SILICON VALLEY FORUM PRESENTS:
WOMEN IN TECH FESTIVAL 2019
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
May 23-24, 2019 | COMPUTER HISTORY MUSEUM, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
#SVFWIT19 #SVFWomenTechFest
Sign up by December 27th for the super-early-bird price!
About the Women in Tech Festival
Five years strong – and we’re far from being done.
Welcome to the Fifth Anniversary of Silicon Valley Forum’s annual Women in Tech Festival!
Silicon Valley Forum’s Women in Tech Festival celebrates women in tech, STEM, and business careers who work to inspire, engage, and empower other women. Since the inaugural event in 2015, the Women in Tech Festival has encouraged women – and men who support the advancement of women – to join together for two full days of inspiring talks, startup pitches, thought-provoking discussions, and educational workshops. At the Women in Tech Festival, you’ll create lasting connections and exchange ideas in a welcoming, supportive and fun environment. Get my ticket
Two Great Ways to Take the Stage
The Women in Tech Festival isn’t just a networking event – it’s the story of our incredible community, both here in Silicon Valley and around the world. We’ve got two great ways to get involved:
Apply to pitch! We have just ten spots available for female-founded tech startups to pitch at Day One of the Festival – apply now to pitch!
Apply to speak or lead a workshop! The tech women network often runs on the strength of its hidden figures – if you’re a leader in your field, a powerful mentor, or you have an amazing story to tell, we want to meet you! Introduce yourself here.
#SVFWIT19: Fifth Anniversary
WATCH VIDEO
Video Talks
Watch all the talks from #SVFWIT18 under 'Videos'
Tanya Soman – The Importance of the Female Investor Perspective
Tanya Soman, Venture Partner at 500 Startups provides insights on what it means to be a female investor and why it is important to have more female investors.
Power Talk – Why Cultural Intelligence is Critical to Next-Gen Leadership
Yingying Li, Founder of Yingfluence is giving a power talk on ‘Why Cultural Intelligence is Critical to Next-Gen Leadership’ and what cultural
Female Founder Pitch – Caroline Lepron, Cookitoo
Caroline Lepron, Cofounder of Cookitoo. Cookitoo is an online marketplace where food professionals can list, search and book unused kitchen space in their area.
The Importance of Male Allies to Advance & Retain Women in Tech
Men play a significant role in improving conditions for women in technology, so enlisting men’s participation is vital for change efforts. This panel will
Female Founder Pitch – SunHee An, Lilly Cover
SunHee An, CEO & Founder of Lilly Cover. Lillycover is a healthcare platform that develops skincare device that help diagnose your skin.
Power Talk – Launch Your Business Through Equity Crowdfunding
Caroline Hofmann, COO, Republic is giving a power talk on ‘Launching Your Business Through Equity Crowdfunding’.
Female Founder Pitch – Megan Mokri, Byte Foods
Megan Mokri, CEO and Founder of Byte Foods. Byte is reinventing workplace eating through connected refrigerators, RFID technology and deliciously
Power Talk – The Changing Face of Venture Capital
Megan Holston-Alexander, Senior Associate at Unusual Ventures is giving a power talk on ‘The Changing Face of Venture Capital’
2018 Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Kristina Jones Co-Founder, Courtbuddy
Co-Founder, Courtbuddy
Tanya Soman Venture Partner, 500 Startups
Ooshma Garg Founder & CEO, Gobble and Investment Partner, X Factor Ventures
Jessica Naziri Founder and CEO, TechSesh
Speakers
Purnima Kochikar Director, Google Play, Apps and Games
Purnima has over 20 years of experience leading application development, marketing and technical-engineering management for startups and leading mobile companies.
Yun Freund VP of Engineering, Equinix
VP of Software Engineering, GE Digital
Heather VanCura Director, JCP Program, Oracle
Director, Oracle
Denyse Cardozo CEO, Silicon Valley Forum
Denyse drives the goals and strategy for Silicon Valley Forum, with continued growth into international markets and innovation. She has coached hundreds of startups through the SVF pitch nights and programs.
