Startup Demo Night Series #22 (Fashion & Style)

Note: Tickets also available @ https://demonight22.eventbrite.com . Demo Night #22 focuses on fashion industry.

---------------------------

This is NYEBN's "Shark Tank" event series. Each month, we focus on a different industry that has converged with technology ("software eating the world (http://andrewwong.me/2014/01/27/software-is-eating-the-world-here-is-why/)"). With this series, we will break down different technology sectors in bits and pieces and dive into the digital future of what each of traditional industries could possibly become. The March 25th event focuses on Fashion & Style.

9 startups will present to a panel of 5 investors and industry experts and hundreds of industry enthusiasts in the audience. Our host is Chadbourne & Parke (http://www.chadbourne.com/) at 30 Rock. Food, drinks, founders, and the awesomeness of our startup ecosystem! What's not to love?

For future demo opportunities, apply at http://nyebn.com/demo .

Agenda

• 5:00 - 5:30 PM, Registration

• 5:30 - 5:45 PM, Sponsor + Panel Intro

• 5:45 - 7:00 PM, first 5 demo startups (each w/ 15 mins, including feedback)

• 7:00 - 7:10 PM, break

• 7:10 - 8:10 PM, last 4 demo startups (each w/ 15 mins, including feedback)

• 8:10 - 8:15 PM, panel feedback and advice

• 8:15 - 9:00 PM, networking

Startups

1. Kendall Herbst - Founder & CEO at StyleUp (http://www.thestyleup.com/) (@TheStyleUp (https://twitter.com/TheStyleUp))

2. Mona Safabakhsh - Co-Founder & CEO at What Goes With This? (http://whatgoeswiththis.co/) (@wgwthis (https://twitter.com/wgwthis))

3. Sarah Miyazawa LaFleur - Founder & CEO at M.M. LAFLEUR (http://www.mmlafleur.com/) (@mmlafleur (https://twitter.com/mmlafleur))

4. Vicky Wu - Co-Founder & CEO at ZAOZAO (http://www.shopzaozao.com/) (@shopzaozao (https://twitter.com/shopzaozao))

5. Cynthia Schames - Co-Founder & CEO at Abbey Post (http://abbeypost.com/) (@abbey_post (https://twitter.com/abbey_post))

6. Monif Clarke - Founder & CEO at Monif C. Plus Sizes (http://monifc.com/) (@monifcplussizes (https://twitter.com/monifcplussizes))

7. Stephanie Halphen - Co-Founder & CMO at Agorique (https://agorique.com/en) (@Agorique (https://twitter.com/Agorique))

8. Avantika Daing - Founder & CEO at Squarekey (https://www.squarekey.com/) (@SquareKeyIN (https://twitter.com/SquareKeyIN))

9. Corey Stanford - Co-Founder & CEO at Fashion Advance (http://fashionadvance.com/blog/) (@FashAdv (https://twitter.com/FashAdv))

Panel

• Brian Smiga - Partner at Alpha Venture Partners (http://alphavp.com/)

• Lori Hoberman - Partner at Chadbourne & Parke (http://www.chadbourne.com/) (Moderator)

• Joshua Siegel - General Partner at Georgetown Angels (http://georgetown-angels.com/)

• Yolanda Wardowski - Managing Director at Avalon Group Ltd. (http://www.avalongroupltd.com/)

• Keegan Forte - General Manager at Bowery Capital (http://bowerycap.com/)

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/c/600_333240412.jpeg

Brian Smiga. As a Venture Partner of Alpha Venture Partners, Brian evaluates investment opportunities. In addition, he provides product, marketing, strategic partnership, and operating expertise to AVP and its portfolio.

Prior to Alpha Venture Partners, Brian was the CEO and founder of Preclick, (sold to Smilebox (http://www.smilebox.com/)), where he developed popular photo software licensed worldwide by HP, 3M, Sandisk, Walmart, Costco, CVS, and Walgreens. Prior to Preclick, Mr. Smiga was CEO at 3Path, an Intel and Goldman-Sachs backed startup, and the SVP of Marketing at 1ClickCharge, where his product launch resulted in a sale of the company to CMGi.

After first working with Mr. Brotman at 1ClickCharge, Mr. Smiga has advised SAVP-backed portfolio companies: Altruik, Headliner, Knovel, and Mobile Commons. In the 1990s, Mr. Smiga began his career as a developer at Booz & Co (http://www.booz.com/), and in Silicon Valley was cofounder and President of Portfolio Software and Actioneer, where he co-authored six software patents and licensed top-rated software to Apple, IBM, Microsoft, AOL, 3Com, Acco, and others. Brian received a BA in Liberal Arts from Swarthmore College, and a Masters of Philosophy in Literature from Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland. Brian is executive director of TEDxNavesink (http://tedxnavesink.com/), hosted at Two River Theater, Red Bank, NJ (http://www.tworivertheater.org/about/index.php).

