As we prepare for 2025, I can’t help but reflect with excitement on the work Founder Forward has done in 2024. We supported our 126th founder, gave out a total of $40,000 in unrestricted grants that were used by founders to source sustainable materials, purchase needed equipment, and update their systems, alongside facilitating 15 hours of non-prescriptive advising. On the tough days of doing economic justice work, this targeted impact keeps me motivated despite competing urgent issues that detract from investing in Black, Indigenous, and other diverse entrepreneurs. Yet, when I envision successfully building a future where communities thrive because we bet on the innovativeness of diverse founders, I know this work is worth it.
At Founder Forward, our bet isn’t necessarily on founders having a billion-dollar valuation, but that founders will be community leaders who hire local employees, pay a fair wage, and innovate to meet the needs of their community. Now that’s a valuation that can be felt for generations. As a legacy organization that early identified the need to provide tailored and trusted guidance to founders building with community in mind, we are proud to continue supporting founders every step of the way.
This year Founder Forward solidified our strategic growth plan in collaboration with our Board, team, and network of founders. In our strategic growth plan, we share steps towards a shared vision of a future where diverse founders power thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems. This is the Founder Forward Way.
Check out the strategic growth plan here.
This year, alongside supporting founders and completing our strategic planning, we also focused on:
• Our Team. Onboarded Lisa Napper as our new Development Manager to harness the opportunities we have to grow and meet the moment. We’ve also worked with Ayanfe Edun and Alli Ajagbe, two interns who supported revamping our brand and data management processes.
• Our Thought Leadership. We presented our first original workshop “Finding Funding in Non-Traditional Markets” at Black Tech Week. We are looking forward to continuing to share our knowledge in 2025!
• Our Programming. We piloted an event series called PitchProv, a refreshing take on networking and flexing your skills. We also revamped our original cohort programming model, adding panels, individual sessions, and customized assets to improve the experience for both the expert advisor and the founders. Check out the two cohorts we’ve hosted below.
On a less tangible note, what I’m most proud of is the nearly 100 calls we’ve held with stakeholders, 20+ grant applications we’ve submitted on behalf of founders, and the 10+ people who unprompted raised their hands to volunteer with Founder Forward.
Founder Forward’s focus for 2024 has been aligning our work, and in 2025 we are focused on amplifying the work. We look forward to doing it together.
Keep moving forward,
Dr. Lisa-Marie
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