WiSE24, Largest Online Global Pitch Event for Women Entrepreneurs, Calls on Innovators & Investors to Rise and Thrive in Times of Crisis.
Women entrepreneurs from 10 regions around the world showcased their startups in a 24-hour live pitch event. Women's Startup Lab (WSLab), a Silicon Valley-based accelerator for women-led startups, hosted its second annual WiSE24, "Women's International Showcase of Entrepreneurs," on June 18, 2020. The event, which took place over 24 hours, live-streamed startup pitches from 50 early-stage, women-led ventures in 10 regions around the world, including San Francisco, New York, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, São Paulo, and Ukraine.
The theme of the event -- "Rise Locally, Empower Globally" -- called on technology and innovation leaders, both domestic and international, to looked beyond their borders for new markets, talent, and investment opportunities. WiSE24 gathered 1,000+ global investors, policymakers, and business leaders to discuss opportunities to accelerate innovation and build economic growth worldwide. In addition to financial tech, biotech, consumer tech, and social impact businesses, this year's event featured startups working on innovative solutions to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Building on the success of last year's event, WiSE24 2020 provided an unprecedented opportunity for women entrepreneurs to rise and thrive in times of crisis," explains Women's Startup Lab Founder and CEO, Ari Horie. "Now, more than ever, we need to foster deep cross-cultural collaboration to advance innovation and solve the biggest problems facing our global population."
Speakers included Pascal Finette, Singularity University's Chair for Entrepreneurship & Open Innovation and Venture Partner at BOLD Capital Partners, Audrey Tang, Digital Minister of Taiwan, and Victor Hwang, Founder, and CEO of Right to Start and Former Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation.
"The technology industry cannot afford to ignore the potential of diverse founders and a global, collaborative startup community," says Audrey Tang, who is working on Taiwan's response to COVID-19. "We need to educate, support, and invest in our cross-border partners if we want a world that supports innovation for all."
