Applicants Accepted Before August 15 Invited to Join Fall Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Program

SAN FRANCISCO, August 4, 2011 – Astia, the premier venture accelerator for women-led high growth companies, opened its call for applications for companies to join the Astia Portfolio. Astia Portfolio companies benefit from the unparalleled programming, advisory services, investor connections and a peer-to-peer network, all specifically designed to accelerate growth. Companies that apply before August 15 and are accepted to the Astia Portfolio will on-ramp during the Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Program, October 10-15, 2011. “For women-led businesses at all stages of growth that are seeking the network they need, Astia is the place for them to come,” stated Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia. “Collectively, the Astia Portfolio companies have raised more than $1 billion dollars and achieved 21 exits, including two IPOs. We’re looking for the next class of entrepreneurs who think big, have an innovative business in a high-growth industry, and know how to leverage a network.”

Entrepreneurs selected to join Astia receive year-round programming, customized advisor matching, leadership development, investor connections and a strong peer-to-peer network. Upon joining Astia, Portfolio members receive ongoing tools and guidance for identifying and accelerating key milestones that drive success. This includes high-touch, customized advisory services and expert advice by a team of current and former CEOs, VCs, angels and successful entrepreneurs. Throughout the lifecycle of the company, the Astia portfolio members will have an opportunity to hone their presentation skills, receive feedback and present to an audience of active VC and Angel investors.

Astia’s Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Program
Developed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, Astia's six-day Entrepreneur Program is about delivering results at all stages of growth and in every aspect of an entrepreneur’s business; from initial funding, key leadership skill development, and the path to exit. During the program, entrepreneurs will cultivate invaluable relationships with key players, receive straight talk from leading experts and work one-on-one with advisors to incorporate these strategies into a successful business.

Interested entrepreneurs should apply now to benefit from the wealth of expertise awaiting the next class of Astia companies.

About Astia
Astia is a global not-for-profit organization with a distinct focus and mission – to propel women’s full participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth businesses, fueling 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 1,100 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 $1 billion dollars raised and 22 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, Businessweek, Forbes and The Financial Times. For more information, visit www.astia.org.

Astia Sponsors
Astia is generously supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, The Althea Foundation, Angelsoft, AOL, Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Citrin Cooperman, , Fenwick & West, IF Communications, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Microsoft Corporation, Moss Adams, Osborne Clarke, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Salesforce, SNR Denton, SVB Financial, Three Guineas Fund, Tier One Partners and Wells Fargo.  We are also supported by venture capital firms Alloy Ventures, Alsop-Louie Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, AOL Ventures, Asset Management Company, Azure Capital, Band of Angels, CalPERS, Citi Ventures, DN Capital, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Epic Venture, Garage Technology Ventures, General Mills Ventures, Golden Seeds, Illuminate Ventures, Incito Ventures, Mohr Davidow, Next World Capital, Olympus Venture Capital, Omoigui, Opus Capital, Palomar Ventures, Prolog Ventures, StarVest Partners, TiE Angels and XG Ventures.


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Media Contact:
Kathy Wilson
Tier One Partners
781-652-0499
kwilson@tieronepr.com