Agtech, SaaS, Gaming, AI and retailTech startups to shine at Chloe Capital’s pitch event for women in tech

1st movement of its kind in Upstate NY for women-led companies; Championed by The Entrepreneurs Network and Imagine Monroe

 

(RELEASE) New York, NY – On Tuesday, December 4th, 2018, five of the top early-stage, women-led tech companies in New York State will present their businesses to a room full of investors and community leaders during the Rochester Women Investors Forum (ChloeCapital.com/tour-rochester). Aimed at growing women-led companies, this event is the first of its kind in Upstate NY. We invite all media representatives to join us in shining a light on the movement for equality in entrepreneurship.

BetterBred, BrandVerge, Immersed Games, It’s By U and Outgift (descriptions below) were selected from a national pool of over 1000 applicants. One of these companies will be awarded $100,000.. The winner will be chosen during a pitch event from 5 – 8 PM at The Penthouse at One East Avenue. Tickets are on sale at CHLOESrochester.eventbrite.com.

According to Pitchbook, in 2017 female founders received only two percent of all venture capital in the U.S. In stark contrast, companies run by all male leadership teams received 79 percent of the $85 billion that VCs invested last year. On December 4, Chloe Capital, in partnership with The Entrepreneurs Network and Imagine Monroe, aims to help women entrepreneurs with funding, connections and mentorship.

“Despite recent progress, women-led companies are going unnoticed. Yet studies show companies with diverse leadership teams grow faster and produce higher returns for investors. So for us, investing in women-led innovation companies is an opportunity to do well by doing good,” said Elisa Miller-Out, Founding Partner at Chloe Capital. “The Entrepreneurs Network and Imagine Monroe were the first champions to step forward. Together we’re furthering the movement to decrease the gender gap in entrepreneurship and venture capital.”

Earlier in the day, accredited investors and founders at the helm of venture-backable companies are also invited to an Investing Workshop from 11:30AM – 4PM, also at The Penthouse at One East Avenue. World-class speakers will lead enrichment programming focused on localized investing in women leading innovation. Featured speakers include Dr. Michele Madansky, co-author of Elephant in Valley, a widely cited study on gender bias in Silicon Valley. Supportive male allies are welcome and encouraged to join us.

Enrollment for both sessions of the Rochester Women Investors Forum is filling up. Interested people are urged to sign up at CHLOESrochester.eventbrite.com.

“Working together, TEN and Chloe Capital are building a movement that supports women reaching their fullest potential and having opportunities equal to their male counterparts,” said Jean Kase, Executive Director of The Entrepreneurs Network. “Congratulations to the five women-led innovation companies selected for this investment opportunity.”

Here are the five NYS women-led tech companies competing for funding:

DNA-based conversation software preserving historic breeds and beloved pets. BetterBred gives the breakdown of a dog’s genetics: for purebreds, to predict future illnesses; for non-purebreds, to determine ancestry.

 

Marketplace + workflow tool that makes it easy for advertisers to plan premium media partnerships at scale. For media companies, BrandVerge will shorten the sales cycle for ad space, provide qualified leads, and have a higher consideration rate. For advertisers, BrandVerge will increase market transparency, streamline the process for selling ads, and lead to stronger performances for the ads.

 

Harnessing the engaging power of video games to create a next generation STEM learning platform. Their flagship product, Tyto Online, is a video game for middle school students to learn science content and skills. The company has sold over 26,000 copies of their smaller first product, received grants from the National Science Foundation and Department of Education, and was recently awarded investment from New York State through the 43North business competition.

 

  • It’s By U – New York, NY
    Co-founders Caroline Strzalka; Christine Strzalka
    itsbyu.com

DIY flower arrangement kits delivered from the farm to you. It’s By U sends everything you need to create your own flower arrangements: the farm-fresh flowers, tools, containers, and a streaming video lesson. The easy kits let you make your own gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces for weddings, holidays, and more.

 

A retailTech platform focused on finding the right gift for every occasion and person. Outgift uses A.I. against a thoughtfully curated library of brands and products to make recommendations based on each recipient’s unique preferences and interests. The engaging social platform enables users to connect with each other and discover what their loved ones truly want while still allowing them to surprise and delight.

Don’t miss your chance to support these innovation leaders. Register to attend at CHLOESrochester.eventbrite.com

The Rochester Women Investors Forum is part of the Chloe Capital National Tour. In addition to Rochester, NY, Investing Workshops and Pitch Events are scheduled in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO and Binghamton, NY. Women-led companies ready for venture funding should apply at ChloeCapital.com/tour.

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About Chloe Capital : chloecapital.com
Chloe Capital is a seed-stage VC firm that invests in women-led innovation companies. Founded by three women tech-trepreneurs from Upstate NY, Chloe Capital made its first investment in October 2017 during the firm’s inaugural Women Investors Accelerator. Since, Chloe Capital has helped Mi Padrino secure major deals with Mattel and raise an additional $2 million. Chloe Capital is now venturing forward to advance solutions to the gender gap in entrepreneurship and venture capital, which is furthered by the firm’s investments and community programs. Contact: Kathryn Cartini, Partner : kathryn@chloecapital.com

About Imagine Monroe : imaginemonroe.org
It is the mission of Imagine Monroe to advance the job opportunities, health, general prosperity, and economic welfare of the people of Monroe County. This is accomplished by actively working to promote, attract, encourage, and develop recreation, economically sound commerce, and industry for the purpose of preventing unemployment and economic deterioration. Imagine Monroe will achieve this mission, utilizing the powers granted to it by New York State, by providing financial assistance to qualified projects. This assistance shall include conduit bond financing, lease/leasebacks, exemptions from taxation, and/or support to organizations with similar missions. Contact: Jeff Adair, Executive Director : jeffreyadair@monroecounty.gov

About The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) : ten-ny.org
The Entrepreneurs Network is for startups who are commercializing scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, and small businesses who can scale by tapping new markets or expanding their product portfolios. This focus on growth potential drives powerful peer-to-peer learning, and leads to real-world success stories. TEN is business helping business. Entrepreneurs accepted into the program receive training and coaching from investors and business owners. Contact: Jean Kase, Executive Director : jeankase@ten-ny.org