Bill Reichert Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures
Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures
Shelly Kapoor-Collins Managing Partner, Shatter Fund
Managing Partner, Shatter Fund
Howie Diamond Managing Director, Ranch Ventures
Managing Director, Ranch Ventures
Sandra Lopez VP, Intel Sports
VP, Intel Sports
Tracy Lawrence CEO and Cofounder, Chewse
Beena Ammanath Founder & CEO, Humans for AI
Megan Holston-Alexander Venture Capital Senior Associate, Unusual Ventures; Blogger - A Black Girl in Venture
YingYing Li Founder, Yingfluence
Maren Kate Donovan Managing Partner, Recruit
Tim Wagner North America Ecosystem Lead, Accenture
Pat Milligan Leader of When Women Thrive and Multinational Clients, Mercer
Michael Redding Managing Dir. Strategic Technology Innovation, Accenture
Tommy Lewis Dir. of Technical Evangelism, Microsoft Commercial Software Engineering
Rashida Hodge VP, Watson Embed and Strategic Partnerships
Caroline Hofmann COO, Republic
Christine Herron Director, Intel Capital and Co-Lead, Intel Capital Diversity Fund
Yvonne Wassenaar CEO, Airware
Angie Coleman Director of Community, Lesbians Who Tech
Khalida Ali Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Zendesk
Anar Simpson Global Ambassador, Technovation
Laila Shabir Founder & CEO, Girls Make Games
Lucy Danziger CEO & Founder, Hintd
Melinda Briana Epler Founder & CEO, Change Catalyst
Irene Sandler VP, Cognizant Accelerator
Melissa Tsang Product Manager, Upgrade, Inc.
Crystal Huang Principal, GGV Capital
Jessica Shamash Head of Creative Production, Fable Studio
Jennifer Elias Reporter, Silicon Valley Business Journal
Xi-Er Dang Product Marketing Specialist, Silicon Valley Forum
Xi-Er is passionate about creating educative content for our online Startupedia initiative. She is a tech wizard who possesses the talent and passion for targeted messaging and nurturing a growing community with the goal of driving new business to the organization. Xi-Er has a deep fondness for food, photography, and salsa dancing. Yes, we all think she should be the next contestant on Dancing with the Stars!
Christine Alford Director, Partner Experience & Startup Team, Cloud & Enterprise, Microsoft
Lo Toney Managing Partner, Plexo Capital
Christie Pitts Investment Partner, Backstage Capital
Alison Haugan President and Co-Founder, OptiStreams, Inc
Chris Yeh General Partner, Wasabi Ventures Global
Chris has been building Internet businesses since 1995. He is a General Partner at Wasabi Ventures, a global venture fund, startup incubator, and consulting firm. Chris is an active angel investor and startup advisor.
Pitching Female Founders
Yumi A. Kimura Co-Founder & CEO, Lead for Career
SunHee An CEO & Founder, Lilly Cover
Pree Walia CEO & Co-Founder, Preemadonna
Anita Gardyne CEO & Co-Founder, Oneva
Ravina Mutha Cofounder, Enterprise Bot
Charu Sharma Founder & CEO, NextPlay.ai
Caroline Lepron Cofounder, Cookitoo
Melissa Kargiannakis Founder and CEO, Skritswap
Chelsie Lee Cofounder and CEO, Shipsi
Megan Mokri CEO and Founder, Byte Foods
2018 Agenda
Stay tuned for 2019 Festival!
Day One – April 12th, 2018
2:00 – 2:30 pm
Registration and networking
2:30 – 2:40 pm
Welcoming Remarks
Xi-er Dang, Product Marketing Specialist, Silicon Valley Forum
Denyse Cardozo, CEO, Silicon Valley Forum
2:40 – 2:55 pm
Opening Keynote – Tanya Soman, Venture Partner, 500 Startups
2:55 – 3:10 pm
Introduction of Judges:
Bill Reichert, Garage Technology Ventures (session 1 only)
Crystal Huang, GGV Capital
Irene Sandler, Cognizant Accelerator
Christie Pitts, Backstage Capital
Chris Yeh, Wasabi Ventures (session 2 only)
MC: Xi-Er Dang, Silicon Valley Forum
3:10 – 4:00 pm
Pitch Competition: Session One
4:00 – 4:40 pm
Panel: Mars & Venus: Investing in Diversity
Women and underrepresented minorities receive a tiny fraction of venture capital dollars. These investors will discuss how they’re lighting the way forward for more inclusive investing–and why it’s an essential element to kick-starting a stronger economy.