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/6/c/a/600_327978122.jpeg

Lori S. Hoberman is the chair of the Emerging Companies / Venture Capital practice. Her practice emphasizes venture capital, private equity, and general corporate counseling for emerging as well as later stage and publicly traded companies in a broad range of industries, including mobile, software, biotechnology and life sciences, social networking, consumer products, cleantech, Internet search and advertising, gaming and other media.

Ms. Hoberman also has significant experience in the structuring of, and tax planning for, domestic and offshore private equity funds. Prominent business and legal media outlets frequently interview Ms. Hoberman on issues relating to emerging companies and venture capital.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/2/600_335282242.jpeg

Joshua B. Siegel is the General Partner / Co-Chairman of Georgetown Angels, a VC fund and premier angel group, invests in Later Stage Seed and Series A & B venture capital financing rounds of high potential early stage disruptive technology companies. We operate as a venture capital fund as well as provide a sidecar mechanism for our LPs and angels to invest, on a deal by deal basis, into each startup.

As General Partner - New York, I oversee the day to day activities and operations of GA from evaluating early stage technology companies seeking funding to assisting current portfolio companies with development and interaction with our angels to attracting LP capital and development of our network.

GA leverages our extensive global network of limited partners, accredited angel investors and advisors enabling our portfolio companies access to capital and strategic relationships resulting in partnerships, talent, advisory boards, key customer introductions and leading venture capital firms for follow on funding and ultimately introductions and advice related to buyers for M&A or IPO.

We have co-invested in disruptive companies with notable VCs and angels such as Eric Schmidt, Peter Thiel, Google Ventures, Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital, Menlo Ventures, Battery Ventures, Tomorrow Ventures, Greylock Partners, Formation 8, Y Combinator, SV Angel, Lerer Ventures, HBS Angels, Tech Coast Angels to name a few.

Our ecosystem benefits from high quality proprietary and shared deal flow with early stage VCs, local and national angel groups, and independent strategic investors. We employ best practices in due diligence from subject matter experts and our executive level contacts, pooled capital, term sheets, valuation, and legal structures. We have a unique hybrid of VC fund and angel group that can co-invest in every portfolio company on a deal-by-deal basis resulting in an extraordinary ability to source, vet and add value to the most exciting technology startups.

In addition to Georgetown Angels, Mr. Siegel is an early stage strategic advisory company for startups and real estate concerns, and board member of The Founders Club, an equity exchange based liquidity platform for entrepreneurs. Active angel investor and board advisor in New York, Joshua has interests in Bespoke Post, Shifthound, Dealflicks, and other digital media, consumer product and luxury lifestyle brands. Joshua is also an active advisor for strategic real estate initiatives including asset acquisition and disposition as well as startup companies. Formerly CEO Professional Connection Resources, an enterprise level marketing system for the legal community, Manager Eastern European Banking Systems at Citibank, Director of Market Intelligence at Citicorp Debt Capital Markets.

Mr. Siegel received his BA degree from Boston University in Economics and Business Administration and received his MBA from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in Finance and Entrepreneurship in 2000. He also holds a Degree in Gastronomy from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. Joshua was born and raised in New York City, attending Horace Mann, where he lives with his wife and son.​

Yolanda Wardowski has 15+ years of Mergers & Acquisitions/Corporate Finance execution and advisory experience completing domestic and cross‐border sell side, buy side, merger consulting, debt and equity capital raising, strategic advisory and restructuring assignments for public and private companies primarily in the Branded Consumer and Retail sectors. Since joining Avalon Securities, Ltd. in 2007, Yolanda has advised and executed numerous M&A and capital raising transactions for lower to middle market companies.

Yolanda has also held senior positions at Ernst & Young Capital Advisors and 94th Street Capital where she focused exclusively on the small to middle market segment, completing sell sides, divestitures, joint ventures, private equity placements and capital restructurings, and strategic and valuation assignments for family owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Since 2000, Yolanda has been actively involved with early stage Consumer/Fashion Technology and Internet Retail companies advising entrepreneurs and small businesses on their growth strategy, capital needs and operations, and positioning them for a successful Angel/Seed or Series A and B financing rounds.

