Stella 2024 Impact Report

2024 IMPACT REPORT Published Mar 2024

Table of

CONTENTS 03

Founders Note

33

Sponsors & Partnerships

05

We Are Stella

36

Media Highlights

06

Our Con

37

Board of Directors

07

Stella Community

38

Team Highlights

17

Residence Programs

39

Team Building & Education

19

Stella Labs

40

2025 Goals

22

Stella Angels

27

Events

tion

2023 Impact Report | 02

A Word From Our

FOUNDER We built the Stella Foundation on the unwavering belief that women entrepreneurs deserve better—better resources to launch and scale, more rigorous and practical education to thrive, and greater access to capital to fund their dreams. In 2024, this belief was tested more than ever as we navigated an uncertain economic and political landscape that sought to dismantle the inches of progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve. But together, we have persevered, and as we look toward 2025, we know the work ahead is far from over.

Our collective efforts this past year have only strengthened our mission and clarified our vision to "get to even" by building a conSTELLAtion of collaborators, community builders, exceptional founders, and the funders who believe in them. I am profoundly proud of the journey we’ve been on—the lives we’ve touched, the companies we’ve served, and the impact we’ve made together.

Despite the obstacles, we have made incredible strides in 2024: Leadership Growth: Under the leadership of our CEO, Flossie Hall, Stella Foundation has flourished with a clear and bold vision for growth. Flossie has spearheaded the expansion of our operations, assembling a strong and dynamic team dedicated to driving operational excellence, amplifying our impact, and sustaining our mission to support women entrepreneurs and investors nationwide.

Philanthropic Partnerships: Foundations like The Impact Seat Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to our vision, enabling us to grow our programming and further engage our virtual community.

Corporate Support: Partners such as Comcast LifetLabs, Dell, Cooley and others continued their sponsorship of our access-to-capital events, including Women’s Fast Pitch, Women’s Venture Summit, and the Oxytocin Tour.

Community Expansion: Our digital platform grew to nearly 2,000 active members who participated in 8 monthly masterclasses, 20 virtual coworking sessions, hundreds of 1:1 and group mentoring sessions with our 500+ mentor network, and over 1K connections to investors, experts, and industry leaders to help founders thrive in their entrepreneurial goals.

2024 Impact Report | 03

As we head into 2025, we invite our community to remain resolute in the fight for equity and innovation: For Entrepreneurs: Be courageous in standing by the value you bring to your customers. Your journey will demand bold decisions that form the foundation of your vision. Your resilience and belief in the impact of your work are the true building blocks of success.

For Investors: Continue to fund deserving, determined, and gritty founders.

Build trust through transparency and collaboration, and partner with valuesaligned investors who will walk the mindful investment journey alongside you.

At Stella, the future shines bright. While the past 12 months have been among the most challenging in our 12-year history, they have also been a rebirth—a time of necessary transformation as we pivoted, rebuilt, and redefined our path forward. We are more driven than ever to continue the good fight for economic equality for women entrepreneurs and to support the growing number of women investors creating collective wealth and impact.

We are a strong conSTELLAtion. Watch us thrive.

With gratitude and determination,

Silvia Mah Chairwoman and Founder, Stella Foundation

2024 Impact Report | 04

We Are Stella O U R

M I S S I O N

Stella’s Mission is to inspire, equip, and propel diverse female founders to successfully launch, grow, and sustain their businesses while cultivating a thriving network of investors to increase equality for women-led startups. Founded in 2012, Stella connects women founders and investors to the right resources–at the right time–in their journeys. From ideation to funding to exit, women founders and investors look to Stella for its powerful constellation of support comprising an inclusive community, courses, access to capital events, advisory services, and funding opportunities.

O U R

V I S I O N

Equal representation of female founders & funders across the venture table.

$250M

50%+ OF COMMUNITY ARE FIRSTTIME BUSINESS OWNERS

2

LABS INTENSIVE COMPLETED

3

RESIDENCIES COMPLETED

ACTIVATED BY STELLA FOUNDERS SINCE INCEPTION

4k

COMPANIES SCALED

500+ NUMBER OF BUSINESSES LAUNCHED

2024 Impact Report | 05

Our

CON

TION COMMUNITY Over 10,000 women are in our inclusive community.

COURSES More than 300 founderfocused courses.

CAPITAL $250M+ in capital raised by women-led businesses in the Stella community.

