Where Founders & Funders Connect to Change the Game

Stella Foundation is leading the charge to close the funding gap for women entrepreneurs by creating powerful, action-driven events that connect female founders, investors, and ecosystem partners. From high-energy pitch competitions to national summits and intimate investor-founder networking, Stella’s conferences and events are where real deals happen

Arian Simone, Elizabeth Gore and Gerri Stangle at Fireside Chat

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Women’s Venture Summit (WVS) – The Flagship Event for Women’s Investment & Innovation

September 23-25, 2025 | San Diego, CA

Women’s Venture Summit (WVS) is the ultimate gathering of female founders and funders. Now in its 12th year, WVS has facilitated over $200 million in funding for women-led startups and continues to be a driving force in diversifying venture capital.

Who Should Attend:

Female Founders – Ready to scale and seeking funding opportunities
Angel & Venture Investors – Looking to diversify portfolios & fund high-growth startups
Aspiring Investors – New to investing? WVS is where you learn how to start
Corporate Partners & Sponsors – Support gender equity in venture

What You’ll Experience:

Investor Matchmaking – Hands-on introductions & curated networking
Keynotes & Panels – Industry leaders discussing trends, funding strategies & success stories
Women’s Fast Pitch Finals – Witness the top female founders pitch for $50K+ in prizes
Exclusive Investor Dinners & LP/GP Roundtables

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Women’s Fast Pitch – Where the Best Women Founders Pitch for Capital

May 1-30, 2025 | Virtual & In-Person Finals at WVS

Women’s Fast Pitch is Stella’s premier pitch competition, designed to give early-stage female founders access to investors, funding, and national exposure. The competition spans five regions and culminates in a live national finale at Women’s Venture Summit.

How It Works:

Five Regional Pitch Events (Virtual) – May 2025
Winners from each region advance to the National Finals
Finalists pitch live for $50K+ in grants, investments & services

Eligibility:

Must be a woman-led startup registered in the U.S
Company must not have raised more than $10M in funding
Open to all industries & sectors

Apply to Pitch

Sponsor a Regional Event

The Oxytocin Tour – Bringing Women’s Venture to Cities Nationwide

Year-Round Events in Major Startup Hubs

The Oxytocin Tour is Stella’s traveling event series that amplifies women-led ventures and investment opportunities by partnering with regional startup ecosystems and hosting interactive networking & education sessions.

Where We’re Headed in 2025:

What Happens at Each Stop?

Fireside Chats & Expert Panels – Real conversations with investors & founders
Investor-Only Networking – Private LP/GP meetups & angel education
Pitch Showcases – Local women-led startups presenting to active investors
Social & Networking Events – Happy hours, founder-investor dinners, and community-building

View Upcoming Oxytocin Events

Elevate Women’s Business Summit – Local Impact, National Reach

Rochester, NY | Expanding to New Cities in 2025

Elevate is a one-day conference designed to empower female founders, investors, and community partners by providing access to world-class education, networking, and funding opportunities.

Why Attend Elevate?

Exclusive Regional Programming – Elevate highlights local startup ecosystems and regional investment networks
Speakers & Panels – Featuring successful female entrepreneurs & investors
Tactical Workshops – Practical, hands-on sessions to scale your business or investment strategy
Community-Driven – Powered by local business organizations, accelerators, and investors