Agenda

Fireside Chat Keynote : Raising $3.5M in a Pandemic (in 3 weeks)

Kim Kaplan started Snack, a new video-first dating app after watching TikTok explode in popularity during the pandemic. Kim had been an early employee at Plenty of Fish and worked there for nearly a decade. In September 2020, in the throes of a global pandemic, Kim was ready to make Snack a reality and set out to raise funding for her idea. We will talk about her strategy and why she compressed her fundraising activity and ultimately raised $3.5 million in a pre-seed round in just 3 weeks. And of course, we will talk about the future of online video dating. Kim will be interviewed by Kyla Lam, founder of Startender and Changing Tides Advisor.

Kim Kaplan CEO, Snack
Kyla Lam Founder, Startender and Changing Tides Advisor

Monday Coffee Mixer

(be prepared to meet new people … maybe your next hire, investor or new friend …)

We always like to have fun at our events and we have some good plans for our Monday “Coffee Mixer” on the first day of the event May 10. Bring your favorite coffee mug, especially it if it has an inspiring saying or phrase on it. We are planning a group shot with all of our mugs (and our smiling mugs, too!).

If you are in need of a new mug, we have lots at the Changing Tides store including the “Connect, Collaborate, Co-Create” mug which is our rallying cry here at Changing Tides. We also have mugs with inspirational quotes from RBG, Eleanor Roosevelt and more  Pro tip: Our founder, Jenn, is particularly fond of the 15 oz. size it holds LOTS of coffee! 🙂

All purchases support our program for female founders.

Hillary Sinclair Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Onthemuv & Changing Tides Advisor 

Alternative Financing Options: SPACs, SEALs, Grants, Invoice Factoring, Cashflow and More

There are a wealth of ways to finance your business that you may not yet be leveraging. Join us for this panel discussion exploring those options including grants and other sources of free money, why cashflow is queen (and how to achieve cashflow nirvana with invoice factoring to get your money faster, and other cashflow tips and tricks). We will also explore relatively new financial vehicles such as SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) and SEALs (shared earnings agreements) to keep you in the know on all the financing options that may be right for your business. Knowledge is power, ladies!

Moderator Nancy Kazdan Founder & CEO, Kazdan International 
Panelist Erik Mayo Managing Partner and CIO, Terra Incognita Capital 
Panelist Maria Oliveira Tamellini Co-founder & COO, GamerSafer Inc.
Panelist Doug Sinclair Serial CFO & Private Investor, Pacific Arc Investments

Angel Investors: How do They Think and How to Work with Them?

As a startup entrepreneur, it is important to understand your investor audience, and investors need to understand your value proposition. It’s important to understand that when you pitch to investors, they are looking for a reason not to write a check.

Angel investors are early funders so they typically invest much more than capital, providing you with support, opening doors and easing your operational challenges and go to market path in many areas. Learn how to ensure smooth funding from angel investors, how their processes typically work, and why an angel investor may be the right fit for your business.

Speaker Xandra Laskowski Founder and CEO, OSEA Angel Investors

How to Find and Work with a Banker to Your Financial Advantage

Do you have a relationship with a banker? A good one? Every business needs a good banker. Having a great banker relationship can ease many operational challenges and ensure you have the capital you need to grow, when you need it, and on terms you understand. In addition to traditional bank loans and lines of credit, the US Small Business Administration (SBA), can be a great resource for business owners, providing capital at very favorable rates. Certainly, the SBA has played a huge role in recovery from the pandemic for many small businesses via the PPP programs. Learn how to find a great banker for your business, and how to work with them to your financial advantage.

Speaker Mark Raffield Vice President/SBA Business Development Officer, Union Bank SBA

Leveraging Online Fundraising for Your Business

Crowdfunding should be the first stop on your funding journey. It’s a low-risk, efficient path to getting a startup, small business, nonprofit, or side hustle off the ground without going into debt or giving up equity. It’s when you raise small increments of money from lots of people that you know that adds up to just enough money to reach a specific goal.

Join this informational session where IFundWomen Co-founder Kate Anderson will talk about the pros/cons of different funding strategies, and all the different need states that crowdfunding can be successful for. It’s a great time to ask an expert all your questions about crowdfunding.

Kate Anderson Co-founder and VP Operations, IFundWomen

Why Strategic Investment from a Corporate Venture Capital Partner Can Create Explosive Growth

Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) continues to grow as an asset class, with corporate investors participating in almost 25% of US startup deals, investing over 40% of dollars in funding rounds. Yet corporate investors come in all sizes and flavors, so it can be difficult to understand where a startup business may be relevant to CVCs. Having the right corporate investor can be a gamechanger for an entrepreneur and offer compelling sources of innovations for corporations. Some CVCs offer differentiated advantages to entrepreneurs and are uniquely suited to help founders accelerate the business in addition to providing capital investment. For female founders and other underestimated founders, a particular advantage is many corporate investors have had a sustained approach in diversity and inclusion. This extends beyond their investment team to include goals and reporting on DEI metrics including founder, management team and board diversity, making CVCs often a friendlier experience for entrepreneurs.

Moderator Lee Sessions Executive in Residence, Global Corporate Venturing
Panelist Amy Belt Raimundo VP & Managing Director, Kaiser Permanente Ventures
Panelist Deborah Kilpatrick Co-CEO & Board Chair, Evidation Health
Panelist Sheena Jindal Principal at Comcast Ventures

Thursday Show Your Spirit Mixer

(be prepared to meet new people … maybe your next hire, investor or new friend …)

We always like to have fun at our events and we have some good plans for our Thursday “Show your Spirit” mixer on the last day of the event May 13. Bring wear your favorite teal/blue tops, especially it if it has an inspiring saying or phrase on it. We are planning a group shot with everyone!

Check out our Changing Tides store we have lots including the “Women below in all the places where decisions are being made” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg t-shirt which is our rallying cry here at Changing Tides. We also have other inspirational quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt and more. 

Hillary Sinclair Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Onthemuv & Changing Tides Advisor