CONFERENCES 38 conferences presented, with 10+ planned for 2025.

The stars have aligned.

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Our Con stella tion

COMMUNITY Our inclusive constellation is comprised of over 10,000 women who converge with a shared purpose: to uplift, empower, and advocate for one another fostering collaboration among female founders and funders alike. The free digital community, provides a safe space for women from diverse backgrounds and industries to exchange insights, share resources, and offer guidance to one another, transcending geographic boundaries and providing meaningful connections. Through mentorship, networking events, masterclasses, and education, Stella champions inclusivity and equality, striving to level the playing field for women in entrepreneurship.

Scan to join our

community

33,928 COURSE SIGNUPS

1.3K+

300+

120+

80+

MEMBERS

HOURS OF VIDEO

EDUCATION MODULES

WORKSHEETS

2024 Impact Report | 07

Our Con stella tion

COMMUNITY 9

MASTERCLASSES Attendance: 293

5

ORIENTATIONS

8

STARTUP OFFICE HOURS

Hosted by Stella Staff Attendance: 92

Hosted by Stella Staff Attendance: 170 82 Mentors

20

COWORKING SESSIONS HOSTED BY STELLA STAFF

HOSTS INCLUDED:

Scan to join our

community

2024 Impact Report | 08

Community

DEMOGRAPHICS MARITAL STATUS Our founders, whom 97% identify as female, come from all walks of life. Showing more than half are married, while 51% of our members have children.

EDUCATION Stella's founders are highly educated; over 35% hold a 4year degree with nearly an additional 50% holding a Master’s Degree or higher..

Members cite that their number one need is access to capital and financial support.

51%

13%

32%

MARRIED

DIVORCED

NEVER MARRIED

1%

4%

SEPARATED

DID NOT DISCLOSE

Doctoral Master's Bachelor's Some College Professional Degree Associate's HS Grad Did Not Disclose Some Schooling 0

10

20

30

40

LOCATION Stella serves communities worldwide, with a special interest in underserved communities. It meets women in their own "backyards" via virtual and in-person programming.

NORTHWEST: 13.8%

53%

36%

9%

URBAN

SUBURBAN

RURAL

NORTHEAST: 18.6%

MIDWEST: 11.9% SOUTHWEST: 42.1%

SOUTHEAST: 13.6%

2024 Impact Report | 09

Community

DEMOGRAPHICS LLC

ENTITY TYPE

C-Corp

Our Stella members have various entities but traditionally come to us with support for their LLC, transition to C-Corp, or existing C-Corp.

Ideation Sole Prop S Corp Nonprofit LLP B Corp 0

EMPLOYEES As Stella supports founders at all stages, the companies in the Stella ecosystem are traditionally just starting out with no employees or are scaling and in search of funding with 1-5 employees.

9%

NO EMPLOYEES

1-5

6-10

6%

2%

1%

11-25

26-50

100+

2

3

4

5

5+

51.6%

27.7%

12.8%

4.0%

2.4%

1.4%

Combination of above ethnicities 1%

Asian 14% White 61.3%

ETHNICITY

40

1

American Indian or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.8% 0.6%

Black 13.3%

30

68%

MILITARY STATUS

Prefer not to disclose 9.6%

20

14%

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES STARTED

10

Military Spouse

3.01%

Veteran Spouse

1.75%

Veteran

1.75%

Veteran, Military Spouse

0.376%

Straight Bisexual Queer Gay Pansexual Undisclosed 0

20

40

60

80

2024 Impact Report | 10

Stella Community

MEMBER GROWTH 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

C O M M U N I T Y

Free Education

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

P E R K S

Curriculum Library

Resources

Access to Investors

Discounts & Perks

2024 Impact Report | 11

Stella's

03

ONLINE COMMUNITY Between business and personal lives, female founders historically experience heavy demands on their time and schedules which means they lack the bandwidth or resources to attend in-person trainings. The majority of entrepreneurial support programs are focused on large cities, leaving suburban and rural areas pulling for options that fit them where they are at. Stella’s community consists of nearly 50% suburban and rural demographics collectively, which is why we strive to build accessible, nationwide offerings. Our program allows female founders to access education, curriculum, and masterclasses anywhere - in the comfort of their homes, at any time of the day..

