Ayana Rising: Women of the New Frontier
Join us for Ayana Rising: Women of the New Frontier, a high-impact SXSW experience celebrating the women scaling visionary companies and reshaping the future of venture at the OWN App HQ in East Austin.
From inspiring panels, to musical moments, activations and candid conversations, this is more than a gathering—it’s a staking of claims. Together, we rise, connect, and build what’s next.
Who It’s For:
This event is curated for:
High-growth women entrepreneurs with the traction, vision, and ambition to scale
Investors and ecosystem allies committed to funding innovation with equity and intention
Mentors, partners, and friends of Ayana who believe in founder development and capital access
What to Expect
Immerse yourself in a modern-day frontier where purpose meets power and community drives capital.
Programming and experiences include:
🎟️ Program Schedule + Activations
1:00 PM
Activations Open
BodySpec Longevity Scans
Bootstraps to Big Exits Wall
Ayana Trading Post (founder-investor matchmaking) powered by Logictry
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Welcome
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Cherub Panel: To Raise or Not to Raise?
Shana Davis-Ross, Founder & CEO of Ponte Firm (Bootstrapped)
Marina Middleton, CEO & Partner at Create & Cultivate (VC Backed)
Sarah Larson, Founder/former CEO of Y7 Studio (VC Backed)
Jaclyn Johnson, founder of Create & Cultivate & Co-Founder of Cherub (Angel Backed)
Moderated by Angeline Voung, Co-Founder of Cherub
Gritty in Pink presents Music by DJ Loa + JoJo and Wo
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Main Panel: Building Boldly in the New Frontier, powered by The Billion Dollar Moves Podcast
Allison Ellsworth, co-founder of Poppi
Rachel Roy, designer, entrepreneur, and impact strategist
Theresa Fette, founder, enterprise builder, and growth strategist
Moderated by Sarah Chen-Spellings, Investor & Capital Strategist, Founder, Billion Dollar Moves (listen here).
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Cocktails with Chloe Capital powered by Basswood Counsel
Celebrate the close of the day with founder-funder connections and a hosted happy hour
Justworks Custom Essential Oils Bar
An exclusive tequila tasting, courtesy of our partners at 1925
A huge thank you to our sponsors:
Chloe Capital
Orrick
Justworks
Cherub
OWN app
Basswood Counsel
Billion Dollar Moves Podcast
BeeBizy