WAFFAWe’re excited to learn that 8 of our members completed the application to participate in the USA Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (USAWEC) – a unique 5-month business leadership and management program run by the Center for Global Enterprise (CGE). Their mission is to empower women entrepreneurs. USAWEC is looking for business mentors for the program – a commitment of 3-5 hours/month – if interested please contact Sugathri Kolluru at skolluru@thecge.net.
Congratulations to Ashley Bittner WG’13, a Founding Partner at Firework Ventures that led this $10 million Series A funding for Learn In. It’s a a pioneering platform that helps companies establish their own Talent Academies. Learn In will use the new capital to expand their technology platform, go-to-market team and customer success capabilities.
Shout out to Anne Marie Aponte WG’12, Co-Founder at DUOS. This senior-assistance startup just closed $15 million in a Series A financing round led by Imaginery Ventures. DUOS pairs older adults with a manager, called a DUO, who helps them manage their daily lives. The start-up has partnered with health plans to offer its services, and also has a DTC offering. DUOS plans to invest in its technology platform and hire new workers, including in engineering, product management, operations and marketing.
“Chicken Wings Made Me Unstoppable” — Don’t miss this recent TedX video from Shereen Kassam WG’12. Shereen shares how to become unstoppable by embracing the lesson of the chicken wing – the ability to re-sauce yourself! Shereen is an internationally touring stand-up comedian who has performed across the world from New York City to Saigon. She’s also been named “Florida’s Funniest Female.”
Congratulations to Corbin Petro, WG’09. CEO and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health who just closed a $50M Series C financing led by General Catalyst. Eleanor Health is the first addiction and mental health provider delivering comprehensive, whole-person care through population- and value-based payment models.
Jara Euston WG’09, Co-Founder and CEO of WorkWhile reports on workforce issues and priorities in the post-pandemic world. WorkWhile surveyed 600 front line workers and found that pay, career advancement and opportunity to learn new skills are the most important factors in taking a job. Read more at Medium here.
Shout out to Claire Miller, Penn Executive Program/Social Impact Strategy ’19, Founder and CEO of Restorative Practices in Action on her upcoming TedX Talk! Claire is an education nonprofit founder, and she’ll be one of the inspiring speakers at TEDxYouth@Berwyn 2022 Conference. The title of her talk is “change your school by walking down the street”. April 30 – register here to attend virtually.
So proud of Marina Tarasova, WG’10, COO and co-founder of Paloma Health whose Thyroid Hormone Health app was covered in a recent WIRED articleabout how mobile apps are helping people who suffer from chronic illness. We’re proud to say that WAFFA helped introduce Marina Tarasova to Red & Blue Ventures. Red & Blue Ventures is a privately owned and operated, seed and early-stage venture capital fund that invests in companies from the Penn ecosystem.
Congratulations to Dana Kim WG’20, Co-Founder and CEO at Highlight. Along with co-Founder and CPTO Ethan Kellough, they’ve just announced that they’ve raised $8.2mm in funding led by First Round Capital. Highlight offers next-gen in-home product testing via mailer boxes. Highlight is leveraging tech to offer agile, targeted, robust product insights.
Great interview in Beauty Matter with Amy Errett WG’88 who is the Founder and CEO of hair color pioneer Madison Reed – “Eight years ago, I became obsessed with revolutionizing the way women color their hair. I felt deeply that women deserved more options than spending hours and hundreds of dollars in the salon or a low-quality, cheap box from a drugstore.” According to Forbes, Madison Reed racked up sales of $100mm in 2020, more than double the year before. “We believe our omnichannel offering, quality of our products, exceptional focus on quality and customer care sets us apart.”