Yolanda is on the Business Advisory Board of Directors for the Fashion Institute of Technology's (FIT) Graduate Global Fashion Management School. She is also a Business Advisor to CFDA {Fashion Incubator}, FashInvest, Astia, The Tory Burch Foundation, Springboard Enterprises and Fashion Fellows, where she also acts as mentor and advisor to early stage or small middle market companies. Yolanda is a frequent speaker, panelist and guest lecturer at various industry events, at FIT conferences and classes, and with Design Entrepreneurs NYC (DENYC), an economic initiative funded by New York City Economic Development Corp. She is a member of the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board for Plum Perfect, Bambeco, Frontier Innovations Foundation and the NYC Dean’s Advisory Council for WLU. Yolanda holds an Honors B.A. degree in Finance/Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She holds dual citizenship (USA and Canada) and currently resides in New York City.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/8/2/6/600_343187142.jpeg

Keegan Forte is the General Manager at Bowery Capital based in New York. Prior to forming Bowery Capital, Keegan was Chief of Staff at AOL Ventures where she worked closely with the fund partners on investment and deal flow as well as deal sourcing, screening, due diligence and portfolio management. She also managed the AOLV brand in relation to sponsorships, partnerships, events, social media and marketing.

Before AOL Ventures, Keegan worked as a Finance & M&A Assistant at IAC (InterActive Corp) and in the Programming department at ABC Radio Networks. Keegan is a founding member and director of the Bike to the Beach NY foundation for Autism Speaks. She holds a BA in Communication and Marketing from Fairfield University.

Sponsors

Chadbourne & Parke

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/3/6/c/600_327964972.jpeg

A New York-based international law firm, Chadbourne & Parke partners with our clients to promote their business objectives around the world. We offer a full range of legal services and deliver innovative and effective results drawing on our local expertise and relationships in our international platform of 12 offices across four continents. Recognized by Chambers Global in 22 practice areas and in 16 regions, we have developed a unique focus on emerging markets and offer significant experience and depth in energy and infrastructure, international disputes, Latin American corporate and finance transactions, corporate M&A, and bankruptcy and financial restructuring. For more, go to www.chadbourne.com (http://www.chadbourne.com/).

Red Bull NYC

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/2/7/e/600_343757022.jpeg

NYEBN Community - if you're interested in having the Red Bull Wings Team hook your office up, shout out to Red Bull's local twitter handle - @redbullNYC (https://twitter.com/redbullNYC) - to receive more information. Visit us at www.redbull.com (http://www.redbull.com/en)

Mela Artisans

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/4/d/8/600_345110392.jpeg

Mela Artisans is a luxury lifestyle brand that combines traditional handcrafting techniques with the freshness and functionality of contemporary design. Our distinctive and original collections fuse modern designs with enduring techniques passed down through generations in artisan communities.

Our vision is to provide a sustainable global market for artisans while fostering entrepreneurship within their communities.

Through our innovative luxury brand, you can enrich your life with beautiful and functional handcrafted artwork while being inspired by the stories of the artisans who created them. At the same time you can forge a personal connection with these same artisans through purchases and loans that allow them to grow their businesses and develop their artistic skills.

Join us as we reach across the globe to form a new community committed to the preservation of handcrafted artisan traditions. Visit us at www.melaartisans.com (http://www.melaartisans.com/)

My Stylit

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/1/8/0/600_345492672.jpeg

Stylit is personalizing fashion online by uniting it’s machine-learning platform with the artistry of real stylists. By combining technology and imagination, Stylit is the most personalized way to shop for fashion online.

Fashionistas and the shopping impaired alike, receive head-to-toe outfit recommendations based on their style preferences, budget, body type and size. By reading shoppers’ digital body language, Stylit is fueling the future of fashion search and predictive styling. Visit us at www.mystylit.com (https://mystylit.com/)

Sourcepad

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/a/c/600_332599372.jpeg

SourcePad - Built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Since 2008, we've helped 100 bootstrapped startups, small businesses, and venture backed companies turn their ideas into Web sites and mobile apps. Contact us today at info@sourcepad.com or visit us at www.sourcepad.com (http://www.sourcepad.com/) .

FreezeCrowd

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/0/5/6/600_344104182.jpeg

FreezeCrowd is an interactive social experience network for college students and alumni that was first envisioned when its Founder Eric Leebow was a college senior looking at his college freshmen picture book. Fast forward years later in 2011, FreezeCrowd was launched. Visit us at www.freezecrowd.com (http://freezecrowd.com/)

Admission

• Early Bird - $20 (Sold out )

• Regular - $30 (Sold out)

• Last Minute - $50

• To sponsor this Meetup, email sponsor@nyebn.com.

• For volunteer opportunities, email info@nyebn.com.

• Subscribe to NYEBN newsletter (http://nyebn.com/newsletter)­ to be in the loop of startup events, deals, discounts and advice.

Note: If you are not interested in this event, please RSVP "No." That way, you will not get any reminder emails regarding this event in the future.