2024 Impact Report

Building a Better Future

THROUGH EQUITY, IMPACT, AND COMMUNITY

In 2024, the Project W team and our legion of partners, collaborators, and allies worked towards building a better future. A future where women – and particularly women of color – overcome the barriers to their success in the venture and corporate worlds. Where women entrepreneurs have the access to funding and connections to build the next generation of multimillion-dollar companies. Where women managers and professionals have the resources, mentorship, and access to achieve the highest levels in their professions. Where gender equity is the norm, not the exception.

This future is not just about elevating women. It’s about improving the lives of people and the planet. Women lead with empathy, vulnerability, and emotional listening, creating company cultures that are inclusive, collaborative, and innovative. Women entrepreneurs are building impactful solutions to address pain points from their own lived experiences and to secure a better world for their children and families.

For Project W, the path to a better future is through our core values of equity, impact, and community:

Equity in access to capital, connections, and resources for women entrepreneurs and investors, and equity in access to pay, promotion, and opportunity for women executives and professionals
Impact in the number of women we can reach and support and in the ways in which those women are changing the world for the better
Community as the cornerstone of how we can amplify our impact and, collectively, advance gender equity

In this report, we are honored to share how, with our valued partners, Project W is empowering women, amplifying their voices, and supporting their work to build a better future.

Equity

In 2024, we worked to advance gender equity across the venture and corporate ecosystems by empowering under-resourced entrepreneurs, by supporting the next generation of powerful and well-capitalized women investors, and by elevating women business and professional leaders to rise to the top of their fields.

Empowering Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs generally lack the same access to capital, networks, and resources as their male counterparts. In 2024, through our own programming and through collaborations with other organizations, Project W aimed to correct that imbalance.

PROJECT W ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS

In 2024, we accelerated dozens of companies founded by women.

45

Women founders

62%

Women of color

21

Cities represented

Empowering Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs

PROJECT W ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS

In 2024, we accelerated dozens of companies founded by women.

Tech Equity Hub

Understanding the unique challenges faced by Black and Latinx women founders, our fourth in-person and virtual Tech Equity Hub provided the 10 women in the cohort with resources, mentorship, and connections necessary to build successful businesses.

Learn more about the Tech Equity Hub:

COLLABORATIONS WITH CHAMPIONS OF UNDER-RESOURCED FOUNDERS

Founded in Texas at SXSW

At SXSW in March 2024, Project W teamed up with The Artemis Fund, HearstLab, and Brown Advisory to introduce 12 founders of Texas-based companies to investors from around the country.

Women of Color Connecting (WOCCON) Creating Conscious Collisions Roadshow – Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL)

Sharing our commitment to empowering women of color founders, Project W was proud to host WOCCON’s showcases in Washington, D.C., and Seattle.

Founder + Mentor Lunch With Cascadia Capital

Mentorship matters, and Project W partnered with Cascadia Capital to host a luncheon for Seattle-based women tech founders to build relationships with executives in M&A and corporate finance.

Sharing Resources and Connections With U.K. Women Founders

Continuing our long-standing collaboration with the British Consulate General – New York and the U.K. Department of Trade, Project W hosted 6 women tech founders from the U.K. for two days of inspiration and relationship building.

Our commitment to the women founders in our programs is not “one and done.” We are there to support our alumnae throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. Here is how we did that in 2024.

50+

alumnae attended social gatherings

15+

alumnae attended legal office hours

Dozens

of alumnae received warm introductions to investors

Supporting the Next Generation of Leading Women Investors

Women investors are more likely than men to invest in women founders. As a result, the downstream effect of more institutional capital being invested in women fund managers is potentially game-changing for women founders. However, women fund managers face many of the same – if not more – obstacles to raising capital as women founders. In 2024, Project W continued to find ways to support the women who are writing checks and exercising the power of their pocketbooks.

Women GP Dinner at SXSW

In partnership with J.P. Morgan and True Wealth Ventures, Project W hosted our second dinner for women fund managers aimed at fostering deal sharing and co-investment.

Show Her The Money

Project W was honored to support screenings of Show Her The Money in Seattle and Santa Fe, New Mexico, to inspire the next generation of women investors.

Women Allocators and Fund Managers Dinner | New York

Project W, J.P. Morgan, and SHAKTI hosted a dinner for women allocators and women fund managers to build relationships that will unlock more investment of institutional capital in women fund managers.

