Astia Spotlights Women Innovators And Honors Ventures Firms and Mentor Who Provided Leadership
SAN FRANCISCO (November 17, 2008) – On November 20, Astia will once again honor achievements in mentorship, venture capital investment in women-led companies, and the woman entrepreneur. Launched in 2005, the 4th Annual Astia Awards Dinner will take place this year at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Once again, Kara Swisher, D: All Things Digital and the Wall Street Journal will serve as Master of Ceremonies and Fenwick & West and Deloitte are the event hosts.
“With 3% of venture capital being invested in women CEOs and only 5% more going to women founders, the cause to celebrate those who succeed is self evident”, stated Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia. “We’re proud to spotlight these exceptional and successful entrepreneurs.”
Award winners this year include: Anu Acharya, Founder and CEO, Ocimum Biosolutions, Life Science Innovator Award; Diane Greene, Founder VMware, Technology Innovator Award; and Pam Marrone, Founder and CEO, Marrone Organic Innovations, Clean Tech Innovator Award.
“I found Astia extremely helpful when polishing my pitch to potential investors and it led to substantial funding of my company," said Pam Marrone. "The quality of the women and companies participating in Astia's programs is second to none. I am very honored to be selected for Astia's Cleantech Innovator award.”
The Deloitte Leadership in Mentoring Award, which last year went to Bill Campbell from Intuit, this year will be presented to Life Science luminary, Allan Will, founding Managing Director of Split Rock Partners. Mr. Will was nominated by the women he mentored as industry executive and investor.
“As a CEO and now as a venture investor, Allan consistently prioritizes time spent developing leadership potential,” said K. Angela Macfarlane, President & CEO of ForSight Labs, a company formed to spin out early stage ventures in the ophthalmic field. “I nominated him for his great ability to identify the skills of an individual. This combined with his understanding of what is required of early stage leaders allows him to help these first time executives to realize their full potential.”
Using Dow Jones Venture One data from investment year 2007, Astia will once again recognize venture capital for its investment in women-led companies. 2008 Award winners include: Prolog Ventures, InterWest Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Redpoint Ventures.
“Prolog is very pleased to receive its second Astia award in a row,” said Ilya Nykin, Managing Director of Prolog Ventures. “But the credit goes to the dynamic women entrepreneurs whose passion, determination and leadership are driving creation of great new companies. By showcasing these role models and highlighting their place in the venture capital ecosystem, the Astia awards perform a unique and valuable service.”
To learn more about the Astia Awards Ceremony, visit: http://www.astia.org/content/view/590/873/
For all Astia Award winners, visit: http://www.astia.org/content/view/1057/1099/
About Astia
Astia is a unique, not-for-profit, with a distinct focus and mission - to foster the full participation and leadership of women in entrepreneurship and as accelerators of high growth businesses. Astia provides innovative programs that ensure companies gain access to capital, achieve and sustain high-growth, and develop the executive leadership of the women on the founding team
Headquartered in Silicon Valley with programs in Silicon Valley, New York, and London, Astia is well positioned to work with start-ups from around the globe as they access venture capital. Astia’s Venture Conferences, which commenced in 2003, have attracted 124 presenting companies that have raised over $500 million and have returned over $100 million to investors through M&A. The Astia conference has differentiated itself with an exceptional screening and qualification process that has resulted in greater than 60% of the presenting companies achieving funding or an exit within one year of the conference.
Media Contact:
Sharon Vosmek
sharon@astia.org
(415) 777-1680