Like many successful founders, Jennifer Hyman wanted to give back to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Related: The Virtue Jennifer Hyman Values Most in Others
“I was given this incredible opportunity—this dream career,” she says. “I raised more money than any other woman in this country. I know there are thousands of women, millions of women, who should be in my shoes too.”
Hyman and her co-founder Jenny Fleiss launched Project Entrepreneur in partnership with UBS, a leading financial services firm, to support women building their businesses. Instead of inspirational talks, they've chosen a hands-on approach to drive real results.
Related: Jennifer Hyman on Taking Risks for Something You Believe In
“The goal of Project Entrepreneur is to deliver tactical feedback to move your idea from point A to point B,” Hyman explains. “Many women have million-dollar businesses, but few reach $50 million or $100 million.”
To scale from $1 million to $100 million, “you need a network,” she says. “Support from people who take action. Advice on your product roadmap, technology, and marketing plan.”
Rent the Runway makes this happen by incubating startups in its New York office through a five-week accelerator, hosting business competitions, running city-specific events, and providing a digital hub for entrepreneurs.
Related: How Jennifer Hyman Is Disrupting the Way We Dress
This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
