Female founders and funders lunch - #BOSTechWeek
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*⏖*Join us for an exclusive gathering of Boston’s most innovative female founders and forward-thinking funders. This event is designed to foster meaningful connections, spark strategic conversations, and strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Whether you are navigating the pre-seed/seed stage or looking to connect with the investors fueling the next wave of innovation, this afternoon offers the perfect blend of insights and community.
Agenda
12:00 – 12:45 PM – Arrivals & Networking
12:45 – 13:15 PM – Panel Discussions
13:15 – 14:00 PM – Q&A and Networking
Event Highlights
Networking Lunch: Start the afternoon by connecting with fellow founders and investors over a curated lunch.
Panel Discussion: Gain diverse perspectives from a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs and venture capitalists as they discuss the current landscape of fundraising, scaling, and the unique opportunities within the Boston tech scene.
Kristina Fontanez PhD
Kristina is an accomplished scientist, entrepreneur, and deep tech investor. She was the co-founder and VP of Biology at Fluent BioSciences, a breakthrough genomics startup acquired by Illumina. Currently building a new AI-driven life sciences startup and serving on the board of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, Kristina brings invaluable firsthand experience in scaling deep tech innovations and navigating successful venture exits.
Lakshana Huddar
Lakshana is an early-stage investor and deep tech strategist with extensive experience in the Boston venture ecosystem. Previously an Associate Partner at Engine Ventures (the MIT-spinoff venture firm backing tough tech breakthroughs), she has spent years funding and scaling complex technologies across climate, health, and advanced systems. She currently works with Sparta Group, helping visionary founders turn complex science into commercial success.
Jennifer Keiser Neundorfer
Jennifer is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of January Ventures, a venture capital firm investing at the pre-seed and seed stages. January Ventures actively backs the next generation of visionary tech founders, intentionally opening doors for underestimated entrepreneurs. Before pioneering in venture capital, Jennifer led corporate development and digital strategy at major tech and media giants, including YouTube and 21st Century Fox.
Shereen Shermak
Shereen is an experienced operator, serial entrepreneur, and prominent Boston angel investor. She currently serves as the COO of Silvis Materials, a green chemistry startup, and was previously a co-founder of Atlantic Quantum (acquired by Google) and founder of Nth Party (acquired by Magnite.) Having founded TBD Angels, led Launch Angels and advised Flybridge Capital Partners, Shereen offers a dual perspective as both an operator who has scaled deep tech startups to exits and an investor who knows what it takes to close early-stage rounds.
Kristen Craft
Kristen is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Fidelity Private Shares, an all-in-one equity management and cap table platform built for startup operators. A former founder and long-time startup operator, she brings a deeply empathetic, founder-first lens to fundraising strategy, cap table management, and go-to-market execution. Prior to Fidelity, Kristen led early-stage startup initiatives at Silicon Valley Bank. Holding degrees from Brown, Harvard, and an MBA from MIT Sloan, she is a prominent voice in the Boston tech ecosystem, dedicated to building strong communities and supporting diverse entrepreneurs.
Interactive Networking: Close the session with dedicated networking time to build the partnerships that will drive your next milestone.
Who Should Attend?
We welcome female founders across all industries and stages—with a particular focus on the pre-seed and early-seed community—as well as investors interested in supporting women-led ventures.
Space is limited to ensure high-quality networking. Please RSVP to secure your spot.
About the Hosts:
Sisters is a female founders community empowering women founders to build globally competitive startups. We connect founders to Silicon Valley expertise, capital, and networks through curated events, mentorship, and pitch opportunities.
📧 Info@sistersfemalefounders.com
Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram to stay connected.
Community Partners:
Startup Boston: A volunteer-led organization that serves as the "front door" to the New England startup scene. Startup Boston connects thousands of founders, investors, and operators through events like Startup Boston Week to foster regional innovation.
Sponsors:
Fidelity Private Shares: An all-in-one equity management platform designed for startup operators. Fidelity Private Shares helps founders automate cap table management, handle 409A valuations, and stay "fundraise-ready" with automated data rooms.
Gunderson Dettmer: The world’s leading law firm focused exclusively on the innovation economy. Gunderson Dettmer provides expert legal counsel to venture-backed companies and investors, handling everything from seed rounds to global fund formation.
This event is proud to be part of the official Boston Techweek calendar.
This event is a part of #BOSTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
Guest List
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