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E D U C A T I O N

T O P I C S

Project + Time Management Project Management Time Management + Goal Setting

People Operations + Wellness Cultivating Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Work Imposter Syndrome: What it is and How to Overcome it Employee Health and Wellness Employee Ethics Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Resiliency Stress Management Mentorship Communication and Empathy

Sales Customer Discovery Buyer Personas Sales

Leadership Leadership Leadership Ethics

Entrepreneurship Getting Started Legal Financial Marketing Operations + Leadership Pitching

Marketing Business Branding Buyer Personas Marketing 101 Marketing Analytics Email Marketing 101 Introduction to Digital Marketing SEO Social Media Marketing 101 Social Media Marketing 201 Website Marketing Product Marketing

Pitching Lab 8 modules offered prior to access to capital events

50+

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

39

COURSES

350 MODULES

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Our Con stella tion

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Launched in 2015, YLAI is an annual exchange program sponsored by the US Department of State that empowers emerging business and social entrepreneurs from across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. 280 young business and social entrepreneurs from 37 countries are matched with businesses and organizations across the United States. Stella was proud to partner with YLAI for the 4th year, welcoming two incredible founders, Diana and Marcela. They joined alongside our accelerator program, gaining 1:1 and group mentorship from Stella's founder, executive team, and network of mentors. Besides the two fellows assigned to Stella, 11 other fellows from the YLAI program were welcomed in and took advantage of Stella’s office hours.

2023 Impact Report | 12

Our Con stella tion

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Sponsored by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the American Councils for International Education Russian Business Leader provides promising young professionals from Russia with the opportunity to gain practical experience in and exposure to innovation ecosystems. Participants are placed in intensive 5–6-week fellowships in nonprofit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience.

In 2023, with the goal of launching a global startup in the field of travel and active leisure, Stella Foundation hosted Elizaveta Grazhdaninova, an American Councils for International Education Russian Business Leader fellow. During her time with Stella, Elizaveta immersed herself in the world of California startups, utilized the opportunity to meet and work with Russian founders from other cities, and learned invaluable skills to amplify her startup.

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Our Con stella tion

COMMUNITY BUILDING 2024 YLAI FELLOWS

Costa Rica

Mariola Urgellés is a chemical engineer and a diploma in cosmetic science, with a strong commitment to sustainability.

She is the CEO and founder of Sunspectra, a Costa Rican company dedicated to the sustainable production of mass consumer products, following a circular economy model.

Mariola Urgellés CEO and founder of Sunspectra

Liliana Estigarribia

Paraguay

Founder, Amimemima

Liliana Estigarribia is the founder of Amimemima, a company dedicated to designing and producing attractive and highly functional textile products that enhance people’s everyday lives. Additionally, she serves as the co-founder and director of Girls Code, where she endeavors to inspire girls and women to explore the realm of technology and assume leadership roles in the future.

Liliana Estigarribia is the founder of Amimemima, a company dedicated to designing and producing attractive and highly functional textile products that enhance people’s everyday lives. Additionally, she serves as the co-founder and director of Girls Code, where she endeavors to inspire girls and women to explore the realm of technology and assume leadership roles in the future.

I am completely blown away by everything I just heard in today’s lab class. I am totally amazed, I loved every word, tone of voice, the respect, the confidence, the assurance, I am falling in love haha”

2024 Impact Report | 16

Our Con stella tion

RESIDENCE PROGRAMS Stella’s ConSTELLAtion hosts 2 annual residency programs to serve our founder and funder communities: an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program and an Angels in Residence (AIR) program.

The EIR program serves as a dynamic incubator for seasoned entrepreneurs to share their expertise, mentor emerging startups, and explore new ventures. By embedding themselves within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Stella’s EIRs foster a culture of creativity, resilience, and knowledge exchange, fueling the growth and success of the next generation of disruptors and innovators.

The Angel-in-Residence program is a valuable initiative designed to nurture and empower aspiring angel investors as they navigate the complexities of earlystage investing. The program provides a structured framework for participants to gain hands-on experience, refine their investment strategies, and build meaningful connections within the startup ecosystem through mentorship from seasoned angel investors, educational workshops, and access to deal flow.

3

ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE

160+ EIR HOURS COMPLETED

PREMIUM ACCESS TO SOCIAL PROMOTION

2

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

15

HOURS MENTORING LABS PARTICIPANTS

20

HOURS SUPPORTING EVENTS (WFP, DEMO DAY, WVS)

120 1:1 MENTORING HOURS RECEIVED SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT COLLABORATION

2024 Impact Report | 17

Our Con stella tion

RESIDENCE PROGRAMS

Elizabeth Arnold

Being an EIR for Stella has been a tremendously rewarding experience. The women in the cohorts are incredible business leaders and creative thinkers who are hungry for knowledge and growth. The EIR program has allowed me to share my knowledge while continuing to grow my business and be supported by the Stella Community. For anyone looking to give back to women in business, Stella is the perfect place for volunteering, investing, and growing your female entrepreneurs community.

