DWT's Project W Hosts Second FemTech Leaders Event of 2018

On April 19, DWT's Project W hosted a FemTech Leaders panel discussion titled "Fundraising Demystified: Understanding the Challenges Faced by Female Founders and How to Surmount Them." While we kicked off the year with our first event discussing "The Incubator/Accelerator Experience: How to Get Selected and How to Make the Most of the Experience," last week's panel discussion gathered female entrepreneurs, founders, investors, financial services and technology professionals to discuss learnings from those in the early stages of growth. Jisoo Kim, an associate in DWT's NY office, moderated the panel, highlighting DWT's dedication to advocating for women in the fintech industry. Panelists included:

• Nicole Hamilton, Managing Director, Tech Innovation Hub, Springboard Enterprises
• Tanya Van Court, CEO and Founder, Goalsetter
• Jillian Williams, Investment Associate, Anthemis Group

Attendees received candid guidance about engaging in the fundraising process, what to expect, and tools for achieving results. Key takeaways included:

• One pitch deck does not fit all. Tailor your pitch materials, including your case studies, to resonate with your particular audience.
• Seek out investors who are aligned with your philosophy and mission.
• Think of your pitch as an offer, not an ask. Remember that you are presenting potential investors with an opportunity, you're not just raising capital.
• Emailing your pitch deck shouldn't take the place of communicating with potential investors in person. Both steps are integral to getting an investor's attention.
• Find a mentor. Not all female founders face the same challenges, but many experience the same struggles and setbacks. Learn from others. Establishing the right community and seeking out mentors can empower female founders to face these challenges head on.

Stay tuned for details on Project W's next FemTech Leaders event.

To sign up for updates on our Project W events and learn more about FemTech Leaders, please visit our website.

DWT's Project W leads the New York chapter of FemTech Leaders, an international community that gathers women in the financial services and financial technology industries to navigate the challenging issues unique to the fintech space.

DWT's fintech practice assists clients ranging from early-stage disruptors and established tech companies to leading financial institutions and payment processors with the full range of fintech-related issues, including regulatory advice, intellectual property counseling, transactions structuring and document drafting, negotiation support, securities matters, mergers and acquisitions, investments, and representation in litigation and enforcement.