Bold, Brilliant, and Fundable: 2025’s Top 9 Women Founders

Traditional pitch competitions rarely translate into actual funding for women founders. In 2024, of the $209 billion invested in U.S. startups, women founders received just 2% of that total. To counter this persistent gender disparity, The Startup Ladies take a radically different approach.

Instead of a high-pressure pitch stage, each of the Top 9 founders is paired with an exited founder or seasoned executive for an Oprah-style interview that brings their story, strategy, and scalability to life. These interviewers aren’t just moderators, they’re accomplished leaders who bring the experience, clout, and connections that help amplify each founder’s message. Their insight and credibility lend weight to the conversation, helping investors see the founder’s potential through the lens of proven success.

This format delivers all the key elements of a traditional pitch: business model, traction, market, and growth strategy, while giving investors and the audience an authentic understanding of the founder, her vision, and her leadership style. Following the interviews, investors have the opportunity to meet directly with the founders to explore potential investment opportunities.

On Thursday, November 13, 2025, The Startup Ladies will host the fourth annual Invest in Women Founders Summit at The Skyline Club in Indianapolis from noon to 6 PM. The Summit brings together founders, funders, and executives committed to closing the gender funding gap, building community wealth, and moving more money into the hands of women entrepreneurs.

This year’s Top 9 women founders represent some of the most innovative, scalable, and socially conscious startups in the country. Each was selected by a panel of Startup Ladies Board members for her vision, traction, and leadership in building companies that create meaningful economic and community impact.

The Summit convenes investors, corporate partners, and top women entrepreneurs to accelerate funding opportunities and celebrate women founders driving innovation across diverse industries from health tech and EdTech to fashion, consumer products, and hospitality.

The following profiles highlight these extraordinary women, their companies, and the important work they’re doing to make business more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

Lana Ashby Rowder, CEO & Founder, lookingGLASS - Texas

Lana Ashby Rowder is the founder and CEO of lookingGLASS, a next-generation personal styling platform helping people rediscover confidence in what they already own.

A former nurse turned stylist and mother of two, Lana built lookingGLASS after realizing how personal and emotional getting dressed can be—especially through seasons of change.

“I lead with empathy, intuition, and grit—and I think that’s what makes women founders so powerful,” Lana shared. “Those strengths help us build companies that truly listen and solve problems that matter.”

She leads a world-class team of stylists from Stitch Fix and Neiman Marcus and technologists from Meta and USAA. Under her leadership, lookingGLASS has been featured in WWD, Forbes, and People, demoed at New York Fashion Week, and was named an A-List Award nominee for AI Standout. Passionate, relatable, and endlessly curious, Lana is on a mission to make style accessible, sustainable, and human again.

The Company: lookingGLASS is a personal styling membership that blends AI with real stylists to create daily outfits from the clothes people already own - so getting dressed feels simple, sustainable, and confidence-boosting.

The Problem: Most people feel stressed and self-conscious about what to wear. 73% of women admit they don’t feel confident in their clothes, leading to wasted time, money, and unnecessary consumption.

The Solution: lookingGLASS combines computer vision, AI, and human expertise to suggest outfits from each member’s own wardrobe, tailored to their plans, weather, and lifestyle. The result is a personalized, planet-friendly way to feel good in what you already have.

“As a woman, mom, and market expert, I can relate deeply to my audience and build from real experience,” Lana explained. “I understand how what we wear can shift how we feel, and lookingGLASS is built around that truth.”

Community Giveback: lookingGLASS recently partnered with Goodwill to produce a community fashion show spotlighting secondhand style and confidence. The company donates to Dress for Success and regularly provides styling services for local charities and nonprofit fundraisers.

Shannon Aylesworth, Founder & CEO, Ursamin - New York

Shannon Aylesworth is the CEO and founder of Ursamin, a care coordination platform purpose-built to help clinicians more effectively manage patient care as they move through the healthcare system, reducing administrative burden and improving communication across the care team.

Shannon launched Ursamin in 2022, driven by a personal mission to fix the strained systems that fail patients with complex care needs. Before entering healthcare,

Shannon spent 25+ years in the telecommunications industry, where she helped global service providers deliver faster, more reliable consumer experiences. She held senior roles across product strategy, go-to-market, and partnerships, leading teams through two unicorn exits, an IPO, and two large exits - a $2.0B (Redback) and $1.5B (Ruckus) acquisition. Her work in rearchitecting high-performance, distributed networks, and bringing scale to the edge, now informs her approach to healthcare: building infrastructure that connects siloed data and people to deliver coordinated, real-time care. Shannon brings deep experience in scaling B2B platforms, aligning technology with operations, and forging strategic partnerships that turn vision into measurable outcomes.

