Events by Ellen Damaso, Ecosystem Builder and Community Architect.
Bridging Fashion & Beauty Innovators — Virtual Pitch Competition v4
Bridging Fashion & Beauty Innovators — Virtual Pitch Competition
From Concept to Catwalk: Empowering the Next Wave of Fashion & Beauty Tech
This online gathering is designed for founders, funders, technologists, and community builders in the fashion and beauty tech ecosystem. Our mission: foster collaboration, spotlight emerging startups, and unlock pathways for innovation and investment.
Agenda
11:00am (Virtual Lobby Opens): Registration & Networking
11:10am: Opening Remarks by Host & Partners
11:15am: Live Startup Pitches--5 fashion and beauty tech founders present their companies to a panel and audience
Each founder: 5-minute pitch + 3-minute judge Q&A + 2-minute audience Q&A
12:10pm: Audience Voting & Judges Deliberation
12:20pm: Winner Announced & Closing Remarks
12:25pm: Post-event Networking Lounge
Event Summary & Goals
Fashion and beauty are undergoing rapid transformation through technology: AI-driven personalization, sustainable materials, virtual try-ons, and social commerce. This competition brings together trailblazing founders, investors, and collaborators to:
Celebrate innovation in fashion and beauty tech
Connect early-stage ventures with funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships
Cultivate a vibrant, supportive community to scale new ideas and business models
Top startups will pitch for feedback, recognition, and potential investment. The audience will help choose a crowd favorite, while a panel of expert judges selects the grand prize winner.
Who Should Join
Fashion and beauty tech founders and business leaders
Early-stage entrepreneurs working on wearable tech, cosmetics innovation, ecommerce, digital fashion, AI, and retail platforms
Investors, angels, and industry mentors eager to support emerging companies
Creators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of fashion and beauty
Why Attend
Discover cutting-edge innovations and new brand experiences
Network virtually with talent from across the global fashion and beauty tech ecosystem
Access partnership, investment, and mentorship opportunities
Shape the future of tech-enabled beauty and fashion—your vote and voice matter
Logistics & Attire
Platform: Zoom (link sent upon registration)
Dress Code: Business casual, creative flair, or everyday wear—bring your authentic self!
Admission: RSVP required—founders, investors, students, and community welcome
Startups to pitch:
TBD
Stage: TBD
Summary: TBD
Fundraising: TBD
Judges & Moderator
Judge #1: Dr. Anna Zakowska, Managing Partner at Dragons and Angels Fund
Dr Anna is a founder, operator, builder, and investor. She launched her first startup in 2013, scaled it to support over $1 billion in AUM, and exited in 2017, going on to build and lead nine successful ventures. Anna invests primarily in startups across AI/ML applications, FinTech, PropTech, LegalTech, and blockchain, with deep expertise in applied artificial intelligence. She has a strong track record of backing technical teams and founders with rigorous research and engineering backgrounds. Her investment philosophy is grounded in meaningful traction, defensibility, and flawless execution
Judge #2: Camila Clarke, Founder and CEO, Clarke Capital Advisors
Cami Clarke is Founder and CEO of Clarke Capital Advisors LLC (“CCA”), an independent financial and strategic advisory firm. A senior Investment Banking and Capital Markets professional, Camila has over 20 years of investment banking experience working at bulge bracket international banks, including Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs. Camila has extensive experience advising global clients across industries, including tech, consumer, FIG, industrials, healthcare and more. Most recently, Camila has advised tech companies from early stage to Fortune 500 across sub-specialties including e-commerce, internet, fintech, proptech, healthtech, edtech and more.
Camila holds an MBA from The Wharton School, Masters degrees in Finance and Development Economics from the University of Cambridge, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Camila is native fluent in English and Spanish.
Camila Clarke is a Registered Representative of Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA / SIPC.
Judge #3 Carla Morton
Carla Morton is a serial entrepreneur, executive coach, and champion of small businesses. She began her career as a jewelry designer in New York City before founding Brandhabit, a fashion internet company where she served as CEO and navigated the dynamic early era of digital retail.
Today, Carla embraces a purposeful portfolio life — facilitating transformative programs for the global nonprofit How Women Lead, coaching a select group of high-potential clients, and advising emerging businesses on the path to growth. She also serves as an advisor and donor to Girls Hope Foundation, a nonprofit in Uganda that teaches young women the art of dress design and sewing, equipping them with skills to build financially independent lives. Her work sits at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and impact, making her a uniquely valuable voice in any room where bold ideas meet real-world execution.
Moderator: Tim Taylor
Tim Taylor is the Director of Business Development for Kranz Consulting which has provided fractional accounting & finance to start-ups and VC’s for 30 years. He’s a Wharton MBA and in the start-up world for 25 years. He’s committed to being of service to the start-up ecosystem and being the best Dad possible for a 25-year-old rock star daughter.
Apply to Pitch
Founders: Want to showcase your startup? Submit your application with a brief overview, traction, and your ask.
Get Involved
For partnership, sponsorship, or judging opportunities: ellen.a.damaso@gmail.com.
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Let’s build a more innovative, inclusive and beautiful tech-driven future—together.
Sponsored by
Plus Ultra Capital Partners, Ellen Damaso, Venture and Capital Partner
Events by Ellen Damaso, Ecosystem Builder and Community Architect.