The Venture Equity Summit
Join us at the Venture Equity Summit, an exclusive event where leaders converge to share transformative models and new insights in support of entrepreneurs and venture capital fund managers of color.
In partnership with the JPMorganChase, this summit is a key initiative of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Venture Equity Project, supported by Heartland Forward, Penn State University’s Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, and EcoMap Technologies.
Agenda Highlights:
- Discover our new research identifying seven U.S. states excelling in fostering underrepresented founders.
- Engage with leaders from these thriving regions and explore pioneering legislative, private sector, and nonprofit initiatives supporting diverse entrepreneurship.
- Participate in an interactive dialogue with policymakers, foundations, nonprofits, universities, investors, and ecosystem leaders shaping inclusive entrepreneurial environments.
This event is designed to be interactive, providing actionable new ideas for the future of entrepreneurship in the U.S. Join us in championing a more equitable landscape for all innovators across states and regions.
Registration Info
9:00 AM | Registration and Networking
9:15 AM – 9:20 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks, Nicola Corzine, CEO and Executive Director, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
9:25 AM – 9:40 AM | Heartland Forward Fireside Chat, Ross DeVol and Jonas Crews
9:50 AM – 10:30 AM | Panel Discussion: Building Sustainable Ecosystems
Moderator: Bobby Franklin, CEO of the National Venture Capital Association
Confirmed Panelists: Elizabeth Good Mazhari TEDCO (Maryland), Jennifer Hayes, Invest Detroit (Michigan), Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (Florida), Paul Cherukuri, Chief Innovation Officer of Rice University (Texas)
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Mid-Morning Break
10:45AM | Introduction of Penn State, Celena Aponte
10:45 – 11:00AM | Penn State Presentation, Meg Small, Penn State University, Director, Design4Impact Incubator, Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative
11:00 – 11:30AM | Panel Discussion: Supporting Underrepresented Founders Through Policy and Programs
Moderator: John Dearie, CEO of the Center for American Entrepreneurship
Panelists: Brittany Sickler, U.S. Small Business Administration, Shivani Pampati, U.S. Senate Small Business Committee (confirmed), Michelle Lura White of Illinois Department of Commerce
11:50 AM – 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks and Next Steps, Nicola Corzine