Kick off off your Summer in style as TiE New York members gather for drinks, shopping, angels and getting to know the entire TiE New York community of founders and entrepreneurs at the new Anita Dongre store in Soho Tuesday June 26 6 pm- 8 pm.  

Loretta McCarthy, Managing Partner of Golden Seeds will discuss investing in women businesses and its challenges, along with success story Rosina Samadani, CEO of Oculogica. She will be followed by Geetanjali Misra, Executive Director of CREA (a non-profit in the US & India) who will speak about young women in sports and confidence building.

Members tickets are free, guests US$10 (or first join at www.tienyc.org and put that fee toward a year of membership).  We'll enjoy cocktails and appetizers and great conversation.  Anita Dongre carries both women's and men's clothing and the founder is offering a discount to pre-registered TiE New York guests.

About Loretta McCarthy

Loretta McCarthy is Managing Partner of Golden Seeds.  She is responsible for the Golden Seeds angel network nationwide, including member cultivation, orientation and engagement.  She is a frequent speaker – in the US and internationally – about early stage investing, women entrepreneurs and gender diversity.  Prior to Golden Seeds, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at OppenheimerFunds, a leading asset management firm, as well as Vice President of Marketing at American Express. She brings to this role deep experience in strategy, marketing, product development, public affairs and corporate communications. She has extensive experience serving on boards of directors of corporations and non-profit organizations.

About Golden Seeds

Golden Seeds is an angel investment group that has invested in woman-owned businesses for over 15 years.  Women’s entrepreneurship is booming!  As of 2016, it is estimated that there are now 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States.  Between 2007 and 2016, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 45%, compared to a 9% increase among all businesses.

Women entrepreneurs are often determined innovators who have the potential to scale their businesses and contribute to the economy in countless ways.  However, ultimate success requires access to capital and influential networks to propel growth – the same qualities that build market-leading companies.

When Golden Seeds was founded in 2005, women entrepreneurs represented less than 3% of all companies receiving start-up capital.  The goal was to  raise substantial capital for women entrepreneurs and to encourage both women and men to become active venture investors, by providing a venue where they could learn and work together.  At Golden Seeds, investors review hundreds of investment opportunities each year.  The companies are actively vetted, coached and advised by our network. We offer an environment in which today’s most exciting women-led businesses receive capital and connections to grow and successfully exit.  We aim to achieve market returns for our investors while at the same time creating lasting impact.

In 2016, women-led companies represented 22% of all companies receiving early-stage funding, a substantial increase since our founding in 2005.  Golden Seeds is proud of its contribution to the growth and vitality of women entrepreneurs.

About Geetanjali Misra

Geetanjali Misra is the co-founder and executive director of CREA, a feminist human rights organization based in New Delhi, India. CREA works to advance the rights of women and girls, and the sexual and reproductive freedoms of all people.

Geeta has developed, implemented and managed CREA's programs in the fields of human rights, sexuality, violence against women, and reproductive health and rights. Under her leadership, CREA has developed as one of the leading global South organizations working at the intersection of these issues at the grassroots, national, regional and international levels. In her professional roles in institutions such as The World Bank, Ford Foundation, and Engender Health, she managed strategic planning process, providing technical and managerial assistance, including work plans and budgets for field offices across program countries in different parts of the world. She writes on issues of sexuality, gender and rights, and has co-edited Sexuality, Gender, and Rights: Exploring Theory and Practice in South and Southeast.  Ms. Misra received an M.A. in economics from Syracuse University and an M.A. in International affairs from Columbia University.

CREA's Philosophy:  “We think sexuality is at the frontier of women’s rights. It is a huge area through which control is wielded over women's lives. It is about all of us—every woman. How I see who I see; whether I marry; how I spend my money; can I be who I really am; can I make choices; do these choices mean that I face discrimination, stigma, inequality, and/or violence?”

CREA believe that girls are individual rights-bearers, independent of their roles as wives, mothers, daughters and sisters. We help girls realize their right to control their bodies and sexuality by challenging the social norms, expectations, and restrictions that limit their agency.

About Rosina Samadani

Rosina Samadani is the CEO of Oculogica, her fourth startup.  Dr. Samadani has 20 years of experience with medical device companies, including seven years with McKinsey & Company as the healthcare practice leader. Dr. Samadani has a BS and MS from MIT in Mechanical Engineering, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University.

Oculogica is using data-based software algorithms to transform diagnosis of neurological and other deficits. The first indications they are targeting are concussion and elevated intracranial pressure. Their initial product is the first non-invasive concussion assessment that does not require a baseline. 

Dr. Samadani's philosophy for women entrepreneurs right now: "The time has come for us to work together to help VCs understand that funding women is smart".

About Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre has been at the forefront of fashion for over 20 years, having created one of the most successful fashion houses in India. Launched in 1995, the House of Anita Dongre (formerly And Designs India Ltd.) comprises a portfolio of brands namely AND (western wear brand for women), Global Desi (boho chic brand for women) and the luxury brand Anita Dongre offering bespoke bridal, couture, luxury prêt (Grassroot), menswear and handcrafted gold jadau jewelry (Pinkcity).

A metaphor for supreme craftsmanship, Anita Dongre’s designs showcase Indian aesthetics in a contemporary language.  Inspired by Rajasthan and India’s rich craft tradition, her handcrafted bridal gotapatti lehengas and handwoven heritage benarasi creations are coveted by brides across the world including Bollywood celebrities. 

Her commitment to revive, sustain and empower the Indian crafts and textiles led her to launch Grassroot, a sustainable and eco-conscious luxury prêt label.  Being vegetarian and an animal-lover, she lives her personal philosophy through conscious efforts as a fashion designer, introducing cruelty-free accessories, thereby representing fashion with a conscience. 

Anita Dongre was featured on CNN’s ‘Growing India’ series in 2015, showcased across 36 countries. Forbes India, Fortune India, Business Today and Blackbook Magazine count her among their ’50 Most Powerful Women in Business’ lists. In October 2015, Anita was recognized as the women entrepreneur of the year by CMAI and by Kelvinator Stree Shakti Women Awards in 2014. She has also been awarded by PETA at their PETA Approved Vegan Fashion Awards 2013.