Berkeley Female Founders & Funders — Founding Organization Presentation, July 12, 2023

Berkeley Female Founders & Funders was founded as an ongoing organization at UC Berkeley in 2023 by Julia Berezovska (now Julia Daviy) and Shilpa Beesabathuni.

The name Berkeley Female Founders & Funders had previously been used for a one-time online summit organized in 2019–2020, but no continuing organization existed under that name after the summit.

This presentation, dated July 12, 2023, was the official introduction of the newly created Berkeley Female Founders & Funders organization to UC Berkeley students who were female founders, funders, or aspiring to enter entrepreneurship and venture investing. The original deck identifies the presenters as “Shilpa & Julia.”

In 2023, Julia and Shilpa established BFFF as an ongoing organization and formalized it as a UC Berkeley Registered Student Organization (RSO) and an official Berkeley Haas student club. They developed its mission, governance and leadership structure, recruited its first board, and built its recurring community, programming, and events.

The July presentation documents that organizational formation in real time: it defines BFFF’s mission and goal, lays out the roadmap for community building, partnerships, learning and advocacy, explains how students could join as members, volunteers, or leadership-board candidates, and presents the proposed organizational structure.

Julia Daviy created the organization’s original logo and visual identity.

Transcript

1. Berkeley Female Founders & Funders INTRODUCTION PRESENTED BY Shilpa & Julia July 12, 2023
2. Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Agenda 1 Women Entrepreneurs & VC Statistics 5 How can you be involved? 2 Berkeley Landscape 6 Organization Structure 3 Women F&F friendly organizations landscape in the Bay Area 7 Next Steps 4 About BFFF
3. Berkeley Female Founders & Funders ABOUT US JULIA BEREZOVSKA EWMBA 2025 Co-founder of Ib Centre, Imageneria, and Aimmi.ai (UC Launch Semifinalist) Founder of Europe's second largest solar energy trade show Recognized pioneer in sustainable 3D-printed fashion Gold winner of Edison Award, Guinness World Record holder in deep tech SHILPA BEESABATHUNI EWMBA 2025 Strategic Planning Leader in the Chemical Industry PhD in Mechanical Engineering & Nanotechnology Experience in R&D, Corporate Strategy, Development & Planning Exploring VC
4. Did you know? Back to Agenda 2.1% of total VC funding went to all-women founded startups in 2022 That's $4.5B out of $238.3B Mixed gender teams accounted for ~17% VC checkwriters who are women < 15% 58% concentrated in the SF bay area as of 2021 63% of VC firms do not have any female representation Source: Pitchbook, Crunchbase, All Raise 2.1%
5. Back to Agenda Berkeley VC & Startup Presence
6. Promoting Innovation Women F&F friendly organizations Landscape in SF Bay Area Back to Agenda Enhancing Diversity Economic Impact Incubators and Accelerators: Women's Startup Lab MergeLane Circular Board Role Models& Inspiration Venture Capital Firms Networks and Communities: All Raise Women 2.0 Female Founders Alliance Aspect Ventures Female Founders Fund Cowboy Ventures Addressing Gender Disparities Educational Institutions Women in Leadership, Berkeley Stanford Women in Business (SWIB) Stanford Women on Boards Initiative
7. BFFF OBJECTIVES Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Find your tribe on your journey Break down existing silos Create a pipeline for VCs to meet top-tier female founders Build actionable skills to overcome documented gender biases in the entrepreneurial ecosystem BFFF was founded in 2019 and culminated in a successful 1-day summit in 2020.
8. Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Goal Mission Vision A networking and mentorship club for women founders and funders at Berkeley. Empowering women founders and funders at Berkeley by fostering a supportive community and providing essential resources for connection, learning, and growth. Catalyzing the rise of a new generation of influential women leaders in the startup and venture capital industries, driving innovation and equality.
9. BFFF Roadmap Learning & Skills Building Learning Hub (templates for pitch decks, investments thesis, business plans, etc.) Mentorship opportunities. Pairing of experienced women entrepreneurs and investors with aspiring founders. Community Building Networking events, and panel discussions Online discussion platforms Co-founder matching. Advocacy & Awareness Raise awareness about the challenges Collaborate to collectively advocate for policies that support and empower women entrepreneurs. Partnerships and Collaborations Forge partnerships with local incubators, accelerators, and venture capital firms Collaborate with other women-focused organizations Engage with the Berkeley entrepreneurship ecosystem
10. Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Member How You Can Be Involved Leadership Board Volunteer AT THIS STAGE, MEMBERSHIP IS FREE You need to be a part of the UC Berkeley ecosystem AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE GROUP FROM THE GROUND UP You need be a current UC Berkeley student CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS / EVENTS You need to have an affiliation with UC Berkeley Back to Agenda
11. Benefits of Joining BFFF Leadership Board 1. 2. Enhance Your Resume & Professional Development 5. Promote Diversity Impactful Contribution Enhance Leadership Skills 6. Influence Change 7. Mentorship Opportunities & Empowerment 3. Expand Network 4. Gain Insight 8. Access to Events
12. Volunteer Organization Structure Leadership roles are open to graduate students from any department, and some roles are open to undergraduate students and dedicated representatives of Berkeley community. Executive and Leadership teams serve 12 months terms, from August 15, 2023 to May 14, 2024. The following slides provide details on each position available. Volunteer VP Finance (1) Project Lead VP Alumni (1) VP EWMBA (1) CO-PRESIDENTS FEMALE FOUNDER & FEMALE FUNDER VP FTMBA (1) VP Events (2) Project Lead VP Marketing (2) VP EMBA (1) VP Memberships (1) Volunteer Project Lead Project Lead Volunteer
13. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Marketing Objective: Lead and oversee marketing efforts to promote Berkeley Female Founders and Funders. Responsibilities: Develop and implement a marketing strategy for the club and its events. Create visually appealing promotional materials (flyers, posters, social media graphics). Ensure consistent messaging and branding in collaboration with other club officers. Manage social media accounts and generate engaging content. Build relationships with campus media outlets for increased visibility. Assist in event planning and coordination with vendors and sponsors. Analyze and report on marketing effectiveness. Provide support and guidance to club members in their own marketing efforts. Foster collaborations with other clubs and organizations. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in strategic marketing and branding. Enhance leadership skills by leading marketing initiatives. Expand professional network through collaborations and partnerships. Develop creativity and design skills in promotional material creation. Contribute to the growth and success of Berkeley Female Founders and Funders. Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the women founders and funders community at Berkeley.
14. Next Steps July 14 Jul 30 Aug 1-14 Aug 15 Aug Application opens Last date to receive applications Interviews Announcement of leadership board First BFFF event
15. Apply Fill out the google form July 14 Application opens shilpa_beesabathuni@berkeley.edu julia.berezovska@berkeley.edu Join #berkeley-femalefounders-and-funders Stay in Touch Page & Group: Berkeley Female Founders & Funders
16. Appendix Back to Agenda
17. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Marketing (2) Objective: Lead and oversee marketing efforts to promote Berkeley Female Founders and Funders. Responsibilities: Develop and implement a marketing strategy for the club and its events. Create visually appealing promotional materials (flyers, posters, social media graphics). Ensure consistent messaging and branding in collaboration with other club officers. Manage social media accounts and generate engaging content. Build relationships with campus media outlets for increased visibility. Assist in event planning and coordination with vendors and sponsors. Analyze and report on marketing effectiveness. Provide support and guidance to club members in their own marketing efforts. Foster collaborations with other clubs and organizations. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in strategic marketing and branding. Enhance leadership skills by leading marketing initiatives. Expand professional network through collaborations and partnerships. Develop creativity and design skills in promotional material creation. Contribute to the growth and success of Berkeley Female Founders and Funders. Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the women founders and funders community at Berkeley.
18. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Alumni Objective: The VP of Alumni is primarily responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships with BFFF's alumni network, enabling us to leverage their insights, experiences, and connections for the benefit of the current members and the organization as a whole. Responsibilities: Establish and manage communication channels with BFFF alumni. Organize and execute alumni-focused events, webinars, and panel discussions. Work closely with the marketing team to highlight alumni success stories. Maintain updated records of alumni and their current engagements. Collaborate with the development team to leverage alumni for fundraising initiatives. Act as the main point of contact between the organization and the alumni. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience in a VP role. Broaden your network by interacting with successful entrepreneurs and investors. Gain insights into the journeys of various entrepreneurs and investors. Learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship and investing. Participate in all BFFF events and initiatives.
19. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Finance Objective: The VP of Finance is chiefly tasked with managing the financial operations of BFFF. This includes planning budgets, overseeing financial transactions, fundraising strategies, and ensuring the organization's financial sustainability and growth. Responsibilities: Develop and monitor the organization's budget and financial plans. Maintain accurate financial records and ensure that financial transactions are properly accounted for. Oversee fundraising efforts and develop strategies to increase financial resources. Collaborate with other team members to understand their financial needs and incorporate them into budget planning. Prepare and present financial reports to the leadership team. Ensure the organization's financial operations comply with legal regulations and best practices. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience in a VP role. Gain comprehensive knowledge about non-profit financial management. Network with entrepreneurs, investors, and other professionals in the financial industry. Contribute to the growth and financial stability of an organization dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. Access to all BFFF events and initiatives.
20. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of EWMBA Objective: The VP of the Evening & Weekend MBA Program is responsible for fostering engagement and providing support to students within this specific program. The role involves organizing events, liaising with the program's administration, and ensuring that Evening & Weekend MBA students are integrated into and benefit from BFFF's initiatives. Responsibilities: Serve as the primary liaison between BFFF and the administration of the Evening & Weekend MBA Program. Organize and execute events and activities specifically tailored to the needs and schedules of Evening & Weekend MBA students. Communicate effectively with students in the program about BFFF's events, opportunities, and resources. Collaborate with other BFFF teams to ensure Evening & Weekend MBA students are represented and their needs are considered in BFFF's initiatives. Advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of female students within the Evening & Weekend MBA program. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain leadership experience and skills in a VP role. Enhance your network by interacting with a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, and MBA students. Influence and shape the experiences of female students in the Evening & Weekend MBA program. Access to all BFFF events and initiatives. Opportunity to create lasting impact in promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.
21. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of EMBA Objective: The VP of the Executive MBA Program is tasked with enhancing engagement and providing resources for students within the Executive MBA Program. This role entails planning and executing events, coordinating with the program's administration, and ensuring these students are incorporated into and benefit from the offerings of BFFF. Responsibilities: Act as the primary liaison between BFFF and the administration of the Executive MBA Program. Organize and execute events and activities specifically designed for the needs and schedules of Executive MBA students. Ensure effective communication with students in the program about BFFF's events, opportunities, and resources. Collaborate with other BFFF teams to ensure Executive MBA students' needs and interests are addressed in BFFF's initiatives. Advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of female students within the Executive MBA program. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain valuable leadership experience and skills in a VP role. Expand your network by interacting with a diverse array of entrepreneurs, investors, and MBA students. Influence the experiences of female students in the Executive MBA program and make a positive impact. Access to all BFFF events and initiatives. Play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.
22. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of MBA Objective: The VP of the Full-time MBA Program is responsible for fostering engagement and offering support to students within this particular program. This role involves organizing events, liaising with the program's administration, and ensuring that Full-time MBA students are actively involved in and benefit from BFFF's initiatives. Responsibilities: Serve as the primary liaison between BFFF and the administration of the Full-time MBA Program. Organize and implement events and activities tailored to the needs and schedules of Full-time MBA students. Ensure effective communication with students in the program about BFFF's events, opportunities, and resources. Collaborate with other BFFF teams to make sure Full-time MBA students' interests and needs are reflected in BFFF's initiatives. Advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of female students within the Full-time MBA program. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain significant leadership experience and skills in a VP role. Expand your professional network by interacting with a broad range of entrepreneurs, investors, and MBA students. Influence and shape the experiences of female students in the Full-time MBA program. Access all BFFF events and initiatives. Make a positive impact in promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.
23. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Events (2) Objective: The VP of Events is in charge of planning, coordinating, and executing all BFFF events. This role involves working closely with various stakeholders to ensure events are impactful, engaging, and align with the organization's mission and goals. Responsibilities: Oversee the planning and execution of all BFFF events. Collaborate with other team members to ensure events meet the needs and interests of the community. Manage relationships with vendors, venues, and other external partners. Ensure effective communication about events, including announcements, invitations, and follow-ups. Track and evaluate the success of events, providing reports and insights for future planning. Time Commitment: 3-7 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain significant leadership and event management experience in a VP role. Expand your network by interacting with a diverse array of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners. Play a crucial role in shaping the experiences of BFFF members. Access to all BFFF events and initiatives. Contribute to promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.
24. Back to Agenda Position: Vice President of Memberships Objective: The VP of Memberships is responsible for managing the admissions process and memberships of BFFF, ensuring a streamlined and inclusive experience for potential members. This role involves evaluating applications, coordinating selection processes, and actively promoting diversity and inclusion in the admissions process. Responsibilities: Oversee the admissions process, including the review and evaluation of applications. Develop and implement strategies to attract diverse and talented individuals to BFFF. Coordinate selection committee meetings and facilitate decision-making processes. Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the admissions process. Collaborate with the marketing team to promote BFFF's mission and opportunities to potential applicants. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week throughout the term. Benefits: Gain valuable leadership experience in a VP role. Develop skills in evaluating applications and making informed selection decisions. Expand your network by connecting with aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals. Contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive community within BFFF. Access to all BFFF events and initiatives.