Future Founders

🌟 We’re proud to celebrate two of our incredible Startup Bootcamp founders Annie Combs and Kat Orellana, founders of ECPC Travel! Their company is making waves in the eco-friendly tourism industry, and they were recently featured in GrepBeat for their work in promoting sustainable travel. 🌍✈️ Read the full article to learn how ECPC Travel is redefining tourism with a focus on environmental consciousness: https://lnkd.in/eVGNGdDR Annie and Kat’s commitment to making travel better for the planet is truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next! 🚀 #FutureFounders #EcoFriendlyTravel #SustainableTourism #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship

We need your support. If you've ever participated in one of our programs or volunteered at one of our events, you know just how close-knit the Future Founders community is. And unfortunately one of our most inspiring, passionate, and selfless founders is in need of some help. Johnny Crowder - part of the Future Founders Fellowship Cohort 9 - had his home in Tampa, FL destroyed by hurricanes Milton and Helene. Johnny has dedicated his life to helping others improve their mental and emotional health through his platform, Cope Notes. Now, we want to return the favor. A close friend of Johnny’s has launched a GoFundMe to help him rebuild and get back on his feet. If you’ve ever been touched by Johnny’s work or are inspired by his story, we hope you’ll consider giving back to this remarkable founder, so he can continue his mission of helping others. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who donates. https://lnkd.in/gKKKWfZB

“My favorite thing about participating in Future Founders was that it’s going to help me with my future self. It’s going to help me get jobs, learn how to stay motivated, and get through challenges.” – Tajnia Fisher, 2024 Be Your Own Boss participant. Tajnia’s journey is a testament to the impact of Future Founders in helping young people build confidence, stay resilient, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Read more about how our partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority is shaping the future of Chicago’s young leaders. https://lnkd.in/g8P6hA_g #Entrepreneurship #YouthEmpowerment #FutureFounders #Leadership #ChicagoHousingAuthority

We are thrilled to share the inspiring story of Red Clayton, founder of Spirit Gallery, an edtech startup dedicated to transforming diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education through innovative e-learning solutions. Red’s journey with Future Founders is a remarkable full-circle moment. He first joined us as a high school student in our “Be Your Own Boss” internship program and returned as an adult for our Startup Bootcamp to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. 🚀 With Spirit Gallery, Red is tackling the gaps in support faced by diverse populations, offering organizations the tools they need to create more inclusive environments. His passion for DEI and commitment to ethical AI education make him a true changemaker. Read more about Red’s journey and how Future Founders is empowering young entrepreneurs to create meaningful impact. https://lnkd.in/g9UhwBed #FutureFounders #Entrepreneurship #DEI #EdTech #Inspiration #SpiritGallery #StartupBootcamp #YouthEmpowerment #InclusiveFuture #Changemaker #BeYourOwnBoss #StartupSuccess

It’s with immense pride and joy that we share the exciting news: our very own Program Manager, Jutoria M. Aaron, has been nominated for the prestigious 2024 Brother Mike Awards. 🎉 The Brother Mike Awards are named in honor of the late Mike Hawkins (better known as “Brother Mike”), and are one of the most esteemed recognitions for community leaders in Chicago. Nominees for the Brother Mike Awards are selected based on their commitment to fostering the development of young people in Chicago, particularly those from marginalized communities. The awards celebrate those who, like Brother Mike, have used their passion, skills, and resources to create opportunities for youth to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Jutoria’s well-deserved nomination for the Brother Mike Awards is not only a testament to her extraordinary work, but also a reflection of the mission and values that Future Founders holds dear. At the heart of our organization is the belief that every young person, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential. Jutoria embodies this belief in everything she does, and her recognition by the Brother Mike Awards is a powerful acknowledgment of the impact she has had on the lives of so many. Join us in congratulating her on this wonderful achievement!

Future Founders was honored to showcase our work and founders during the DNC Innovation House hosted by mHUB , World Business Chicago, P33 Chicago & Illinois Manufacturers' Association. The event brought together 25+ organizations to highlight the region's success in building an innovation economy that impacts humanity. It also featured a keynote from Steve Chen, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of YouTube. As someone who's worked in Chicago's entrepreneurial/tech ecosystem since its early days, I was inspired by how many people and groups have stepped up to make our region a world-class place for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses. Thanks to everyone at mHUB for making this special day possible - Haven Allen, Melissa Rabin Lederer, Kimberly Blomquist, Shannon McGhee, Christian Luna, Jarol Rendon Jimenez! Special shoutout to our amazing founders and their Chicago-based startups: - Dalia A., Academic Atlas (Startup Bootcamp 2024) - Murtaza Bambot ❤️, Heartbeat (Fellowship Alum) - Will Blanchard, WattShift (Fellowship 2024) - Anj "Fayemz" Fayemi, Rivet (Fellowship Alum) - Morgan Neuman, Tranquil Minds (Be Your Own Boss powered by Chicago Housing Authority 2024) Look forward to supporting you as you continue to grow! #chicago #tech #startups #founders #dnc #mhub #p33 #worldbusinesschicago

Meet McCall Brinskele, the inspiring founder of Mense, a period product company on a mission to revolutionize menstrual health! 💪 McCall has taken her personal experiences and turned them into a powerful movement to provide safer, more comfortable, and effective period products. Mense’s innovative menstrual cup and applicator are changing the game, ensuring that no one has to compromise their health during their cycle. McCall’s journey with Future Founders has been incredible, and we’re so proud to have her as part of our Startup Bootcamp program. Her dedication, passion, and commitment to making a difference are exactly what entrepreneurship is all about. Read more about McCall’s journey, the challenges she’s overcome, and the exciting future ahead for Mense in our latest blog post. This is a story you won’t want to miss!

We are thrilled to introduce Sheyla Perez Ecobar and Namra Jahanzaib, co-founders of CareerDay and participants in Phase Two of the 2024 Future Founders Startup Bootcamp! 🎉 CareerDay is revolutionizing the way students explore careers by offering AI-driven features and interactive simulations, and Sheyla and Namra’s dedication to helping students find their career passions is truly inspiring. Learn more about their story and the impact of CareerDay in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/gBWwVH3n

Curious about how Future Founders is shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs? Dive into our latest student story with Vendant Aggarwal, a recent graduate of our Be Your Own Boss Internship, and learn how our programs provide invaluable skills beyond the classroom. From honing communication skills to building a supportive network, Vendant’s journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship education. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gbfmPidp

In a world where digital banking has become the norm, imagine the challenge of navigating a new country, burdened with the need to carry cash because your financial infrastructure is still rooted in traditional, cash-based transactions. This is the reality for many African immigrant students arriving in the United States, including Dulra Amolegbe, an innovative entrepreneur whose journey from the 2023 Startup Bootcamp to the 2024 Future Founders Fellowship has been marked by his commitment to solving this very problem. Learn more about how Dulra is making it easy to transition to a cashless world with his startup Dot in our latest Future Founders Feature: https://lnkd.in/gqEXcycs