Jenny Stojkovic
The Founder Factor Keynote
What Separates the Founders Who Get Funded and Scale from the Ones Who Stall and Burn Out
Startups don’t stall because the idea wasn’t strong. They stall when founders hesitate. Under pressure to build, pitch, grow, and lead all at once, many second-guess themselves, delay big moves, and wait to feel ready. Jenny Stojkovic has seen it from both sides of the table, as a founder and as a venture capitalist. In this keynote, Jenny shares why self-leadership is what separates the founders who burn out from the ones who break through.
WHO THIS KEYNOTE IS FOR
This keynote is for builders stuck between start and scale, those entrepreneurial leaders who keep pushing forward when most would give up.
It’s for:
- Early-stage founders under pressure to fundraise, make the right calls, and move fast—all at once
- Entrepreneurs juggling product decisions, team dynamics, and burnout behind the scenes
- Startup teams stuck in the weeds, searching for clarity, momentum, and a reason to keep going
- Builders chasing bold ideas but constantly feeling one step behind where they
should be
After this keynote, your audience will walk away with:
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The GRIT Framework for personal leadership so they can scale their companies by leading themselves first
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A renewed sense of clarity and conviction to lead through uncertainty, setbacks, and self-doubt
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Tactical mindset tools to stay grounded, make bold decisions, and move forward, especially when the path isn’t clear
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Real-world stories and strategies to navigate burnout, rebuild momentum, and reconnect with your mission
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The confidence to keep building, even when it feels like everything is working against you
A mindset and action system
THE GRIT FRAMEWORK
This keynote is powered by Jenny’s GRIT Framework, a mindset system designed to help founders build clarity, resilience, and momentum.
Each pillar is brought to life with stories from real founders that Jenny has mentored, backed, and coached to scale with heart and conviction.
Ground Yourself in Vision
Reconnect with the “why” behind your startup even when nothing feels certain.
Reinvent Relentlessly
Disruption is constant. Founders who thrive evolve faster than the market.
Invest in Courageous Action
Hesitation kills momentum. Choose boldness over perfection.
Thrive Through the Unknown
Learn how to move forward even without a clear map.
WHY JENNY?
Raised in a small Canadian farm town by a blind father and a grocery store cashier mother, she learned early what it means to bet on yourself.
She cold-pitched a billionaire to earn a full scholarship, broke into Silicon Valley with zero contacts, and rose to lead global policy for Google, Meta, and Airbnb, all before becoming one of the youngest female Venture Capitalists in the U.S.
Today, Jenny has invested $25M into mission-driven startups through Joyful Ventures and built a global media platform, featured by Good Morning America, Fortune, and Fast Company.
She’s lived the founder rollercoaster, from high-stakes decisions to personal sacrifice, and knows the internal leadership it takes to survive it.
Her
Why Not Me? philosophy and GRIT Framework were born from leading through chaos and reinvention. Now, she equips founders with the clarity, courage, and mindset to keep building, even when everything around them says stop.
“Even though our session was up against Conan O’Brien in an adjacent hall during the same time slot, it was standing room only to see Jenny on our panel!”
Chris Hook, Senior Group Director of Communications and Marketing at Cadence AI
“Jenny's work is great for up-and-coming entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Kyle Vogt, Innovation Pioneer & Founder of Cruise & Twitch
“Jenny is an incredibly dynamic and energetic, brilliant communicator inspiring every audience she addresses.”
Heather Mills, Business Mogul & Philanthropist
“Even though our session was up against Conan O’Brien in an adjacent hall during the same time slot, it was standing room only to see Jenny on our panel!”
Chris Hook, Senior Group Director of Communications and Marketing at Cadence AI
“Jenny's work is great for up-and-coming entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Kyle Vogt, Innovation Pioneer & Founder of Cruise & Twitch