Press Page
Project Boardup seeks to accelerate growth for underserved early-stage startups
Inside Indiana Business, March 24, 2025
Indianapolis-based The Startup Ladies has launched an initiative designed to help startup founders build and manage advisory boards with the goal of accelerating the growth of their businesses. Project Boardup — launched in collaboration with the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce and Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce—will also train executives on best practices for serving as startup advisory board members.
The Startup Ladies Founder & CEO Kristen Cooper's Speech from the Indiana Statehouse
International Women's Day Rally, March 8, 2025
Kristen Cooper was one of the speakers at the International Women's Day Rally on March 8, 2025 at the Indiana Statehouse. She spoke about the importance of creating diverse and equal workplaces for both employees and customers. Follow the link below to a video of the full speech + transcript.
Women’s groups call Braun transgender sports executive orders 'morally wrong and irresponsible'
WVXU, March 7, 2025
A group of women’s advocacy organizations sent a letter to Gov. Mike Braun Friday to condemn his recent executive orders to ban transgender women and girls from sports. “There are so many other legislative actions that Hoosiers would call upon him to do, to actually protect Hoosier women,” Haley Bougher. Indiana State Director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates said.
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Open Letter Regarding Executive Orders 25-36 and 25-37
Women4Change Indiana, March 7, 2025
The Startup Ladies, alongside nine other women's organizations, have signed an open letter to Governor Mike Braun condemning Executive Orders 25-36 and 25-37. As groups dedicated to the rights and safety of women, we’re speaking up about the dangerous rhetoric surrounding issues concerning the rights of transgender Hoosiers.
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The Startup Ladies Launches Project Boardup to Help Founders Build High-Impact Advisory Boards
Press Release March 5, 2025
The Startup Ladies in collaboration with the Indy Black Chamber and Indy Rainbow Chamber are excited to announce the launch of Project Boardup, an initiative designed to help founders build and manage advisory boards that drive business growth. Backed by a $40,000 grant from the IEDC, the program trains founders and executives — with a focus on women, LGBTQ+, and founders of color — to create powerful relationships that fuel innovation and strengthen Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Startup Ladies awarded $40K for ‘Project Boardup’
Indianapolis Recorder, October 25, 2024
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has awarded The Startup Ladies $40,000 to launch “Project Boardup.” The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between experienced entrepreneurs and underrepresented startup founders by identifying executives to serve as advisory board members. Entrepreneurs will be trained in how to select and manage their board effectively. After training, the program will match advisors with businesses owned by women, Black and LGBTQ+ founders.
The Startup Ladies help minority-owned businesses find board members
Mirror Indy, October 23, 2024
The Startup Ladies are launching Project Boardup to connect businesses owned by women, Black and LGBTQ+ founders with experienced businesspeople who can fill their boards. The Startup Ladies have been awarded a $40,000 grant and will be working with the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce and the Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce to make this project a reality,
The Startup Ladies Awarded $40,000 Grant from Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for "Project Boardup"
Press Release October 22, 2024
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between experienced executives and underrepresented startup founders by identifying, training, and onboarding executives to serve as advisory board members. As part of the program, entrepreneurs will be identified and trained on how to select and manage their advisory board members effectively. After training, the program will match advisors with businesses owned by women, Black, and LGBTQ+ founders.
Startup Ladies announce Top 9 Women Founders for 3rd Annual Summit
Indianapolis Recorder, September 12, 2024
The Startup Ladies unveiled the Top 9 women founders
who will headline the third annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit. The summit features nine exceptional women entrepreneurs, each bringing innovative solutions to
various markets. These founders represent diverse
industries and states, each poised to make significant
strides with the right investment.
Top 9 female entrepreneurs to headline The Startup Ladies #InvestInWomenFounders Summit on Decmber 5
Press Release September 12, 2024
The Startup Ladies are thrilled to announce the
Top 9 women founders who will headline the third annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit, taking
place on December 5 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Delta Faucet Company HQ in Indianapolis. These
inspiring women represent the future of scalable business innovation across diverse industries
throughout five different states and are ready to grow their companies with the right investments
The Startup Ladies win $40,000 Grant for Project Boardup
Press Release August 15, 2024
The Startup Ladies will identify, train and onboard executives with the capacity to serve on a startup board, and then match them to founders in need of startup advisors. Through collaboration with the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce and Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, programming will target executives who wish to support businesses by serving as advisory board members owned by women, Black and LGBTQ+ founders.
