Founder & CEO · ICW® Capital
Katie
Kupstas
Chairwoman · Keynote Speaker · Advocate
“Behind every successful businesswoman is herself.”
Katie Kupstas is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur, speaker, and human rights advocate whose life's work sits at the intersection of access, innovation, and community capital.
As Founder and CEO of ICW® Capital, she built a grassroots network into a nationally expanding founder-to-investor access platform — now operating across five cities and on a clear path toward strategic acquisition by 2028.
She holds a Human Rights Consultant certification through USIDHR and grounds her work in UDHR Articles 17, 23, and 25 — the belief that access to capital is not a privilege, but a right.
.webp)
5
Cities
Philly · LV · DMV · NYC · San Diego
10+
Stages
USPTO, SBDC National, IEEE, Villanova & more
3+
Years Building
ICW® Capital founder-to-investor ecosystem
50+
Founders Connected
Pre-Seed through Series A
Building the rooms that didn't exist.
Her Story
Katie Kupstas founded ICW® Capital after recognizing a persistent systemic gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: too many exceptional founders—especially women—were being overlooked by investors, not because their ideas lacked potential, but because they lacked access to the right networks, relationships, and opportunities.
Rather than waiting for those rooms to open, Katie built them herself. What began as intimate founder gatherings in Philadelphia has grown into a nationally recognized platform with a multi-city network spanning five chapters—and continuing to expand. Through ICW® Capital, Katie has created an ecosystem where founders gain meaningful access to investors, strategic partners, legal experts, and the resources needed to scale with confidence.
Her work has been featured in SheExist Magazine, highlighted in the book Standing Out: Innovators, Influencers & Disruptors, and recognized by organizations including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the SBDC National Conference, and the IEEE Women's Conference. Today, she is widely recognized as a trusted leader at the intersection of innovation, investment readiness, and founder access.
Katie's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs extends beyond her own work. Her husband, Tod Kupstas, an Intellectual Property attorney at Pierson Ferdinand LLP, serves on the ICW® Capital Board. Together, they represent the legal, strategic, and capital infrastructure that ICW® Capital brings to founders every day—helping entrepreneurs build companies that are positioned not only to raise capital, but to create lasting value and successful exits.
Key Milestones
EST. 2016
Founded ICW® Capital
Launched a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to a founder access network
EARLY 2025
Cocktails & Capital™ Launch
Launched the flagship event brand, redefining what founder programming looks and feels like
2023–2024
SBDC National Conference · Nashville & Orlando
Spoke two years in a row at the SBDC National Conference—2023 in Nashville and 2024 in Orlando, FL—on AI, pitch decks, and attracting funders.
2022
Villanova Law · SheExist Book Launch
Interviewed by Villanova Law's Idea Lab and featured in the SheExist "Women Who Lead" book launch.
2024
AI for Good Forum · Philadelphia
Spoke at the AI for Good Forum on using AI and modern tools to expand access to capital for founders.
2026
Multi-City Expansion
Lehigh Valley, DMV, NYC chapters launched; San Diego co-brand with Founders Alley in July; 2028 acquisition roadmap underway
2022
Featured in Standing Out: Innovators, Disruptors, and Influencers
Recognized as one of 28 influential business leaders for contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership, highlighting a commitment to helping founders build and scale successful businesses.
Featured In & Recognized By
Media & industry recognition.
Now Booking · Katie as Speaker
Keynote Speaker
When you learn,
teach.
When you get, give.
“Women rightfully belong at the forefront of innovation.”
Katie Kupstas is a highly regarded keynote speaker renowned for dynamic presentations that inspire, educate, and energize women innovators and entrepreneurial communities. Having spoken at prestigious platforms including the America's Small Business Development Center National Conference, the IEEE Women's Conference at the Franklin Institute, and university innovation labs, Katie leaves audiences armed with actionable insight.
Based in Bryn Mawr, PA · Available throughout the Northeast corridor (Washington DC → NYC) and beyond
The Katie Kupstas Experience
Every talk is designed to move people forward.
Empower
Educate
Energize
Confidence & Access
Katie ignites a sense of possibility in every room. Her talks help founders and innovators recognize that the gaps they face are systemic — not personal — and that access is something that can be built.
IP, Funding & Strategy
Drawing on her deep expertise in intellectual property, investor readiness, and capital strategy, Katie equips audiences with the frameworks and language to protect their ideas and pursue funding with confidence.
Community & Action
Great talks end with momentum, not just notes. Katie closes every engagement with clear next steps, community connection opportunities, and a feeling that the right rooms are within reach.
Speaking Topics
Built for real audiences. Customized for yours.
01
02
Investor Readiness & Capital Access
Intellectual Property for Innovators
How founders get investor-ready, secure funding, and connect with corporations in the innovation ecosystem. Practical insights on fundraising, partnerships, and turning ideas into impact.
Demystifying IP strategy for founders and entrepreneurs. What to protect, when, and why — and how legal readiness is the foundation of enterprise value, not a luxury for later.
03
Design Thinking Workshop
A hands-on, interactive workshop experience for universities and corporate teams. Available at institutions including Millersville and Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Contact info@icwcapital.org to bring this to your campus.
04
Women at the Forefront of Innovation
The systemic barriers women founders face — and what it actually takes to dismantle them. A keynote grounded in human rights, community capital, and the tangible architecture of inclusion.
05
Building Access: The ICW® Capital Story
How a grassroots network became a nationally recognized access platform. A founder's journey through community-building, investor relations, chapter expansion, and positioning toward acquisition.
06
AI, Innovation & the Future of Funding
Drawing on her experience at the Global Silicon Valley × Penn State AI for Good Forum and engagements with YouTube, Vimeo, and Google — exploring how AI is transforming innovation, funding, and access.
On Stage
Katie in the room.
What They Say
“Katie Kupstas inspires, educates, and motivates in her electrifying keynote, offering invaluable perspectives on intellectual property and the inclusive journey of product development.”
— Conference Attendee · SBDC National
Work With Katie
Bring Katie to your stage or campus.
Keynote & Conference Speaking
National & Regional Conferences
Katie is available for keynote addresses, panel appearances, and fireside chats at conferences, innovation summits, university events, and corporate gatherings. Formats are customized to fit your audience and objectives.
- Keynote presentations (30–60 min)
- Panel moderation & participation
- Fireside chats & intimate roundtables
- Available: Northeast corridor & national travel
Workshops & University Programs
Design Thinking & IP Workshops
Katie brings interactive Design Thinking and Intellectual Property workshops to university campuses, innovation labs, and corporate teams. Previously delivered at Millersville and Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.
- Design Thinking for Innovators workshop
- IP fundamentals for student founders
- Investor readiness bootcamp format
- Available for multi-session programming