Elevating Women Leaders

At Project W, we believe that the future will be bright with more women leading companies – from Fortune 500 corporations to small businesses. In addition to supporting women entrepreneurs, through our peer communities and in collaboration with like-minded organizations, we work to empower women business executives and professionals to become leaders in their fields.

PROJECT W PEER COMMUNITIES

RiseTogether – Promoting Gender Equity in Media and Entertainment

Anastasia Alen

Cydney Swofford Freeman

Cheryl Wei

WAPAK – Women Advancing a Prosperous Alaska

Elizabeth Hodes

Jean Rosston

Anne Marie Tavella

Women in Health Tech – Women Innovating in Healthcare

Louisa Barash

Jane Eckels

Martha Phelps

FinTech Women – Women Leading Fintech Innovation

Jisoo Kim

PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY GROUPS ELEVATING WOMEN IN THEIR FIELDS

Making a Place for Women at the Table

When women have a seat at the table, better decisions are made. Whether at the Board table or the poker table, women bring fresh perspectives, strategic thinking, and the ability to assess, take, and manage risk in a way that delivers superior outcomes. With our valued partners, Project W convened women around the table.

Building Your Boardroom

With FirstBoard.io and ServiceNow

Honing Your Poker Skills of Strategy and Calculated Risk Taking

SXSW: With HearstLab, ESPN, Gaingels, and Goldenrod Ventures

Seattle: With Goldenrod Ventures

Impact

By the Numbers

We measure our impact by the numbers – the number of women investors we support, the number of women executives and professionals we empower, and the number of women founders of high-potential companies we accelerate. Here, by the numbers, is our impact in 2024.

50+

Women investors building portfolios of game-changing companies with diverse founding teams

200+

Women executives and professionals navigating the path to leadership

100+

Women entrepreneurs building the next generation of great companies

By the Knock-on Effect

We also measure our impact by the knock-on or ripple effect these women are making in their entrepreneurial and business journeys. The rising women executives and professionals we support are on their way to becoming the next generation of leaders for whom empathy, inclusion, and innovation are their North Star. The women founders we support and the women who invest in their companies are already leading the way to a bright future. These women are creating wealth for the employees of the companies they lead and invest in, and they are building and investing in solutions that improve the lives of people and the health of the planet.

The women in our 2024 accelerators are building a better future.

Emerging Food Brands Lab

Meet the women building great food and beverage brands.

WEB | Health Tech

Meet the women transforming healthcare.

Tech Equity Hub

Meet the Black and Latinx women who are solving problems affecting people and the planet

WEB | Consumer

Meet the women who are building brands that improve lives and deliver great consumer experiences

Our 2024 class of founders is building companies that are transforming their industries.

The companies these founders are building are driving positive change in the lives of people and health of the planet by:

Hear how three of our 2024 founders are making an impact.

Improving referral processes to save lives

Meeting dementia patients where they are through AI

Bringing a holistic mental health solution to students and employees

Community

It takes a collective effort to drive change. We are privileged to partner with many like-minded organizations, firms, and individuals who share our commitment to break down barriers and empower the women who are leading the way to a better future. Without the support and engagement of these committed partners and allies, the work described in this Report would not be possible.