The Startup Ladies Announce their 10th Anniversary Award Winners
Press Release August 15, 2024
The Startup Ladies hosted their 10th Anniversary Celebration Awards dinner at Found Search Marketing in Fishers, IN, the evening of August 14, 2024. Seventeen awards were given out to twenty-nine recipients who have dedicated their time, talent, connections, enthusiasm, sponsorship, and investment to helping The Startup Ladies grow over the past decade. The five awards categories honored a combination of individuals and teams for their leadership in areas of: community, mental health, education, corporations, and investing.
Deep buyer insights help attract, maintain customers
IBJ, May 2024
Markets are evolving rapidly, and customer preferences shift constantly. Whether you’re a founder forging new paths or an established business owner navigating familiar terrain, a fundamental question should be top of mind daily for every business owner: Are you giving your customers what they want?
Call For Women Entrepreneur Applicants Ahead of Third-Annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit
Press Release April 10, 2024
IND. (APRIL 10, 2024)—Announced today, applications are open for women founders from around the United States to apply to be featured in The Startup Ladies #InvestInWomenFounders Summit on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from noon to 6 p.m. at Delta Faucet Company. Nine women founders will be selected from a national pool of applicants to access rigorous training and resources that equip them to be investor-ready ahead of the Summit—where they'll introduce their businesses to an audience of investors ready to support their endeavors.
How to be a great advisory board member to a startup
IBJ, March 2024
When considering board service, consider your career stage. Midcareer candidates can expand their networks, learn a lot about the startup process and gain valuable experience for their resume. Senior-level candidates with more free time can build friendships, use the skills they’ve been honing for decades, have a shot at making money, help to grow the local economy and—most important—have fun.
Philanthropists are ideal investors for social impact startups
IBJ December 2023
When individuals invest in a social-impact company, they create jobs, stabilize the economy, might be eligible for a tax credit, and have a shot at making money back (and then some). Social-impact investing is an economic development tool that more corporate leaders should consider exercising.
Leadership Barbies speak up and take action
IBJ, September 2023
Given the current state of Indiana affairs, perhaps it’s time to expand the number of “leadership-oriented Barbies” (and Allans)—and to redefine what leadership looks like in 2023 by honing some new skills. We need more leaders who will fight political bullies rather than rolling over and waiting for someone else to do it. Barbies and Allans, here are a few ways to prepare and train to fend off the patriarchal Kendom waiting to inculcate our workplaces.
The Startup Ladies: Empowering women entrepreneurs and investors at #InvestInWomenFounders Summit
WISHTV 8 October 6, 2023
Kristen Cooper, representing The Startup Ladies, joins the studio to shed light on their dynamic membership organization and the eagerly awaited #Investinwomenfounders Summit. Watch to learn about why the team launched a major conference focused on moving money into the hands of women founders.
Top 9 female entrepreneurs to headline The Startup Ladies #InvestInWomenFounders Summit on November 15
Press Release September 28, 2023
The Startup Ladies are delighted to announce the Top 9 women entrepreneurs who will be headlining our second annual #InvestInWomenFounders Summit on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Delta Faucet HQ in Indianapolis from noon-6pm. This half day conference will gather our current investor members, along with a new group of investors in an effort to fund female founders and business owners growing scalable startups.
Leadership Barbies speak up and take action
IBJ, September 2023
Given the current state of Indiana affairs, perhaps it’s time to expand the number of “leadership-oriented Barbies” (and Allans)—and to redefine what leadership looks like in 2023 by honing some new skills. We need more leaders who will fight political bullies rather than rolling over and waiting for someone else to do it. Barbies and Allans, here are a few ways to prepare and train to fend off the patriarchal Kendom waiting to inculcate our workplaces.
