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The Startup Ladies
Company typePrivate
IndustryEducation
Founded2014
FounderKristen Cooper (CEO & Founder)
Headquarters
Carmel, Indiana
Websitewww.thestartupladies.org
Footnotes / references
[1] [2]


The Startup Ladies

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The Startup Ladies is an Indiana-based membership organization focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and investors. Founded in 2014 by Kristen Cooper, the organization works to increase the number of women starting scalable businesses and to address investment disparities faced by women entrepreneurs.[3][4][5]

Overview

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The Startup Ladies is a for-profit organization that provides resources, education, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate executives. It offers educational programming, mentoring, and networking events, aiming to bridge the gap in funding and support between women founders and their male counterparts.[6][7]

The mission of The Startup Ladies is "to identify, educate, connect, and increase investment in women starting up scalable businesses."[8] The organization focuses on fostering an inclusive startup community, and the organization actively addresses gender and racial disparities in the startup ecosystem. This includes addressing state policies that affect the startup ecosystem, including those that affect women and the LGBTQ+ community.[9][10][11][12][13][14]

Julie Warnecke, founder of Found Search Marketing and a board member of Startup Ladies, has explained the significance of the work: “Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all U.S. businesses, but they only receive 2.3% of venture capital...Women of color and LGBTQ+ women founders secure even less. The Startup Ladies are leading the charge in the Midwest to help more women launch scalable businesses and secure funding to grow.”[15]

The Startup Ladies provides memberships for three primary user categories: entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations.[16] Each membership level offers specialized in-person and virtual trainings and resources meant to support their specific needs. Additionally, the organization provides memberships for students and remote members.

Advisory Board and Ambassadors

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The Startup Ladies has an external Advisory Board which is focused on helping the organization execute strategies and grow. Board members serve as advocates for The Startup Ladies' mission and participate in events, help fundraise, and connect members to prospective advisors, clients and investors.[17] Board members include John Dartt, City Council Member for District 1 in Westfield, Indiana[18]; Jon Gilman, Director of Power Platform Enterprise Solutions at Microsoft[19]; Anita Williams, co-Chair of Board for the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce[20]; and Mindy Weinstein, founder Dr. Mindy Weinstein, CEO of Market MindShift[21].

In addition to the Advisory Board, The Startup Ladies also has a group of Ambassadors, who help facilitate events, serve as representatives for the organization, and amplify the work of the organization.[22]

History

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The "Launch Ladies" began in 2014 as a monthly meetup in Indianapolis, Indiana, initiated by Kristen Cooper.[23] It changed its name to the Startup Ladies in 2015[24], and in 2017, the organization transitioned to a paid membership model that supported entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate executives.[25][26] Since then, The Startup Ladies has expanded its programming and services, reaching members throughout the Midwest.[27][28][29]

The organization has taken its social mission seriously from its founding and has been recognized for the work that it does for the community. In 2018, The Startup Ladies founder, Kristen Cooper, received the "Community Champion of the Year" at the Mira Awards, hosted by TechPoint, based in Indianapolis.[30][31][32]

In its ten-year journey, The Startup Ladies has played a significant role in supporting women-owned businesses and has been recognized as a key player in driving Indianapolis' startup growth.[33][34][35] It has supported hundreds of women founders, helped them raise rounds of funding, and provided them with opportunities to connect with potential investors. Its membership and sponsors have grown to include a community of entrepreneurs, investors, enterprise companies, universities, and co-working spaces. It celebrated its anniversary in August 2024 by honoring Female Founders and Allies at Found Search Marketing HQ in Fishers.[36]

As of 2024, The Startup Ladies aims to scale operations with a goal of becoming a national leader in supporting women entrepreneurs and investors, focusing on major U.S. cities with populations over 2,000,000.

