The Refinery
fueling the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship
The Refinery
fueling the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship
impact
The Refinery, a pioneer in accelerating women-led tech companies, achieved rapid and exciting results: 39 companies mentored by 90+ subject expert mentors, raised $80 million+ in funds. More than 250 women-led tech companies were uncovered through unique pitch competitions. The Refinery awarded $260,000+ in non-dilutive grants.
The Refinery’s mission has broadened to helping other entrepreneur support organizations become more sustainable, diverse and impactful. We design and build mentor networks, entrepreneurship education, grant programs, providing coaching, mentorship and advisory services.
MISSION
To fuel the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship.
"Out of all the pitch events we have participated in, we made more direct investor connections through the Fueling the Growth competition than any other event. Janis and the whole Refinery team really understand the value of connecting startups to relevant investors / mentors and they were extremely helpful at making proactive introductions tailored to our needs. Overall, it was very well-run and lots of fun - I am so glad we participated and would do it again if we could!"
Jacqueline Loeb, CEO, Scouted.io
"Fueling for Growth Pitch Competition was a great way for women entrepreneurs to gain invaluable exposure to some of the top investors in the area. With the investor's undivided attention, you are able to have a candid conversation about your company and receive constructive feedback." Ashley Kalinauskas, Torigen
"Through participating in Fueling the Growth with UberPITCH I feel empowered to grow Corrie Health into a successful and sustainable company that addresses the real medical economics issues of readmission and revolutionizes heart attack recovery to be safer, faster, and more effective." Francoise Marvel, Corrie Health
"UberPitch was an incredible experience for my company. We pitched to investors, received tremendous press, and met incredible female CEOs from all over the country. We learned so much from the experience and highly recommend this event!"
Ellen Matloff, MyGeneCounsel
The Founders
The Founders
Janis Collins
Co-founder
Janis has been helping companies innovate, create and quickly launch new businesses for more than 25 years. First, through her own company, which focused on helping high tech startups and then later advising and funding new financial service companies. Janis has helped found and launch several companies including two non-profit organizations.
As a Consulting Partner at KPMG, Janis worked with top financial service firms, leveraging innovation techniques to recreate businesses and new electronic markets. As Managing Director at JPMorgan's LabMorgan, she ran the financial services business incubator where they advised and funded new Financial Services Technology ventures.
Dedicated to community service, always an innovator, and creator of pragmatic solutions, Janis served on Westport’s Board of Finance, and as Chairman of Westport’s Parks and Rec, where she created an innovative public/private solution to continue the investment in the Town’s parks and recreation facilities.
TEDx -Janis Collins
Don't go it Alone (Connections are Important)
Jennifer Gabler
co-founder
Jen has over twenty five years of experience as CFO for venture backed and startup companies in multiple industries. She has the unique ability to manage detail while engaged in strategy alongside CEOs, boards, financing and strategic partners. Recent clients include venture backed high tech and biotech companies, media and e-commerce companies and consumer product companies.
Jen began her career as an investment banking analyst at Merrill Lynch. After Columbia Business School, she focused on developing her operational finance expertise as a senior manager and CPA in the entrepreneurial services and administrative leadership at Coopers & Lybrand. She was the CFO for Extraprise (now Quickpivot) for its first seven years where she built and oversaw finance, HR and IT. She has deep expertise in financial modeling, fund raising, mergers and acquisitions, HR and back office operations, and a strong track record raising venture capital and early stage financing.
Jen has an AB from Dartmouth College and has been a lecturer and researcher at both Tuck and Harvard Business Schools.