FLIP App

I'm really fortunate and blessed to have spent the last few years learning about all the resources that are available to entrepreneurs.

And so I've participated in a couple of programs. Um, it's really wonderful to be able to participate in female centered programs. It's just a different vibe as Gen X, but just being around women who are supporting other women and often creating products that are for women or are for children.

Which is not typical. Aside from that, just, you know, a lot of programs focus on literacy, uh, getting your white papers up, but not actually executing on those premises of those white papers, moving the needle forward on whether it be your prototyping. Standing up marketing proposals, I found themselves is that you will actually help people move the needle, which was amazing”

Malvina De Salvo Plateful

Stella facilitated valuable connections with top professionals spanning the realms of technology, law, finance, graphic design, and beyond. If you're a female-led startup in its early stages, look no further than Stella; it's the program you've been looking for. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Stella team for their unwavering support!

Devon Deangelo Landng

2024 Impact Report | 18

Our Con stella tion

STELLA LABS Stella Labs is an accelerator program that serves to propel early-stage startups to success by providing them with a 16-week, tailored program aimed at rapid growth and development. Run by Stella’s industry experts and a team of seasoned mentor subject matter experts, Stella Labs offers a structured curriculum encompassing education, 1:1 and group mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. The culminating live pitch event, Demo Day, attracts over 100 attendees per cohort resulting in a prize package for the top pitch.

By compressing years of learning into a few months, the program empowers founders to overcome imposter syndrome and challenges, seize opportunities, and scale their ventures more efficiently, ultimately contributing to the vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.

1

COHORT

10

6

FOUNDERS

STATES

16

12

WEEKS

50+

CA

EDUCATION MODULES

HI NV

FL

MENTORS

$10K

GRANTS RECEIVED

MD

MI

2024 Impact Report | 19

Our Con stella tion

STELLA LABS C O H O R T

W I N S

Lauren Gregor

Dana Le

Olivia Rutman

Rent-A-Romper

Wander Health

Kids Care Finder

UPS Grant Finalist

Featured on Times Square Billboard in New York Forbes 30 Under 30

San Diego Angels’s Conference Finalist Closed first round of seed funding

Katie Shahan

Richelle Futch

Martika Jones

Actively negotiating pending aquisition

Piloted BUP bands as official networking bracelet at WVS

Yarlow

App downloads reached 40 states Closed $1M pre-seed round

Sponsor Match

BUP

2023 Impact Report | 18

Our Con stella tion

STELLA LABS L A B S

T E S T I M O N I A L S

2 0 2 4

LAEL BARRY, Founder of Ecolux Goods (2 Stella Labs completions in 2023 & 2024): I've had a lot of experience with Stella. I've actually been in their constellation for over six years - I really am was impressed with, and it always is impressive, um, how hands on the Stella mentors and crew really, really are.

They don't just like give you stuff to work on. They're actually in your business with you getting stuff done. And if you can't do it, they hand it off to a team member. I think the most incredible part about Stella is how hands on they are because I've worked with other people, other accelerators, and it's not like that they give you the information. No one's as hands on as Stella is.

MALVINA DE SALVO, Founder of Plateful (Lab Alumni 2024): I have been in many pre-accelerators and accelerators, and this is the first one where the people actually cared about me and my company. Not just passive education, but you are helping me move the needle. Thank You!

LILIANA ESTIGARRIBIA: I’ve encountered what I believe to be the next evolution of feminism. In Latin America, our activism often stems from a place of anger, yet through Stella Foundation, my experience in the United States revealed a different approach.I loved seeing that not only does the Stella team raise the bar, but they also continue pushing so the community doesn’t believe that there is a limit <3 I am forever grateful.

