Women, despite starting businesses at twice the rate of men, receive only 5% of bank loans, 2% of venture capital, and represent 8% of fund managers. Mara Zepeda will share the story of four local female entrepreneurs who set out to address this inequality and by launching the fund and entrepreneurship program, XXcelerate. She will share how Oregon women are leading the nation to build solutions with and for women entrepreneurs and share best practices.

Mara Zepeda is the co-founder and CEO of Switchboard, which provides training and technology to colleges, universities, and independent schools around the world to increase their community members' mobility. She speaks about and leads workshops on education, trust, social networks, and the future of business internationally. She is the founding board president of Business for a Better Portland, the city's newest and fastest growing business organization. Mara is also part of XXCelerate, an entrepreneurship program and loan fund for women entrepreneurs in Oregon to address the inequity in access to financing. She is also a co-founder of Zebra movement, a conference and community that aims to create a more ethical and inclusive startup culture.

Tickets are $10 - click here to RSVP.

This event is brought to you by:
Ladies' Night PDX
Business for a Better Portland
Women Work PDX through CENTRL Office