Women's Startup Lab

Who we are

Women’s Startup Lab (WSLab) is a premier Silicon Valley startup and leadership accelerator for women entrepreneurs around the world. By focusing on “people innovation” and introducing their vast Silicon Valley network, WSLab and CEO Ari Horie transform individuals, companies and the world through active collaboration and innovative thinking among top leaders. Based in Silicon Valley, California, WSLab has been in operation for 8 years. WSLab has run its unique, women-focused accelerator for six years, graduating 17 cohorts. Of our over 150 alumnae, over 63% have successfully raised funds, and 4 have had successful exits. We have also trained over 1,000 corporate executives through our accelerator program, Hito Institute, to further advance the collaboration of women, entrepreneurs and corporate innovation. Our growing community numbers 25,000+ worldwide. Featured Publications & Awards: 100 Powerful Women of 2020 - Entrepreneur Mag. Arora Women’s Award - Bvlgari 2019 The CNN 10 Visionary Women - 2014 40 over 40 Women to Watch 2015 2015 Influential Women by Silicon Valley Business Journal Marie Claire "20 Women Changing Ratio" Forbes Japan - 100 Self Made Women 2019 Forbes Japan - 55 women in the world, who is changing the world Huffington Post Silicon Valley Business Journal Success Magazine "Beyond Lean In - Ari Horie" Forbes US Wall Street Journal 日経, 日経BP Keynote & Other Speaking Engagements: MC for Prime Minister Abe from Japan - 2015 SXSW V2V - Las Vegas 2014 (Keynote) SXSW Interactive - Austin 2015 SXSW Edu - Austin 2016 Women in Tech - 2016 Slush Asia - 2016 NES （新経済団連サミット）- Tokyo, Japan 2015 AdTeck - Tokyo, Japan 2015 (Keynote) UpGlobal - Las Vegas 2014 (Keynote) CommuniTech - Canada 2015 MediaOcean - New York 2015 Slush Asia - Tokyo, Japan 2016 Japan USA Innovation Award's keynote - Silicon Valley 2016 Women Empower Expo - Florida 2017 Women@Forbes - Silicon Valley 2017

Funding Requirements

We accelerate female-led early-stage and mid-stage technology startups in sectors such as HealthTech, AI, SaaS, sustainability, consumer technology, and EdTech, helping companies with validated products and early market traction prepare for institutional seed and Series A venture funding.

Value add

We empower women founders through immersive leadership development, executive coaching, investor introductions, Silicon Valley mentorship, fundraising support, and lifelong access to a global founder and advisor network.