Keynote announced + 9 Indy executives selected to interview the Top 9 at the
#InvestInWomenFounders Summit
Press Release September 7, 2023
Business psychologist, Mindy Weinstein, PhD, MBA, will keynote the November 15 Summit and discuss content from her new book, "The power of scarcity, leveraging urgency & demand to influence customer decisions" Nine executives and exited founders have been chosen to interview the Top 9 women founders at the half-day event at Delta Faucet Company.
Indiana feels unsafe to LGBTQ+ community
IBJ, June 2023
As a woman business owner and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I do not feel safe living and working in Indiana. There are many LGBTQ+ people who feel the very same, and it’s important for the business community to understand why. For years, I have been the recipient of far more “Hoosier hostility” than “Hoosier hospitality” in the form of attacks on my reproductive health care rights, physical threats, digital hate mail on all social media platforms, harassing prank calls, belittling emails and damage to my personal property for being an outspoken activist for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Women-owned and women-led companies aren’t the same
IBJ, March 2023
How we count and tell stories about numbers can proliferate systemic gender discrimination. Some of the stories being told about the success of women founders are incorrect because of how data is being collected and communicated. When “successful looking” (aka inflated) numbers are reported and celebrated publicly, no one questions the methodology. Those responsible for data are not held accountable. So the cycle of systemic gender discrimination continues.
Indiana politics make it difficult for tech industry to recruit, keep employees in state
IndyStar, January 2023
The disconnect is growing between Indiana's mounting socially conservative policies, which includes not only the near-total abortion ban currently stalled in court, but also a ban on trans girls playing school sports, and the tech industry's increasingly vocal progressive workforce.
The tension is brewing as major employers struggle to recruit and keep employees in the state, a problem that is snowballing into a crisis for Indiana.
Success can—and should—be whatever you want
IBJ, December 2022
How do you define success for yourself? Psychologist Lynn Hynes has a fresh take: “We adhere to outdated social norms about success and need to replace old ideas with something more truthful.” Hynes recently led a conversation about the definition of success with four generations of professionals at a Mental Wellness for Business program (hosted by The Startup Ladies). Their answers changed my own definition of success. I invite you to ask yourself this important question and see if any of the answers shared below resonate with you at this stage in your life.
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LISTEN: Oseye Boyd talks with Kristen Cooper about The Startup Ladies
IndyStar, November 2022
This episode of Voices of the Community features Kristen Cooper, CEO and founder of The Startup Ladies. Cooper began The Startup Ladies in 2014 as a way to help women entrepreneurs operate successful businesses. Cooper shares how her journey led her to founding The Startup Ladies, the organization’s five focus areas and why equity is vital for women-owned businesses.
How to keep women founders, investors from leaving Indiana
IBJ, October 2022
Significant cultural and legal changes in Indiana this year have made it more difficult for women to start up, scale up, retain and attract female talent. The combination of attacking reproductive rights on Sept. 15 and banning transgender girls from playing girls sports on May 24 has created an increasingly inhospitable climate for women in this state. Combined with very little state and private investment going into women-owned businesses, many women are questioning whether Indiana really values them.
More than 200 Indiana businesses sign ACLU letter opposing abortion restrictions
IndyStar, July 2022
During an 11 a.m. news conference at Emmis Communications on Thursday, the ACLU of Indiana said more than 250 businesses representing more 39 communities across the state had signed on to the letter. Signees include small business Silver in the City on Mass. Avenue, Emmis Communications on Monument Circle as well as The Startup Ladies, a company that supports female entrepreneurs as they grow and scale their businesses, among others.
Tinker, test it, talk about it, then teach it
IBJ, June 2022
Tinkering frees your mind. It gives you confidence. It opens the headspace needed to perceive the inconceivable. It helps to remove the attachment you have to something you don’t need anymore. I remember the exact moment I learned how to tinker. Admittedly, I was a bit of a late bloomer.
Advocates for female entrepreneurs want Elevate Ventures’ next CEO to be a woman
IBJ, February 2022
As Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures moves forward in its search for a new CEO, a local company that supports female entrepreneurs is publicly advocating that a woman be named the next leader of the startup-support organization.