The Company: Ursamin acts as a shared workspace for doctors, nurses and care teams to track and manage a patient's care as they move from doctor to doctor. Ursamin sells a SaaS based solution to clinics that enables their staff to quickly track and manage patient care.

The Problem: The rising number of complex patients has created a significant challenge for doctors offices to try to track and manage patients. We need to automate these tasks as quickly as possible to help them scale to the growing demand.

The Solution: Ursamin automates the tasks associated with coordinating care and provide quick simplified access to each patient's most critical needs, enable clinicians to focus on care, not paperwork.

Community Giveback: Ursamin is deeply rooted in the belief that better care starts close to home. They partner with local clinics, community health centers, and care teams to strengthen the coordination that keeps patients connected to the care they need. Beyond our platform, they give back through volunteer programs and support for local public health initiatives. All employees at Ursamin actively volunteer with community organizations such as David’s Refuge, who help provide reprieve for caregivers, a critical member of the patient's care team.

Kristina Bagnoli, Co-founder/CEO, 5ENSES - Indiana

5enses was co-founded by Kristina Bagnoli, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Rachelle Orozco, a graphic designer and tech specialist, both of whom have personal experience with sensory sensitivities. Together, they are developing a platform that acts like a “weatherman” for social environments, providing real-time sensory data and insights to help individuals navigate spaces with confidence and ease.

With early support from national microgrants and development partners, 5enses is building a more inclusive world for the more than 70 million Americans living with ADHD, autism, PTSD, chronic migraines, and other sensory challenges. The platform blends technology, psychology, and design to make everyday environments more accessible, comfortable, and empowering.

Through 5enses, users can share experiences, rate sensory-friendly spaces, and connect with others who have similar needs - creating a community grounded in understanding and support. Acting like a “weatherman” for sensory environments, the platform provides real-time insights on noise, light, crowds, and other factors that affect comfort. Designed to be both practical and intuitive, 5enses helps people plan their day, navigate spaces confidently, and experience the world on their own terms.

The Company: 5enses provides real-time sensory insights to help individuals with ADHD, autism, PTSD, chronic migraines, and other sensitivities navigate social spaces confidently. Businesses use the platform’s analytics to make environments more comfortable and appealing. Revenue comes from consumer subscriptions, business dashboards, and pilot partnerships.

The Problem: Nearly 50% of people struggle with sensory sensitivities caused by conditions like ADHD, autism, PTSD, and chronic migraines, yet most environments are not designed to support their needs.

The Solution: 5enses solves this problem by providing real-time sensory data and community insights that help individuals choose and navigate environments that align with their sensory needs.

Community Giveback: Kristina actively gives back through her church by assisting with community events, facilitating a weekly couples’ group, and providing counseling to support healthy relationships. Both founders use social media to share insights and strategies for managing sensory overload, helping neurodivergent individuals navigate daily life more confidently. Through these efforts, they are already fostering inclusivity, awareness, and practical support within their community, laying the groundwork for the broader impact their app will provide once launched.

Cindy Dunston Quirk, Founder and Chief Dog Lover, Scout & Zoe’s / Rapid Rescue - Indiana

Cindy Dunston Quirk is the Founder and Chief Dog Lover of Scout & Zoe’s Premium Pet Products, a pioneering brand born from her mission to help her own allergy-sensitive dogs and now leading a global movement in sustainable pet nutrition. With more than a decade of experience in product innovation and brand development, Cindy has positioned Scout & Zoe’s as a first-to-market leader in novel proteins such as invasive Asian Carp and Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Her vision connects science, sustainability, and compassion—creating nutritious, eco-conscious treats that nourish pets while protecting the planet.

Under her leadership, the brand has expanded its footprint across North America, Asia, and the Middle East, gaining strong loyalty among consumers and retailers. Cindy’s dedication to doing good for pets, the Earth, and the community drives every innovation, from functional foods to patented health solutions. With a proven track record of growth and global appeal, she continues to guide Scout & Zoe’s toward category leadership in sustainable pet wellness and beyond.

The NEW Company Arm: Cindy and her team created a pocket-sized first responder for any species. The company sells an FDA approved, patented gauze that stops bleeding in 60 seconds.

The Problem: Every year, hundreds of thousands of pets, and people, face sudden traumatic bleeding emergencies at home, while traveling and outdoors.

The Solution: Rapid Rescue stops bleeding in 60 seconds.

Community Giveback: Scout & Zoe’s gives back to the community through compassion, inclusion, and sustainability. The company provides meaningful employment to adults with intellectual disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals, creating opportunities for growth and dignity. Through its nonprofit, **Scouting for the Cure®**, Scout & Zoe’s funds research for canine hemangiosarcoma, honoring the legacy of Cindy’s beloved dog, Scout. Additionally, by transforming invasive Asian Carp into nutritious pet treats, the brand helps restore ecosystems while supporting responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship.

