Women Founders Education Foundation

IN 2021, WE CONTINUED OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR THE JUNIOR JUDGE PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 6-12 THROUGH VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS CALLED "MEET THE CEO." OUR GROUP OF JUNIOR JUDGES WAS EXPANDED TO 18 GIRLS THIS YEAR, FROM 15 LAST YEAR. WE ALSO ADDED A SERIES OF SIX WEEKLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS BASED ON THE WORKBOOK, "MINDSET AND MILESTONES: A GIRL'S GUIDE TO THINKING LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR." THE BOOK INTRODUCES GIRLS TO THE DIFFERENT STEPS IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS, FROM IDEATION TO BUSINESS PITCHES AND MORE. FOR THE SECOND YEAR, WE HAD OUR WFF FELLOWS PROGRAM, WITH 12 STUDENTS WHO WERE CONNECTED WITH MENTORS TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE A DUE DILIGENCE REPORT EVALUATING STARTUP COMPANIES. OUR 2021 PROGRAMMING INCLUDED: JUNIOR JUDGES VIRTUAL SOCIAL MIXER SO THE GIRLS COULD GET ACQUAINTED AND GET AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. MEET THE CEO VIRTUAL EVENTS WHERE GIRLS CONNECT WITH WOMEN LEADERS TO LEARN ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. SIX WEEKLY MINDSET & MILESTONES VIRTUAL MEETINGS TO LEARN ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS. PRE-PITCH VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR JUNIOR JUDGES TO LEARN ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE BASICS OF INVESTING. GIRLS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A FACILITATED REVIEW OF THE WOMEN FOUNDERS NETWORK FAST PITCH FINALIST COMPANIES WITH A SEASONED INVESTOR. JUNIOR JUDGE PROGRAM CULMINATES IN THE GIRLS ATTENDING THE ANNUAL WOMEN FOUNDERS NETWORK FAST PITCH EVENT. THE GIRLS WATCH THE PITCHES, ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS OF THE FOUNDERS, THEN DELIBERATE TO SELECT THEIR WINNER AND PRESENT A SPONSORED CASH PRIZE. WFF FELLOWS PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY WOMEN OFFERED REAL-WORLD, RESUME-BUILDING EXPERIENCE TO THESE STUDENTS. TWELVE WOMEN WERE SELECTED THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS AND WORKED IN TEAMS OF TWO WITH A MENTOR. EACH TEAM WAS ASSIGNED TO EVALUATE ONE OF THE FAST PITCH FINALIST COMPANIES AND PRESENT A DUE DILIGENCE REPORT THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE FAST PITCH JUDGES AND JUNIOR JUDGES. A $250 STIPEND WAS PROVIDED TO EACH FELLOW. FEMALE FOUNDER WEBINARS FOR ADULTS FEATURING NINE SPEAKERS COVERING TOPICS ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PITCHING YOUR BUSINESS, STARTUP FINANCIALS, BUSINESS TAXES, LEGAL FORMATION FOR STARTUPS, VALUATION, EQUITY CROWDFUNDING, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS, AVOIDING BUSINESS DISPUTES, AND MARKETING. SPRINGBOARD ENTERPRISES DOLPHIN TANK PARTNER EVENT FOR ADULT FEMALE FOUNDERS TO PROVIDE FRIENDLY FEEDBACK TO HELP THEM REFINE THEIR PITCH DECKS AND PRESENTATION SKILLS.