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Letter to the IEDC from The Startup Ladies Community about the future of Elevate Ventures
LinkedIn, February 2022
The following letter was emailed to the IEDC board and staff from The Startup Ladies community about the future of Elevate Ventures. Its purpose was to educate those responsible for allocating millions of Indiana tax dollars to Elevate Ventures about the challenges diverse women founders have experienced while working with the organization. The letter also provides a vision for how Elevate Ventures can be truly supportive to diverse women founders in the future.
In the workplace: Business leaders can help stop homophobic, transphobic behavior
IBJ, December 2021
The LGBTQ+ community needs business leaders to better understand the bigotry that many experience every day. We need leaders to play a significant role in eliminating discriminatory behaviors that were learned outside of the workplace.
NAWBO names Visionary Award winners
Inside Indiana Business, November 2021
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Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Mel McMahon Stone (Indiana Owned)
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Indianapolis Choice: Jennifer Ping (Krieg DeVault)
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NAWBO-Indianapolis Member of the Year: Gayle Ross
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Corporate Partner of the Year: Indianapolis Airport Authority
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Woman Business Owner of the Year: Kristen Cooper (The Startup Ladies)
In the workplace: Why every leader needs a therapist and how to fine one
IBJ, October 2021
Are the problems you are experiencing right now related to: A. business, B. your mental well-being, or C. both? If you answered A, B or C, it might finally be time to discuss your concerns with a mental health professional. Work and home life could be exponentially better if you spend time and money on teletherapy.
In the workplace: Have a business idea? Survey customers first.
IBJ, August 2021
When you have a new idea for a business, it’s important to understand if there are other people who experience the problem you are trying to solve in a similar way. The only way to know for sure is to ask people who might become your future customers.
She grows, you grow
Kit Magazine, September 2020
This October, we celebrate national women's small business month by honoring and supporting our community's graceful, gutsy, female entrepreneurs. CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, Kristen Cooper shares how the organization is helping women startup, scale up, and secure hard to get funding in order to grow.
Pre-seed funding will help more women succeed
IBJ, September 2020
Despite what you might have seen on TV shows and heard from privileged investors, great ideas are not always funded. Too often, female founders with viable ideas don’t have enough pre-seed capital to prove out the concept and go to market. Kristen Cooper, CEO & Founder of The Startup Ladies defines the term, how pre-seed money is spent, and how more people with financial capacity can go from sideline cheerleader to pre-seed investor.
Venture firm opening Indy office to target the overlooked
IBJ, August 2020
Cincinnati-based Lightship Capital is opening an Indianapolis-area office within three months to provide underrepresented entrepreneurs here access to a $50 million investment fund. Kristen Cooper, CEO & Founder of The Startup Ladies, stresses the importance of minority-led venture capitalist funds creating opportunities for minority entrepreneurs.
Retain customers and expand market share through COVID-19
IBJ, June 2020
Customer needs and human behavior have changed because of COVID-19. We’ll be dealing with this virus for a long time, so now is a good time to think about if and how you need to modify what you sell. Kristen Cooper, CEO & Founder of The Startup Ladies, shares 5 new strategies you can apply to keep your current customers happy and retain new ones.
Brothers to funnel $4.5M into companies stung by pandemic
Indianapolis Business Journal, June 2020
Sensing an investment opportunity—and a chance to do good—the four Litt brothers have set aside for investment a portion of the $40 million they reaped from the 2019 sale of their transportation-management firm, Reliable Source Logistics. Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, Kristen Cooper, offers her perspective on the importance of including diverse, expert perspectives to guide the fund.
Dallara transforms local IndyCar shop for fight against COVID-19
IndyStar, March 2020
When corporate member Scott Tarter (Partner, Bose McKinney & Evans) reached out to Kristen Cooper late on a Friday night to help source people and materials for medical masks and gowns, The Startup Ladies got to work immediately. Scott, Kristen, Stefano Deponti (CEO, Dallara), Rob Mayer (President, Mayer Fabrics), and Polina Osherov (Executive Director, Pattern Magazine) were emailing past midnight to turn a good idea into a reality.
