SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SVForum, Silicon Valley’s longest-running nonprofit dedicated to startup connections and education, today announced an exciting new event: the first annual Women in Tech Festival 2015, which will be held on Saturday, March 7th at Hewlett-Packard’s campus in Sunnyvale, CA. The Festival will be a one-day celebration of companies and organizations that are dedicated to supporting women’s efforts in STEM fields and entrepreneurship. Women from across the Silicon Valley technology ecosystem will be featured in keynotes, panels, and mentorship workshops; panelists will include leading CEOs, advisors, directors, technologists, and journalists from across Silicon Valley. Keynote speakers will be Telle Whitney, President and CEO of the Anita Borg Institute, and Ingrid Vanderveldt, Chairman and CEO of EBW2020.
“We could not be more excited to be hosting the Festival,” stated SVForum CEO Adiba Barney. “The future success of the startup ecosystem—and by extension, the rest of the world—depends on creating an environment where we encourage achievers, thinkers, and dreamers. The Festival will be dedicated to celebrating those bright, amazing women who have led the way, and encourage and support those who wish to create new pathways of their own.”
“I’m looking forward to speaking at the Women in Tech Festival,” said Telle Whitney, president and CEO of the Anita Borg Institute. “It’s exciting to join forces with another nonprofit institution to build momentum and provide encouragement for women in tech and computing—especially those in leadership positions.”
“I’m looking forward to both attending and speaking at the Women in Tech Festival,” said closing keynote Ingrid Vanderveldt, Chairman and CEO of EBW2020. “My journey to Empower a Billion Women by 2020 has led me to connect with women in many different capacities, countries and areas. It’s exciting to meet and share that goal with a new audience—I hope to inspire and to BE inspired!”
The Festival will also highlight the careers of women who have created a dynamic example of leadership and innovation, and provide education and inspiration for women who are on their way—or just starting out. All are welcome to attend. Festival sponsors include Carr & Ferrell LLP, HP, and Nitro.
“Carr & Ferrell is thrilled to be the premier sponsor of the Women in Tech Festival,” said Carr & Ferrell LLP Partner and Festival moderator Jill Fishbein. “Our law firm has a long history of supporting entrepreneurial women in technology and science through all phases of business growth. We’re looking forward to a day dedicated to innovative, successful and soon-to-be-successful women involved in all aspects of technology.”
SVForum’s Women in Tech Festival will open for registration at 8:00am, and conclude at 7:00pm with a cocktail and networking hour. Tickets and demo tables are on sale on the event page. Those who are interested in sponsoring the conference, speaking, or joining a panel may email a bio and a list of past events to SVForum’s Director of Programs and Events Sepideh Nasiri (sepideh@svforum.org).
About SVForum
For over 30 years, SVForum has fostered innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in Silicon Valley. We function as a center of knowledge and connections, covering everything from the latest tech trends to the startup and investment ecosystem. We have a long history of creating successful events, programs and conferences that educate, train, inspire, and connect technologists, entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, innovation and startup hubs, and students—in Silicon Valley, throughout the U.S., and globally. We organize about 150 different activities per year, have over 20,000 subscribers/users, and work with over 40 countries worldwide.
Our partners include global leaders Arvato Bertelsmann, Deloitte, DLA Piper, IBM, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Siemens, and SAP, as well as leading venture capital firms, and service providers. SVForum is a fully independent 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.