Panelists:
Howie Diamond, Alpha Bridge Ventures
Christine Herron, Intel Capital
Lo Toney, Managing Partner, Plexo Capital
Moderator: Michael Redding, Accenture
4:40 – 5:00 pm
Short Break
5:00 – 5:55 pm
Pitch Competition: Session Two
5:55 – 6:00 pm
Voting begins – head to Sli.do and enter code SVFWIT18
6:00 – 6:20 pm
Closing Keynote
Kristina B. Jones, Founder & CEO, Court Buddy
6:20 – 6:30 pm
Announcement of Winning Company and Audience Favorite
6:30 – 7:25 pm
Networking & Cocktail Hour
7:30 pm
Conclusion – see you tomorrow!
Day Two – April 13th, 2018
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Registration, Networking, Light Breakfast
9:30 – 9:40 AM
Welcoming Remarks
Denyse Cardozo, CEO, Silicon Valley Forum
9:40 – 10:05 AM
Opening Keynote
Jessica Naziri, Founder and CEO, TechSesh
10:05 – 10:45 AM
Panel: Climbing the Corporate Tech Ladder
It’s a long way to the top if you want to take control – and for women the process can be an embattled one. Our panel of inspiring women will share their unique stories.
Panelists:
Sandra Lopez, VP, Intel Sports
Yun Freund, VP Engineering, Equinix
Rashida Hodge, VP, Watson Embed and Strategic Partnerships, IBM
Yvonne Wassenaar, CEO, Airware
Moderator: Purnima Kochikar, Director, Google Play, Apps & Games
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Power Talk: Get the Life You Want!
Lucy Danziger, CEO and Founder, Hintd
11:00 – 11:15 AM
Power Talk: When Women Thrive: Driving Progress for Women in Tech
Pat Milligan, Leader of When Women Thrive and Multinational Clients, Mercer
11:15—11:30 AM
Power Talk: Why Cultural Intelligence is Critical to Next-Gen Leadership
Yingying Li, Founder, Yingfluence
11:30 – 12:15 PM
Panel: The Importance of Male Allies to Advance & Retain Women in Tech
Men play a significant role in improving conditions for women in technology, so enlisting men’s participation is vital for change efforts. This Panel will have an honest dialogue about experience, and discuss concrete steps forward.
Panelists:
Heather VanCura, Director, Oracle
Tommy Lewis, Director of Technical Evangelism, Microsoft
Tim Wagner, North American Ecosystem Lead, Accenture
Khalida Ali, Senior Mgr, Diversity and Inclusion, Zendesk
Moderator: Melinda Briana Epler, Founder and CEO, Change Catalyst
12:15 – 1:45 PM
Lunch, Workshops, Demo Hall, Brella Networking
Workshop Signups are at Registration—first come, first serve!
1:45—2:00 PM
Power Talk: Launch Your Business Through Equity Crowdfunding
Caroline Hofmann, COO, Republic
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Power Talk: The Changing Face of Venture Capital
Megan Holston-Alexander, VC, Unusual Ventures
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Power Talk: Being Human in the Age of Machines
Beena Ammanath, Founder and CEO, Human API
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Power Talk: Girls Make Games: Changing the World One Pixel at a Time
Laila Shabir, Founder and CEO, Girls Make Games
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Power Talk: Making Inclusivity & Diversity a Priority
Christine Alford, Dir. Of Partner Experience and Startup Team, Cloud and Enterprise, Microsoft
3:00 – 3:30 PM
Break: Brella Networking + Demo Hall
3:30 – 3:45 PM
Power Talk: The Magic of VR Storytelling
Jessica Shamash, Head of Creative Production, Fable Studio
3:45 – 4:00 PM
Power Talk: Feminine Capitalism: Women Are Changing the Way We Do Business
Tracy Lawrence, CEO and Cofounder, Chewse
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Power Talk: Beyond Glass Ceilings
Anar Simpson, Global Ambassador, Technovation
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Panel: Failing Up—Building Resilience Through Setbacks
Invaluable skills can be learned from setbacks. Our panelists will discuss their
experiences overcoming fear of failure, and how they built resilience.
Panelists:
Maren Kate Donovan, Managing Partner, Recruit
Angie Coleman, Director of Community, Lesbians Who Tech
Melissa Tsang, Product Manager, Upgrade
Alison Haugan, President and Cofounder, Optistreams Inc
Moderator: Jennifer Elias, Reporter, Silicon Valley Business Journal
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Closing Keynote
Ooshma Garg, Founder & CEO, Gobble and Investment Partner, X Factor Ventures
5:30 PM
Conclusion – see you again in 2019!
PAST HIGHLIGHTS
Festival Partners
Cocktail Hour Sponsor