Big Exits, Affordability, and Tech Transplants: Why Indianapolis Is the Next Big Startup City
Inc., March 2020
This Midwestern city is racing to recruit entrepreneurs. Affordability, a new rapid transit line, and a business-friendly government are helping Indianapolis become a hotbed for B2B startups. Here's what to know.
Could this be a boom time for B2C startups and small businesses?
IBJ, March 2020
"Local companies that can sell directly to consumers might be able to stave off dissolution, keep more people employed, and gain new customers through this recession. Now might be a good time for some startups and small businesses to consider pivoting their marketing and sales dollars to the individual consumer."
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​INsiders: Women in the Workplace, Securing Funding and Challenges & Opportunities
Inside Indiana Business, March 2020
Each week a group of INsiders joins us to offer perspective on some of the week’s top stories. This week we’re sounding off on important issues women face in the workplace... especially when it comes to entrepreneurs securing funding. The Startup Ladies CEO & Founder Kristen Cooper hosts the panel with: SnapShyft Co-founder & COO, Stephanie Corliss, Singleton Companies Co-Founder, Judy Singleton and Former CFO for Interactive Intelligence, Ashley Vukovits.
Member Profile
Women & Hi Tech, March 2020
In 2014, Kristen Cooper made the leap from working in the nonprofit industry to working in tech. Why? “I had kind of a bad day back in 2011,” she jokes. Cooper attended a venture-focused luncheon, one she had been attending for years. “There were a few hundred people in the room - almost all men. On that particular day, someone sat next to me who said something very nasty about politics. Afterward I thought...
Everyone on a team is in sales, no matter the title
IBJ, November 2019
Whether a company is in the startup phase or has matured into an established enterprise, every single person in the organization plays a role in sales. For many industries, Q4 can be the busiest time of year in sales. Now is the time to encourage all members of the team — even those without the word “sales” in their titles — to contribute to the overall sales mission. In this post, Kristen details exactly how staff members at all levels can contribute toward brand awareness, qualified lead generation, and closing deals.
If you’re looking for customers, try these ideas.
IBJ, October 2019
“How do you find prospective customers?” It's one of the most frequent questions Kristen Cooper gets from first-time founders, career changers she's mentored, and newbies in sales. Whether they are entering into the market-research phase of their startup or are in full-on sales mode, these seven suggestions have helped them identify more prospective customers.
Is unicorn lust impeding investment in local startups?
IBJ, September 2019
Even though only a tiny fraction of business are considered "unicorns," or privately-held companies with a valuation of at least $1 billion, they get the most of the media's attention. Many scalable startups struggle to get the same investment support, despite their demonstrated achievements. Kristen Cooper discusses the impact that unicorn lust has on the growth of the local economy and urges investors to take social responsibility and support local startups.
What’s the collateral damage of excluding women?
IBJ, July 2019
If women are absent from a panel, C-suite, board, investment portfolio, or decision-making committee — intentionally or “unintentionally” — there are consequences. In this IBJ article, Kristen Cooper discusses the chain of events that follows when an event unveils an all-male panel, or #manel.
Report: Indiana needs more entrepreneurs
WISH-TV, June 2019
According to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's Vision 2025 economic development Report, Indiana has dropped from 44th to 47th best in the nation for new entrepreneurs. Kristen Cooper shares her theory that startups need more chances to thrive, which starts with support from the state and groups like The Startup Ladies.
What’s a startup to do when 100% of the team goes down?
IBJ, May 2019
Unexpected emergencies can strike anyone, and your staff is no exception. But what should you do when all of your staff members need to take time off at once? In this article, Kristen Cooper draws from her experiences to help you keep your business afloat when your scrappy-yet-mighty startup team goes down unexpectedly.
C-level execs fuel economy by supporting startup founders
IBJ, April 2019
According to Techpoint's 2018 Tech Census, Indy’s C-suites are not nearly as engaged in the startup ecosystem as those in cities such as Cincinnati, Nashville, Denver and Boulder. In order to become more competitive on a national level, C-level executives in Indianapolis must become more actively engaged. Kristen shares 3 steps executives can take to engage with potential partners, clients, and investors in the startup community.
