Timeline Overview

Springboard's signature program is its Forum Program.
Springboard's successful accelerator programs - 24 hosted throughout the United States, Australia and Israel since 2000 - are community-driven accelerator programs designed to recruit, screen, and coach high-growth women-led ventures seeking equity capital for development or expansion.

Selected companies are surrounded with a hand-picked team of expert investors, advisors and entrepreneurs for a two-month coaching period, a formula that over the past ten years has effectively fast-tracked women-led businesses into the investment pipeline.  More importantly, it has reinforced the concept that message development and connections are instrumental in the overall success of an entrepreneur in securing capital and strategic partnerships.  Participating companies are inducted as members of our exclusive alumnae community, an expert network of over 500 exceptional women entrepreneurs.

Program Overview

Our intention with the venture forum program is to utilize our deep rolodex and experience base to support a diverse range of companies at every phase of maturity that could benefit from support in the financing or strategic partnership process, and  from connections to investors, attorneys, industry experts, business development professionals and seasoned entrepreneurs who can help them grow their ventures and open doors as their mentors.

Phase 1: Recruitment and Qualification

With the help of our vast network of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts and service providers, we recruit internationally for the most promising investment-ready companies led by women. An invitation-only screening committee conducts a rigorous three-round review including: an online application review, business plan review, and in-person interviews to qualify a selected group of companies to participate in the program.

Phase 2: Coaching

Selected companies will attend an intensive educational workshop - the Bootcamp - that will convene our expert network of individuals who have "been there, run that" to coach time-testing techniques and strategies for mastering the investor pitch. Following the Bootcamp, companies are assigned a team of hand-picked experts that act as a Personal Advisory Board by helping to refine the investor pitch and opening doors to new opportunities and connections. The coaching process includes: web conference calls, ongoing feedback from the team via in-person meetings, email and phone.

Phase 3: Presentations

The coaching process concludes with a "Final Assessment" presentation.  Each company will deliver their refined presentation to an invitation-only audience of relevant investors and strategic partners who offer a final round of feedback and coaching. Springboard then actively promotes and facilitates connections between the companies, Springboard alumnae entrepreneurs, active investors, strategic partners, service providers, our international network of trusted business advisors and the press. We employ a variety of methods, including: (1) large audience pitch events hosted by Springboard affiliates; (2) ½ day pitch sessions for subsector-focused cohorts; and (3) one-on-one meetings

Phase 4: Ongoing Support

We are dedicated to providing maximum value to our entrepreneurs, and will continue to make connections and other presentation opportunities available. Those companies that participate in our coaching accelerator program become a part of our extensive network of successful alumnae: The Springboard Trust.

Want to Get Involved?

Our forum programs vary their sector and geographical focus year-by-year.  Follow the link below to get updates on our next program.

OR explore our past venture forums