FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 29, 2025
Contact:
RIHub Communications
info@rihub.org
www.rihub.org
Standing-Room-Only Crowd Gathers in Newport to Address the Ongoing Investment Gap for Female Founders
Newport, RI — On July 23, RIHub’s New England Female Founders (NEFF) network hosted a powerful and well-attended evening at the OceanCliff Hotel, bringing together over 200 investors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers for a candid discussion about progress—and persistent challenges—facing women entrepreneurs in today’s innovation economy.
Timed to follow the close of the Opal Family Office & Private Wealth Management Forum, the sold-out after-party event served as a follow-up to last year’s standing-room-only screening of Show Her the Money. This year’s program moved beyond the screen and into action, featuring an insightful panel moderated by and for women shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
The panel, led by Melissa Bowley, CEO Flourish Care, included powerhouse leaders from across the venture capital and startup ecosystem:
- Ellen Rubin, Partner at Glasswing Ventures
- Cathy Lewenberg, COO of Bevi
- Jenny Lawton, Partner at Old School Ventures
- Erynn Petersen, CEO, EMME
- Vanessa Alvarez, Co-Founder of Nexme
- Tom Sperry, Managing Partner at Rogue Venture Partners
The panel took an honest look at what’s changed since last year—and what hasn’t. Despite increased awareness, female founders still receive only 2% of all venture capital funding. Research continues to show that startups led by women outperform their male-led counterparts in capital efficiency and ROI, yet barriers to capital persist. Women of color face even steeper hurdles, receiving less than 1% of total funding.
“This event was more than a gathering—it was a call to action,” said Annette Tonti, Managing Director of RIHub and founder of NEFF. “We’re proud to see the momentum building, but the numbers don’t lie. It’s time for systemic change that goes beyond performative support and actually shifts capital into the hands of women building incredible companies.”
NEFF, a network powered by RIHub, is co-chaired by Melissa Bowley, founder of Flourish Fund, and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers including Vanessa Alvarez, Erynn Petersen, Rachel Leigh Gross, and Christina Quinn. Together, this team curates programs that shine a light on female founders and connect them to real opportunities for funding and growth.
The evening also served as a networking launchpad for emerging entrepreneurs and active investors, reinforcing Rhode Island and Southeastern New England as a rising hub for inclusive innovation.
“We’re not waiting for permission to lead,” said Bowley. “We’re building our own networks, our own capital pathways, and creating a future that includes women at every table where decisions—and investments—are being made.”
RIHub and NEFF will continue to advance the conversation with upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, and deal flow forums designed specifically to close the gender gap in venture funding.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.rihub.org.
About RIHub
RIHub is Rhode Island’s Innovation Hub, helping high-growth entrepreneurs start and scale in the Ocean State. Through programming, mentoring, and events, RIHub connects startups to capital, customers, and community across Rhode Island and Southeastern New England.
About NEFF
New England Female Founders (NEFF) is a network launched by RIHub to empower, support, and elevate female entrepreneurs by connecting them with investors, mentors, and one another. NEFF champions inclusive growth and the equitable distribution of investment capital.
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