Activation Capital is pleased to announce UpRiver 2020, a founder-led summit to be held this year virtually with panelists in person, and a socially-distant, happy hour at Studio Two Three in Scott’s Addition on Thursday, October 8.
“After several months of uncertainty, we are glad to be able to look to October and our UpRiver Summit. While this year’s event will be much different than in the past, we are excited to provide relevant content for founders to help them navigate these turbulent times and provide some in-person networking in a safe way,” said Chandra Briggman, President and CEO of Activation Capital.
The morning will kick off with individual conversations with mentors, that will then lead into lightning pitches on business ideas. The full-audience participation will launch mid-afternoon with panels on leading your company during unprecedented times, access to capital when funding is tight, learning how to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur from reality tv show participants who survived in challenging circumstances.
10:00 a.m. to noon
- Mentor One-on-Ones
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
- Lunch
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
- Investor Lightning Pitches with CVA Angels
2:00 to 2:40 P.M.: The Tide Has Changed – Now What?
- Pivoting, pausing and excelling
- Moderator: Sarah Milston – The Spark Mill
- Sofiat Abdulrazaaq - Goodfynd
- Claire Herring - Blue Ocean Brain
- Paige Wilson - Naborforce
2:45 to 3:25 P.M.: How To Stay Afloat
- It’s going to take a little longer to get venture funding, so throw a line out to other sources
- Moderator: Leah Fremouw – Virginia Community Capital
- Liz Doerr - Sandbox
- Jim Cheng – Angel Investor
- TBA
3:30 t0 4:10 p.m.: Paddling Alone
- Learning How to Survive AND THRIVE as an Entrepreneur with Adaptable Skills from a Reality TV Star
- Moderator: TBA
- Suzanne Zeta - Naked and Afraid
- TBA
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.: Up A Creek with A Paddle
- Share your triumphs and challenges with other entrepreneurs (one paddle length apart) during a socially-distant happy hour
More information can be found at www.upriverrva.com.
About Activation Capital: Activation Capital engages and connects the many influential players in our innovation ecosystem, and strives to give startup founders access to the tools and resources they need to navigate the entrepreneurial process. These resources include the VA Bio+Tech Park campus focused on life sciences and advanced technology companies; the Riverflow Growth Fund, a seed fund; and the Ecosystem Direct Investment Fund (EDIF) which provides grants to ecosystem support organizations. The Activation Council supports and coordinates these efforts among the many available resources to foster innovation in companies of all kinds. Activation Council brings clarity and perspective in the short term and vision for the long term that generates more collision points that lead to successful business outcomes. Activation Capital provides the resources and connections for any person with an idea can take an idea from start to phenomenal.