Tech Startup Focusing on Family Moments
Inside INdiana Business, March 2019
Kristen Cooper serves as guest host in this interview with Startup Ladies member Carrie Griffith, CEO and founder of Little Nugget. Carrie discusses how her time at Microsoft helped prepare her for entrepreneurship and shares what she looks for in an investor.
3 Startup Ladies members compete for $1,000 from The Startup Ladies Fund at PitchFeast on March 18
The Startup Ladies, March 2019
On Monday, March 18, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hatch, three members of The Startup Ladies will have the opportunity to pitch their startup at PitchFeast for a chance to win $1,000 from The Startup Ladies Fund.
Three Investor members from The Startup Ladies will serve as judges. Each pitch finalist will have five minutes to pitch and ten minutes to answer questions from the judges. Immediately following, the judges will deliberate and select a winner. The $1,000 grant will be awarded to one Startup Lady member at 7:45pm.
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Read the full press release to learn about this exciting event!
Startup Competitors Podcast
February 2019
In this podcast episode, Kristen Cooper sits down with Mike Kelly to discuss lessons she learned from founding and building The Startup Ladies community. Kristen shares her founding story and addresses building a strong team, the importance of mental wellness work, and community-building strategies and practices.
5 ways men can help achieve gender parity
IBJ, February 2019
In the #MeToo era, more men want to better perceive, interpret and respond to inequities. They are taking the time to understand the obstacles specific to all women, particularly women of color and women who identify as LGBTQ+. Increasing mentoring relationships between women and men is an important component to creating more equitable and mentally healthy work environments as well as ending gender disparity in C-suites, boards and investment deals. Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, shares 5 actions men can take to support gender parity.
First-time entrepreneurs often make this costly mistake
IBJ, December 2018
Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, discusses the importance of identifying and validating a market before launching a product. She walks through four steps every founder should take at the beginning of their startup to save valuable time, money and equity.
Q&A with Marie Maher, founder of Synapse Sitters
IBJ, December 2018
Startup Lady Marie Maher's personal struggle to find a babysitter for her son inspired Synapse Sitters, an online network of specialized sitters for parents of children on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disorders (IDD). In this interview, she discusses her newfound love for technology and its potential to solve problems.
Startup Ladies Launch Startup Study Hall Online
Inside INdiana Business, December 2018
Startup Study Hall Online will provide access to the organization's executive mentors from anywhere in the country. The membership-based platform was announced on November 27, 2018 as part of The Startup Ladies' fourth anniversary luncheon in Indy.
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In this interview with Inside INdiana Business Reporter Mary-Rachel Redman, Kristen Cooper, who founded The Startup Ladies four years ago, says the platform will not only support the growing number of women building scalable businesses, but also those who are looking to invest in startups.
Startup Ladies to Mark a Milestone
Inside INdiana Business, November 2018
Andy Ober of Inside INdiana Business announces The Startup Ladies' 4th Anniversary Luncheon, which was held on November 27 at The Center and featured a a keynote from The Heritage Group President Amy Schumacher and a pitch competition.
How do venture capital tax credits help startups in Indiana?
October 2018
Kristen Cooper discusses the Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit program, a tool founders can use to raise money for their early-stage startups. This program incentivizes investment by providing investors with credit against their Indiana tax liability. Read the full article to learn if you are eligible and how to apply!
California got it right on this one
October 2018
Kristen Cooper expresses her support for California Senate Bill 826, which requires that all California corporate boards include at least one woman. This, she argues, will ensure that boards will reflect the diversity of their companies' stakeholders. Kristen also addresses the fact that companies must also establish clear plans to identify, mentor, train and sponsor women as future leaders.
Startup Ladies, A Place For Women Entrepreneurs
Bloom Magazine, September 2018
Janet Mandelstam reports on The Startup Ladies Inaugural Meetup in Bloomington, held in January 2018. In the article, Startup Ladies Bloomington member Pam Weaver, founder of Dragonfly, and Kristen Cooper, CEO & Founder of Startup Ladies, discuss how The Startup Ladies are bringing valuable resources and support to the Bloomington entrepreneurial community.
