Trailblazing Women Investors

Join us for an insightful panel discussion that addresses startup fundraising. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an investor, or just want to learn more about securing funding for innovative ventures, this event is a must-attend.

Discussion Topics:

• Seed Funding Strategies: Learn about effective approaches to secure initial funding for your startup and set a strong foundation for growth.
• Crafting a Winning Pitch: Discover the art of creating a compelling pitch that not only captures investors' attention but also communicates the value proposition of your venture.
• Investor Relations: Gain insights into building and maintaining relationships with investors, understanding their expectations, and navigating the challenges of the investor-founder dynamic.

PANELISTS:

Ashley Balla, Partner, Halogen Ventures

Ashley Balla is a Partner at Halogen Ventures, where she co-leads across investments and operations. Since 2017, Balla has played a key role on the Halogen team, working alongside Founding Partner, Jesse Draper to build Halogen and invest in the next generation of trillion dollar consumer technology and strategic B2B startups. With a special focus on childcare, fintech, future of shopping and consumer healthcare, Balla has a passion for sourcing and working with extraordinary entrepreneurs and teams who are innovating and building technology companies that will fundamentally transform the way we live, shop, connect, and communicate for generations to come. Among Halogen’s 70+ portfolio companies are Babylist, Ellevest, the Skimm, Teadrops, Flex, Squad (acquired by Twitter) among others.

La Keisha Landrum Pierre, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Emmeline Ventures

La Keisha Landrum Pierre is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at Emmeline Ventures, an early-stage VC fund, where she invests in healthcare, fintech, and sustainability solutions built by female founders. She invests in the most promising female founders across these sectors and has spent the last 13+ years building world-class operational teams, infusing strategic excellence and scalability into impact focused companies. La Keisha is a 2x founder of Harvard Innovation Lab incubated start-ups and was a deep-tech researcher at the Youth and Media Group at Harvard Law School’s Berkman Klein Center where she studied the intersection of digital and media literacies for youth. La Keisha brings domain expertise in building and scaling impact-driven companies, taking complex business challenges and designing solutions that create lasting financial and social change in the world.

Debra Fine, Managing Partner at Venture Fund – Tech Coast Angels-Three Funds

YPO Global One Integrated, Deal Network Board Chair

Debra serves as the Chair at SKOOG, SAAS Children's Learning, Managing Member at Bet365onlinesportsbook, Betting Buzz, and ODDZ Online, and is the proud founder of FineLineAccelerator.com a business growth consultancy specializing in fundraising, marketing, digital marketing, and branding. Outside of serving as the Deal Network Board Chair, Debra is a four-time Chief Executive Officer for both public and private companies. Debra's resounding track record includes leading IPOs for mid-market consumer products company public. Debra’s success as four-time CEO of over $2Billion in revenue includes execution across industries such as consumer products, media/entertainment, health and wellness, food and beverage, B-B-C, and e-commerce. As an entrepreneur and senior executive at Fortune 500 companies and global brands namely Kraft, Quaker, Disney consumer products, Digital Domain, American Express, Pepsi, Debra also serves as Venture Capital Partner at EM Ventures & Mike Milken Entertainment Technology Fund.

MODERATOR:

Laurel Mintz, CEO and Founder, Elevate My Brand and General Partner, Fabric VC

Laurel Mintz J.D., M.B.A. is the CEO and Founder of award-winning, Los Angeles-based marketing agency Elevate My Brand serving both startups and blue chip global brands like Facebook, Verizon Digital Media Group, PAW Patrol, and Zendesk. Using her experience working with more than 200 companies in the CPG and technology spaces, Laurel launched Fabric VC, in 2022, to weave together diverse founders with the funding they need and deserve.

Agenda:

5:30-6:30  Networking Reception 

6:30-6:40  Opening Remarks & Introductions

6:40-7:20  Moderated Panel Discussion

7:20-7:30  Q&A and Closing Remarks

Location:

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. 

Your ticket includes appetizers, wine and beverages.