❋

February 28  | Boston, MA

Redefining Venture: Girls Into VC 2026 Summit

Learn more

What to Expect

The Girls Into VC Summit 2026 is a full-day conference designed to expand access to venture capital and convene 250+ female investors, founders, and future leaders from across the ecosystem.

Attendees can expect investor-led breakout sessions focused on skill-building, keynote conversations with leading founders and investors, a live pitch competition, and high-impact networking opportunities.

This year’s theme, Redefining Venture, is reflected in both our programming and speaker lineup. Featured speakers include keynote Melissa Ben-Ishay (Co-Founder & CEO, Baked by Melissa), fireside chat speaker Avni Barman (Founder & CEO, GenShe), and panelists Jules Pieri (Co-Founder, The Grommet) and Laura Rippy (Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures), among 23 other distinguished speakers.

We’re so excited to have you all here with us!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUMMIT SPONSORS

Featured Speakers

Melissa Ben-Ishay
Co-Founder & CEO, Baked By Melissa

Melissa Ben-Ishay is the Co-Founder and CEO of Baked by Melissa, the iconic dessert brand she built from a home kitchen into a nationally recognized company with millions of cupcakes sold. Known for her bold branding and community-driven growth strategy, Melissa is a champion of women founders and scaling consumer businesses with heart and hustle.

Avni Barman
Founder & CEO, GenShe

Avni Barman is the Founder & CEO of GenShe, a global leadership platform advancing ambitious women across industries. Her content reaches millions of views across social platforms, where she shares candid insights on leadership and career growth—and beyond building community, Avni also actively invests, writing angel checks into early-stage startups she believes in.

Laura Rippy
Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures

Laura Rippy is a Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures, one of the most active venture capital firms in the world. She invests in high-growth startups across sectors and is passionate about backing bold founders, expanding access to capital, and bringing more women into the investing ecosystem.

Morning

SUMMIT SCHEDULE

8:00-9:00 AM

Registration & Light Breakfast 

9:00-10:00 aM

Welcome Remarks………..Sarah Philips

Opening Keynote………Melissa Ben-Ishay

10:15-10:45 Am

Fireside Chat………Avni Barman

10:45-11:00 AM

Coffee Break & Networking 

11:00-11:45 AM

Panel: Breaking into VC - Pathways & Perspectives

see full schedule

AFTERNOON

SUMMIT SCHEDULE 

4:00-4:30 pm

Judge Debrief & Prize Ceremony

4:30-5:00 pm

Closing Remarks & Community Recognition 

11:45-12:45 PM

Lunch & Brand & Founder Fair

12:50-1:35 pm

Panel: Where Investors Are Betting Next 

1:45-2:30 pm

Breakout Sessions (3 Tracks)

2:45-3:00 PM

Afternoon Break

3:00-4:00 pm

Live Pitch Competition

5:00 pm

Closing Reception

See full schedule

Our Summit Speakers

Inspiring women redefining venture capital.

Learn more

Avni Barman — Founder & CEO, GenShe
Melissa Ben-Ishay — Co-Founder & CEO, Baked By Melissa
Claire Biernacki — Partner, BBGV
Paige Cey — Co-Founder, Benny
Brittany Davis — General Partner, Backstage Capital
Sarah Du — Investor, Uncork Capital
Rosanna Gao — Head of Business Development, SpringCash
Alexa Grabelle — Investor, NEA
Jaclyn Johnson — CEO, Invest with Cherub & Founder, Create & Cultivate
Emily Leahy — Founder, InPhase
Julie Letizia — Co-Founder, Benny
Isabella Mandis — Founder, Girls Into VC
Joy Marcus — Co-Founder & General Partner, The 98
Sarah Romanko — Investor, Geek Ventures
Kat Weaver — Founder & CEO, Power to Pitch

Kelly O’Connell — Managing Partner, 360 Venture Collective
Emma Ohanian — Founding Partner, Y&Z Ventures
Jules Pieri — Co-Founder, The Grommet
Sarah Phillips — CEO, Girls Into VC
Christine Keung — General Partner, J2 Ventures
Laura Rippy — Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures
Sarah Romanko — Investor, Geek Ventures
Arielle Rothman — Investor, BoxGroup
Lata Setty — Investor, How Women Invest
Silvia Tower — Director of Product Management, Battery Ventures
Lily Toto — Senior Associate, 2 Lanterns VC
Gladys Wan — Investor, Beta Fund
Sarah Young — Founder & Managing Partner, Sandpiper VC
Catherine Gray — Executive Producer & CEO, Show Her The Money & She Angel Investors

  • "You can't be what you can't see, and thankfully the Girls Into VC Summit created a space for young women to come together to inspire, empower, and uplift each other."

    Past attendee

  • "The energy in the room was inspiring, with powerhouse young women all passionately leading the way in entrepreneurship and venture capital."

    Past attendee

BUY SOME MERCH!

SHOP