Boston, MA — Joining some of the most influential names in the New England business, technology and investment communities, Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP will be a sponsor of “Springboard 2000: New England” — a venture forum presenting women-led enterprises. Scheduled for Friday, November 3 at Harvard Business School, “Springboard 2000: New England” is one in a series of national forums designed to accelerate investments in high-growth businesses run by women.
The New England forum will showcase 25 women entrepreneurs chosen from a field of more than 300 applicants. At a special session on November 3, these 25 women entrepreneurs, who are collectively seeking more than $300 million in early and later stage funding, will present their business plans to the region's top investors. The New England forum will primarily include presenters and investors from New England and New York, as well as a few other states. In addition, Goodwin Procter will be hosting a reception for attendees and presenters immediately following this special session.
“The women chosen to present at Springboard 2000: New England represent the next wave of successful entrepreneurs in this dynamic, high-tech rich region,” said Andrea Silbert, CEO of the Center for Women & Enterprise, a host of Springboard 2000: New England. “These forums offer talented entrepreneurs ready access to the leaders within the investment community.”
Springboard 2000 is the first national initiative designed to showcase women-led firms and facilitate new deal flow to investors. The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. has more than doubled during the past decade, according to the National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO). Employment in women-owned firms has increased four-fold since 1987 and sales have grown five-fold, demonstrating their escalating impact on the economy.
“Women are the newest entrants into the high-growth business sector,” said Kay Koplovitz, chair of the National Women's Business Council. “Not only are the equity markets a new frontier for women entrepreneurs, but these women-led firms are a lucrative new market for investors looking for new deal flow. Springboard 2000 is a catalyst to take women-led businesses to the next level.”
A national initiative, Springboard 2000 is presented by the National Women's Business Council, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and the Center for Women & Enterprise. For more information about Springboard 2000, please visit the Web site at www.springboard2000.org.