“Women Investing in Women” at The Riveter in Los Angeles

October 7, 2019

Watch our highlights of the evening! (Jaycal Johnson/videographer @jaycal)

More than 60 remarkable women convened at The Riveter in Los Angeles on Oct. 1st for an evening of pitching, panel discussions and networking, all in support of steering more investments to companies founded and led by women, and educating potential investors about the in’s and out’s of venture capital.

The event was co-hosted by GingerBread Capital, LDR Ventures and Park Bench Capital, and sponsored by Goldman Sachs‘ “Launch with GS” and Fenwick & West.

Sarah Chambless, partner at technology law firm Fenwick & West, kicked off the evening with a session on “From Angel to IPO,” where she covered the basics of venture capital investing. Our panelists then took the stage to engage in a lively conversation about raising capital, from the perspective of both women who’ve done it and those who’ve invested. Moderated by Maxi Kozler Koven (LDR Ventures), the panel featured Tracy Lawrence, founder & CEO of Chewse (she’s raised $30 million to date for her corporate food catering startup); Amy Nelson, founder & CEO of The Riveter (she’s raised $20 million to date for her co-working enterprise); Olga Kaplan, partner at Goldman Sachs (Launch with GS has pledged to invest $500 million in women founders); Jesse Draper, founder of Halogen Ventures (her female-founder-focused fund has raised over $10 million to date); and Alexa von Tobel, managing partner of Inspired Capital (and the founder/former CEO of LearnVest, which was acquired by Northwestern Mutual in 2015 for $250+ million).

Author Eve Rodsky was also on hand to talk about her new book, Fair Play (published by Hello Sunshsine, the media company launched by actress/producer/entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon). Eve offers up a meticulously researched (and fun!) method for couples to achieve a more equitable relationship at home.

Many thanks to our co-hosts and sponsors; The Riveter for an awesome venue; Katie Chin for catering a sumptuous dinner; Shaka Tea, Republic Restoratives and Staglin Family Vineyard for refreshing beverages, cocktails and wine; and to all that contributed to our swag bag! Sheryl Lowe, Shaka Tea, Sightglass Coffee, Anastasia, Carbon38, Goldieblox, Harper Wilde, Skylar, Junzi Kitchen and Hello Sunshine.

View more scenes from the evening (photos by Ser Baffo @serbaffo):

Sarah Chambless of Fenwick & West explaining the in's and out's of VC investing
Sarah Chambless of Fenwick & West explaining the in's and out's of VC investing "From Angel to IPO."
Maxi Kozler Koven (LDR Ventures) moderated a founders & investors panel discussion with Tracy Lawrence (Chewse), Amy Nelson (the Riveter), Olga Kaplan (Goldman Sachs), Jesse Draper (Halogen Ventures) and Alexa von Tobel (Inspired Capital).
Maxi Kozler Koven (LDR Ventures) moderated a founders & investors panel discussion with Tracy Lawrence (Chewse), Amy Nelson (the Riveter), Olga Kaplan (Goldman Sachs), Jesse Draper (Halogen Ventures) and Alexa von Tobel (Inspired Capital).
Blue Studios.io co-founder Kelley O. Cambry pitched her San Francisco-based education company's STEM-focused curricula for K-12 students.
Blue Studios.io co-founder Kelley O. Cambry pitched her San Francisco-based education company's STEM-focused curricula for K-12 students.
Shaka Tea co-founder Bella Hughes flew in from Honolulu to pitch her company's line of natural herbal teas and infusions from Hawaii.
Shaka Tea co-founder Bella Hughes flew in from Honolulu to pitch her company's line of natural herbal teas and infusions from Hawaii.
Pia Carusone, co-founder of Washington, DC-based Republic Restoratives, pitched her independent distillery, which crafts whiskey, vodka and other spirits.
Pia Carusone, co-founder of Washington, DC-based Republic Restoratives, pitched her independent distillery, which crafts whiskey, vodka and other spirits.
Author Eve Rodsky talked about her new book,
Author Eve Rodsky talked about her new book, "Fair Play" (just published by Hello Sunshine), a meticulously researched (and fun) method couples can employ to achieve a more equitable relationship at home.