Entrepreneurs seeking financial backing from venture capitalists, non-profit organizations and other sources need specific preparation prior to their first meeting. Our recent Focus on Solutions roundtable, convened at the Stanford Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in Stanford, California brought together successful entrepreneurs and representatives from investment firms to discuss the fundamentals of this important relationship. When we spoke about the preparation needed, both sides gave advice to entrepreneurs seeking a successful meeting.

Our Focus on Solutions is a series of roundtables taking place in cities where there is a known women’s business network. During each session we deeply dive into at least one aspect of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to determine how well it is working, in particular for women entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem includes access to finance, mentors, talent, markets, and support services. We are gathering women entrepreneurs as well as key players in the featured area of the ecosystem to garner best practices based on real world experience.
Our economy is based on domination, not collaboration. If we’re going to stop burning through all our resources, that will need to change.
Before making something new, a smart designer needs to answer a few questions. What is it exactly that we need? Who are the users? What conditions are we designing for? How long do we want it to last?
The answer to these questions forms the design basis--the conditions, needs, and requirements taken into account to create a facility, product, process, or organization. But figuring out which questions to ask isn’t always so easy.
Everywhere we turn women are hearing the call to play a meaningful role in the design and creation of a balanced and healthy future. Our belief is that the next economy will be built on the backs of entrepreneurs.
Join the movement of women building the next economy and learn how to build your dream business, your way.
Women entrepreneurs have unique strengths that help them be successful. We ALL have them. Take the SmartGirls Mirror™ to learn more about leveraging yours!