Springboard Enterprises

I was truly amazed by the Springboard experience. The boot-camp gave me the tools and confidence necessary to raise our Series A successfully. We were able to raise an over-subscribed round in the midst of the great recession. I credit Springboard and its training program for our success.

Women entrepreneurs build and nurture high growth companies. Springboard provides the best spotlight to shine on these amazing, talented and committed women, bring them from the background to center stage and ready them to deliver their performance as leading ladies in the role of their lifetimes. The best talent has the best coaches, managers and support team and Springboard plays all of these roles with integrity, sincerity and a powerful voice advocating for women to get their fair share of capital and access to an incomparable network.

Springboard offers fantastic programs for women entrepreneurs. The Springboard experience really helped me to hone my message as we raised capital.

Springboard 2009 was an amazing venture into the world of women owned businesses, friendships and connections that grew during this intense year of being asked to present to this group. Ultimately, PharmaJet was chosen to participate in a whirlwind of presentations across the country and gave us an opportunity to sharpen our skills at speaking, meeting high level professionals, and honing in on the salient points of attracting interest to one's business and mission. I became more confident in telling the story of PharmaJet and learned so much from the coaching of Sam Horn, as she tasked us with a one minute presentation, a 5 minute, 10 minute, 15, and 20 minute presentation styles. Learning through these time-frames helped develop clear and focused power point presentations, as well. Springboard is extremely unique for women and I highly encourage others to join and participate with women in business, science and entrepreneurship. Kathleen Callender Founder of PharmaJet, Ind. Needle-free Jet Injection Technology

I participated in one of the first Springboard events, in Silicon Valley. Alhtough the primary purpose of the program is to allow startups to present directly to investors in their niche, I gained so much more through the process. It was grueling but rewarding to have every aspect of our business plan, our team, and my own speaking skills put through the test. I was offered expert advice on everything from what to wear to structuring our pitch. The lessons I learned have stood me in good stead for the last 10 years and my business is continuing to thrive because of them.

Springboard is an exceptional organization for women entrepreneurs and has expanded to promote and support women in other fields using diverse and creative methods. They created a format for women to present their businesses to high level venture capital firms who have interest in investing in women run businesses. They provided coaching on financials and on the presentation itself. They have been a sounding board ever since. I highly recommend participating/supporting this group.

Springboard is unique in my experience as a blossoming and ultimately highly successful venture-backed high tech CEO. Many groups try to provide coaching and pitch venues. Springboard is a cut above. Their bootcamp is intensive, on point, and constructive in a way that most coaching "opportunities" are not. That the organization focuses on women-led organizations in a overwhelmingly male space enables unique opportunities to be inspired and learn from those who are like you (and there are so very few in that category....). My only regret is that it is often terribly hard to find the money and time to be involved on an ongoing basis as much as I would like while building a thriving start-up turned second stage company.

Springboard has continued to exceed my expectations with the success they have had bringing the right people -- investors, business development partners, major corporations -- into the fold and engaging with women entrepreneurs. They get real things done -- connections that forward the business, hard investment dollars.

The level of professionalism, communication and access to leading thinkers puts Springboard in a class by itself. As female entrepreneurs for a company making products for women, the opportunity to learn from, speak with and collaborate with serial entrepreneurs, leading funding sources and experienced business people has proven extremely valuable to our business success. Being associated with Springboard is extremely meaningful in our ongoing business discussions. We plan to stay very involved so that we can be a part of offering the same experience to other entrepreneurs.

I had presented my biotech startup before to various groups, and gotten both good feedback and some funding. But Springboard is in another league. My coaches and the Springboard staff were demanding, even perfectionist... and yet warmly supportive. I expected to present and be swarmed with eager investors, who would just whip out their term sheets and checkbooks. (Ha! In 2009, that's not how things worked anywhere.) What I didn't expect, and what I found very impressive, is the extensive follow-up: this is a group that keeps helping - the staff, the coaches, my fellow Springboard alumnae.

I am so impressed by Springboard Enterprises, which truly goes above and beyond to promote women entrepreneurs, living up to its vision and mission to be a "venture catalyst" for a historically underserved and under-represented group. The group has consistently maintained a relationship with me via its alumnus circle and consistently promoted me to relevant capital and connections to move my business forward. Springboard is a not for profit in spirit and approach filling a need in the capital and connections marketplace. It's held with the highest regard by all those I speak to about it.

Women believe they are breaking through the glass ceiling in the workplace, but their achievements and contributions are not recognized equally with their male counterparts. In 2000, a colleague enrolled me in a Springboard Boot Camp and I met Amy Millman, Kay Koplewitz and Denise Brousseau, among many others. I had already raised capital for one business but it was a painful experience. Springboard surrounded me with exceptional people that invested time and effort to form and support my personal vision for success in business. Springboard introduced me to investors that funded other companies and other professionals that helped me develop my career in business and science. Through Springboard I have developed the entrepreneurial tools I need, a reality check on the world around me and brought forward my inventions and other peoples inventions to the public. The Springboard motto is Women, Capital, Connections. This is the heart of the organization.

I am a co-founder of a small technological company based in Israel. Springboard took me and a dozen other women like me to a bootcamp where we learned how to talk to investors, how to present ourselves and our companies and what are the rights and wrongs on the US market. After that we came to Washington DC to meet with funds, angels and VCs.

Springboard not only afforded our company the opportunity to present to prospective investment groups but taught me personally the best and most efficient way to present the key aspects of our company. In addition, the coaching afforded us the opportunity to focus on the best of what we could accomplish. As a result we were one of the companies that grew and were eventually acquired. I am now participating as a coach and as an alumnus to give feedback and recommendations to new companies.

As one of the founding members of Springboard's efforts to change the world for women entrepreneurs, I am very proud of everything that this organization has accomplished. Amy Millman and her team have worked tirelessly for over 10 years to educate, empower and showcase women founding and leading high growth entrepreneurial ventures. Their programs have led to billions in funding as well as amazing connections and results for the women involved. I now serve on the National Council of Advisors - a terrific group of dedicated folks.

Springboard takes fledgling female entrepreneurs (and some not so fledgling) and turns them into polished presenters and executives. At a time when women owned businesses were/are getting only a small sliver of VC money, Springboard taught us the hot buttons and savvy skills to maneuver in this mine-infested territory. And, throughout the process and beyond, they stimulate networking with other women with similar challenges in growing their businesses. Springboard's ongoing communication is thorough and welcoming. Even though I've changed industries, I'm still part of their network and wouldn't hesitate to ask for help! hallie