Our Community Partners

Our Allies - Mentors, Advisors, and Educators

Abby Ahearn, U.S. Bank

Buffy Alegria, LOUD Capital

Ashley Balla, Halogen VC

Jessica Bates, Dwight Funding

Paula Bennett

John Bernat, U.S. Bank

Wendy Bronfin

Amber Bylund, Siddhi Capital

Meghan Cano, Civic Rise Consulting

Emma Cartmell, Create Health Ventures

Ari Cassuto, J.P. Morgan

Michelle Chen, Humble Growth

June Choi, Serval Ventures

Alex Chung, Chai Ventures

Michele Colucci, DigitalDX Ventures

Christine Conway, Cult Capital

Janet DeFrino, Five Mile Advisors

Allison Eatroff, Momofuku

Jeni Ellick, The Artisan Row

Drew Silverman Fennessy, BBG Ventures

Lisa Feria, Stray Dog Capital

Carolyn Fikke, Golden Seeds

Olivia Fleming, The Helm

Jenevra Georgini, Spark + Sterling

Tia Glave, Food Safety Catalyst

Steve Goldberg, Finistere

Alan Gould, J.P. Morgan

Grace Gould, Touch Capital

Melanie Haliburton, Stumptown

Veronika Harbick, Brontosaurus Rex

Ragan Hart, MultiCare Capital Partners

Hannah Honeycutt, U.S. Bank

Megan Huber, Olipop

Yasmin Ibrahim, Carnegie Crescent Consulting

Carol Magalhães Isaacs, BBG Ventures

Andrew Ive, Big Idea Ventures

Sallie Jian, Diageo Fusion Accelerator

Rochelle Jordan, GlassWall Syndicate

Molly Kang, Switch VC

Dana Kanze, Georgetown University

Traci Keene, Mate Fertility

Tiffany Kelly, Curastory

Dana Kim, Highlight

Hannah Kullberg, Community Co-Pack

Ling Kung, Kaiser Permanente

Pallavi Kuppa-Apte, Decisionly

Allison Lee, Western Technology Investment

Mirit Lugassi, Laconia Capital

Angela Lukic, Honey Mama’s

Angelica Maestas, SevenFive Ventures

Kellen Martin, U.S. Bank

Erik Mass, DWT

Petra Meyer, Golden Seeds

Waverly Middleton, Slauson & Co.

Laurel Mintz, Fabric VC

Tope Mitchell, Reflekt Me

Elise Mortensen, HTD Health

Allison Parc, Brenne Whisky

Maria Pearman, GHJ

Jennifer Perusini, Neurovation Labs

Thea Pham, Pantogran VC

Barbara Raho, Golden Seeds

Sophie Reynolds, Amboy Street Ventures

Katherine Rice, GingerBread Capital

Jennifer Richard, Bonfire Ventures

Bianca Riello, Children's Hospital LA

Lauren Rinkey, Springdale Ventures

Junea Rocha, Brazi Bites

Logan Rocket-Munk, Amboy Street Ventures

Marc Rosenberg, 531 Capital

Eastin Rossell, HearstLab

Kerry Rupp, True Wealth Ventures

Ashley Ryder, Vamos Ventures

Margot Sakoian, JPMorganChase

Mollye Santulli, Springdale Ventures

Jordan Sawadogo, 500 Global

Naseem Sayani, Emmeline Ventures

Jess Schultz, Amplify Group

Ian Seltzer, Pierce Yates Ventures

Jeff Seltzer, Pierce Yates Ventures

Martha Forero Sepúlveda, Ubits

Evangeline Serna, J.P. Morgan

Jimmy Shen, 531 Capital

Stephanie Spiegel, Irresistible Foods Group

Kait Stephens, Brij

Rachel Stinebaugh, Supply Change Capital

Jessica Sturzenegger, Amara

Sam Sugarman, Fearless Fund

Sierra Tishgart, Great Jones

Jaime Tulley, Heyday Canning Co.

