Kristen Cooper Email & Phone Number

Indianapolis, In, Us

Indianapolis, Indiana , Us

The Startup Ladies teach entrepreneurs to go from: idea, to market, to growth. We teach those with financial capacity how to invest in startups, then connect them to investor-ready founders. And, we provide deal flow to corporations who provide ancillary services to startups. Our ultimate goal is to grow the number of women starting up scalable businesses and help them secure funding to grow. We believe that diversity is a competitive advantage, so all genders are welcome to participate and become members.As the CEO and Founder, I lead our staff, board, ambassadors, and members to achieve our mission of increasing the number of women starting up scaleable businesses and helping them secure the funding needed to grow.Gender disparity is extreme in the startup space. In 2022, of the $338 billion invested into US startups - female founders received less than 2%. The Startup Ladies are solving a problem specific to women, BIPOC and the LGBTQ community by including everyone in our solution. Since August 2014, we have helped...1. Entrepreneurs go from idea, to market, to growth.2. Individuals learn to invest in startups and connect them to investor-ready founders.3. Corporations who provide ancillary services connect to startups and investors.Our for-profit membership organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana includes nearly 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations in 5 states. We've helped founders secure more than $250k in investment. We've helped corporations secure more than $500k in new deals. If you are starting up a business, interested in investing in a startup, or a company that provides services to startups or investors - consider becoming a member. Our Meetups, live and virtual education, eLearning platform, private online community, and Mental Wellness for business programming will help you grow your network and connect to potential clients, advisors, mentors, and funders.

Indianapolis, In, Us

I write about: startups, building tech, women in business, mental health, and LGBTQ+ issues. 3/17/23: Women-owned and women-led companies aren’t the same12/23/22: Success can—and should—be whatever you want10/7/22: How to keep women founders, investors from leaving6/3/22: Tinker, test it, talk about it, then teach it4/1/22: Startup ecosystem needs more female lead investors12/17/21: Business leaders can help stop homophobic, transphobic behavior10/8/21: Why every business leader needs a therapist8/6/21: Have a business idea? Survey customers first.5/21/21: How to overcome gender double standards3/26/21: Ways male allies can support female startups1/15/21: Psychological stability is key to leading in 202111/6/20: Do you practice these tenets of accountability? 9/4/20: Pre-seed funding will help more women succeed6/19/20: Retain customers and expand market share through COVID-193/27/20: Could this be a boom time for B2C startups and small businesses?11/29/19: Everyone on a team is in sales, no matter the title10/18/19: If you’re looking for customers: try these ideas9/6/19: Is unicorn lust impeding investment in local startups?7/26/19: What’s the collateral damage of excluding women?5/22/19: What’s a startup to do when 100% of the team goes down?4/3/19: C-level execs fuel economy by supporting startup founders2/13/19: 5 ways men can help achieve gender parity12/12/18: First-time entrepreneurs often make this costly mistake10/24/18: California got it right on this one10/24/18: How do venture capital tax credits help startups in Indiana?9/13/18: How does a non-technical founder build software?7/26/18: Mental health impacts startups, founders, and employees6/7/18: Time to step up and invest in women-owned startups4/12/18: Is your startup idea viable and scalable?2/22/18: Top leaders need to support LGBTQ employees8/17/17: Time for tech to confront gender inequality5/26/17: Innovate by investing in women leaders and founders

Fishers, In, Us

As Vice President of Operations and Corporate Development, I helped Sticksnleaves (software development firm) scale by developing new collaborations with funded start-ups, growth-stage and mature businesses, and expanded collaborations with women and minority entrepreneurs who wanted to build new technology products. Additionally, I developed relationships with investors throughout the country to identify more funding opportunities for Sticksnleaves’ clients. My primary responsibilities included the following:• Built strategies with the Co-Founders of Sticksnleaves to achieve sales, and marketing and objectives. • Spearheaded the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes.• Collaborated with the Co-Founders to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to accommodate the rapid growth objectives of the organization.• Attracted, recruited and retained required members of the team not currently in place; provide mentoring as part of a staff member’s career development program.• Directed the development and establishment of adequate and equitable personnel policies throughout the organization, including compensation policies and employee benefit plans. Insured that the interests and welfare of employees as individuals are preserved and protected.• Identified and cultivated relationships with future clients including business partners, service providers and investors. • Helped clients determine the appropriate technology solution for their technical problem.• Elevated the presence of Sticksnleaves and developed brand awareness through: speaking engagements, social media, applying for awards, created high-level networking events, established relationships with event organizers, created and hosted activities that increased brand awareness of Sticksnleaves.

