Springboard's Women Led Growth Companies Go Big!

10-Year Record Yields $4 Billion in Revenues and 10,000 US Jobs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Springboard Enterprises, a venture catalyst organization that selects, trains and presents women entrepreneurs in high growth business to raise venture capital, celebrates its 10th Anniversary this week.   In doing so the organization pays tribute to women-led businesses in technology, biotech, life sciences, cleantech and digital media that are driving innovation and creating jobs.

During this decade, Springboard screened over 4,000 women-led businesses and presented 407 to venture capitalist for funding. 83% of these companies received funding, exceeding $5 Billion to date.

"These are amazingly innovative companies," remarked Kay Koplovitz, Chairman of Springboard Enterprises, who noted that results are what count.  "These companies currently have generated over $4 Billion in revenues, and 80 percent are in business and growing.  Importantly, they have created over 10,000 highly skilled jobs, and this number will grow in the future.  A commitment to investing both financial and human capital in these innovative companies is what this country needs to get our economy moving again."

"Springboard is the best sounding board and support organization for women entrepreneurs. In the early stage of my company, I relied on Springboard to help me raise capital... since then, I've looked to Springboard for new ideas, support and connections," stated Ping Fu, CEO of Geomagic. "Now with my company in fast growth mode, the Springboard connections have brought me to the attention of the President and First Lady who have invited me to join them in Washington, DC this week for the State of the Union address."  

Amy Millman, Springboard's President, detailed the success of the organization.  "Entrepreneurs need a network of trusted resources in order to scale their company. Springboard's vast network of successful entrepreneurs, investors, sector experts and service providers is invaluable as this resource.  We are all about building this network to help women-led companies quadruple their revenues and jobs in Springboard's next decade."

Among the 400+ companies in the Springboard portfolio are familiar names such as Zipcar, Minute Clinic and publicly traded companies such as iRobot, Constant Contact, Icagen, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, and Shanghai-based 51Job. A full roster and more about the organization and its programs can be found at www.springboardenterprises.org

Venture-Catalyst Springboard Enterprises is the premiere platform for emerging growth companies led by women.  Springboard recruits qualified entrepreneurs, coaches, showcases, and supports them as they seek equity capital and build their businesses. The 400 companies that have been showcased at Springboard forums have raised over $5 billion in equity, grants, and corporate investments and provided positive returns for their investors including 7 IPOs.

Springboard Enterprises is supported by Patron Sponsors AON; Capital One Bank, Covington & Burling; NASDAQ Foundation; Venable LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, and The George Washington University and Center For Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE).

SOURCE Springboard Enterprises