Our History
The chosen partner of bold visionaries
2000
FOUNDED
Founded in San Francisco as the Women’s Technology Cluster by Catherine (Cate) Muther, former marketing executive at Cisco Systems and founder of The Three Guineas Fund.
2000 - 2005
INCUBATOR
Physical incubation program:
1,400 companies reviewed; 86 incubated. Physical space shut down in 2005 to focus on a virtual accelerator program model.
2006 - 2012
ACCELERATOR
2005-2007 Astia Expert Sift™ sourcing and screening process developed under Sharon Vosmek, COO at the time. Validation that the methods removed bias and identified top performing companies.
Rebranded as Astia in 2007,
Sharon Vosmek named CEO.
Geographic reach expanded globally to 3,000 Advisors. 4,600 companies reviewed; 284 accelerated.
2013 - 2023
DIRECT INVESTMENTS
Launched investments including plans for venture funds and a direct investment platform.
2013-2023 Astia Angels investments in companies identified by the Expert Sift. Top quartile performance. $33M invested into 62 companies, 13 exits returning capital (to date).
5,000 Advisors, 1,000+ companies reviewed annually.
2021 - now
VENTURE FUND
2021 launch of Astia Fund I.
Plans for Funds II and beyond are established.
6,000 Advisors, 1,300+ companies reviewed annually.
2025 -
INVESTMENT HOUSE
Celebrating 25 years in service of our mission and values. We value women as leaders, we value the give back, and we believe in investment as a force for change. Investing in the world we seek.