Tamara Fyke, CEO/Founder,

Love in a Big World - Tennessee

Tamara Fyke is a creative entrepreneur and seasoned educator with 30 years of experience developing programs and leading non-profit and for-profit organizations. She is passionate about supporting kids, families, and communities and holds a Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt University.

The Company: Love In A Big World provides 24/7 interactive mental health and wellbeing support for kids ages 8–12 and the adults who care for them. Millions of families face mental health challenges but lack access to affordable, reliable help. This platform gives them a safe, online space to ask big questions, learn essential life skills, and build stronger friendships, families, and communities.

The Problem: 4 out of 10 kids feel persistently sad or hopeless, while at the same time there is a mental health professional shortage of at least 100,000 workers nationwide.

The Solution: They solve this problem by offering a safe online space for kids and caring adults to ask big questions and learn life skills that make friendships, families, and communities stronger and healthier.

Community Giveback: The company has a 501c3.

Caitie Gehlhausen Walsh, CEO & Founder, The Haus, LLC dba Caitie G

Indiana

Caitie Walsh is an entrepreneur and Indiana native with a lifelong passion for sports, style, and innovation. A former Division I golfer, she competed for over 13 years before earning a double major in Finance and Entrepreneurship from High Point University. It was at HPU that Caitie discovered her love for entrepreneurship, launching her first brand, Lock-It, a cell phone accessory company that expanded to over 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide. Her success on the pitch competition circuit fueled her drive to create purpose-driven brands that solve everyday problems in creative ways.

In 2024, she launched her second venture, Caitie G, a line of elevated, event-compliant stadium bags designed to help women feel confident and secure on game day and beyond. Inspired by her experiences as a Colts season ticket holder, Caitie set out to solve the frustrations women face with clear bag policies. Each Caitie G bag features a clear base with a removable outer wrap, offering both privacy and style without compromising stadium compliance.

The Company: Caitie G sells event day bag solutions that are both stylish and security gate compliant. The bags feature removable outer wraps, so you can easily transition from tailgate to security gate.

The Problem: With most stadiums and concert venues now enforcing clear bag policies, many women face the frustrating dilemma of how to protect their privacy, when everything they carry is on full display.

The Solution: Caitie G stadium bags feature removable outer wraps, that allow women to have a sense of privacy and style, while also remaining security gate compliant.

Community Giveback: Caitie G's founder, Caitie Walsh, participates in mentorship roles for young founders and college students, who also aspire to build a company from the ground up.

Michelle Hurdle, Founder & CEO, Gig Dental - Indiana

Michelle Hurdle is a UX/UI Designer, dental professional, and entrepreneur passionate about creating technology that solves real-world problems. After 17 years in dentistry, including seven as a full-time temp, she saw firsthand how outdated systems hurt both professionals and patients. That experience inspired her to found Gig Dental, a platform that modernizes how dental professionals connect, work, and grow.

Trained in UX/UI Design at Northwestern University, Michelle blends empathy, strategy, and design to build tools that empower people. She is dedicated to improving accessibility, efficiency, and quality of life through thoughtful, human-centered innovation.

The Company: Gig Dental is a dental staffing marketplace designed to give both dental professionals and offices maximum flexibility, control, and transparency. Hygienists and other dental staff can set their own rates, choose their hours, pick assignments that fit their schedules, and manage their credentials all in one place, while offices can quickly find qualified professionals for temporary or permanent roles. By streamlining booking, scheduling, credential tracking, and communication in a single app, the platform makes it faster and easier for professionals and practices to connect and manage work.

The Problem: Dental practices across the U.S. are losing up to $3.1 billion annually due to missed chair time from staffing shortages and administrative bottlenecks. Approximately 62% of dentists identified staffing shortages as their top challenge in 2025. Meanwhile, dental professionals lack a modern platform to manage their careers, including setting their own rates, choosing hours, and tracking credentials. This system is outdated and inefficient, costing practices time and revenue, and leaving professionals without the tools they need to thrive.

The Solution: Gig Dental solves the dental staffing crisis by directly connecting licensed professionals with offices through a transparent, subscription-based platform. By eliminating agency fees, automating scheduling, verifying credentials, and giving both professionals and offices full control over hiring and career management, Gig Dental saves time, reduces costs, and empowers dental teams to operate at their best.

Community Giveback: As the former Director of Programming and now a Board Member at Large for Indy Design Week, Michelle has dedicated her time to creating opportunities for designers to connect, share knowledge, and showcase their work. Giving back to the design community matters because when creativity is nourished, it ripples outward; It strengthening local culture, inspiring collaboration, and opening doors for future generations of designers. By fostering this ecosystem, Michelle believes we help build a more vibrant, inclusive, and innovative community.

