5 Events You Need to Attend as a DC Startup
It’s easy to blame fundraising difficulties on the fact that 44% of venture capital stays in Silicon Valley, but most DC-based startups I’ve talked to aren’t taking advantage of the local events and resources we already have in the DC Metro Area. Just this year I’ve attended several that had very high investor to startup ratios, which means more startups should be attending!
You can apply to pitch at most of these events, but you don’t have to present to network, learn valuable skills, and find yourself allies and investors.
Here are FIVE EVENTS that you need to put on your calendar for 2017.
1. MAVA TechBUZZ: Want to meet 30+ venture capitalists in just a few hours? MAVA is the place to do that. Most of the VC’s and angel syndicates in the DC Metro area, including myself, are members.
WHAT: An afternoon of networking, keynotes, startup demos and a competition.
WHEN: MAVA hosts TechBUZZ in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.
COST TO ATTEND: Tickets for TechBUZZ Fall 2016 were$125 for CXO’s and entrepreneurs (early registration: $95), $260 for Investors, Alternative Capital, Advisors, Professional Services & Govt/NonProfit (early registration: $225), $85 for students, and $135 for MAVA members (early registration: $115).
It’s FREE to apply and attend if you want to participate in the competition. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.
2. Ask a VC DC: A DC VC institution! TechBreakfast organizes a lot of great events, including the monthly breakfasts that give it its name.
WHAT: Ask a VC DC includes networking, “Ask Me Anything” panels, “Lightning-Round Pitches,” and a venture fair.
WHEN: You can stay on top of TechBreakfast’s events on their Meetup or Eventbrite.
COST TO ATTEND: Tickets for the past two years have been $39 for general admission or $50 for on-site registration.
3. 1776 Challenge Cup: The Challenge Cup is a global, annual competition hosted by 1776 in partnership with incubators across the world.
WHAT: The Challenge Cup Global Finals & Festival in Washington DC is a multi-day event of forums, startup competitions, parties, and invitation-only events (you can request invitations to these). The Finals boast a prize pool of over $1 million.
WHEN: Annually, in the summer.
COST TO ATTEND: Tickets to the 2016 Challenge Cup Global Finals & Festival for non-competitors cost up to $75.
4. The Vinetta Project: Vinetta in a National organization that supports high growth female founders. They have a thriving chapter in DC with events that are well attended by prominent VC’s. I was a panelist at their July Showcase, where attending startups made connections and gained insight from the feedback of the companies competing. I am also member of the Vinetta Investor Group, and couldn’t be more excited about where they’re going in 2017.
WHAT: The Vinetta Project hosts showcases with startup pitches and expert panels, workshops and fireside chats, and “Founders and Funders” dinners.
WHEN: Events take place year-round.
COST TO ATTEND: Prices vary by event, but a tickets to the 2016 showcases didn’t usually exceed $20.
5. CONNECTpreneur’s claim to fame is heavy attendance by high-powered CEOs, founders, and VCs.
WHAT: The CONNECTpreneur forum is held quarterly with networking, speakers, and a startup showcase.
WHEN: Visit connectpreneur.org to find out the when and where.
COST TO ATTEND: Tickets are $119-$399.
You can follow me on Twitter @CherylFoil, and follow my firm Kiddar Capital on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Medium.
