Previously known as Envolve Entrepreneurship USA, Founder Forward was inspired by the success of the American Entrepreneurship Award (AEA), a philanthropic social impact initiative founded by Libra Group in response to a 2016 call-to-action from President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance to address opportunity gaps in under-invested communities. Envolve Entrepreneurship USA/the American Entrepreneurship Award “met the moment” by supporting 136 early-stage entrepreneurs across 15 cities through more than $850,000 in funding and $45,000 in pro bono services.

In 2023, the organization adapted its approach to “meet the moment” yet again: merging with Generation Titans and building on the three-year success of the Reunion campaign, rebranding as Founder Forward with an emphasis on closing the early-stage capital gap for diverse founders and increasing equitable economic opportunity.