In a 33‑question interview, Anne Ravanona explains the InvestHer (Investor) Summit 2026, a two‑day event in Paris on 27‑28 October that brings together scaling women entrepreneurs, funders, corporates and policy makers in a curated room. The summit’s purpose is to give women founders access to capital and market contracts, with an agenda split between financing and market‑entry opportunities. Ravanona highlights the unique curated format (200 participants, selective applications), a physical marketplace with 20 stands and international delegations, and the headline sponsorship of AXA. She outlines the value for founders (coffee‑chat with investors), investors (curated, warm‑lead entrepreneurs), and corporate buyers (new suppliers). Ticketing is via investorsummit.com with early‑bird discounts, and founders apply through an online form. The broader ambition is to help fund 1 million women entrepreneurs by 2030, measuring success by conversations, introductions and concrete commitments made at the summit.
Chapters
Hi, Anne. Hi.
I'm here to ask you 33 questions about Investor Summit. Ready? Yep. So where are we?
Paris, home to the first Investor Summit and the third.
And what is the Investor Summit in one sentence?
Two days bringing together global scaling women entrepreneurs with funders, corporates, and policy shapers—the people who can write the checks and make those contracts.
Why did you start it?
Because I'm passionate about helping scaling women entrepreneurs get access to the capital and the contracts that they deserve.
When is it?
27th, 28th of October here in Paris.
And so, 3rd edition. What did the first 2 teach you?
That magic can happen when you put the right people in the room. In Dublin in 2024, 2 women entrepreneurs walked away with funding from 2 of the investors they met there.
Fantastic. So, Anne, how is the Investor Summit different from others?
Other conferences don't bring together funders, scaling women entrepreneurs from around the world, and corporates in the same room.
Panels or conversations?
Conversations.
And what's the agenda?
Half access to capital, half access to markets.
Why markets?
Because the best form of funding is a paying customer, whether it's a corporate, a government, or a consumer.
And what is the biggest myth about women founders?
That there are not enough women entrepreneurs out there that are fundable.
One word for the atmosphere?
Community.
So what is a scaling woman entrepreneur?
A woman who's already generating revenue, got customers, and she's actively raising money to grow or going to a new geographical market.
And for founders, why should they come?
Because you could be having coffee next to an investor you wouldn't get access to normally.
And investors?
You're going to get access to curated women entrepreneurs that are not just cold decks.
I'm a corporate buyer. What's in it for me?
Find that potential supplier that you didn't know existed and that you won't find on a tender portal.
And so why is it called a curated room?
Because we choose very carefully who's in that room. Women entrepreneurs need to apply and we choose our speakers and our partners with care.
And so your summit is for 200 people. Why not just sell 500 tickets?
Because with 500 people you can't have a real conversation. With 200 you can.
And what about delegations?
We're going to have great delegations from Africa, Canada, Netherlands, and more. So be there.
So what's the marketplace?
A physical showcase with stands where scaling women entrepreneurs and our partners can showcase their products and services.
And so how many stands are there?
20 in total. We have a Canada corner, An Africa corner, and the rest are smaller stands.
Can I get one?
If you're a scaling woman entrepreneur and you've been approved for a ticket, you can try and buy one, so get in there fast.
Who else?
Sponsors and other partners, there is room for you. Call me.
So where are we now?
Coming up to AXA.
And why is AXA the headline sponsor?
Because they believed in the power of this room and they're giving it to us.
And what does success look like on the 29th of October?
Conversations started in introductions made and commitments.
Commitments?
Commitments from corporates, funders, and scaling women entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners. Actions they're actually going to take to help women access markets. And what is the bigger goal? We want to help get 1 million women entrepreneurs funded by 2030.
Okay, we're coming up to the 25th of Matignon now, where the summit will be. How do I get my ticket?
investorsummit.com/tickets.
When is the best time to buy?
Now! 20% off!
Okay. If I'm a scaling founder, how do I apply?
Fill in the application form on the website.
And I run a company and want in as a sponsor?
Contact me. You'll see the link on the website.
What if I want to bring a group?
Delegations! You can create your own delegation. Again, learn more on our delegations page.