Work and Initiatives

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Educational Programs[37]

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The Startup Ladies offers several educational series designed to help women develop their entrepreneurial skills:

  • Startup Study Hall: A series of workshops covering business fundamentals, strategic planning, and scaling techniques.[38][39]
  • Mental Wellness for Entrepreneurs: Focused on the psychological challenges of entrepreneurship, this series provides tools for managing stress and promoting well-being.[40]
  • Startup Investing 101: Training sessions for individuals interested in investing in startups, with a focus on understanding investment strategies and assessing investment opportunities in women-owned businesses.[41]

The organization also provides 1:1 Mentoring through weekly office hours.

eLearning Platform

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The Startup Ladies offers a members only eLearning platform called Startup Study Hall Online, which offers offers 24/7 access to educational resources designed to help women entrepreneurs and investors grow their businesses. It features modules on startup strategies, scaling, and investment readiness, all accessible online. Users can engage in interactive lessons, learn from executive mentors, and gain insights into investor-readiness. The platform supports a self-paced learning approach, making it adaptable for busy entrepreneurs.[42][43]

Annual Summit

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Since 2023, The Startup Ladies have held an annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit, held at the Delta Faucet Company headquarters in Indianapolis.[44] As the organization's flagship event, the summit brings together women entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders to discuss opportunities and strategies for scaling women-led businesses.[45]

Central to the event is an “Oprah-style” pitch event that pairs 8-9 founders with a seasoned entrepreneur or senior executive. The entrepreneurs or senior executives mentor the founders in the months leading up to the summit. At the event, they interview the founders in a relaxed, in-depth conversation that allows founders to showcase their business acumen while connecting with the audience. The interviewers' role is to champion the founders, encouraging the audience to consider how they can assist with securing investment and client connections.[46][47]

Project Boardup

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In 2024, The Startup Ladies teamed up with the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Rainbow Chamber to create "Project Boardup."[48] With funding provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between experienced executives and underrepresented startup founders by identifying, training, and onboarding executives to serve as advisory board members. As part of the program, entrepreneurs will be identified and trained on how to select and manage their advisory board members effectively. After training, the program will match advisors with businesses owned by women, Black, and LGBTQ+ founders.[49]

Partnerships and Sponsorships

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The Startup Ladies collaborates with local and national businesses to secure sponsorships that support their programming. Notable partnerships include Delta Faucet Company and Found Search Marketing, LLC, which have provided support for both events and mentorship programs.

Leadership

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Kristen Cooper, the CEO and founder, has been the driving force behind The Startup Ladies. Cooper's background in business development and her passion for supporting women-led startups have shaped the organization's mission and growth. She has been recognized for her efforts to advocate for women in the tech and startup space by numerous organizations.

  • Cooper was named one of Indianapolis Business Journal's "Women of Influence" in 2016 for her work as founder of The Startup Ladies and Vice President of Operations and Corporate Development at Sticknsleaves.[50]
  • In 2018, Techpoint named Cooper the the "Community Champion of the Year."[30][31][32]
  • The Indiana Historical Society named her as an “Outstanding Woman of Inspiration” in 2020.
  • She received the Indy Hackers Community Member of the Year Award in 2020.
  • The Indianapolis Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) recognized her as "Woman Business Owner of the Year" in 2021.[51]
  • The Indy Black Chamber of Commerce recognized her with the Friend of the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce Award in 2021.
  • The Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce bestowed its Excellence in Business Award in 2023.

Cooper is a regular writer for the Indianapolis Business Journal, offering columns focused on women and equity in the startup space.[52]

