Summit for Under-Represented Founders
The Region's Largest Gathering of Underrepresented Founders
The Summit is always an uncommon opportunity to meet inspiring entrepreneurs and investors in our local community, whether Female, Black, Latino, Veteran, LGBT, Asian, Indigenous, etc., who all together still represent a minority of venture capital investments in the USA. Help us, help them, to change the status quo by participating in this event.
Doors open at 5pm. Summits formally begin at 5:30pm. Diverse-founder startup pitch presentations usually begin around 8pm, and each startup team has their own demo tables in the mixer area. Guests are welcome to stay for the afterparty mixer, meet the founders personally, and meet all the other guests. Light snacks and beverages are served. Parking is always free and easy.
Meet the Keynote Speaker: Jimmie Lee
Jimmie Lee is a trailblazer in the tech industry, renowned for his creativity and fearless approach to innovation. With a wealth of experience from leadership roles at Boeing, Microsoft, Meta, and numerous startups, Lee has consistently turned challenges into triumphs, from architecting robust cybersecurity technologies for global markets to spearheading innovations in cutting-edge security products in many domains and industries.
Lee’s leadership style emphasizes adaptability and accountability, navigating the delicate balance between the drive to push boundaries and the experience of knowing and adhering to best practices. With a passion for using business as a force for good, his vision extends beyond innovation; it encompasses a disruptive approach that challenges conventions and enriches humanity. Lee’s pursuit of excellence, coupled with his comprehensive skill set spanning software engineering, privacy, and cybersecurity, positions him at the forefront of the next technological frontier.
5:00pm
Doors Open and Registration
5:30pm
Welcome & Introductions
5:45pm
Jamar Montgomery to interview keynote speaker Jimmie Lee, fireside chat style.
6:30pm
Break for snacks and beverages
6:45pm
Gender Panel with Angie Parker as moderator. Panelists to include Swatee Surve, founder of Litesprite and Vandana Mishra, founder of Goezz.net, and Adaobi Okoro, CEO of Deep Roots Co-Op,
7:30pm
Race & Ethnicity Panel moderated by Jamar Montgomery. Panelists: Jillian Anderson, Founder of HERide, Rodrigo Carriedo, CEO of Propio, and Jon Madamba, CEO of PivotalBuild.
8:15pm
Break
8:30pm
Founder Pitches (5 minutes, with 3 minute audience Q&A)
- Nolie MacDonald, VRenity
- Jillian Anderson, HERide
- Dr. Alexis Harroun, Juno Propulsion
- Rodrigo Carriedo, Priopio
- Jon Madamba, PivotalBuild
- Divya Agarwal, Zesty
9:20pm
Crowdvote for Best Pitch
9:30pm
Afterparty