2023 Impact Report | 19

Stella Community

03

MENTORS

Stella’s mentors play a pivotal role in supporting our community on their journey towards success. Seasoned professionals and often successful entrepreneurs themselves, provide invaluable guidance, wisdom, and support to the emerging business leaders. Through regular meetings, workshops, and oneon-one sessions, our community receives strategic advice, business refinement, and strategic connections to assist in overcoming challenges. Beyond practical assistance, mentors also serve as sounding boards, offering encouragement and motivation during the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Alex Waters Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation

Courtney Burnett

Mike Sherbakov

Ad Astra Ventures

The Veteran Fund

Moaz Hamid

Sam Mazzeo

Seanna Asper

Kurling Robinson

Mvmt Ventures

Better APC

Cultivated Strategy

Fōkcus

Maria Stout Knobbe Martens

Joanne Forster Orange County Community Foundation

Katherine Zacharias Seed Spot + YLAI

2023 Impact Report | 20

Stella Community

MENTORS

Vidya Dinamani

Andrea Giralt

Anna Diaz

Lindsay Helm

Ad Astra Ventures + Product Rebels

LiBr8

Corient

Empower Employ

Jaci Sander

Kara Smith

Flossie Hall

Julius Alejandro

Stella Foundation

Stella Foundation

Stella Foundation

Village Up San Diego

Anastasia Mikhalochkina

Sophia Babbitt

Lael Barry

Angie Schultz

Lean Orb

How Women Lead

EcoLux Goods

Opposable Thumbs Marketing

Elizabeth Arnold

Silvia Mah

Amy Tilson-Lumetta

Karen Deschaine

Flip App

She Invests, Stella Foundation

Stella Foundation

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

2023 Impact Report | 21

Our Con stella tion

STELLA ANGELS The Stella Angels Program connects actively raising female-led companies with a curated network of Angel Investors actively deploying capital on a quarterly basis.

In 2021, Stella Angels invested in 14 female-led startups, syndicating over $1.3M via direct investments and indirectly via syndications and crowdfunding. Our minimum check size is $50K and goes up from there depending on investor interest. Since we are not a fund, all of our angels choose to participate on a deal-by-deal basis.

Every quarter,10-12 female-led start-ups are selected to pitch in front of a group of 30 to 50 Angel Investors. Founders will pitch for 5-minutes and follow-up with a moderated Q&A session.

Founders will engage with the Stella executive team prior to the live event to make them investor ready. This includes pitch practice sessions, access to free pitching courses offered through the Stella Community, and direct 1:1 feedback from experienced investors and industry experts.

Applications are open to all early-stage female-led companies (pre-seed & seed). We highly encourage applicants to explore the Stella Community resources before applying to get the full experience of what Stella has to offer.

Stella’s Executive team personally reviews each application to choose appropriate candidates for an interview. Upon completion of the interview, candidates are selected and notified.

Stella Angels commitment is a 6-month commitment annually from January – December (Initial cohort for 2024 will run from June 1st -December 1st, 2024).

50+

ANGEL INVESTORS

$5K

MINIMUM CHECK SIZE

$2.5M SYNDICATED SINCE 2021

Quaterly ANGEL SHOWCASES

2024 Impact Report | 22

Our Con stella tion

STELLA ANGELS ANGELS SHOWCASE FOUNDERS: JANUARY

MAY ALBA

RONI CANTORBALAN

LIN CHEN

USRSULA DE LA SOTTA RUBIO

ANNA VON WENDORFF

ANDREA STEPHANY

ORLEATHA SMITH

ANGELS SHOWCASE FOUNDERS: APRIL

JOANNA SHU

KIMBERLY EVANS

OLIVIA RUTMAN

ELENA BRIN

SYDNEY ROBINSON

CHERESE PALONI

KATIE SHAHAN

CHRISTY LAMKA

DANA LE

2024 Impact Report | 23

Our Con stella tion

STELLA ANGELS ANGELS SHOWCASE FOUNDERS: DECEMBER

SANDRA SALDANA

SHIRA YEVIN

LOREN MOUNTO’BRIEN

MANALI YAVATKAR

SCOPI MEDICAL

ALICE THOMPSON

DIANA STEIN

SANDRA VELAZQUEZ

RIZALA CARRINGTON

AVERY PIANTEDOSI

SARAH MACK

DECEMBER ANGEL BRESKFAST

2024 Impact Report | 24

Our Con stella tion

STELLA ANGELS SHOWCASE SUCCESSES

LIN CHEN, Founder of Pink Moon (Angels Showcase Spring): Tory Burch Foundation Alum “Stella Pitch Prep was some of the best advice I received. Stella is a femalefocused organization that actually helps and is super genuine.”

