Woman Angels in Training: An Experiential Investment Workshop

Women Angels in Training: an Experiential Investment Workshop targets potential female angel investors and gives them the skills and confidence they need to understand and consider angel investing. By tapping into the economic potential of these angel investors, we aim to increase angel investment in early stage Maine companies. More specifically, we aspire to address one of the challenges faced by many women entrepreneurs; lack of access to capital, by making sure there are more women on the “other side of the table” making investment decisions.

Program Overview

Join us for a full-day immersive workshop to dip your toes into the world of angel investing. The learning-by-doing format will include a pitch contest featuring three high aspiration female entrepreneurs and an opportunity for women who are interested in early-stage investing to participate in a simulated investment decision at the end of the day. Investment training will include company pitches, a review of recent research on implicit bias in early stage investing, simulation of the due diligence process, and Q & A from women who are interested in investing.

Who should attend?

This event is intended for women who are considering angel investing, although may not yet qualify as an accredited investor. This is a day of learning that will provide or deepen a general understanding of angel investing.

How do I register?

If you are interested in participating please register on this Eventbrite page, and complete our participant survey here. The information you provide on this form will help us understand if this workshop is a good fit for you.

What does my registration fee include?

Your $50 registration fee will go towards prize money for our three pitch contestants and will include a full day of experiential angel-investment training, as well as breakfast and lunch.

How can entrepreneurs apply to pitch?

We are looking for 3 established businesses who will serve as case studies for the angel investment workshop. Representatives from these companies will pitch the workshop attendees, undergo a facilitated, accelerated due diligence process, and compete for prize money. The deadline to submit pitch applications is Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Please find our application page here.

Who is organizing this event?

Maine W4W (Women for Women) is a group that aims to increase the number and quality of women, early-stage investors that could support Maine-based startup companies. We achieve our goal by increasing awareness of early stage investing as an achievable and viable option, and by providing resources and training to empower women investors.

Maine W4W includes representatives from Bernstein Shur, Maine Angels, MTI, New Ventures Maine, Transformative Knowledge Group, Trail Guide Consulting, The Women’s Business Center at CEI.

We are collaborating with the Northern New England Women’s Investor Network (NNEWIN): a coalition of women In Maine, NH, and VT who are interested in investing and are looking to develop knowledge, meet like-minded women, and get more involved and engaged with investment opportunities. NNEWIN seeks to activate more financially accredited women as angel investors in the tristate area. By offering training and networking, NNEWIN’s goal is to empower women’s confidence and comfort with angel investing, so that they could selectively fund and mentor Maine & New England promising start-up ventures, particularly female founders or those with female focused ideas.

Sponsored by:

Maine Technology Institute (MTI), Maine Angels, Maine Community Foundation (MCF), New Ventures Maine, Women Standing Together, Preti Flaherty.