News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Springboard Enterprises, a venture catalyst accelerating the growth of entrepreneurial companies led by women, is working with Dell and Guggenheim Partners to continue the "round-the-world" tour of its Dolphin Tank^® pitch sessions. Official media partners of the series are The State of Women and Women INVESTING in Women DIGITAL. Co-hosts include the Connect2Capital Conference, The Great Room Offices and the City of Sydney.

The International Dolphin Tank series, launched June 2016 at Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network conference in Cape Town, South Africa, heads to the following cities in February:  Gothenburg, Sweden; Sydney, Australia; and Singapore.

The fast-paced, highly interactive pitch format engages the experiences and connections of the entire audience who offer friendly feedback and actionable insights. Dolphin Tank sessions are not about sharks, dragons, piranhas, or judges and winners but, rather, the power of the network effort to help provide valuable feedback.

"The Dolphin Tanks are a great example of cross-sector partnership to help female entrepreneurs achieve success. We are proud to support these events as they are an opportunity for women to receive constructive feedback from a diverse network," said Penny Zuckerwise, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Guggenheim Partners.

"The companies we want to highlight are those that work toward positive principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that drive human progress and are needed at the global, regional, national, and local level," said Trisa Thompson, Senior Vice President & Chief Responsibility Officer  at Dell.

Springboard is powered by the network effect. "We are the world's leading accelerator for women-led companies in technology and life sciences," stated Kay Koplovitz, Springboard Co-Founder and Chairman. "In our first 16 years, we have trained 642 companies and introduced them to our vast network of experts who advise them in all phases of growth. Eighty-four (84) percent of our portfolio companies raised capital, 81 percent are in business today building scalable and sustainable businesses, and collectively they have raised over $7.4 billion and had over 165 liquidity events, including 14 IPOs."

High-growth potential companies led by women were eligible to apply for this Dolphin Tank series with a high priority given to companies building a social good legacy. Selected companies listed in links below.

Company Criteria of those selected:

• Led by a woman decision-maker, who holds a significant equity stake (an owner)
• Can support a qualified market opportunity with growth potential and global vision
• Can demonstrate an ability to execute, which may include: product development, distribution or licensing contracts, grants, beta clients, customers, revenue, partnerships
• A social mission, product or business strategy that addresses one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations
• Prepare a very specific 'ask' for a solution or connection that might drive company growth or address a current challenge

2017 International Dolphin Tank Series Schedule:

About the Collaborators:
Springboard Enterprises, a venture catalyst, is dedicated to accelerating the growth of high growth potential entrepreneurial companies led by women through access to essential resources and a global community of innovators, investors and influencers. Since 2000, 642 Springboard portfolio companies seeking investment of financial and human capital for product development and expansion have raised $7.4 billion, created tens of thousands of new jobs, and generate billions of dollars in annual revenues. Over 80 percent of Springboard companies are growing as independent or merged entities, including 14 IPOs, 160 M&A transactions, and many that are the technology engines of publicly traded companies. www.sb.co

Guggenheim Partners is a global investment and advisory firm with more than $250 billion¹ in assets under management. Across our three primary businesses of investment management, investment banking, and insurance services, we have a track record of delivering results through innovative solutions. With 2,500 professionals based in more than 25 offices around the world, our commitment is to advance the strategic interests of our clients and to deliver long-term results with excellence and integrity. We invite you to learn more about our expertise and values by visiting GuggenheimPartners.com.
¹Assets under management are as of 09.30.2016 and include consulting services for clients whose assets are valued at approximately $60bn.

Dell Inc., a part of Dell Technologies, provides customers of all sizes – including 98 percent of the Fortune 500 – with a broad, innovative portfolio from edge to core to cloud.  Dell Inc. comprises Dell client as well as Dell EMC infrastructure offerings that enable organizations to modernize, automate and transform their data center while providing today's workforce and consumers what they need to securely connect, produce, and collaborate from anywhere at any time.

Media Partner: Women Investing in Women Digital
WIIW DIGITAL is a digital media platform focused on global women's issues, entrepreneurship, & investing for high net worth women and millennials.

SOURCE Springboard Enterprises