Calling all Exceptional Women-led High Growth Start-ups
SAN FRANCISCO August 10, 2010

 

Exclusive program offers unparalleled resource for success

Application Deadline - Friday September 10, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO August 10, 2010 – Astia, the premier Silicon Valley venture accelerator for women-led high growth companies, announces that applications are open for its Doing it Right, Silicon Valley 2010 Program. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs who want to become dominant players in the Technology, Life Sciences or Clean Tech sectors, the Doing it Right Programs starts with a comprehensive 6-day workshop followed by a 2-month program of personalized advice from premier experts during which time chosen participants have the opportunity to start benefiting from the global ecosystem of Angels, VCs, corporations, and entrepreneurs that is Astia.

“Astia has truly cultivated the networks required to source and showcase the next leaders in innovation and it continues demonstrate the investment opportunity hidden in women entrepreneurs,” said Prashant Shah, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and Astia Board chair.

Those select entrepreneurs accepted to Astia’s Doing it Right have unprecedented access to funding and expertise in a multitude of fields necessary to building successful businesses.

“I will admit that I walked in with slight skepticism worrying about the dollars that are very precious in a start-up being spent appropriately,” said Natalie Wisniewski, PhD, Co-founder of PROFUSA. “I can say now without the slightest of doubts that this was one of the best investments of money and time we could have made and I wish I had done it earlier.”


Astia has delivered exceptional results to the start-ups it serves. To date, over 60% of the companies showcased at Astia Investor Forums have secured funding or an exit within one year, totaling more than $750 million raised and 20 exits including two IPOs.

"All women-led clean tech companies need to join Astia.  In the multiple years I have been associated with Astia, I have consistently been extremely impressed with the quality of programs, commitment to women entrepreneurs, extensive network and the success of companies after benefiting from their involvement with Astia," said Susan Preston, General Partner, CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund.

Urged to submit are entrepreneurs with:
•    an innovative idea in either the Technology, Life Sciences or Clean Tech sectors
•    a high-growth investment opportunity
•    an exceptional team and business strategy
•    a significant market opportunity
•    a defendable competitive advantage
•    at least one woman in a leadership role (at C level) or in significant position of equity and influence

Charlotte Kim, Founder and CEO of Coveted List notes, “Joining Astia has been a game changer, literally. My Astia advisors have leveled the playing field for me with the funding dance.  They’ve provided the coaching, support and at times interpretation so I can be on point and prepared.  Astia has been invaluable.”

The application deadline is Friday, September 10, 2010. In-person screening will take place Thursday, September 30, 2010 and the Doing it Right Program will be held at Microsoft’s San Francisco Campus November 4-9.

About Astia
Astia is a global not-for-profit organization with a distinct focus and mission – to uniquely source innovation by propelling women’s full participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth businesses, fuelling innovation and driving economic growth. Guided by a proven philosophy that gender diversity is an essential element of innovation, Astia works with start-ups around the world as they access capital, grow their businesses, and hone the leadership skills of their founding teams.

The Astia model of engaging a community of experts to the benefit of the select start-ups it serves has resulted in an exceptional success rate: since 2003, over 60 percent of companies that have participated in the Astia Investor Forums have secured funding or achieved an exit within one year of presenting, totalling more than $750 million dollars raised and 20 exits, including two IPOs. Headquartered in San Francisco, Astia delivers programs for entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, New York, London and India. Astia has also had significant press coverage in major media channels including The New York Times, The New York Times blog, Businessweek, Forbes and The Financial Times. For more information, visit www.astia.org .