FIERCE
FIERCE is a 501(c)(3) women's empowerment nonprofit founded in 2020 in Austin, Texas. It runs a community-led platform of content, an annual conference, corporate sponsorships, and job-matching services for ~5,000 women professionals and allies in business, government, and academia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What FIERCE does
FIERCE is a 501(c)(3) women's empowerment nonprofit founded in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. The organization operates a community-led platform targeting women in business, government, and academia, with a stated mission to educate, energize, and embrace women so they are more confident and empowered; the acronym stands for "Females In Every Role Change Everything." The core product surface consists of a content library (blog and video/webinar content), the annual FIERCE 100 Women's Conference held in Austin, a branded merchandise store, a corporate sponsorship program, and a job matching and candidate placement service that connects members with employers.
The platform is built on standard digital infrastructure (a Squarespace-hosted website at fiercenow.org, email newsletter distribution, and video content), with no proprietary technology stack, API, or AI capability disclosed. Distribution runs through content marketing (blog, webinars, podcast), an Instagram presence (@fierce_now), monthly email newsletters, and the in-person annual conference. FIERCE operates with a very small core team of three (co-founders Abigail Maines and Rebecca Cahak plus board member Amy Rathbun) supported by a broader community of approximately 5,000 members and allies.
The revenue model is diversified across four streams: corporate sponsorships (with three named tiers at $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 annually plus event passes), event revenue from the FIERCE 100 conference, merchandise sales (including apparel and the 'Abigail's Amazing Dad' children's book), and recruitment partnership services connecting members with employers such as VMware by Broadcom and Absolute Software. Corporate sponsorship is the primary monetization lever, with Microsoft and TD SYNNEX identified as core-tier partners. As a registered nonprofit (Federal EIN 39-4121402), FIERCE is not structured for equity investment and is funded through sponsorships, merchandise, events, and likely tax-deductible contributions.
FIERCE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FIERCE
- Legal name
- FIERCE
- Website
- https://fiercenow.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FIERCE is a 501(c)(3) women's empowerment nonprofit founded in 2020 in Austin, Texas. It runs a community-led platform of content, an annual conference, corporate sponsorships, and job-matching services for ~5,000 women professionals and allies in business, government, and academia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FIERCE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Women's Professional Networking & Empowerment Community
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (813920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Creator Events & Experiences (Trips, Houses, Retreats) (MPAAAHAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Event & Tournament Sponsorship (Title/Presenting Sponsors, Official Suppliers) (MPAKALAB), Hospitality, VIP & Experiential Sponsorship (Suites, Fan Zones, On-Site Activations) (MPAKALAH)
Keywords
Where FIERCE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
FIERCE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship tiers ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 annually, with named sponsorship levels (Ellen Ochoa Tier, Maya Angelou Tier, Dolly Parton Tier). Includes benefits like case studies, webinar promotion, FIERCE 100 branding, and passes for members.
- Event Revenue: FIERCE 100 annual conference tickets and networking events. Conference registration opens September 6, 2026 for the November event at Austin Central Library.
- Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including sweatshirts and the children's book 'Abigail's Amazing Dad'.
- Recruitment Services: Job placement assistance connecting members with employers through newsletter job postings, resume recommendations, and interview prep services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Ellen Ochoa Tier - Entry level corporate sponsorship |
| Subscription | Annual | Maya Angelou Tier - Mid-level corporate sponsorship |
| Subscription | Annual | Dolly Parton Tier - Premium corporate sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
FIERCE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FIERCE is a women's empowerment nonprofit that runs a community platform combining a blog and video content library, the annual FIERCE 100 women's conference, corporate sponsorship programs, branded merchandise, and a job-matching service connecting women members with employer partners. The organization educates, energizes, and empowers women in business, government, and academia through networking, mentorship, career resources, and flagship events funded primarily via corporate sponsorships and event revenue.
Product overview
FIERCE is a women's empowerment nonprofit organization offering a community platform built around content, events, and professional development services. The core offering consists of a blog content hub, the annual FIERCE 100 conference, merchandise store, video/webinar library, corporate sponsorship program, and job matching services. The organization functions as a networking and empowerment network connecting women in business, government, and academia through its various platforms and events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FIERCE 100 Annual Conference Annual women's conference featuring networking events, panel discussions, and inspiring speakers focused on women's empowerment and career advancement, hosted at Austin Central Library.
- Corporate Sponsorship Program Tiered annual corporate sponsorship program (Ellen Ochoa, Maya Angelou, Dolly Parton tiers at $5,000–$15,000) offering branding opportunities, webinar promotion, case studies, and FIERCE 100 passes for sponsoring organizations.
- Job Matching & Candidate Placement Services Recruitment matching service connecting FIERCE community members with employer partners, including resume promotion, interview preparation, and negotiation support via partner recruitment firms.