Indianapolis, Indiana, Us

As the chief fundraiser for the Indy Chamber, I lead fundraising and sales efforts through the multiple mergers that took place within the organization during 2012 and 2013. I developed and executed a strategy for comprehensive relationship management which included solicitation and stewardship of members, investors and sponsors. • Raised over $1.2 million annually from corporate investors in my portfolio.• Managed a team of 7 sales and membership services staff and 3 events staff.• Oversaw the planning and execution of 40+ annual events.• Launched the Women in Business and Golf Academy series through the Indy Chamber to help women build their networks and increase their chances of breaking through the glass ceiling.

Indianapolis, Indiana, Us

In 2011, Indy Partnership and Develop Indy merged together. In 2012, both entities merged with the Indy Chamber. Indy Partnership is responsible for attracting new jobs and capital investment to Greater Indianapolis. Develop Indy is responsible for retaining and growing jobs in Marion County. Together, those efforts strengthened the local economy and decreased unemployment in the region. As the lead fundraiser, I was responsible for the following:• Managed a corporate investment portfolio of $1.3 million.• Increased funds raised in 2011 by 19%.• Completed 200+ in-person visits annually.• Launched a series of events (11 events per year) to keep investors engaged.• Built relationships with key decision makers in the corporate community.

Noblesville, In, Us

As Director of Operations during the Foundation's Heart of Your Community $4.6 million capital campaign, I managed the day-to-day operations of the office including the execution of: annual giving campaigns, planned giving administration, special events, grants, prospect research, communications, database and administrative support. I supervised and motivated a team of 4 fundraising and events staff and developed a major gift portfolio. Additionally, I was responsible for the following:• Created and managed the Foundation’s budget. • Responsible for Human Resource function as it related to administrative staffing requirements, training, productivity, hiring, mentoring and adherence to the hospital's policies and procedures.• Responsible for management of Philanthropy Council structure including committees, programs and events. • Oversaw prospect management and tracking system and lead prospect research. • Marketing responsibilities included: website updates, Facebook posts, campaign and event communications and wrote the monthly e-newsletter that was sent to Board and Philanthropy Council members.

Indianapolis, In, Us

As a Major Gifts Officer for Butler University, my responsibility was to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift ($25,000+) prospects/donors as part of the ButlerRising $150 million campaign. I traveled monthly to the Northeast region of the U.S. building networks of financial support. Serving as the liaison to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS), I helped to strengthen the engagement of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors.

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

During my seven years at the University of California at Santa Barbara, I was promoted twice. Most recently, I served as Director of Development during the silent phase of UCSB’s first comprehensive $375 million campaign. My role was to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward annual and major gift ($25,000+) prospects/donors. Traveling to Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego each month, I developed major gift strategies for individuals, alumni networks and corporations. Working closely with senior administrators, I facilitated meetings and high-end events with major gift donors and prospects. These activities increased funds raised as well as the visibility and understanding of the fundraising efforts and mission of UCSB in Southern CA.

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

• Raised almost $2 million annually.• Managed 2 full time staff, 15 Student Staff, 75+ Student Callers.• Trained, mentored, and motivated the Assistant Director of Telemarketing.• Set goals, monitored trends, and led calling campaigns through statistical analysis.• Identified, cultivated, and solicited young alumni for annual Chancellor's Council gifts of $1,000.• Led prospect research projects that produced biographical updates.• Designed and edited direct mail pieces and informational brochures.• Increased total dollars by more than $100,000 in 1998-1999 and $63,000 in 1999-2000.• Increased credit card revenue by more than $100,000 annually.

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

• Advertised, recruited, hired, and trained over 250 students annually.• Evaluated performance and calling campaign progress through daily statistical analysis.• Designed, wrote and edited calling scripts.• Created and edited the Gaucho Call, a staff newsletter for the UCSB Annual Fund.• Implemented a new database program in Access that minimized data entry and permitted access to a central database and statistical reports.

University Park, Pa, Us

While working as a student caller at the Penn State Lion Line, I raised $56,000 between October 1995 and April 1996 by making phone calls to alumni and parents asking for support to the university. In April 1996, I was promoted to Student Supervisor and helped with caller recruitment, facilitated calling shifts and trained and evaluated student callers.

B.A., Communications

Education record