Project 2.8 Pitch Night with AllianceBernstein
Project 2.8's Pitch Night: Showcasing Columbia’s women founders and their ventures through pitches, networking, and meaningful connections.
Project 2.8 Pitch Night @ AllianceBernstein
An Accelerator. A Network. A Community.
Join us on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, for an evening that celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship, and equity in venture capital. Hosted by Columbia Venture Community
This exclusive gathering will bring together founders, VCs, mentors, and startup ecosystem partners for a night of 's Project 2.8, in partnership with Alliance Bernstein, and , this event will spotlight Columbia University’s exceptional women founders as they take the stage to pitch their startups to a panel of investors and industry leaders.inspiration, opportunity, and collaboration in the heart of New York City.
Pitch Night Judges:
Maya Uchima, Partner in Venture Technologies at Broadfield Law, Jennifer Beecham, President and founder of Rho Bio, and former Senior Associate Director at Yale Ventures (Blavatnik Fund), Silvia Codony, Associate Vice President of New York Ventures, and Tomasz Felpel, founder and CEO of Value Alpha.
🕕 Event Schedule
6:00 Check-in & Networking Reception
Mingle with founders, investors, and guests over and bites and refreshments.
6:30pm: Welcome address, by NanaYaa Mensah-Thomas, Director, Project 2.8, and MP, Purelite Ventures
6:40pm: AllianceBernstein host welcome from Tully McGowan, Tom Miele, and Julia Pimsleur, from Bernstein Private Wealth Management and a discussion on raising early-stage capital from angel and venture investors
7:15pm: Live Startup Pitches by Project 2.8, Cohort 6, Founders, presenting their ventures to a panel of investors.
8:30pm Judge Feedback & Recognition
Hear insights from investors and celebrate standout ventures.
8:45pm Closing Remarks by Linda Kugblenu, Vice President, Market and Product Expansion, at J.P. Morgan
Final Networking - Raise a toast to women in venture, exchange ideas, and connect with the Project 2.8 community.
9:00 Event Concludes
🤝 Why Attend?
Connect with founders, investors, and mentors driving innovation across industries.
Hear pitches from Columbia’s top women entrepreneurs.
Discover opportunities to invest, collaborate, and mentor.
Celebrate the growing impact of women in venture capital.
Host:
Bernstein Private Wealth Management
For more than 50 years, Bernstein Private Wealth Management has guided clients through their most important journeys. Today, with over $140 billion under management, we stand as one of the industry’s most respected research-driven investment managers—intentionally structured to avoid conflicts of interest. By steering clear of businesses that could compromise our objectivity, we ensure our interests are firmly aligned with those of our clients, while providing a depth of expertise that sets us apart. Our extensive experience advising business owners and working with private companies gives us a differentiated view of the entrepreneurial path. It’s helped us build a culture of creativity around supporting business owners’ success.
🌟 Project 2.8
An Accelerator. A Network. A Community.
Founded through Columbia Venture Community in 2020, Project 2.8 is a startup accelerator serving early-stage, pre-seed, women-led startups founded by current students and alumnae of Columbia University. Our mission is to ensure women founders have equal access to venture capital and the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
Since its inception, Project 2.8 has supported over 30 startups through its accelerator, providing a curriculum that includes mentorship, investor connections, and expert-led workshops. With the continued support of Columbia Venture Community, we are building a powerful network and sustainable community for women founders.
To learn more about our program, our founders, and how you can get involved, visit us at www.projecttwoeight.com.
Project 2.8 is a fiscally sponsored project of Do Good Points Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 85-4368754).
Our Partners:
🏛️ Broadfield Law
Legal Venture Partner
Broadfield is a global law firm committed to being your trusted advisor in navigating legal complexities across diverse sectors and jurisdictions. In today’s dynamic legal environment, Broadfield seamlessly integrates local insight with global capabilities, offering adaptable and value-driven solutions to our clients. Broadfield set a new benchmark in the industry, providing premium legal advice—delivering exceptional quality with unmatched value.
Learn more at www.broadfieldlaw.com
🤝 Columbia Venture Community (CVC)
Founded in 2006, Columbia Venture Community (CVC) is one of the largest and most inclusive entrepreneurship-focused networks in the Columbia ecosystem, with nearly 6,000 members across 50+ countries. Open to all Columbia University students, alumni, and staff regardless of school affiliation, CVC supports aspiring and established entrepreneurs through vibrant programming, access to resources, and a strong sense of community.
From startup pitch nights and incubation seminars to networking events and panel discussions in major cities like NYC, SF, London, and Seoul, CVC fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. With 450+ events and 120+ startup pitches hosted since its founding, CVC is a key driver of venture development across the Columbia community.
Learn more at columbiaventurecommunity.com
Project 2.8 is a fiscally sponsored project of Do Good Points Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 85-4368754).