A Look Back at Ready, Set, Startup! 2023

VentureLab |

April 19, 2023

Thank you for attending and supporting Ready Set Startup 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported VentureLab’s second annual Ready, Set, Startup! Gala. We’re thrilled to announce that, together, we raised $160,000 to support VentureLab programming! The event was an unforgettable evening filled with delicious food and drinks, exciting live and silent auctions, and a fun pitch event. The energy in the room was palpable as we gathered to celebrate and empower the next generation of diverse innovators and changemakers.

We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we enjoyed having you. Your generosity will go a long way in providing entrepreneurial education to all youth, creating a brighter future for innovation and impact.

We’re so grateful to have your support! None of this would be possible without the dedication and passion of our donors, sponsors, advocates and community members.

Ready Set Startup 2023 Event Photo Gallery:

Modern floral arrangements on display.
A presenter speaking at a business pitch event.
Two smiling women at a seated dinner.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Three friends posing together at an evening event.
An aerial view of a dinner event and presentation.

Attendees enjoying a plated dinner at a circular table.
A man with blonde-dyed hair speaking at an event with a presentation.
Two men posing for a photo together, one holding a drink.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A close-up of an event place setting with silverware, a dark napkin, and two booklets.
A woman in a blue gown speaking on stage.
A wide shot of a woman speaking on stage during a gala dinner.
An overhead shot of a circular dinner table set for an event.
A group of six men and women in evening attire posing outdoors at night.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Two women smiling and posing with drinks.
A crowd of people at an event looking forward.
A group of five women smiling and posing in front of an event backdrop.

A presenter on stage speaking to an audience.
An adult man and a young girl speaking on stage with another adult.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
A presenter in a sequined dress smiling and speaking.

A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A pink cocktail with a custom graphic edible wafer on top.
A woman in a dark dress speaking with a microphone at an event.
Desma Deitz
An aerial view of a dinner table with guests and dinner settings.
A smiling couple posing together at an evening event.
2 women posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A blue sign for "CELEBRATE INNOVATION READY SET startup WELCOME."

2 womwn posing in front of an event backdrop.

Presenters on stage with a hand-written sign.
Two gold trophy cups on a silver cloth, surrounded by gold tinsel.
A table covered with a navy cloth featuring four standing QR code cards.
A display featuring a 108 AUSTIN STAYCATION sign with a picture, QR code, and "milk + honey" body wash and body polish.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A diverse group of five adults smiling around a dinner table.
A man in a grey suit and a woman in a black dress posing at an event.
Six adults smiling and looking at the camera around a dining table.

Presenters on stage with a hand-written poster.
Five people smiling and posing in formal wear.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
4 women posing in front of an event backdrop.
A woman and two men in semi-formal wear smiling.
Four people sitting and talking in a panel discussion.
Two women laughing on stage.
An all-woman panel and presenter on stage.

A presenter on stage holding a microphone and papers.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple smiling for a photo together.
Two presenters on stage with a screen displaying a graphic.
Matt & Patty Schatz
A table covered with a black tablecloth with scattered white event logos.
2 women posing in front of an event backdrop.
Presenters and audience on stage during a presentation.
Three women laughing on stage at an event.
Brooke Turner, Cindy Crowell, Juliette Richert
Two men and two women in formal attire posing for a photo.
An unoccupied banquet hall table set for a meal.
Three women in cocktail attire posing for a photo at night.
Small dessert cakes and salad dishes on a banquet table with a blue tablecloth.
4 women posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.

A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
Desma Deitz

An individual holds up a numbered card to indicate table 164.

Gloved hands hold two white plates with plated chicken, potatoes, and vegetables.
A group on stage holds a handwritten cardboard sign.

Desma Deitz
A speaker with a microphone addresses two people sitting on stage.
A stage with a speaker and large screen display in front of an audience.
Family posing in front of an event backdrop.
A young woman sings into a microphone on stage.
Abbey Salazar
A couple poses outdoors in front of city neon signs.

Six women smiling and posing together for a group photo outdoors.
An audience member holds up a numbered card to bid during an auction.
A large group of children and adults standing on stage at an event.
A woman in a royal blue gown speaks into a microphone on stage.
A side view of presenters on stage, a man with notes and a woman holding a microphone.
Matt & Patty Schatz
A diverse panel of people sitting and standing on stage for a presentation.
Two presenters on stage from an audience perspective.
Matt & Patty Schatz
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A large projection screen displaying the text "GOOD NIGHT!".

A male speaker with a microphone looks down at notes while on stage.
An overview of an event space with a presentation screen and dinner tables.
Guests posing for a photo while seated around a round dining table.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
promotional materials for "Venture Girls" by Dr. Cristal Glangchai, showcasing positive outcomes from the VentureLab program.
A table number 2 marker sits on a decorated event table alongside "Venture Girls" books.
A young girl speaks into a microphone on stage, surrounded by presenters.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.

Brooke Turner, Cindy Crowell, Juliette Richert
An overhead shot of people seated around a circular table during a banquet dinner.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
2 women posing in front of an event backdrop.

Three people sitting at a dining table look at the camera.
An unoccupied round dining table is meticulously set with blue napkins and dishes.
A male speaker in a suit holds a microphone on stage during an event.
Guests pose for a photo seated around a round dining table.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
Desma Deitz
2 women posing in front of an event backdrop.

