Eileen joined a panel titled "Empowering Tomorrow: Women Influencing the Future of Investment" at TechCon SoCal 2024, a premier innovation conference.
At a recent panel at TechCon SoCal, Eileen Tanghal, Founder and Managing Director of Black Opal Ventures, joined an impressive group of leaders in venture capital: SC Moatti, Managing Partner at Mighty Capital; Anshu Agarwal, General Partner at Converge; Divya Sudhakar, Partner at Geodesic Capital; and moderator Zeynep Ilgaz, Founding Partner at Cross Ocean Ventures. The panelists shared their personal journeys, challenges, and advice for female founders.
Each panelist brought unique experiences to the table, offering insights from their diverse backgrounds. Anshu recounted her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing “there is no substitute for cash... you are raising the first round on promise, the next round is on numbers”.
SC focused on the importance of speed in execution, particularly in the context of the current AI boom, emphasizing the need for startups to adapt and move quickly in today’s landscape.
Divya shared her experiences as a woman in venture capital, stressing the significance of finding a “champion” who believes in and supports you. Eileen echoed this sentiment, sharing her observation of more women entering deep tech investing, yet often finding herself as the only woman on a board. Eileen has turned the underestimation by others into an opportunity to stand out and be remembered.
The panelists also provided actionable advice for female founders. Anshu remarked, “don’t think you are different.” She encouraged women not to feel the need to conform to all expectations. “Women are raised to perfection... and men are raised to take risks,” she pointed out, urging female founders to embrace risk-taking. Eileen suggested that people should “listen to your own theme song – if you don’t have one of those, get one.”
The panel concluded with each participant sharing a quote that guides them. Divya shared, “The only thing that guarantees failure is not trying.” This powerful reminder encourages people to take bold steps.
TechCon SoCal embodies a commitment to fostering innovation, catalyzing investment, nurturing entrepreneurship, and influencing positive change. Their 2024 event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and investors to cover a wide range of topics, including AI, Digital Health, Robotics, Data, Software, and Semiconductors. Black Opal Ventures aims to improve health outcomes for all by investing in companies at the collision of healthcare and technology.
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