Exclusive program offers unparalleled resource for success
SAN FRANCISCO, November 2, 2010 – Astia, the premier Silicon Valley venture accelerator for women-led high growth companies, today announced that 43 exceptional startups founded or led by women will participate in the Astia “Doing it Right” Silicon Valley 2010 Program, held at Microsoft in San Francisco from November 1-6. In addition to the North American companies, two companies come from Europe, one from India and one from New Zealand.

The female founders of these high-growth start-ups in the sectors of Enterprise Technology, Life Sciences, Clean Tech and Consumer Products/Services are all seeking to accelerate their company’s success. Through Astia and its Doing it Right Program they get an unprecedented access to VC and angel funding, as well as expertise in a multitude of fields necessary to build successful businesses.

The program starts today with a comprehensive six-day workshop (48 sessions with over 125 speakers) followed by a two-month program of personalized advice from experts, and a presentation in January 2011 at the prestigious Astia Silicon Valley Investor forum. And after that Astia companies keep tapping into the Astia eco-system, some even through their exit.

“The tremendous response to our program speaks to the innovation and growth potential coming from today’s women-led businesses, which hold the promise to positively impact our economy,” said Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia.  “We are thrilled to welcome these impressive entrepreneurs and provide them with this unique opportunity to access a global ecosystem of resources that can help accelerate their success.” 

The entrepreneurs were chosen to participate in the Doing it Right program based on their ability to demonstrate an innovative idea in a high-growth sector, a potential high-growth investment opportunity, an exceptional team and business strategy, a significant market opportunity, and a defendable competitive advantage.

Some of the companies have already raised initial funding and are now seeking their first institutional funding, others are startups who are seeking seed funding. But they all have in common that they intend to be leaders in their sectors and have viable plans to execute on this vision.

“Astia is like a ‘Y-combinator’ for women-founders and their teams. We support Astia in focusing on women-led start-ups and believe from past experience that female entrepreneurs who participate in the program will be better prepared to take their organizations to the next level – whether it’s to secure funding, a major customer, or a potential exit,” said Mitchell Kertzman, Partner, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners. “Astia puts in practice the public call to women-entrepreneurs to build high...