What is Equalize Startups?
Equalize Startups is a pitch competition and platform for coaching and promoting women academic inventors as they navigate the startup ecosystem and gain valuable connections.
Why do we need Equalize Startups?
2%
Only 2% of VC dollars invested in the U.S. go to companies solely founded by women.
(Source: Pitchbook – The VC female founders dashboard.)
13%
Women account for less than 13% of U.S patent holders, though women make up half the workforce.
(Source: USPTO report–10/2022: Where are U.S. women patentees? Assessing three decades of growth.)
2061
At the current pace, women inventors will not reach parity with men until 2061.
(Source: World Intellectual Property Organization report–2023: The Global Gender Gap in Innovation and Creativity.)
What is an Equalizer?
An Equalizer is an academic woman innovator working on her entrepreneurial journey through the Equalize Program.
How Does the Program Work?
The program provides mentorship, education, and business strategy review to academic women inventors—aka Equalizers.
How to Become an Equalizer
Applications open in the fall. Selected Equalizers work with assigned mentors and compete in a pitch competition in June.
Meet Our Equalizers!
The 2024 Pitch day is June 20, 2024.
Equalize Startups News & Events
2026 Equalize Culmination Pitch Event
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 1:00pm ET Join us for this year’s Culmination Pitch Competition and Symposium on June 17 at 1pm ET. This event is not only a celebration of innovative ideas but also a platform for supporting women in their entrepreneurial journeys. Equalize...
Building Your Support Network: From Startup Team to Ecosystem
https://youtu.be/64HCsmOp4RA Join Equalize Startups for our inaugural virtual event designed specifically for Equalize almunae and aspiring first-time founders ready to expand their entrepreneurial horizons. "Building Your Support Network: From Startup Team to...
Equalize 2025 Culmination Pitch Event: A Celebration of Innovation and Community
On Wednesday, July 25th, Equalize Startups hosted its 2025 Culmination Pitch Event, spotlighting the brilliance of academic women entrepreneurs across four dynamic tracks: MedTech, Physical Sciences, Tools, and Therapeutics. With over 300 attendees, the...
Equalize 2025 | Culmination Pitch Event
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 1:00pm ET Join us for this year's Culmination Pitch Competition and Symposium on June 25 at 1pm ET. This event is not only a celebration of innovative ideas but also a platform for supporting women in their entrepreneurial journeys. Equalize...
Equalize 2025 In-Person Experiential Learning Day
Equalize started in 2020 with a focus on training, connecting, and advancing budding academic women entrepreneurs. With the onset of the pandemic, we went completely virtual and have stayed that way in the intervening years. However, we heard time and again from both...
Equalize Startups 2024 Impact Report: Empowering Women Innovators
Equalize Startups is excited to share the highlights from our 2024 Impact Report.
#Equalize2024 Pitch Competition and Symposium Celebrates Academic Women Innovators
Thirty academic women innovators pitched their innovations to experienced entrepreneurs and investors at the Equalize 2024 Pitch Competition and Symposium on June 20, 2024. The event was not only a celebration of innovative ideas but also a platform for supporting...
#Equalize2024 Pitch Competition and Symposium to Showcase Academic Women Innovators
Join us for the #Equalize2024 Pitch Competition and Symposium on June 20 at 1pm ET for an inspirational afternoon celebrating some of the brightest women innovators in academia. This event is not only a celebration of innovative ideas but also a platform for...
Equalize 2023 Pitch Competition Results Announced
Last month’s (June 29, 2023) virtual Equalize pitch day marked the end of the fourth year of the Equalize program. The itinerary for the event encompassed a keynote presentation by Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia, pitch presentations, a venture capital panel discussion and an...
Equalize 2023 Pitch Videos | Digital Tools
Winners and pitch videos from the 2023 Equalize Startups Pitch Competition in the Digital Tools category.
Equalize 2023 Pitch Videos | Physical Sciences
Winners and pitch videos from the 2023 Equalize Startups Pitch Competition in the Physical Sciences category.
Equalize 2023 Pitch Videos | MedTech
Winners and pitch videos from the 2023 Equalize Startups Pitch Competition in the MedTech category.
Equalize 2023 Pitch Videos | Therapeutics
Winners and pitch videos from the 2023 Equalize Startups Pitch Competition in the Therapeutics category.
Sitting Down with Martina Roos of Sardona Therapeutics
Sitting Down with Martina Roos of Sardona Therapeutics “Have a clear vision, tell a good story, build evidence on rigorous data to support your story and therapies for patients, and grow a well-connected network of mentors or advisors,” Martina emphasizes. “Then be...
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