2024 Impact Report | 25

Our Con stella tion

STELLA ANGELS SHOWCASE SUCCESSES

2024 Impact Report | 26

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS In 2024, the Stella Foundation strengthened its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and investors through a series of impactful events designed to expand access to capital and foster meaningful connections.

Our Women’s Fast Pitch competition selected 26 underrepresented founders from across the nation to compete for a $50K prize package including investment, grants and services. Providing not only critical funding but also the chance to connect with influential investors and showcase their innovative ideas.

The Women’s Venture Summit, our signature annual event, brought together founders, funders, and leaders for unparalleled education and networking. Over the past eleven years, this summit has welcomed nearly 7,000 attendees, demonstrating the enduring power of women-led innovation and collaboration.

Additionally, our Oxytocin Tour infused cities across the country with women-led and women-focused events in partnership with incredible organizations, offering intimate panels, workshops, and large-scale gatherings that amplified the voices of wo men entrepreneurs and strengthened their networks of support.

Through these initiatives, the Stella Foundation continued to drive its mission to increase female founders' access to capital and grow the number of female investors funding women-led ventures.

These events were not just moments—they were movements building an ecosystem where women thrive.

2024 Impact Report | 27

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS

TOUR STOPS

Our journey across America continues as we reconnect with friends old and new. We’re thrilled to engage with founders and investors who share our passion for inspiring, equipping, and propelling diverse female founders to successfully launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. Over the years, we have cultivated a thriving network of investors dedicated to increasing equality for women-led startups.

Our enduring vision remains steadfast: equal representation of female founders and funders across the venture table.

ROCHESTER, NY LOS ANGELES, CA NEW YORK CITY, NY MINNISOTA (PENDING) PHILADELPHIA, PA CONNETICUT (PENDING)

ox·y·to·cin /äksəˈtōs(ə)n/ noun A powerful hormone that creates bonding among gritty women, deepens relationships, and boosts inclusivity.

2024 Impact Report | 28

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS Women’s Fast Pitch is a series of five regional access-to-capital events taking place across America. Finalists advance to compete at the Women’s Venture Summit for a $50K prize package including investment, grants and services. Women’s Fast Pitch receives hundreds of applicants to fill 26 spots (5 per region plus an audience-choice wild card). Twenty investor judges ask questions and provide commentary during the livestreamed Women’s Fast Pitch virtual series each summer.

697

181

26

6

23

5

10

23

NE

SE

REGISTRANTS

REVIEWERS

APPLICATIONS

PRESENTERS

SEMI-FINALISTS

TECH CHECKS

FINALISTS

JUDGES

MW WINNER

ATTENDANCE NE: 73 SE: 100 (81 in 2023) MW: 107 NW: 94 SW: 173 (88 in 2023)

HEATHER LAWER CEEMO

NW

KIMBERLY EVANS JUST HER RIDESHARE

SW

JANICE WILLIAMS OLIVER

MISTEE

LAUREN FANG MEDASSENT DDS

HALEY MARIE KEITH MITO

wild card

JOANNA SHU FREEZENIT

2024 Impact Report | 29

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS Our 11th Annual Women's Venture Summit was an unmatched event that builds bridges between female founders and investors. The goals of the conference were to boost female founders' access to capital and to grow the number of investors who invest in female-led startups.

Individuals from across the globe met in a vibrant and intimate conference setting to explore opportunities for increased funding and collaboration.

Women’s Venture Summit is our capstone event that has helped Stella facilitate $250+ million in fundraising dollars for women-led companies!

We’ve created an immersive three-day experience that will inspire, empower and equip you to become a changemaker who makes giant leaps for womankind.

2024 Impact Report | 30

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS 236

26

5

23

APPLICATIONS

SEMI-FINALISTS

PRESENTERS

JUDGES

6

10

697

23

FINALISTS

TECH CHECKS

REGISTRANTS

REVIEWERS

100% of respondents would recommend this event to a friend

100% of respondents would attend again

The Stella Summit far exceeded my expectations. I wish it was a 5-day boot camp, to be honest! So much information to digest in a short period of time, however, it worked into my schedule perfectly!

Angela Douglas

This event was one of the highlights of my 2023. It was an AWESOME event where I really got to connect (as in, truly connect) with female founders and investors. I'm very grateful for all of you putting this together and can't wait for this year's event!