How does a non-technical founder build software?
September 2018
Building technology is complex, expensive, time-consuming and totally exhilarating! Kristen Cooper offers some guidelines for the non-technical founder that will take your idea from dreamy possibility to viable product. If you follow these steps, and do the work, you might very well go from being a big thinker to an accomplished founder.
Women & Hi Tech Nominations
September 2018
Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, is nominated for two Women & Hi Tech 2018 Leading Light Awards.
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The Women & Hi Tech Leading Light Awards (LLA) recognize women of achievement in STEM who made great innovations in their industries, and have shown qualities of expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage, and tenacity as they built their careers. Women receive awards for excellence as mentors, risk takers, and more.
Mental health impacts startups, founders and employees
July 2018
Mental health is often ignored while starting up a company. There’s just too much to do. Founders and investors are focused on getting a product to market and securing a return on investment. However, not paying attention to mental wellness can cost a startup dearly. Kristen Cooper provides tangible strategies for approaching mental health issues in entrepreneurship, such as working to end social stigma around mental illness and starting work with a therapist.
Time to step up and invest in women-owned startups
June 2018
Although the number of women-owned scalable startups is growing rapidly in Indiana and data shows that women yield a higher return on investment, only 2.19% of venture capital dollars were invested in women-owned startups in the United States in 2017. Kristen Cooper addresses this issue and shares six actions investors can take to step up and change it.
Kristen Cooper Wins Community Champion of the Year - Interview
April 2018
Gerry Dick, host of Inside INdiana Business, interviews Kristen Cooper, CEO & Founder of The Startup Ladies, winner of the Community Champion Award at the 2018 TechPoint Mira Awards. Kristen Cooper discusses what drove her to found The Startup Ladies and the amazing growth that The Startup Ladies has accomplished in the past year.
The Startup Ladies Founder Kristen Cooper wins Community Champion of the Year Mira Award
TechPoint Index, April 2018
Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, wins "Community Champion of the Year" at TechPoint’s 19th annual Mira Awards on April 28, 2018. The Mira judges chose Kristen because they believe "The Startup Ladies has filled a crucial role within the tech community in the Greater Indianapolis area that is bringing more women entrepreneurs to the forefront and providing the resources and access to capital that they need to be successful."
Techpoint awards Kristen Cooper the Community Champion Mira
Indianapolis Business Journal, April 2018
Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, wins "Community Champion of the Year" at TechPoint’s 19th annual Mira Awards. At the event, Mike Langellier, CEO, Techpoint declared that "Kristen is filling a crucial role within the tech community of bringing more women entrepreneurs to the forefront and providing the resources and access to capital that they need to be successful."
Community Champion of 2018 is Kristen Cooper
Inside INdiana Business, April 2018
Kristen Cooper, Startup Ladies CEO & Founder, wins "Community Champion of the Year" at TechPoint’s 19th annual Mira Awards on April 28, 2018. The winners were selected by a panel of 52 judges from a pool of over 200 nominees.
Is your startup idea viable and scalable?
April 2018
You have a startup idea, but is it viable and scalable? Viability depends on validation that a market wants, needs and is willing to pay for your product or service. Scalability requires sustainable, repeatable and measurable processes that increase sales volume and grow profits. Kristen Cooper outlines six simple steps you can take to determine if there is a marketplace for your startup idea.
Top leaders need to support LGBTQ employees
February 2018
When leaders cannot see the problem and employees are not comfortable enough to say something, toxic workplace cultures develop. It is the responsibility of leaders to educate themselves about the lifestyles and difficulties LGBTQ communities face and be open to the many ways that people experience their world. Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, addresses this issue and offers tangible solutions to foster an inclusive workplace.
The Startup Ladies Adds Bloomington Chapter
Inside INdiana Business, January 2018
Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, announces the debut of The Startup Ladies Bloomington chapter. She emphasizes that "given the interest, academic, and economic development resources available in Monroe County, we thought this would be an ideal region to grow the next wave of women founders and women investors."
