Last night, the #StartupCincy community gathered at Woodward Theater to celebrate outgoing Cintrifuse CEO Wendy Lea.
A bit of context: In March, Lea announced she was departing Cintrifuse to "pursue a portfolio of work."
Meanwhile Cintrifuse, the public/private entity that works to connect startups across the region, announced it would begin a nationwide search for her replacement in the months ahead. Lea had served at Cintrifuse for four years.
But Cintrifuse wasn't going to let Lea move on to her next adventure without a bit of fanfare, Vice President of Communication, Community and Economic Inclusion Eric Weissmann told Cincy Inno in an email.
"From the second Wendy made her departure from Cintrifuse official, we knew we were going to have to throw a big StartupCincy celebration in her name," he said. "Wendy has worked tirelessly with every group, organization and company in this city to build something special — from the entrepreneurs on the frontlines to board members of Cincinnati's biggest companies, everyone was going to want to celebrate Wendy."
He was right. Last night, around 200 guests from "every corner" of the Cincy ecosystem came to pay tribute to Lea.
"Wendy's always been one to keep looking forward, but for one night we set aside the future to thank her for the impact she's had on the Greater Cincinnati region," he said.<
Those planning the event made sure to adhere to Lea's requests: "Tim Schigel's band [The Suits That Rock], margaritas and no sappy slideshows!"
Ultimately, the evening was about joy.
"As I said on stage, 'this is not a wake, it's a celebration,'" Weissmann added.
And it wasn't without surprises. Not only was Aug. 9 dubbed "Wendy Lea Day," but Main Street Ventures debuted a special grant in her honor.
Called the Wendy S. Lea Female Founder Grant, it will offer this Leap Funding Grant of $25,000 "to a startup or small business in the Greater Cincinnati Region that has female founder(s) and ownership of 51 percent+."
The Robert A. and Diane J. McDonald Family Foundation (provided to Main Street Ventures) will match the funds.
"What a great gesture by the McDonald family and Main Street Ventures," Weissmann said. "I was floored when they told me their plans. Wendy has always been a strong advocate for female and minority entrepreneurs, who face an uphill battle on fundraising right out of the gate."
He added that the move wasn't just a nice gesture.
"The surprise grant from MSV and the McDonalds is just as important to the city as it is to Wendy personally," he said. "$25,000 a year for a female founder is significant and a real boon for StartupCincy. Perhaps the next great female entrepreneurs says 'yes' to Cincinnati because of this grant, and it can still be an impact of Wendy's, decades down the line."
As for who will take the reigns from Lea after her official departure this fall, Weissmann added that there were plans for her to oversee the transition in the months ahead, with Cintrifuse hoping to share more information "soon."
In the meantime, #Giddyup!