Andrea Stephany

2024 Impact Report | 31

Our Con stella tion

STELLA EVENTS

Scan to view our 2024 Women's Venture Summit Impact Report

2024 Impact Report | 32

Our Con stella tion

SPONSORS

In 2024, the Stella Foundation remained steadfast in our mission to support women entrepreneurs and investors at a time when they are fighting harder than ever—not just to survive, but to thrive. As we look to 2025, our commitment to driving meaningful change has never been stronger, but we cannot do this vital work alone. Our sponsors play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Stella and, in turn, the lives of countless women striving to build and grow their businesses.

Beyond financial support, our sponsors provide invaluable mentorship, guidance, and access to powerful networks—resources that are often critical for female entrepreneurs navigating traditionally male-dominated industries. Their investment in Stella extends far beyond our programs and events; it contributes to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem where women can lead, innovate, and succeed.

As we step into the new year, we remain committed to collaboration and community.

Together with our sponsors and partners, we will continue to break barriers, amplify women’s voices, and build a future where all women have the opportunity to thrive.

This work is not just ours—it belongs to all of us who believe in a world where equity and empowerment are the standard, not the exception.

OUR SPONSORS

2024 Impact Report | 33

Advocacy and

PARTNERSHIPS Stella Foundation is proud to collaborate with more than 150+ funds, 50+ community partners, and 30+ corporate sponsors who share our mission of increasing the number of women who launch, scale, and grow successful businesses. These partnerships are the backbone of our efforts, amplifying our message and helping us drive real change in the entrepreneurial landscape.

We count on our partners not only for their fiscal support but also for their commitment to creating equal opportunities for women in business. By aligning with Stella, our partners contribute to a stronger, more inclusive ecosystem where women founders can access the resources, networks, and capital they need to thrive. Together, we are breaking down barriers and building a future where equity and empowerment are not just goals—they are realities.

OUR PARTNERS

2024 Impact Report | 34

Advocacy and

PARTNERSHIPS

Scan to view the

2025 Stella Prospectus

OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS COUNT ON STELLA TO:

Help them carry forth their own initiatives for women and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Provide a conSTELLAtion of support to founders and investors in the startup ecosystem.

Do meaningful, challenging work year-round; the kind of work it takes to effect positive change for women across the globe.

2024 Impact Report | 35

Media

HIGHLIGHTS PR Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Public Relations

Impressions: 25k

Impressions: 93k

Impressions: 172k

Impressions: 1.8M Post Reach: 835K

KPBS Midday Edition Podcast How pushback against DEI impacts businesses owned by women of color (also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

RE

ACH

150K

Forbes Magazine

She Owns It Meet Janice Williams Oliver, Founder of MisTee PRO

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Two organizations dedicated to empowering marginalized entrepreneurs, Fearless Fund and Hello Alice, were sued by activists over their grant programs.

ACH

100K

RE

ACH

200K

Televised segment Sept. 26, 2024

Website feature Sept. 27, 2024 Featured Stella's Founder and Chairwomen of the board, Silvia Mah, and Women’s Fast Pitch Finalists, Janice Williams Oliver, Founder and CEO MisTee Wants To Know, and Haley Marie Keith, Founder and CEO MITO Material Solutions.

BROADCAST REACH

1M+

San Diego adults 18+ each week

2024 Impact Report | 36

Our Con stella tion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Flossie Hall

Jaci Sander

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Silvia Mah Founder & President

Debbie Chen Board Director

Andrea Giralt

Jaci Sander

Anna Diaz

Naseem Sayani

Kelly Ann Winget

Marcia Dawood

Secretary

Board Director

Treasurer

Board Director

Board Director

Board Director

2024 Impact Report | 37

Our Con stella tion

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS Stella CEO, Flossie Hall, was named a finalist for San Diego Business Journal’s CEO of the Year Award.

At Stella Foundation, our lean but mighty core team is the driving force behind our mission to support women entrepreneurs and investors. While we are supported by a vast network of dedicated volunteers, it’s our core team that steers our day-to-day operations, drives innovation, and builds meaningful partnerships.

In 2023, we made strategic hires to ensure we have the right talent in place as we pivoted into the national spotlight. These key additions strengthened our ability to seize new opportunities, foster a dynamic and inclusive remote culture, and advance our long-term goals.

As we look to 2025, we are excited to expand our team to further amplify our impact, grow our initiatives, and continue building a future where women-led businesses thrive.

