is available at the mall. 

Alumni Panelists:

Fran Dunaway, CEO & Co-founder, TomboyX

Fran Dunaway is a media executive-turned-fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of TomboyX, a Seattle-based gender-neutral underwear and apparel brand launched in 2013. The brand started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect first boxer brief made for women. TomboyX is now an apparel company with multiple categories, including underwear, swimwear, sleepwear, loungewear and active wear. Fran and TomboyX are driven by a belief that brands can be a force for positive change, and their messaging promotes a human agenda to inspire conversation about gender, confidence, acceptance, and inclusion. In 2022, TomboyX became B Corp certified. As CEO, Fran has led TomboyX to doubled YoY growth and industry recognition that has included a listing on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies, (4 consecutive years in a row) and being named one of Forbes 50 over 50 in 2021.

Sarah Fotis, CEO & Co-founder, Collective Laboratories

Sarah is CEO and Co-founder of Collective Laboratories. Sarah’s struggles with hair loss began after the birth of her children, and subsequent stroke. After these life events, Sarah found herself using traditional Ayurvedic recipes from her Pakistani culture -- instead of products that were full of harsh chemicals -- to grow her hair back. As an experienced operator, with a problem to solve, she set out on a journey to find a hair growth solution that was safe & effective… and Collective Laboratories was born. Prior to co-founding Collective Laboratories, Sarah spent 20 years consulting large and small companies in operations, strategy and organizational change.

Mitchella Gilbert, CEO & Co-founder, OYA Femtech Apparel

Mitchella “Mitch” Gilbert is the CEO and Co-founder of OYA Femtech Apparel, which makes high-tech apparel designs that create happy, healthy bodies by using natural ventilation to help prevent bacteria growth and skin irritation. She attended the UCLA Anderson School of Management after earning a full scholarship to build her startup. OYA is a Nigerian goddess of rebirth, fertility, and storms. Mitch thought OYA was a great name for a sportswear company fighting feminine health issues (i.e., yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, UTI’s, etc.) with patent-pending designs and textiles. She has experience in tech/product design/retail across Deloitte, Nike, and Lululemon. She is also a UCLA John Wooden Fellow who graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy.

LouMa Marguet, Founder & CEO, Emojam

Louise-Marie “LouMa” Marguet has over 10 years of experience in the music industry through Sony Music, Atlantic Records, Island Records, Def Jam, and Republic Records. An early believer in the power of online communities and digital assets as a way to help artists reach fans, LouMa launched Emojam, which enables artists to create, distribute and monetize custom music stickers where fans already are. Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and Gwen Stefani are among the artists on the platform. Integrated into YouTube, adopted by major gamers, including Gray Still Play and Lauren Z Side, Emojam monetizes thousands of audio stickers directly to fans. LouMa plans to establish Emojam as a fun and interoperable solution for IPs and creators, making them an integral part of fans' digital journey through leading web2/web3 platforms. LouMa holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Management and a master's degree in Marketing and Strategy from Paris Dauphine University. 

Moderator:

Lizzie Francis, Partner, M13

As a partner and head of operations, Lizzie leads the Propulsion team that helps propel our founders’ businesses forward. She was previously the COO of sneaker marketplace GOAT Group, CMO of Gilt Groupe, and founding partner of Brilliant Ventures. 

We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact info@womenfoundersnetwork.org