- FIERCE Merchandise Store Online storefront selling branded merchandise including the FIERCE sweatshirt and the children's book 'Abigail's Amazing Dad'.
Quantifiable outcome
- Talent pipeline connecting employers with qualified women candidates
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FIERCE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FIERCE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FIERCE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Zilker Trail ConsultingminorCorporate sponsor supporting FIERCE mission through marketing partnership and visibility at FIERCE 100 events.
- MicrosoftcoreMajor technology company sponsor supporting women's empowerment initiatives and FIERCE events.
- Kati CoffeeminorSpecialty coffee roastery based in Georgetown, Texas, founded by Mirian Diop. Offers FIERCENOW discount code for members.
- TD SYNNEXcoreMajor technology distribution company sponsor. FIERCE mindset was unveiled at a TDSynnex event, indicating strong partnership for technology community engagement.
- Glint Dental StudiominorDental practice in Austin, TX offering FIERCE members 10% off exclusive memberships and free Carifree products plus $100 OFF professional ZOOM whitening.
- Stott & MaycoreTechnology recruitment firm providing job seeker resources, resume guidance, and interview prep through FIERCE platform. Recruiter Joey Brodsky serves as sponsor for FIERCE100.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FIERCE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- InHerSight: InHerSight is a platform where women rate employers on factors like female leadership and family support, with job-matching services. It overlaps with FIERCE's employer-facing talent marketplace angle.
- The Mom Project: The Mom Project is a digital talent marketplace connecting women (particularly caregivers returning to work) with employers offering flexible roles. It overlaps with FIERCE's talent-matching and employer-partnership services.
- FairyGodBoss: FairyGodBoss is a women-focused job board and career community with reviews, salary data, and employer partnerships. It overlaps with FIERCE's recruitment-matching and content services for women professionals.
Direct peers
- Lean In: Lean In is a women-focused empowerment and community organization founded by Sheryl Sandberg, offering Lean In Circles, education, and corporate partnerships. It competes in the same women's professional development/community space as FIERCE at significantly larger scale.
- Ellevate Network: Ellevate Network is a women's professional networking community offering circles, events, mentorship, and corporate partnership programs for women in business. It directly mirrors FIERCE's community/networking/conference model with a larger national footprint.
- Chief: Chief is a private membership network for women executives offering peer groups, events, and career resources. It overlaps with FIERCE's networking and women's leadership positioning at a higher seniority tier.
- Ladies Get Paid: Ladies Get Paid is a community platform for women's career advancement offering events, content, and workshops on salary negotiation and leadership. It directly competes with FIERCE's content-and-events motion targeting professional women.
Broad incumbents
- MAKERS (by Astia): MAKERS is a women's leadership media and community organization producing documentary content, conferences, and corporate programming. It competes in the same women's empowerment and event space as FIERCE with greater national reach and corporate backing.
- Catalyst: Catalyst is a global nonprofit working to advance women in the workplace through research, consulting, and corporate partnerships. It overlaps with FIERCE's corporate allyship and women's career advancement positioning at much larger scale.
- Grace Hopper Celebration (AnitaB.org): Grace Hopper Celebration is the largest annual gathering of women technologists, featuring career fairs, networking, and sponsorships. It competes with FIERCE 100 in the women's professional conference space, particularly for tech-focused members and sponsors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FIERCE social profiles
Digital presenceFIERCE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FIERCE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
FIERCE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FIERCE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FIERCE
What does FIERCE do?
FIERCE is a women's empowerment nonprofit that runs a community platform combining a blog and video content library, the annual FIERCE 100 women's conference, corporate sponsorship programs, branded merchandise, and a job-matching service connecting women members with employer partners. The organization educates, energizes, and empowers women in business, government, and academia through networking, mentorship, career resources, and flagship events funded primarily via corporate sponsorships and event revenue.
Is FIERCE a public or private company?
FIERCE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FIERCE founded?
FIERCE was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is FIERCE based?
FIERCE is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does FIERCE make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are event Revenue, merchandise Sales and recruitment Services.
Who are FIERCE's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are InHerSight, The Mom Project and FairyGodBoss. Direct peers are Lean In, Ellevate Network, Chief and Ladies Get Paid. Broad incumbents are MAKERS (by Astia), Catalyst and Grace Hopper Celebration (AnitaB.org).
Does FIERCE have an API?
No public API is recorded for FIERCE.
What industry is FIERCE in?
FIERCE's product category is Women's Professional Networking & Empowerment Community. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAHAN, Creator Events & Experiences (Trips, Houses, Retreats), with a secondary code of MPAKALAB, Event & Tournament Sponsorship (Title/Presenting Sponsors, Official Suppliers). Its NAICS code is 813920 and its SIC code is 8600.