Desma Deitz
Graham Weston and Pat Condon seated at an event table.
Graham Weston & Pat Condon
Two men and one woman seated at a dinner table posing for a photo.

Three female speakers and one male presenter on stage with a screen displaying the event feed.
A minimalist white cubic vase holding purple thistle flowers and a lone purple iris bloom.
Two men in blue blazers smiling at an outdoor reception.
A group posing in front of an event backdrop.
An abstract, colorful geometric and space-themed painting featuring a rocket ship and stars.
A woman in a dark shirt raising four fingers while seated at a table.
Two tall glass cylinder vases on stands, filled with matching vibrant bouquets.
Family posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.

2 women posing in front of an event backdrop.

4 women posing in front of an event backdrop.

Dr. Pengyu Ren and Haoqi Wang

4 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
A group of children and adults participating in an on-stage presentation with a large screen in the background.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A woman and two men seated around a small cocktail table with snacks and drinks.

A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
A woman posing in front of an event backdrop.

An empty event backdrop featuring nested geometric arch shapes in blue, orange with constellation patterns, and dark grey. The grey arch reads "CELEBRATE INNOVATION READY SET startup". The setup is framed by two tall, thin metallic stands, each holding a clear glass vase with colorful floral arrangements of pink roses, sunflowers, and purple accents.
A woman posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A woman in a pink dress speaks into a microphone while others stand and sit on stage.
One man and two women pose smiling with drinks at an event.
Four women in dressy attire smile posing together outdoors.
2 waomen posing in front of an event backdrop.
Presenter in a blue gown on stage with her likeness displayed on a large screen.
Two male presenters and three female panelists on stage, with the crowd visible.
An on-stage panel discussion where one woman holds a sign with a hand-drawn diagram.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A close-up of plated salad with sliced radish and cheesecake dessert at an event.
A group of women posing in front of an event backdrop.
Attendees seated at round tables during a busy indoor dinner.
Three women and one man seated on stage for a panel discussion with an audience looking on.
Three women pose together with drinks at a dimly lit indoor reception.
Abbey Salazar speaks into a microphone on stage against a simple backdrop.
Abbey Salazar
An audience in a large hall holds up small, dark items, like paddles or phones, towards the stage.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
A gloved server holds a metal tray stacked with small pear wedges, each skewered on a cocktail pick and topped with cheese.
Two large gold trophies sit with other VentureLab-branded items, like books and a hat, on a table.
Presenters on stage with a screen displaying text in the background, including "VENTURELAB" and "READY SET startup."
Matt & Patty Schatz
Four smiling young adults pose together at a reception, with one holding a drink.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
4 peoplw posing in front of an event backdrop.

Brooke Turner, Cindy Crowell, Juliette Richert

A group posing in front of an event backdrop.
A large screen at an event reads "GOOD NIGHT!" with stars and event logos below.

A smiling couple poses at a seated dinner with plates of food and drinks.
3 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
Desma Deitz, Abbey Salazar, Cristal Glangchai
An elevated shot of diverse people enjoying a catered dinner at round tables.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A male speaker with a microphone addresses two people sitting on stage during a panel.
A dinner table set for an event with a 'Table 14' sign, wine glasses, and blue napkins.
A young woman in a yellow top and floral skirt speaks into a microphone on stage, surrounded by other teenagers.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Three adults smiling and posing for a photo while seated at a round dining table.
2 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
A close-up of a place setting featuring an informative card about Jessi

People raising their hands with number paddles at a seated auction event.
A group of people including a young man and women talking with one another.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
Presenters and a young girl on a stage during an event.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Teenagers standing and sitting on stage during a presentation, with one boy holding a handwritten sign.
Two blonde women in evening attire, one in black and one with pink pants, smiling and posing for a photo.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Four people smile together while seated at a round dinner table with plated meals.
A clear plastic cup filled with blue and orange rocket ship stickers sits on a wooden table.
A person in a suit raises a black card with numbers up in the air at an auction or raffle.
A diverse group of people on a stage for a panel discussion with a microphone.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
Four smiling women in cocktail dresses pose together at an outdoor event.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.

Four women stand in a line on a stage during an event, and one speaks into a microphone.
An audience raises numbered cards into the air during a live auction.

Desma Deitz
A large blue sign on an easel welcomes guests with "READY SET startup" text.
A large group of diverse people stand on a stage for a panel discussion in front of an audience.
A table displays an open box of Tito's with gold ribbon and a green t-shirt as part of an auction.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
A woman in a royal blue dress speaks into a microphone while standing on a stage.
A young girl in a blue dress shakes hands with a woman on stage while a man watches.
A male speaker with a microphone gestures while standing on stage with others.
2 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
A couple posing in front of an event backdrop.
4 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
A diverse group of people on a stage for a panel discussion with a microphone.

Group of six people posing at night with neon city signs in the background.
Brian & Rosa McCormick, Claire England, Susan & Craig Harris
Overhead view of guests seated around a table at a dinner event.
Group of five colleagues posing and smiling in an indoor setting.
2 ladies posing in front of an event backdrop.
A presenter in a black dress speaking with a microphone.
Desma Deitz

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