Live Nation Entertainment CEO and president Michael Rapino has announced the establishment of Women Nation Fund, an early-stage investment fund that is focused on assisting in the growth of female-led live music businesses. Set up by Live Nation, the fund will give underrepresented female entrepreneurs in the concert promotions, events and festival spaces access to certain company resources and capital.
The goal of the Women Nation Fund is to identify, fund and subsequently widen the pool of female-run festivals, events and promotion companies on a global scale. The team that will evaluate entrant businesses is made up of experienced Live Nation female executives, such as Anna Sjolund (Co-Managing Director/Head Promoter, Live Nation Sweden), Amy Corbin (Promoter, C3), Virginia Davis (Founder, G Major Management), Amy Howe (COO, Ticketmaster), Lesley Olenik (VP, Touring), Maura Gibson (President, Front Gate Tickets), Kelly Chappel (VP, Touring) and Carrie Davis (Chief Communications Officer).
“As the leader in live entertainment, we want to meaningfully address this issue, change the dynamic and widen the playing field,” commented Rapino. “The Women Nation Fund is a first step towards empowering new entrepreneurs and creating more opportunity for women in this sector of the live music business.”