Every woman deserves equal pay. Here’s how to get it.
Linkedin Pulse, December 2017
Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, addresses a report published by the Indiana Institute for Working Families, which documented that women in Indiana receive 26%-44% less in pay compared to men. She calls for everyone, from executives to employees, to take action and advocate for equal pay for all.
Startup growth improves in metro Indy
Indianapolis Business Journal, October 2017
Hayleigh Colombo reports on new data from the Kauffman Index of Growth Entrepreneurship, which ranks Indianapolis-Carmel as one of the top 10 metro areas for entrepreneurship growth. In the article, Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, also sheds light on the challenges many women- and minority-owned businesses still face due to unconscious bias.
Indiana Conference for Women Preview
October 2017
Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, joined Gerry Dick and Melina Kennedy (General Manager of Global Rail of Defense, Cummins) on Inside INdiana Business to discuss the upcoming Indiana Conference for Women 2017, where The Startup Ladies will host the startup pitch competition for the third year in a row.
Grant will allow entrepreneurs to gain free insight from Kelley MBA students
Kelley Indianapolis Hub, September 2017
The Kelley School of Business at IUPUI announces their partnership with The Startup Ladies, in which MBA students will conduct customer development research for entrepreneurs using a grant from the Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council.
INsiders: Big Tech Week, UPS Investment, Governor's Trip to Europe
June 2017
Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, joined Gerry Dick, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Maureen Donohue Karuss on Inside INdiana Business to discuss inx3, Nextech, Purdue's collaboration with Crane, a new UPS hub in Plainfield, and Governor Holcomb's Trip abroad.
What’s The Password?
Indianapolis Monthly, June 2017
Ally Denton discusses the troubling lack of women starting tech companies in Indiana and credits The Startup Ladies as a leading organization dedicated to supporting women-led startups. She highlights how the Startup Ladies provides space to nurture connections like the collaboration between Billie Dragoo, founder of the Indiana Conference for Women, and Startup Lady Chere Cofer, finalist in the 2015 Dolphin Tank pitch competition.
Unprecedented push underway to advance women in tech
June 2017
Jared Council highlights efforts to increase and support the ranks of women in technology in Indianapolis and acknowledges The Startup Ladies as an organization helping to empower women entrepreneurs.
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(pictured: Tiffany White, president of Women & Hi Tech and The Startup Ladies collaborator)
Innovate by investing in women leaders and founders
May 2017
Kristen Cooper, CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies, calls for a new form of innovation: discover and employ a broader spectrum of people who can bring new insights, new possibilities and new opportunities to every-size business, from startups to mature-stage companies.
Women entrepreneurs compete at 'Pitchfeast'
RTV6, March 2017
RTV6 and the Mayor of Indianapolis, Joe Hogsett came out to support The Startup Ladies.
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The following Startup Ladies pitched at this event (from left to right):
- Jennifer Waligora, Founder, a la cART projects
- Ashley Scott, Founder, Curly in College
- Emma Hostetter, Founder, Borrowed Boutique
Inside INdiana Business
with Gerry Dick
April 2016
Dawn Lang of Safekeeping discussed how The Startup Ladies' unique combination of mentorship, investment oppportunities, and "the power of positive connections" helps women entrepreneurs succeed in business.
Starting up strong: From restrooms to boardrooms, Startup Ladies empowering women in business
February 2016
Sam Elliott details the growth of The Startup Ladies from meeetings in the ladies' room to a strong, growing community dedicated to providing structure, consistency and accountability to women entrepreneurs.
Inside INdiana Business
with Gerry Dick
January 2016
Kristen Cooper, founder of The Startup Ladies, joined Gerry Dick to support comprehensive legislative protection for the LGBT community.
INsiders: Entrepreneurship Week
June 2015
In celebration of Indiana Entrepreneurship Week, Kristen Cooper appeared on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick to speak about the Launch Ladies. Kristen stressed The Startup Ladies' goal to "focus on entrepreneurship and educate and connect more women so that they can launch their ideas into scalable businesses."