In an age of accelerators, incubators and startup initiatives, it makes sense that an organization seeks to create a network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
There are organizations that link Asian American entrepreneurs, blopspots about Hispanic entrepreneurs, news sites about African American entrepreneurs and businesspeople, and business assistance resource organizations for senior entrepreneurs.
In 2010, an online platform designed to connect young, female entrepreneurs came online, operating from a site aptly named YoungFemaleEntrepreneurs.com.
Founder Jennifer Donogh is the president of OvalEye.tv, a producer of live, streaming media aimed at brand building. She uses her media outlet to produce live shows for Young Female Entrepreneurs network.
The YFE network is a loose collection of about 3,000 young women in the entrepreneurial game in some capacity. “It’s a very grass roots organization where we don’t really have members,” Donogh said. Many wish to meet others like themselves and add to their contacts. Once communication has been established, members take it upon themselves to organize meetups. There are city coordinators based in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Boston and Phoenix.
“One incredible networking opportunity I had recently was a dinner at the home of YFE friend and fellow entrepreneur, Selena Soo,” New York coordinator Marissa Vicario, of Marissa’s Well-Being and Health, told FORBES by email. “She’s a connector who invited a handful of amazing entrepreneurial women – all ‘firsts’ in their family to accomplish something inspiring – to her home as a fundraising opportunity to learn about She’s the First, a not-for-profit that sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping them be the first in their families to graduate.”
YFE’s network includes Erica Zidel, founder of the babysitter search site SittingAround.com, who was featured as one of the Obama Administration’s ‘Champions of Change.’
As the network grows, Donogh plans to give more ‘members’ of YFE the opportunity to connect via the organization’s live stream. She also plans to reach out to more young female entrepreneurs to organize more meetups in various cities throughout the country.
Posted By: Quynhnhu Doan
Monday, May 6th 2013 at 6:38PM
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