2026 #InvestInWomenFounders Summit

5th Annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit

See the BIG picture from the 36th floor of the Skyline Club. Meet the Top 9. Move money into the hands of women founders. Grow our economy.

The #InvestInWomenFounders Summit brings together ambitious women founders, investors, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across the United States with one clear purpose: help more women founders access the relationships, resources, customers, and capital they need to grow.

This is not another conference where you sit quietly, listen to pitches, and leave without meeting anyone.

You will spend the afternoon learning about promising companies, engaging in candid conversations, meeting people who can do business together, and discovering ways to support the 2026 Top 9 women founders.

What makes this Summit different?

We ditched the pitch.

Instead of delivering traditional pitch presentations, founders participate in personal, Oprah-style interviews conducted by experienced executives, exited founders, and investors.

Each conversation explores the company’s business model, traction, customers, growth strategy, leadership, competitive advantage, and funding needs. The format helps attendees understand both the business and the woman building it.

You will actually meet the founders.

The Summit is designed for real interaction. Assigned-table conversations, live founder interviews, breaks, and the cocktail reception give you multiple opportunities to connect directly with founders, investors, executives, and potential collaborators.

Come prepared to ask questions, make introductions, identify business opportunities, and consider investing.

We prepare founders before putting them in the room.

The Great 8 do not simply show up and take the stage. Before the Summit, they complete The Startup Ladies’ intensive Capital Readiness Accelerator.

They work with experienced trainers and mentors to strengthen their:

• Financial projections and funding strategies
• Business models and growth plans
• Investor materials
• Executive communication skills
• Responses to investor questions
• Ability to clearly explain their companies, traction, and use of capital
• Investment documents

Our model works.

Women founders continue to receive a disproportionately small share of startup investment capital, leaving strong companies, talented leaders, and significant financial opportunities overlooked.

The #InvestInWomenFounders Summit helps investors and business leaders discover that untapped potential. To date, members of The Startup Ladies investor network have invested more than $1 million in Startup Ladies founders.

Meet the 2026 Top 9

The Startup Ladies Board and Selection Committee evaluated applications from women founders across the United States based on company viability, customer discovery, traction, scalability, leadership, coachability, growth potential, and capital readiness.

Nine exceptional founders were selected for the 2026 cohort.

At the Summit, each founder will be matched with an experienced executive, exited founder, or investor for a live, Oprah-style interview. These engaging conversations cover the essential components of a traditional investor pitch while giving the audience a more authentic understanding of the founder, the company, and the opportunity.

Whether you are an experienced investor, considering making your first startup investment, looking for innovative products and services, or interested in supporting women-owned businesses, the Summit gives you access to vetted founders preparing to scale.

Who should attend?

This Summit is for:

• Angel investors and venture capitalists
• People interested in making their first startup investment
• Corporate executives and innovation leaders
• Entrepreneurs and exited founders
• Professional service providers
• University leaders and entrepreneurship educators
• Prospective customers and strategic partners
• People who want to help move more money into the hands of women founders

All genders are welcome. You do not need investing experience to attend.

2026 Summit Agenda

12:00 pm | Guest arrival, check-in, assigned seating, and buffet lunch

12:30 pm | Welcome remarks

12:40 pm | Table conversations hosted by executive mentors

1:10 pm | Sponsor recognition and Summit overview

1:15 pm | Panel with successful Summit alumni hosted by Rhaya Shilts

1:45 pm | Transition to founder interview sessions

2:00 pm | Fund the Founder! Interview Session 1

2:45 pm | Break

3:00 pm | Fund the Founder! Interview Session 2

3:45 pm | Break

4:00 pm | Fund the Founder! Interview Session 3

4:45 pm | Cocktail reception with founders, investors, and executives

6:00 pm | Summit concludes

The agenda and participating speakers are subject to change.

Tickets

Membership Benefits and Pricing

Complimentary Summit admission is an included benefit for Scaleup, Corporate, and Investor Members whose memberships are active on the date of the event. Eligible members must register in advance to reserve their tickets.

Not a member yet? Join or renew at the Scaleup, Corporate, or Investor level by October 9, 2026, to receive complimentary Summit admission along with year-round access to Startup Ladies programming, resources, and business connections.

Special Member Pricing

$99 | Startup Ladies Remote and Startup Members
Available through October 23

$149 | Skyline Club Members
Available through October 23

Public Pricing

$199 | Early Bird General Admission
Available through October 9

$259 | General Admission
Available October 10–23

$299 | Last Chance General Admission
Available October 24–November 2

Company and University Tables

$2,500 | Reserved Table of 8

Bring your executives, emerging leaders, clients, investors, or students and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to women founders and greater access to startup capital.

Vendor Display Opportunity

$2,500 | Display Table and Two Summit Tickets

Connect directly with founders, investors, executives, and business leaders. Space is limited, and participating vendors should provide products or services relevant to the Summit audience.

Ticket Policies

Ticket prices do not include Eventbrite processing fees, if applicable. Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another attendee.

Parking & Arrival

Park in the OneAmerica Tower Garage, located beneath the building. The current maximum daily parking rate is $15. View current garage information.

Between 4 and 6 pm, guests should use the garage entrance from Capitol Avenue because the Illinois Street entrance becomes an exit during that period.

After parking, check in with building security and take the middle elevator bank to the Skyline Club on the 36th floor.

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsors make it possible for The Startup Ladies to provide the Great 8 with months of accelerator training, mentorship, national visibility, investor connections, and the opportunity to participate in the Summit at no cost.

Sponsorship benefits may include recognition:

• Before the Summit: Company name and logo included in promotional campaigns, social media content, email communications, and event materials.
• During the Summit: Recognition in opening remarks, event signage, program materials, and opportunities to engage directly with founders and attendees.
• After the Summit: Continued recognition through Startup Ladies newsletters, social media, founder updates, and post-event communications.

Sponsorship opportunities are available through October 31, 2026, or until all opportunities are filled.

To request the sponsorship overview, email Info@TheStartupLadies.org.

Thank you to the Skyline Club

🙌 Special thanks to the Skyline Club for serving as our location sponsor, welcoming The Startup Ladies to its beautiful space, and helping us give women founders a platform from the 36th floor.

Come prepared to take action

Attend the Summit. Meet the Top 9. Ask thoughtful questions. Make introductions. Become a customer. Open a door. Write a check.

When women founders receive the capital and connections they need to grow, everyone benefits.

From 36 floors up, every view at the Skyline Club is breathtaking. Sharing a cocktail here sparks new connections, and inspires what’s possible through collaboration.