SHE HUSTLES x Startup Runway

SHE HUSTLES is both an event and a community that offers Savannah's women entrepreneurs and leaders a chance to network, learn, and inspire.

Several times per year, the Creative Coast hosts gatherings that bring the SHE HUSTLES community together for a motivational evening that highlights area women moving and shaking in the community. Each event varies but typically features...

• A happy hour
• Amazing food
• A panel discussion of women who are experts in their fields
• A keynote speaker with an inspiring story

In addition to the event, the Creative Coast also offers a Facebook page to keep the community connected between events. Will you join us?

Women entrepreneurs and leaders in the community and anyone who wants to be inspired and learn from women leading in their companies, organizations, and in the local community.

The evening session always includes a reception with delicious hors d'oeuvres and a wine bar preceding the evening talks and panel discussion. The June 2023 SHE HUSTLES will uniquely feature a business pitch competition. SHE HUSTLES includes..

- A startup pitch competition for existing businesses run by women and founders of color. 

- A motivational panel of influential Savannah entrepreneurs & leaders. Panelists will be announced soon here and on social media (@creativecoast).

- A fun, authentic, and positive environment!

We have a looooong list of people who have requested to be panelists. You can always reach out to [email protected] with info on your background/experience and if we think you're a good fit, we'll reach out. 

That being said, there is a selection process based on our knowledge of the chosen panelist, including whether or not they run a business (usually with more than one employee), are in a leadership position over a team or a community, or run multiple businesses.

We also aim to pull in panelists from different sectors so no two industries should be the same. For example, there is typically a non-profit panelist, a tech/science panelist, a creative panelist, and/or a brick and mortar-owner panelist. 

Those interested in pitching their launched business, should apply via the Startup Runway website at https://startuprunway.org/apply-for-startup-runway-today/.

Criteria is as follows...

• The Startup Runway Foundation (501c3) plugs investors into top startups led by underrepresented founders. The Startup Runway pitch showcase is for existing businesses led by women founders and founders of color. 
• If your company is still ‘an idea’ please do not submit. Companies with an MVP and a few customers are the most competitive.
• Startup Runway does not take submissions from startups who have previously been chosen by a top-ranked national accelerator such as 500 Startups, Gener8tor, YCombinator or Techstars. The program is looking for founders just starting out on their access to capital journey.
• Startup Runway’s investor introduction platform works for business models that are scalable and looking for funding to grow. If your business is a nonprofit, a retail store, or a service provider, you probably don’t qualify because these business models are not traditionally funded with venture capital.
• Business models that do qualify for Startup Runway's investor introduction platform include all software, all apps, games, medical devices and healthcare innovations, all software-enabled services, and all new technology, any sector.
• Criteria for selection include that your startup has raised less than $200K in investments.