Stories & News

  • Launching the Founder Forward Volunteer Advisory Network

    We are excited to officially launch the Founder Forward Volunteer Advisory Network. The network will connect founders with on-demand, pro bono advisors to help tackle their urgent business challenges. As an organization, we recognize the significant access gaps in non-dominant markets. We believe everyone can play a part in closing these gaps.

  • PitchProv: A Starting Point

    In December of 2024, we piloted new programming, PitchProv. PitchProv is an event that combines both the creativity of improv and the formality of pitching. Participants are invited to challenge themselves through an audience lightning round, partnered practice round, and brave participants can compete to reign supreme through an apollo-style competition round.

  • Why Founder Forward Takes a Place-Based Approach to Programming

    Recently, we shared the Founder Forward Way: A Strategic Growth Plan. A key component of our strategic plan is our commitment to a place-based approach. This stems from recognizing that wealth, investments, and networks are geographically concentrated, creating access gaps in non-dominant entrepreneurial ecosystems.

  • Building a Community-Centered Future: Our Theory of Change

    Founder Forward uses a place-based approach to disrupting economic systems and building new entrepreneurial ecosystems.We challenge the financial system and the venture capital industry which equates successful market segments as those led by white men running technology startups in California, Texas, Boston, or New York.

  • Thinking about starting a company? 63 resources to help new founders

    Do you have a business idea and are thinking of starting a company? You’re not alone, the most recent Kauffman Foundation research found that 69.8% of businesses are started because of opportunity, whereas 30.2% are started out of necessity. Whether you started a business because of an opportunity or need, entrepreneurship can serve as a tool for wealth-building, creativity, and flexibility.

Latest Stories

    • Stories

    Building the Ecosystem New Founders Actually Need

    Since 2020 the number of self-employed entrepreneurial workers has nearly doubled from 13.6 million, to 27.7 million.

    • Stories

    The Unseen Systems of Support Powering Our Economy

    Last Wednesday at the Yard in Herald Square, an intimate group of founders and ecosystem builders gathered for an Ugly Talk: Building a Team that Scales Beyond $500k. The event was more than a panel discussion, but a great example of what’s possible when pieces of an entrepreneurial ecosystem come together with intention.

    • Stories

    Founder Spotlight: Marcellis Counts, Apiary in the Sky

    “At Founder Forward, we’re proud to champion visionary founders who are transforming industries and creating lasting impact. Today, we’re highlighting Marcellis, the founder of Apiary in the Sky, an urban beekeeping enterprise that’s converting Newark’s vacant lots into thriving apiaries while building environmental justice and community healing

Latest Articles

  • Office hours: Turning Your Strengths Into A Business Plan

    Angeline Apostolou – I’m looking forward to joining the upcoming Office Hours session and spending time with a phenomenal group…
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  • Building the Ecosystem New Founders Actually Need

    Since 2020 the number of self-employed entrepreneurial workers has nearly doubled from 13.6 million, to 27.7 million.
    Read More

  • Founder Forward Appoints Amanda Morrall as Executive Director to Scale Entrepreneur-Powered Ecosystems

    Founder Forward announced the appointment of Amanda Morrall as its new Executive Director. With over a decade of experience advancing economic mobility and systems change, Amanda brings a strong track record of aligning resources with community-driven solutions.
    Read More

  • The Unseen Systems of Support Powering Our Economy

    Last Wednesday at the Yard in Herald Square, an intimate group of founders and ecosystem builders gathered for an Ugly Talk: Building a Team that Scales Beyond $500k. The event was more than a panel discussion, but a great example of what’s possible when pieces of an entrepreneurial ecosystem come together with intention.
    Read More

  • Founder Spotlight: Marcellis Counts, Apiary in the Sky

    “At Founder Forward, we’re proud to champion visionary founders who are transforming industries and creating lasting impact. Today, we’re highlighting Marcellis, the founder of Apiary in the Sky, an urban beekeeping enterprise that’s converting Newark’s vacant lots into thriving apiaries while building environmental justice and community healing
    Read More

  • The power of ecosystem collaboration: Ugly Talk x Founder Forward

    Last Wednesday at the Yard in Herald Square, an intimate group of founders and ecosystem builders gathered for an Ugly Talk: Building a Team that Scales Beyond $500k. The event was more than a panel discussion, but a great example of what’s possible when pieces of an entrepreneurial ecosystem come together with intention.
    Read More