Springworks

Springworks is focused on encouraging, identifying, developing and investing in promising women and minority entrepreneurs and future venture capitalists. Our mission is to increase diversity in the venture community by providing access to opportunity for the future leaders of innovation. Our initial programs are mainly geared toward graduate students and high school students. The Springworks Scholars program, started in 2010, provides structure and experiential learning to business school students through a combination of curriculum, mentorship and peer support. Through our collaboration with We Own It, Springworks has initiated and led the development of the Women in Entrepreneurship University Chapter program which piloted in 2011 within Haas at UC Berkeley. Our newest initiative, named Urban Jelly, is creating a company that will have franchises that are owned and operated by high school students throughout the country. In addition to our current programs, we are providing advisory and technical assistance to several women and minority start-ups. This advisory work is laying the foundation for a future larger more systemic accelerator program.