About Us
We put female founders at the center of the conversation, gathering the top business and tech influencers in the DMV to help women fund and scale their startups.
Founded in 2024, the Agora Initiative brings founders, funders, and industry influencers together to help advance female founders in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We believe that we can move the needle for local female founders by rallying around them.
We know that investing in women is smart business.
Only 2% of venture capital goes to female founders, and studies have shown that founders generate 35% higher ROI for investors and outperform their male counterparts by 63% over a six year period.
Sponsors
Organizers
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Bailey Romans
Founding Director
The Agora Initiative
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Carly Connell
Principal
Bull City Venture Partners -
Amelia DeSorrento
Nuclear & Supply Chain Consultant
Desoco -
Ann Marie Guzzi
Fractional Startup Operations
Dalmatian Ops -
Lara Adekunle
Organizing Committee
The Agora Initiative
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Mackenzie Loy
Founder & CEO
Homemade in DC -
Brooke Neal
Co-Founder
ArenaDocs -
Kelly O'Malley
Co-Founder
This Should Be a Movie -
Gillian Raikes
Social Impact Strategy
Anonymous Philanthropy -
Rachel Rong
Director of Community
Springboard Enterprises -
Rob Runett
Partner
Motley Fool Ventures -
Lisa Throckmorton
EVP, Public Relations
REQ -
Sofia Vegarra
Portfolio Manager
TEDCO -
Callie Jacobs
Senior Startup Portfolio Manager
AARP
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Olivia Liebert
Summer Intern
The Agora Initiative
Community Partners
