OtherThanThat

If you’re an inexperienced entrepreneur you face some pretty serious obstacles – especially in an economy like today.
If you’re a woman, that challenge just increased exponentially.
I hate to say it, but it’s true. While there is no question that the roles and opportunities for women in business are a hell of a lot better than they were even just five to ten years ago, the sad fact is that women are still woefully underrepresented in all too many fields.
But don’t worry, this isn’t yet another feminist rant about the plight of women in the professional realm. (Though I do have one of those percolating right now.) This is about some women who stepped up several months ago to do something about it, and now are stepping up again.
And, for the record, I’m one of them.
It’s Pink Garage Mentors – and we’re a group of seasoned founders, VCs and C level execs who help female entrepreneurs planning or in the process of applying to tech incubators. About a half dozen months ago the always-in-motion Susan Mernit sent out a missive to some women she knew, asking if we would be interested/able/willing to take part in something designed to help foster women in business.
The response was a collective and emphatic virtual nod from all.
We worked with a few entrepreneurs, and the response was great – including outreach from several seasoned women who have joined the mentoring ranks.
In terms of what we “do”, that’s pretty simple too. Our posse reads and helps refine applications pre submission, and provides virtual coaching to serious applicants.
Presently we’re focused on TechStars (deadline – March 21, 2009) and YCombinator (deadline – March 18, 2009) applicants.
If you would like a mentor for your TechStars and/or yCombinator application, email pinkgaragementors@gmail.com with a copy of your application and you’ll be matched with a mentor.
And who knows, maybe that’ll be me. 🙂