FourthWave: Empowering Women-Led Tech Companies

The technology industry has been predominantly male-dominated for decades, but that is slowly changing. Women-led technology companies are on the rise, and their contributions to the industry are increasingly being recognized. However, despite their growing numbers, women-led technology companies still face numerous challenges, including lack of access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. This is where FourthWave comes in.

FourthWave is a non-profit business accelerator, based in Sacramento, that is dedicated to empowering women-led technology companies. The organization provides exceptional leadership development, insightful mentors, and access to funding without taking an equity stake in the participating companies. FourthWave’s ultimate goal is to create a supportive and educational environment that enables female founders to build successful and sustainable businesses.

Applications Now Open

FourthWave’s upcoming 2023 cohort is now accepting applications, which are due on June 9, 2023. They are offering an online information session on Tuesday, May 16, from 12 – 1 PM.  Or, you can schedule a one-on-one session with them for more personalized information.

Who FourthWave Works With

FourthWave is open to technology companies with at least one female or female-identified founder. The organization believes in creating an inclusive environment that supports and empowers women entrepreneurs. FourthWave is committed to breaking down barriers and creating a level playing field for women in the technology industry.

Business Residency

Sixty percent of selected companies will have their main headquarters located (or be willing to locate) in the greater Sacramento region. Up to forty percent of selected companies may come from other locales. This is because FourthWave believes in creating a strong local network that supports women-led technology companies. The organization believes that by creating a strong local ecosystem, female founders will have access to the resources they need to build successful businesses.

Program Location

The 2023 program will be virtual, with optional face-to-face interactions in Sacramento if/when possible. FourthWave believes in utilizing the best practices for creating an interactive, supportive, and educational environment in a virtual setting. The organization believes that by utilizing technology, it can reach a broader audience and provide more opportunities for female founders.

Equity

As a non-profit organization, FourthWave is committed to providing exceptional leadership development, insightful mentors, and access to funding. The organization does not take an equity stake in participating companies, nor does it currently invest in its cohort companies. FourthWave’s ultimate goal is to create a supportive and educational environment that enables female founders to build successful and sustainable businesses.

FourthWave’s Approach

FourthWave accelerator dedicates an equal effort to leadership awareness and coaching, the development of sound startup business fundamentals, and preparedness for external funding. As part of the program, female founders engage in a radical new conversation about leadership, build a robust business, and attract capital that supports their values.

FourthWave’s leadership philosophy does not focus on what female founders do but rather how they do it. The organization believes that leaders act from one of three mindsets: To Me, By Me, and Through Me. To Me mindset is about reacting to things happening to you, By Me mindset focuses on creating opportunities, and Through Me mindset understands that individuals are channels for creativity and power. FourthWave’s practices and tools are designed to help female entrepreneurs operate as powerful creators in the By Me and Through Me mindsets.

Developing Sound Business Fundamentals

Through a series of business assessment processes, female founders work with FourthWave business coaches to assess key areas of their businesses to prepare for funding. This includes clear identification of unmet needs, market size, revenue potential, investment return, liquidity horizon, technical strategy, product development risk, intellectual property, and go-to-market strategies. This work serves as the foundation for the final phase – funding!

Preparedness for External Funding

Funding requires more than just a great pitch deck. The FourthWave accelerator assists female founders in filling the gaps identified through the Sound Business Fundamentals process, helping them to identify funding sources specifically for their businesses, provide insight and feedback on investor messaging, and provide opportunities to present to prospective investors.

Learn More and Apply

Ready to learn more and/or apply? Have questions you need answered before applying? Explore the FourthWave website for more information. The application deadline is June 9, 2023.

This is a program of FourthWave and the Carlsen Center. StartupSac is providing information to our community on the program and is not an organizer of the program.