Eve Keller, Franchise Owner, the Sports Bra - Indiana

Eve Keller is the franchise owner bringing The Sports Bra to Indianapolis — the first sports bar in Indiana dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. A seasoned leader with 15+ years of experience in project management and community development, Eve holds a PMP certification and has built a career driving impact across nonprofits, business consulting, and community partnerships.

Eve is also a FEMA Reservist, licensed real

estate broker, and leadership trainer with experience working nationwide. Her dedication to inclusion and empowerment shines through every venture, from her nonprofit leadership with USA Prides and InterPride to her business consulting and community initiatives.

Eve is creating a flagship space in Indiana where women's sports, equality, and belonging intersect. The Sports Bra Indianapolis will open in 2026 as part of the brand’s strategic Midwest expansion, tapping into a growing market of underserved women’s sports fans.

The Company: The Sports Bra Indianapolis is the Midwest’s flagship franchise of the nationally celebrated brand, offering a dedicated space to watch women’s sports 100% of the time while enjoying chef-inspired, allergy-friendly dining, craft mocktails and cocktails, and branded merchandise. The restaurant and bar combines a love of sports with community, inclusivity, and premium hospitality, creating a destination experience for fans.

The Problem: With women’s sports receiving under 5% of media coverage, fans and communities lack inclusive spaces dedicated to women’s athletics.

The Solution: Women’s sports currently receive under 5% of media coverage, leaving a vast, underserved audience of fans seeking spaces to celebrate their favorite athletes. With rising interest in women’s athletics and social engagement around equality in sports, The Sports Bra taps into a growing market eager for dedicated, community-driven venues.

Community Giveback: Eve Keller serves as Co-President of USA Prides, Midwest Chapter Delegate of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, and volunteers with Trinity Haven, Indy Pride, InterPride, and ATD Central Indiana. Her community work focuses on inclusion, education, and empowerment, and The Sports Bra Indianapolis will extend that mission by donating 1% of revenue to a different local non-profit each month.

Nakeisha Washington, CEO & Founder, Nyla Nova STEMversity

Indiana

Nakeisha Washington is the visionary founder and CEO of Nyla Nova STEMversity, a science, technology, engineering, and math education and entertainment company that empowers children ages 6–10 through hands-on, experiential learning. With over 25 years in education, Nakeisha has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and STEM competition coach, bringing deep expertise and a proven track record of developing young minds.

Inspired by her daughter, Nakeisha created the science superhero Nyla Nova to help children see themselves as confident, curious problem-solvers. Under her leadership, Nyla Nova STEMversity has generated over $300,000 in revenue and is expanding globally, positioning the company at the forefront of the rapidly growing STEM education market. Known as the “Global STEMsation,” Nakeisha has spoken at the U.S. Capitol and the United Nations, advocating for early STEM access and equity in underserved communities.

A Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Fellow, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum, and award-winning innovator, Nakeisha is recognized for her impact in education, entrepreneurship, and STEM equity, combining vision, experience, and results to inspire the next generation of innovators.

The Company: Nyla Nova STEMversity is redefining STEM education for children ages 6–10 by combining hands-on kits, interactive digital experiences, books, and music into an engaging, culturally relevant learning ecosystem. The company turns science, technology, engineering, and math into fun, accessible, and memorable experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

The Problem: Over 100 million children globally—and 10 million in the U.S. ages 6–10—lack access to engaging, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math education, leaving them unprepared for future careers.

The Solution: Globally, over 100 million children -- 10 million in the U.S.-- ages 6–10 lack access to interactive, hands-on STEM learning, leaving a large portion of the next generation unprepared for a rapidly evolving workforce.

Community Giveback: Nakeisha Washington and Nyla Nova STEMversity give back to the community by providing free STEM literacy programs, educational pop-ups, and hands-on learning experiences for underserved youth across Indianapolis. She volunteers her time on multiple nonprofit boards focused on education, equity, and youth empowerment. Through the Nyla Nova Foundation, she partners with schools, churches, and community centers to offer accessible science, technology, engineering, and math programming that inspires the next generation of leaders.

DON’T MISS THE 2025 Invest In Women Founders Summit!

Entrepreneurs: Gain exposure, connect with seasoned advisors, and pitch to investors ready to fund growth.

Investors (professional & amateur): Discover the Top 9 women-led startups poised for success and get first access to early-stage investment opportunities.

Executives: Network with visionary founders, share expertise, and position your company as a champion of women in business.

All in one afternoon of insight, connection, and action — this is where innovation meets opportunity.

Get your tickets HERE.