Recap: 7th Annual NYU Female Founders Forum: A Day of Insight, Candor, and Community - NYU Entrepreneurship

2026-02-13 · New York

The 7th Annual NYU Female Founders Forum brought together founders, investors, students, and operators for an afternoon of connection and candid conversations. The program featured a keynote by Elizabeth Cutler, a founder panel, a fireside chat with Melissa Mash, an investor panel, and a Demo Day with pitches. The event focused on resilience, capital strategy, community building, and the realities of entrepreneurship.

Organizer: NYU Entrepreneurial Institute

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At a glance

Format
Opening networking reception, keynote, founder panel, fireside chat, investor panel, and Demo Day with live audience pitches and awards.
Theme
A Day of Insight, Candor, and Community

Agenda

  1. Opening Remarks — Cynthia Franklin and Jen Curtis
  2. Keynote: Building Through Highs and Lows — Elizabeth Cutler, Co-founder of SoulCycle and Peoplehood
  3. Founder Panel: Rooted in Pragmatism — Panelists: Caroline Vasquez Huber, Dana Levin-Robinson, Helanah Warren; Moderator: Stephanie Shyu
  4. Fireside Chat: Building Brand, Community, and Enduring Energy — Melissa Mash, Co-founder of Dagne Dover; Moderator: Drew Lederman
  5. Investor Panel: Inside the Investor Mindset — Panelists: Terri Burns, Roslyn Jin, Silvia Garcia Codony; Moderator: Azade Hosseini
  6. Demo Day — Founder pitches; awards: Audience Choice and Most Investable
  7. Closing Remarks — Yanaiya Jain

Speakers, judges and hosts

  • Shay Gaskins — Associate Director of the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship (Speaker)
  • Rebecca Silver — Director of the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute (Speaker)
  • Cynthia Franklin — Director of the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship (Speaker)
  • Jen Curtis — Associate Director of the Entrepreneurial Institute (Speaker)
  • Elizabeth Cutler — Co-founder, SoulCycle and Peoplehood (Speaker)
  • Caroline Vasquez Huber — Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Jones (Speaker)
  • Dana Levin-Robinson — CEO & Founder, Upfront (Speaker)
  • Helanah Warren — Founder, Thrive by Design (Speaker)
  • Stephanie Shyu — Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship (Speaker)
  • Melissa Mash — Co-founder, Dagne Dover (Speaker)
  • Drew Lederman (Speaker)
  • Terri Burns — Founder & General Partner, Type Capital (Speaker)
  • Roslyn Jin — Partner, Antler VC (Speaker)
  • Silvia Garcia Codony — Associate VP, New York Ventures (Speaker)
  • Azade Hosseini — Venture Associate, Leslie Entrepreneurial Institute (Speaker)
  • Yanaiya Jain (Speaker)

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