![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/11-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Above: Emily Baum, Programs Manager at NYU Entrepreneurship Institute, opening Female Founders Forum.<\/em><\/p>\n Panel:\u00a0 Female Founders in Male Dominated Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n The panelists shared their experience on mentors that helped them in their career.\u00a0 Most mentors were old and white men and did provide significant assistance.\u00a0 Edith stated that \u201cmentorship should be organic\u201d, it should not be looked as transactional and you should not go in with a set expectation.\u00a0 As you meet people at networking events, stay open to learning new things.\u00a0 Mc Kenna shared a quote from her father, \u201cLife is a team sport, Even Michael Jordan doesn\u2019t step on the court alone.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s important to consider a broad set of mentors, depending on the need.\u00a0 Different people have expertise in different areas and one person may not be able to solve all the problems you may encounter.<\/p>\n Above (left to right): Mc Kenna Walsh, Edith Mandel, Carmela Rea, Stacy Blain, TeLisa Daughtery <\/em><\/p>\n Speakers shared their experience with working in male dominated industry and some advice on how to deal with some of the challenges. Edith mentioned that \u201cit\u2019s important to be prepared and understand and anticipate challenges.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Dealing with hostility also came up several times during the discussion.\u00a0 The responses varied from ignoring it, since you can\u2019t really change people, to confronting them.\u00a0 TeLisa said that she purposely messes up the name of a man who is not taking her seriously.\u00a0 \u201cFor example, call Paul by Peter or Barry.\u00a0 This gets people attention.\u201d It\u2019s important to focus on doing the best job.\u00a0 Eventually, the achievements are what will get noticed.<\/p>\n Balancing family life and work is usually more challenging for women.\u00a0 Taking care of kids can feel like a second job.\u00a0 It is important to let female coworkers know, that this is okay and make the corporate culture more accommodating of this.<\/p>\n Panel: The Future is Female: Women in Venture<\/strong><\/p>\n All the panelists stressed evaluating the actual need to go for venture capital (VC) funding.\u00a0 Ellie mentioned that \u201c99% businesses should not go out for VC funding.\u201d The VC\u2019s often expect the successful return on investment to be at least 10 times. The businesses usually give up a lot of privacy and ownership in exchange for funding.<\/p>\n Alignment and fit between the business and VC is important.\u00a0 Also, it\u2019s critical not go too early in the process, wait to have something that is fairly solid to help you make a better case.\u00a0 Metrics play a key role in making the case.<\/p>\n Above (left to right): Lisa Xu, Ellie Wheeler, Jenny Friedman, Frances Schwiep, Joanne Lin <\/em><\/p>\n There is tons of material online to help businesses prepare for the VC process.\u00a0 Traditional VC funding is still a very network driven process. The VC ecosystem is collaborative. Often, one meeting can lead to another introduction.<\/p>\n Cold outreach via email or linkedin, can work sometimes.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to have a clear purpose, do the homework and get the name right.<\/p>\n The moderator compared the process to dating, there is courting, fit, and not revealing too much.\u00a0 Frances said that \u201cattitude is important\u201d, including execution, trade offs, when is the right time for things and aptitude, which includes business acumen and roadmap.\u00a0 Founders must be okay with delayed gratification,\u00a0 it takes guts and trust in yourself to see it through.\u00a0 There will be a lot of \u2018No\u2019s\u2019, but it\u2019s important to stay positive and wait for that one \u2018Yes\u2019.\u00a0 Quarterly outreach, including update emails can be helpful.\u00a0 They can help reopen the conversation in the future.\u00a0 Joanne said that she would \u201clove to see more female founders instead of answer questions as directly as possible, address it and pivot to what\u2019s possible; redirect the conversation\u201d.\u00a0 Jenny suggested to ensure that the competitive landscape includes others doing something similar. If there are no competitors, then explain why that\u2019s the case.<\/p>\n Ellie stressed that startups have answers to the following key questions \u201cWho are you and why are you doing this? Who else is doing it? Why does it matter?\u201d\u00a0 Frances said that she is not seeing businesses \u201cactually paint the picture.\u201d In addition, she stressed to not \u201cbe afraid to be transparent about unknowns and use funding to get to answers.\u201d<\/p>\n Panel: Starting a Startup while still in school<\/strong><\/p>\n The panel of current and recent grad students shared their experience in starting a company while still in school.\u00a0 The ideas for the businesses were usually inspired by their personal experience or desire to make a difference.\u00a0 Some recent accomplishments were also shared.\u00a0 For example, WOKEN recently won a grant from NSF, Sunthetics won the \u2018Global student founder\u2019 award in Macau.\u00a0 Most students took advantage of the resources provided at NYU, like the J-term or Summer<\/a><\/u> sprints, Stern 300k challenge<\/a><\/u>, smaller grants at Tandon Makerspace lab, coaching at Leslie eLab, talking with their Professors and fellow students.<\/p>\n Above (left to right): Phoebe Punzalan, Rachel Serwetz, Myriam Sbeiti, Earlene Cruz and Ma Qing<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Deciding between working for a company vs. starting a business was a challenge for most of the students.\u00a0 Myriam mentioned how most of her friends are making 3 times her salary working for large companies, but this is not something that appeals to her.\u00a0 Rachel suggested asking yourself \u201cDo you want to pursue it fully?\u201d\u00a0 before making the decision.\u00a0 A sense of passion and purpose drove the decision making process.\u00a0 Balancing school and business can be a challenge.\u00a0 Rachel shared the importance of prioritizing the work, school, and social life.\u00a0 The reality in most cases as Ma stated is that you \u201cwork long hours\u201d.<\/p>\n Panel: Defying the odds: Women raising capital<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/22-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/33-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/44-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/55-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/microsites.engineering.nyu.edu\/cie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/04\/66-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n