March 8, 2017
Girl Starter (the “Company”), a transmedia and technology company that provides platforms to amplify girls in entrepreneurship and business leadership, today announced its first reality-competition TV show and unveiled the first phase of its digital site, GirlStarter.com to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8.
At the center of the Company’s efforts is the business-genre reality-competition TV show, Girl Starter, which documents eight girls ages 18-24 as they compete for seed-round funding. The series follows six steps of early-phase business building, from ideation through pitch, and features entertaining challenges, vibrant guest stars and a grand prize of up to $100,000 of investment and services.
GirlStarter.com will complement the show with inspirational, actionable content to help girls and young women build their own businesses.
The Company has joined forces with Al Roker Entertainment as their production partner for the series. “One of the most inspiring things to watch is young people going after their dreams and creating viable business ideas at a young age,” said Al Roker, executive producer of Girl Starter. The show will premiere on Discovery Networks’ TLC on Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. EDT. Re-broadcasts will subsequently air on Discovery Family.
As a long-time supporter of entrepreneurship initiatives, Staples, Inc. has signed on as the show’s presenting sponsor.
“As the presenting sponsor of Girl Starter, Staples is proud to help empower these young women to pursue excellence and their dreams to be entrepreneurs. By following their experiences, we hope to inspire viewers everywhere to unleash their own potential,” said Frank Bifulco, chief marketing officer, Staples. “At Staples, we’re united by our passion to help all businesses succeed, from small start-ups to larger mid-market and enterprise companies.”
Julia Collins was the creator of the Girl Starter concept in 2014 when she was just 16 years old. After attending several conferences about gender inequity and women in business, Julia felt that the key to initiating change and increasing women’s success was “to reach girls while they are moldable.” Hence, the idea for Girl Starter was born with the conviction that becoming a boss should be as fun as being one.
Girl Starter was officially co-founded in 2015 by three visionaries and accomplished leaders in business: Jeannine Shao Collins, former EVP of MORE Magazine and Chief Innovation Officer of Meredith 360 and Julia’s mother; Dani Davis, Emmy award-winning writer and Tony-nominated Broadway producer; and Chris Collins, former VP of Multimedia Sales at ESPN and The Wall Street Journal.
“A Girl Starter is not only a girl who is striving to be business leader and owner, but a Girl Starter is anyone who is for the advancement of women and girls. This includes executives, investors, bosses, moms, dads, sisters, brothers and friends – women and men. Girl Starter believes in the spirit of inclusion and fun, and we want to catch companies, investors, and people doing the right thing for the next generation of women,” said Co-founder and CEO Jeannine Shao Collins.
“Girl Starter uses entertainment and social media to democratize access, for young women everywhere, to the tools and mentorship they need to make their own dreams come true. I can’t wait for people everywhere to meet the growing community of the amazing girls of Girl Starter, and feel the fearless passion of our next generation of business makers powered by this generation’s most successful business leaders,” said Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Dani Davis.
In preparation for Season 2, Girl Starter will conduct a ten-city tour along the east coast in May and June of 2017 and provide the opportunity to audition in person for the next season.
Girl Starter is built on a sponsorship-based business model integrating brands throughout the series, website and tour. In addition to Staples, key sponsors are: Visa, Vera Bradley, Microsoft, Air Force, Pilot Pen and Klarbrunn Sparkling Water. Joining Girl Starter in activating around International Women’s Day are sponsors Microsoft, Vera Bradley, Visa and presenting sponsor Staples.
For additional information, please visit GirlStarter.com. Check your local listings for Girl Starter airdates and times.