On Tuesday, June 17th, the LUWI crew descended upon NYC bright and early, traveling from Chicago and upstate New York for Springboard Enterprises' 2025 Demo Day.
Straight from La Guardia, Lisa Kinsella, LUWI’s Founder & CEO, headed to the accelerator's events. As part of this intensive program, founders of women’s health and technology companies participated in six months of virtual and in-person high-value events, workshops, and gatherings to build (and advance) a connected community of entrepreneurs in women’s health. Lisa and the other founders closed out their evening with a group dinner and some final preparations for the following day’s pitch event. LUWI’s brand and mission has benefited greatly from the Springboard Accelerator program; From tailored advisory support to propelling health innovations for women forward, this network has truly been an accelerator.
Meanwhile, LUWI’s Brand Strategist, Marissa Freeman Eanet, had a chance to sit down with future and prospective brand partners at Wildflower in Chelsea. The conversation buzzed with brand partnership ideas and an exciting glimpse into LUWI’s upcoming collaborations.
The following morning, with coffee in hand (thank goodness for mobile order!), our team (and supporters) gathered at Accenture’s stunning offices in Chelsea. The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to agency for women. To add to the fun, we strolled in with LUWI jackets á la "The Pink Ladies." So many people asked where they could get their own LUWI jacket... we'll have to add that to our product mix 😜
Pitch after pitch impressed the full room of investors, advisors, founders, and Accenture employees. When it was LUWI’s turn, Lisa took the mic and captivated the audience with LUWI’s story, vision, and product information. She spoke proudly of LUWI’s strategy and our place within this remarkable cohort — a testament to the bold ideas shaping progress and innovation for women's wellbeing.
After a morning of high-energy interactions, we treated ourselves to a late lunch at Essen Market, a New York staple. Once we were refueld and recharged, we made our way to a matinee of SIX: The Musical. The party kept going from there! SIX reimagines history with rock-concert flair: the six wives of Henry VIII face off in a modern pop-competition format to tell their stories and reclaim identity and voice . Each queen commands the stage in her own iconic style… think Beyoncé-inspired anthems and Adele-like ballads. The story of these six women, both individually and collectively, lifted us to our feet for dancing. In the same breath, each storyline reminded the audience that for centuries, women have been connected by a shared experience: the experience of holding wisdom, compassion, empathy, and pride while simultaneously being silenced and in many cases, ignored.
The sentiment of the show was deeply aligned with LUWI; each of Henry VIII’s wives have been historically clumped together as a group and their stories have been looked over. SIX: The Musical gave each of these women a platform to tell their story in their own voice. Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr each took the spotlight they deserved and shattered the idea that their biggest value add to history was their role as a wife. Their biggest value was how they owned their experiences as women and redefined themselves as leaders in their own right, not solely through the lens of their mutual husband’s journey.
The show’s electric energy and message resonated deeply. It aligned beautifully with LUWI’s mission: women rewriting their own narratives, claiming agency, and leading their journeys. The performance was a vivid reminder that women’s voices belong center stage… an ethos we champion every day.
Toasting to a successful pitch and meaningful time together, team LUWI gathered at KYMA in Hudson Yards for a celebratory Greek dinner. Amid hearty mezze and laughter, we cherished the rare joy of being under one roof… something remote work seldom allows but we always appreciate!
Our NYC pitch days were more than just presentations – they were moments of connection, inspiration, and validation. Interacting with venture capitalists and healthcare thought-leaders reaffirmed LUWI’s role as a leader in women’s health equity and agency. Our presence at Springboard, Accenture, and cultural touchstones like SIX signaled one clear truth: The future is LUWI.