See Also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Voices of the Community podcast: Kristen Cooper, CEO of The Startup Ladies". The_Indianapolis_Star. 16 November 2022.
  2. ^ "The Startup Ladies: Women Entrepreneurs Connect through Local Organization". Indiana_Minority_Business_Magazine. 16 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Startup Ladies Founder Becomes CEO". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Growing tech companies owned and led by women". TechPoint. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Starting up strong: From restrooms to boardrooms, Startup Ladies empowering women in business • Current Publishing". youarecurrent.com. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  6. ^ "INsiders: Women in the Workplace, Securing Funding and Challenges & Opportunities". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Indiana Conference for Women Preview". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  8. ^ Hall, Joshua (12 April 2023). "Meet the Entrepreneurial Service Excellence Nominees for the 'Best in Tech' 2023 Mira Awards". TechPoint. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  9. ^ Huang, Binghui (5 January 2023). "Indiana politics make it difficult for tech industry to recruit, keep employees in state". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 20 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Burris, Alexandria (21 July 2022). "More than 200 Indiana businesses sign ACLU letter opposing abortion restrictions". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 20 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Christian, Kurt (17 July 2020). "Venture firm opening Indy office to target the overlooked". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  12. ^ Christian, Kurt (5 June 2020). "Brothers to funnel $4.5M into companies stung by pandemic". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  13. ^ "INsiders: Women in the Workplace, Securing Funding and Challenges & Opportunities". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Startup growth improves in metro Indy". Indianapolis Business Journal. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  15. ^ Parham, Noral (12 September 2024). "Startup Ladies announce 3rd Annual Invest in Women Summit". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  16. ^ "About Us". startupladies. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Staff & Board". startupladies. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Details". City of Westfield, Indiana. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Jon Gilman". build.microsoft.com. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  20. ^ Fenwick, Tyler (18 November 2021). "New state Black chamber of commerce to enhance collaboration, opportunity". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  21. ^ Jenna (20 November 2023). "Melinda Weinstein". UCOL DU. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Staff & Board". startupladies. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  23. ^ "INsiders: Entrepreneurship Week". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  24. ^ Miller, Keeley (3 August 2015). "Launch Ladies: Connecting Women in Tech". Towne Post Network - Local Business Directory. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  25. ^ "The Startup Ladies: Women entrepreneurs connect through local organization". Indiana Minority Business Magazine. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  26. ^ "The Startup Ladies to adopt paid-membership model". Indianapolis Business Journal. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Startup Ladies, A Place For Women Entrepreneurs | Bloom Magazine". www.magbloom.com. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  28. ^ "New Startup Ladies Platform Targets Startups, Investors". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  29. ^ "The Startup Ladies Adds Bloomington Chapter". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  30. ^ a b Hall, Joshua (29 April 2018). "The Startup Ladies Founder Kristen Cooper wins Community Champion of the Year Mira Award". TechPoint. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Salesforce named Tech Company of Year at TechPoint's Mira Awards". Indianapolis Business Journal. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Salesforce, Springbuk Among Top Mira Winners". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  33. ^ Rockwood, Kate (1 April 2020). "Big Exits, Affordability, and Tech Transplants: Why Indianapolis Is the Next Big Startup City". Inc. (magazine).{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ "What's The Password?". Indianapolis Monthly. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Unprecedented push underway to advance women in tech". Indianapolis Business Journal. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  36. ^ Ladies, The Startup (15 August 2024). "Celebrating The Startup Ladies leaders in our community who supported women founders over the last decade". startupladies. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  37. ^ "eLearning". startupladies. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Startup Ladies Launching Startup Study Hall Online". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  39. ^ "New Startup Ladies Platform Targets Startups, Investors". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  40. ^ Cooper, Kristen (26 July 2018). "Mental health impacts startups, founders and employees". Indianapolis_Business_Journal. Retrieved 20 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "Grants, Programs to Boost Women Entrepreneurs". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  42. ^ Triplett, Divine (6 October 2023). "The Startup Ladies: Empowering women entrepreneurs and investors at #Investinwomenfounders Summit". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Learn Online 24/7 at Your Own Pace". startupladies. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  44. ^ Parham, Noral (12 September 2024). "Startup Ladies announce 3rd Annual Invest in Women Summit". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  45. ^ Triplett, Divine (6 October 2023). "The Startup Ladies: Empowering women entrepreneurs and investors at #Investinwomenfounders Summit". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  46. ^ Parham, Noral (12 September 2024). "Startup Ladies announce 3rd Annual Invest in Women Summit". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  47. ^ "Startup Ladies Reveal Top 9 Women Founders for 3rd Annual InvestInWomenFounders Summit" (PDF). 12 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ^ "Indiana Awards $1.05M in Community Grants to Accelerate Statewide Entrepreneurship Resources, Support for Booming Entrepreneurial Ecosystem". Indiana Economic Development Corp. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  49. ^ "The Startup Ladies Awarded $40,000 Grant from Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for "Project Boardup"" (PDF). 22 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ^ "2016 WOMAN OF INFLUENCE: Kristen Cooper". Indianapolis Business Journal. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  51. ^ "NAWBO Names Visionary Award Winners". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  52. ^ "Kristen Cooper". Indianapolis Business Journal. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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