Kara Smith

Jaci Sander

Rylie Jennings

Angie Schultz

Chief Operating Officer

Fractional CFO

Events Director

Technology Director

Amy Tilson-Lumetta

Liberty Klingbiel

Allie Hall

Sadie Crabb

Creative Director

Marketing Manager

Marketing Associate

Hiring Our Heroes Fellow

2024 Impact Report | 38

Our Con stella tion

TEAM BUILDING + EDUCATION

At Stella Foundation, we recognize that building a strong, connected team is essential to supporting the women we serve. To foster unity and shared purpose, we intentionally bring our nationwide remote team together several times a year for events, conferences, and team retreats.

These gatherings are designed to cultivate a sense of belonging, collective energy, and renewed focus. By stepping away from daily tasks and immersing in a collaborative setting, our team members have the opportunity to engage in meaningful interactions, build trust, and strengthen their bonds.

These moments of connection empower our team to return to their work with fresh perspectives, deeper relationships, and an even stronger commitment to our mission of advancing women entrepreneurs and investors.

2024 Impact Report | 39

Our 2025 Goals:

Expanding Our Reach and Amplifying Our Impact As we enter 2025, the Stella Foundation is focused on bold expansion and deepening our impact to support women entrepreneurs and investors like never before. Our commitment to equity, access, and advocacy drives our goals as we continue to grow and foster lasting change.

KEY INITIATIVES FOR 2025: Launch a New Chapter Model: Establish local chapters in key cities to strengthen our national footprint and provide targeted, regional support to women founders where Stella is needed most.

Expand the Oxytocin Tour: Bring our unique, womenfocused events to additional cities across the country, creating more spaces for connection, collaboration, and inspiration.

Enhance Educational Offerings: Expand our curriculum to include investor-specific content that empowers women to become investors and leaders in venture capital.

Launch Stella Labs Alumni Program: Foster an engaged community of graduates from our accelerator with ongoing mentorship, networking, and exclusive resources.

Elevate Media Exposure: Secure mass media opportunities to showcase the businesses, products, and services of our members, helping them gain visibility and recognition.

Blaze New Trails for Funding: Continue creating innovative pathways for female founders to access capital and increase funding opportunities.

Advocate for Legislative Change: Continue our advocacy work to influence policy changes that support women entrepreneurs and close the funding gap.

Expand Founder Perks: Increase access to discounted resources, tools, and services to support our founders in growing and scaling their businesses.

Host Signature Events: Celebrate our 12th annual Women’s Venture Summit and continue the success of our Women’s Fast Pitch competition, spotlighting groundbreaking founders.

Foster In-Person Connections: Host in-person events that create meaningful opportunities for founders and investors to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Grow Stella Labs Accelerator: Host additional Stella Labs cohorts, culminating in Demo Day presentations that showcase our founders’ growth and potential.

Scale Stella Angels: Host five additional Stella Angel events and prepare for the official membership launch of Stella Angels in 2025.

Expand National Presence: Strengthen Stella’s presence across the U.S. and beyond by growing our partnerships, programs, and community engagement.

We are proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the last decade and remain deeply grateful to those who support the fight for equality for women across the venture table. As we continue to expand our offerings globally, we will rely on our incredible ecosystem of founders, investors, team members, and partners to help us drive progress.

Our eleventh year is shaping up to be our best yet, and we are excited to show you what’s in store for 2025. As women and allies standing shoulder to shoulder, we are truly stronger together.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Stella is a true conSTELLAtion. We could not do the work that we do without the support of our corporate and community partners, our fearless team, our board of advisors, and our founders. We want to give a special thank you to the following: Our Stella Team, who put in the work, day in and day out, supporting founders and funders side by side. Our team is the lifeblood of the work Stella does. For women, by women.

Our Community Partners, who support Stella in all that we do, and together, we work to bridge the gaps needed for female founders globally.

Our conSTELLAtion of members, founders, and investors. Thank you for trusting Stella as your guidepost. We promise to continue to serve you with educational content, programs, events, services, and a team dedicated to your success. We will not let you down. We will continue to fight for you, with and alongside you, shoulder to shoulder.

Stella Foundation www.stella.co info@stella.co 501(c)(3)- #87-2450912

Our Donors & Sponsors, without whom none of our work here at Stella would be possible. As a 501(c)3, we lean on incredible donations to support the work, provide the services and keep us running.

We thank YOU truly.

we thank you for your continued support in our programs

2024 IMPACT REPORT Published Jan 2023