Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our membership, investment opportunities with us, and our community experience. We host regular Office Hours where you can ask us anything! You can also reach us at membership@shesindependent.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our membership, investment opportunities with us, and our community experience. We host regular Office Hours where you can ask us anything! You can also reach us at membership@shesindependent.com.
Are your events held in-person or virtually?
We offer a mix of virtual and offline events. Most offline events today are in and around Colorado, but local chapters are encouraged to gather and meet offline as well.
How often do you meet as a member?
That’s up to you and how active or passive you want your experience to be! We host weekly investment calls, monthly member meetings, quarterly pitch days, and a variety of educational and community events throughout the year. You can come to as many or as little as you want, based on your schedule and your goals for membership.
How do you source companies to invest in?
From both our members, our Founder Ecosystem, and our network. Companies can submit their information on our website, members make introductions, we meet founders at events in our communities, we share deal flow with other mission-aligned organizations, and more.
What kinds of companies do you evaluate investment in?
We look for early stage (Seed, Seed+, and potential Series A rounds) companies that offer multiple expansion opportunities, a big enough TAM or addressable market for decent exit opportunities, and decent margins. We’ve invested across multiple verticals, but are more mission-driven and look for companies that are women-led or supporting and benefiting women.
How many companies do you invest in?
We typically see 4-5 companies join the quarterly pitch event, but there are opportunities for off-cycle investments, and members have the ability to invest as a group or through direct deals.
How do you decide which ones to invest in?
We consider companies on a quarterly pitch cycle, with our members running screening calls, diligence, and voting on which companies they want to make it to pitch day each quarter. The choice to participate in screening calls and diligence is yours! You can do it with a mentor, solo, as an observer, or not at all. Our process is meant to empower learning through action though, so we encourage you to raise your hand and get involved!
If the group chooses not to invest as a syndicate, can I invest directly with the business?
If we don’t invest, you are more than welcome to invest directly! Members are expected to invest through us if and when we form a syndication or group investment vehicle given all the work that goes into operating, educating, spearheading sourcing, diligence, deal curation, etc.
Is there any investment or participation commitment for Investment Members?
There are NO investment or participation requirements to learn, engage, and invest at your own pace. You are also welcome to participate passively and just allocate capital or learn through observation.
How do I become a Board member?
We are networked into an organization that offers a board certification course if you would like to explore this journey. Smaller, private businesses may also be interested in securing you as a board member without any form of certification. We may provide guidance around your board journey including but not limited to introductions, negotiating your compensation package, your board resume, and basic information to expect around your experience. Our member onboarding experience includes intake surveys inquiring if you have interest in these opportunities, and if you do, inquires into your background, expertise, etc.
How do I become a fractional executive or advisor?
We offer members the opportunity to plug into companies in our network for fractional and advisory roles. We will provide members guidance around your advisory or fractional journey, including but not limited to introductions, negotiating your comp package, your advisory resume, and ways to provide value in your role. When you become a member, you will receive a member intake survey where you can indicate interest in these opportunities.
Are your events held in-person or virtually?
We offer a mix of virtual and offline events. Most offline events today are in and around Colorado, but local chapters are encouraged to gather and meet offline as well.
How often do you meet as a member?
That’s up to you and how active or passive you want your experience to be! We host weekly investment calls, monthly member meetings, quarterly pitch days, and a variety of educational and community events throughout the year. You can come to as many or as little as you want, based on your schedule and your goals for membership.
How do you source companies to invest in?
From both our members, our Founder Ecosystem, and our network. Companies can submit their information on our website, members make introductions, we meet founders at events in our communities, we share deal flow with other mission-aligned organizations, and more.
What kinds of companies do you evaluate investment in?
We look for early stage (Seed, Seed+, and potential Series A rounds) companies that offer multiple expansion opportunities, a big enough TAM or addressable market for decent exit opportunities, and decent margins. We’ve invested across multiple verticals, but are more mission-driven and look for companies that are women-led or supporting and benefiting women.
How many companies do you invest in?
We typically see 4-5 companies join the quarterly pitch event, but there are opportunities for off-cycle investments, and members have the ability to invest as a group or through direct deals.
How do you decide which ones to invest in?
We consider companies on a quarterly pitch cycle, with our members running screening calls, diligence, and voting on which companies they want to make it to pitch day each quarter. The choice to participate in screening calls and diligence is yours! You can do it with a mentor, solo, as an observer, or not at all. Our process is meant to empower learning through action though, so we encourage you to raise your hand and get involved!
If the group chooses not to invest as a syndicate, can I invest directly with the business?
If we don’t invest, you are more than welcome to invest directly! Members are expected to invest through us if and when we form a syndication or group investment vehicle given all the work that goes into operating, educating, spearheading sourcing, diligence, deal curation, etc.
Is there any investment or participation commitment for Investment Members?
There are NO investment or participation requirements to learn, engage, and invest at your own pace. You are also welcome to participate passively and just allocate capital or learn through observation.
How do I become a Board member?
We are networked into an organization that offers a board certification course if you would like to explore this journey. Smaller, private businesses may also be interested in securing you as a board member without any form of certification. We may provide guidance around your board journey including but not limited to introductions, negotiating your compensation package, your board resume, and basic information to expect around your experience. Our member onboarding experience includes intake surveys inquiring if you have interest in these opportunities, and if you do, inquires into your background, expertise, etc.
How do I become a fractional executive or advisor?
We offer members the opportunity to plug into companies in our network for fractional and advisory roles. We will provide members guidance around your advisory or fractional journey, including but not limited to introductions, negotiating your comp package, your advisory resume, and ways to provide value in your role. When you become a member, you will receive a member intake survey where you can indicate interest in these opportunities.