In the idyllic setting of Hamptons, NY, an intimate yet vibrant seaside community, was transformed into a global technology hub during the recently concluded Hamptons Tech Week, which took place from June 27th to 29th, 2023.
Started by powerhouse women, the conference is a testament to those that crave in-depth conversions about the most salient topics in tech, along with real and lasting connections. Christine Prydatko, one of the co-founders who is herself an entrepreneur, Julie Lamb, conference chair and star emcee, and Kate Kelley, a film producer steeped in social impact, put together a not-to-miss three-day gathering.
An initiative aimed at educating attendees on the disruptive potential of technology across various sectors, this year’s conference made a powerful statement by launching with a Women’s Day dedicated to championing female entrepreneurs.
As part of the opening act, CURIO Project Hamptons hosted an intimate gathering of brilliant minds, in collaboration with fylí Tribe, a mastermind community designed to support early-stage female founders. These female leaders, who are transforming the landscape of AI, Web 3, Healthcare, Sports, Social Good, and Non-profit, amongst others, got a unique chance to connect, share, and grow in an environment that felt more like a shared safe space than a conference.
The conference was ignited with a meditative session by Wellness Expert and Author, Krista Nerestant. This grounding meditation paved the way for a day filled with inspiration, knowledge, and growth, setting the right tone for impactful conversations to follow.
Jen Halweil, Emmy Nominated Director & Sustainable Futurist, followed with an insightful keynote. Through her perspective on building a sustainable future with technology, Halweil injected a burst of optimism into the audience, reiterating the importance of the female perspective in the development of the future tech landscape.
The afternoon was ripe with insights from speakers like Emily Burnett, founder & CEO of MetaBurnett, who shared her vision of Web3 in fashion, and Kirsten Jordan, the first female cast member of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York, who presented an enlightening perspective on the future of real estate and technology.
One of the day’s highlights was the candid fireside chat between Fylí CEO Jaclynn Brennan and Molly Heffernan from the Tory Burch Foundation. Their conversation focused on the Tory Burch fellows program and the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in today’s fast-paced tech-driven business environment. The newly launched Funding Finder tool was also spotlighted as an interactive guide that deconstructs capital options and resources for women-owned businesses.
Moreover, the ‘Spirit of Entrepreneurship’ panel with successful female leaders shared real stories of resilience and courage, providing the audience with both valuable insights and the inspiration to embark on their entrepreneurial journey.
The day rounded off with a networking happy hour sponsored by 21SEEDS, where attendees had the opportunity to further connect and engage in deep conversations, trade ideas, share resources, and toast to their collective achievements.
Priscilla Loomis Oly, Olympic Athlete & Speaker, praised the event, saying, “Fyli’s Female Founders Day powered by 21SEEDS was absolutely incredible and inspiring… the connections made, all were amazing!”
Indeed, Women’s Day at Hamptons Tech Week 2023, was a welcome addition and amazing start to a conference that felt like more of an intimate gathering of friends and associates. It was a global demonstration of female empowerment, not just on Women’s Day, but throughout the event.
The whole gathering celebrated women founders and provided them with the tools, opportunity to share their knowledge, and the networks necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. I personally loved hearing women leaders such as Tania Reif, CIO of Senda Digital Assets, handle some tough questions with ease and an unparalleled understanding of digital assets during the ‘Taking the Opportunities, not the Risks: Blockchain, Web3 & Fintech Solutions’ panel.
The goal of Hamptons Tech Week, according to their website, is to “spread the word to East End residents and visitors about the opportunities in the future of technology.” They hit their goal and then some. I know that I personally left with amazing new contacts and friends. It didn’t hurt that the venue for the main event was at the Southampton Arts Center, which is brimming with culture and is currently hosting a collection of Henry Benson’s photographs that showcased some of the most prolific events in modern history.
“Hamptons Tech Week is committed to providing a platform that promotes collaboration and innovation, and we believe this year was an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn from and connect with industry leaders. Looking to the future, Hamptons Tech Week has plans to continue hosting events that foster connections and promote innovation within the tech industry,” cited Stephen Sabo, Co-Founder and Gary Adelman, Founding Partner at Hamptons Tech Week.
As we look back at this event, it serves as a powerful reminder that conferences do not need to be filled with pomp and circumstance, and side events that tout fireworks displays until the early morning hours. This event showed us that meaningful connections with truly smart people with common goals can come together to foster a supportive community. This is where entrepreneurs can propel their ventures to new heights. And, putting women front and center in tech – something that we don’t always see – was truly an added bonus.