Jennifer Stojkovic joins us on the podcast this week for a powerful and information-packed conversation about the role of women and women-owned businesses in the post-animal economy. Jennifer is the founder of Vegan Women Summit (VWS), a global events and media organization dedicated to empowering women as they work to incorporate vegan ethics and values into their careers. In her conversation with Jasmin, Jennifer explains why she felt it necessary to focus on women working to build the post-animal economy and how women are crucial to the success...
Jennifer Stojkovic joins us on the podcast this week for a powerful and information-packed conversation about the role of women and women-owned businesses in the post-animal economy. Jennifer is the founder of Vegan Women Summit (VWS), a global events and media organization dedicated to empowering women as they work to incorporate vegan ethics and values into their careers. In her conversation with Jasmin, Jennifer explains why she felt it necessary to focus on women working to build the post-animal economy and how women are crucial to the success of the vegan beauty, food, fashion, and overall lifestyle movement. She also tells us about the huge buzz created by VWS’ first virtual summit and pitch competition held in December 2020..
Jennifer built her career as a community relations leader for the world’s largest tech companies before blending her passion for change in the food system with her experience and network in Silicon Valley. In 2018, she launched the Future of Food partnerships bringing together CEOs and founders from leading tech brands with emerging leaders from the burgeoning food tech industry to establish food as “Tech 2.0.” Jennifer launched VWS in 2020 with a focus on building an equitable and diverse representation of vegan women leaders from around the world to partner with major tech brands.
“Women, statistically speaking, make better founders. There is a lot of information that shows that women have higher valuations upon exit. Women are much better with per dollar investments compared to male founders; they make a lot less money but go a lot farther.” – Jennifer Stojkovic
Interview Highlights:
- Why the creation of plant-based foods, sustainable textiles, and clean beauty solutions is the way of the future
- The obstacles that women face in receiving funding for food ventures
- Why the inequalities inherent in Silicon Valley lead to a networking gap for women
- Who attended the Summit and what stage their businesses were in
- How women founders develop their ideas into realities
- Jennifer’s perspective on what funders are looking for
- What you need to know about the venture capital world in order to start a business in an increasingly animal-free economy
- The Summit’s prize-based pitch competition and some examples of entries
- What Jennifer is most proud of in terms of building the virtual conference and the most important thing she learned from the process
- What’s next for VWS and the possibility of a hybrid conference in the future
Resources:
- Jasmin’s Jargon
- So Delicious Oat Milk Ice Cream
- Alga-Life
- Kinder Beauty
- Rebellyous Food
- Miyoko’s Creamery
- Save Da Sea Foods
- Hao Foods
- Our Hen House Episode 561: Supporting Plant-Based Companies ft. Amy Trakinski
Connect with Jennifer Stojkovic:
- Vegan Women Summit Website
- VWS Connect
- Vegan Women Summit on Facebook
- Vegan Women Summit on Instagram
- Vegan Women Summit on Twitter
Connect with Our Hen House:
- Our Hen House Website
- Our Hen House on Facebook
- Our Hen House on Instagram
- Our Hen House on Twitter
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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
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Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.
The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.
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