In its fourth year, last month’s Denver Startup Week offered abundant activities and opportunities for designers, developers, founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs. A full schedule of approximately 250 free sessions on topics ranging from the Internet of Things (IoT), to Cannabis Data, to Patents 101, provided something for everyone. Denver is a great place to be an entrepreneur; the city is growing quickly, but it is still friendly and accessible thanks to a supportive Startup community.

A fantastic example of Denver’s inclusive culture is Women Who Startup, “a community to celebrate, connect, and empower” women entrepreneurs. The group held a dynamic event during Startup Week — the Women Who Startup Summit on the theme “Investing in Women is Smart Business.” A diverse panel spoke on the topic of why investing in women is important. Here are some inspiring takeaways:

Alicia Robb (@aliciarobb), Senior Fellow with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Angel Investor: One woman invests in another woman, who invests in another woman — the result is exponential.

Gerry Valentine (@gerryval), founder of Vision Executive Coaching: When you drive diversity you drive innovation.

Lee Mayer (@ellemot), Co-Founder and CEO of Havenly: Why invest in women? Why the F*ck aren’t you investing in women?! (Audience laughter.) Women make 80% of purchasing decisions.

Vicki Saunders (@vickis), Founder and CEO of SheEO: 85 people have the same amount of capital as 3.5 billion people on this planet. We need a new women-led model to start restoring equity.

The event was inspiring and created tangible energy. Women Who Startup keeps the conversation around women in entrepreneurship going throughout the year with a lively podcast and regular meetups.

There is no question that investing in women is smart business. As a female founded company that supports women and men in their entrepreneurial ventures, we have seen what solid legal foundations can do to launch successful businesses that are changing the world.

With employees in California and Colorado and clients in many states, we are excited to see the Startup momentum growing and thriving, and we agree wholeheartedly with one of Women Who Startup’s mottos — #KeepClimbing!

"We know that when you drive diversity, you drive innovation" @GerryVal #wwsSummit @DENStartupWeek @womenwhostartup pic.twitter.com/rhjqJBmfwn

— P2Binvestor (@P2Binvestor) September 30, 2015

Packed house at galvanize during denver startup week! #wwsSummit 2015 summit pic.twitter.com/7dBTPAjxZ5

— aliciarobb (@aliciarobb) September 30, 2015

@womenwhostartup event #wwsSummit lots of excitement, seems like a rock concert!

— EPW SmallBusinessLaw (@epwsmallbizlaw) September 30, 2015

[Note: We are not affiliated with or sponsored by/of Denver Startup Week or Women Who Startup. Erika attended the event in September and this is her review.]

The post “Women Who Startup” Leading a Thriving Movement in Denver appeared first on EPW Small Business Law PC.