Elizabeth Valiaveedan, GingerBread Capital

Kesar Varma, Upfront Ventures

Christina Hirth Vuleta, Break the Future

Anna Whiteman, Coefficient Capital

Amy Wildstein, Suttona Capital

Hayden Williams, BrandProject

Luke Wippler, U.S. Bank

CyVan Yamamoto, Irresistible Foods Group

Fei-Fei Zhang, J.P. Morgan

Our Allies - Mentors, Advisors, and Educators

Abby Ahearn, U.S. Bank

Buffy Alegria, LOUD Capital

Ashley Balla, Halogen VC

Jessica Bates, Dwight Funding

Paula Bennett

John Bernat, U.S. Bank

Wendy Bronfin

Amber Bylund, Siddhi Capital

Meghan Cano, Civic Rise Consulting

Emma Cartmell, Create Health Ventures

Ari Cassuto, J.P. Morgan

Michelle Chen, Humble Growth

June Choi, Serval Ventures

Alex Chung, Chai Ventures

Michele Colucci, DigitalDX Ventures

Christine Conway, Cult Capital

Janet DeFrino, Five Mile Advisors

Allison Eatroff, Momofuku

Jeni Ellick, The Artisan Row

Drew Silverman Fennessy, BBG Ventures

Lisa Feria, Stray Dog Capital

Carolyn Fikke, Golden Seeds

Olivia Fleming, The Helm

Jenevra Georgini, Spark + Sterling

Tia Glave, Food Safety Catalyst

Steve Goldberg, Finistere

Alan Gould, J.P. Morgan

Grace Gould, Touch Capital

Melanie Haliburton, Stumptown

Veronika Harbick, Brontosaurus Rex

Ragan Hart, MultiCare Capital Partners

Hannah Honeycutt, U.S. Bank

Megan Huber, Olipop

Yasmin Ibrahim, Carnegie Crescent Consulting

Carol Magalhães Isaacs, BBG Ventures

Andrew Ive, Big Idea Ventures

Sallie Jian, Diageo Fusion Accelerator

Rochelle Jordan, GlassWall Syndicate

Molly Kang, Switch VC

Dana Kanze, Georgetown University

Traci Keene, Mate Fertility

Tiffany Kelly, Curastory

Dana Kim, Highlight

Hannah Kullberg, Community Co-Pack

Ling Kung, Kaiser Permanente

Pallavi Kuppa-Apte, Decisionly

Allison Lee, Western Technology Investment

Mirit Lugassi, Laconia Capital

Angela Lukic, Honey Mama’s

Angelica Maestas, SevenFive Ventures

Kellen Martin, U.S. Bank

Erik Mass, DWT

Petra Meyer, Golden Seeds

Waverly Middleton, Slauson & Co.

Laurel Mintz, Fabric VC

Tope Mitchell, Reflekt Me

Elise Mortensen, HTD Health

Allison Parc, Brenne Whisky

Maria Pearman, GHJ

Jennifer Perusini, Neurovation Labs

Thea Pham, Pantogran VC

Barbara Raho, Golden Seeds

Sophie Reynolds, Amboy Street Ventures

Katherine Rice, GingerBread Capital

Jennifer Richard, Bonfire Ventures

Bianca Riello, Children's Hospital LA

Lauren Rinkey, Springdale Ventures

Junea Rocha, Brazi Bites

Logan Rocket-Munk, Amboy Street Ventures

Marc Rosenberg, 531 Capital

Eastin Rossell, HearstLab

Kerry Rupp, True Wealth Ventures

Ashley Ryder, Vamos Ventures

Margot Sakoian, JPMorganChase

Mollye Santulli, Springdale Ventures

Jordan Sawadogo, 500 Global

Naseem Sayani, Emmeline Ventures

Jess Schultz, Amplify Group

Ian Seltzer, Pierce Yates Ventures

Jeff Seltzer, Pierce Yates Ventures

Martha Forero Sepúlveda, Ubits

Evangeline Serna, J.P. Morgan

Jimmy Shen, 531 Capital

Stephanie Spiegel, Irresistible Foods Group

Kait Stephens, Brij

Rachel Stinebaugh, Supply Change Capital

Jessica Sturzenegger, Amara

Sam Sugarman, Fearless Fund

Sierra Tishgart, Great Jones

Jaime Tulley, Heyday Canning Co.

Elizabeth Valiaveedan, GingerBread Capital

Kesar Varma, Upfront Ventures

Christina Hirth Vuleta, Break the Future

Anna Whiteman, Coefficient Capital

Amy Wildstein, Suttona Capital

Hayden Williams, BrandProject

Luke Wippler, U.S. Bank

CyVan Yamamoto, Irresistible Foods Group

Fei-Fei Zhang, J.P. Morgan

Looking Forward

Project W is looking to the future with a sense of urgency and purpose. Like the women we support, we aim to build a future that is better – more equitable, more inclusive, and more innovative. Here is what we are working on for 2025:

Women Entrepreneurs Boot Camps

We’re planning three WEB programs – returning from 2024 WEB | Health Tech and WEB | Consumer and an all-new WEB | Climate.

Tech Equity Hub

We’ll be back for the fifth Tech Equity Hub with more in-person programming and continued impactful virtual workshops.

SXSW

The Project W team will be back at SXSW with another Founded in Texas and women funders and founders poker night.

Supporting Investors

We’re bringing together another powerhouse group of women GPs at SXSW and plan more GP/LP gatherings.

Growth of our Peer Communities

Under the leadership of DWT women, we will continue to build our communities of rising business executives and professionals.

Continuing and New Partnerships

We amplify our impact through our valued partnerships, and we look forward to building on our existing partnerships and developing new ones.

Plus, more!

We hope you will be as inspired as we are by the women who are driving change towards a better future. More than ever, our times call for collective action to advance gender equity, to empower under-resourced founders and investors, and to elevate women in their careers. Only then will we build a society that is more inclusive and more innovative in the way we solve the most pressing problems and challenges affecting people of all walks of life. We invite you to join us, our partners, and our allies on that mission towards a better future.
The Project W Team