Entrepreneurs /Founders Go Big

Empowering Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs to Scale

Founders Go Big helps early-stage, under-resourced founders turn their ideas into investable businesses through mentoring, resources, and capital connections.

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Empowering Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs to Scale

Backing Bold Ideas from the Start

Launched with funding from JPMorgan Chase in 2020, Founders Go Big (FGB) supports seed stage entrepreneurs who are building scalable businesses but want to connect with resources designed to help traditionally under-resourced founders.

Program Overview

Founders Go Big

Founders Go Big is designed for under-resourced entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of business growth. The program bridges the critical gap between idea and investability by providing founders with expert guidance from a program team, access to funding opportunities, and a community of peers. Founders receive personalized support tailored to their unique growth path, preparing them to secure seed-stage capital and scale their businesses

Benefits of FGB

You’ll gain access to resources that help turn potential into progress:

Personalized pro bono 1:1 mentoring tailored to your schedule
Group workshops and other programming opportunities
Ongoing progress review meetings with a program manager
Connections to Minimum Viable Product funding sources
Access to specialty programming and funding via Launch NY’s resource network
Peer community programming

Who Should Apply?

This program is for under-resourced founders who are:

Building a high-growth, scalable business
Currently at the idea, validation, early traction, or early revenue stage
Developing or ready to launch or scale a minimum viable product (MVP)
Seeking to raise a seed round of capital
Seeking mentorship, funding, and ecosystem connections

What to Expect

Participants will join a dynamic network of entrepreneurs and gain access to tools that help move their ventures from concept to investment-ready. Expect hands-on mentoring, growth planning, and curated introductions, as well as preparation to present to investors that help your business gain the resources needed for initial growth and long-term success.

Hear from FGB Founders

“Utilizing Launch NY’s customer discovery framework, along with support from Founders Go Big and seed funding, enabled us to refine our offerings, validate market assumptions and adapt the product to better meet customer needs, resulting in securing our first batch of signed contracts.”

David Gonzalez

CEO/Co-Founder, Arbol Capital

“Financial and advisory support from Launch NY was critical to scaling our better-for-you food CPG brand JECA and setting up our own manufacturing facility equipped with our proprietary prototype production equipment.”

Ree Dolnick

CEO/Founder, Jeca Energy Bars

“CAHill TECH and the aQuiRe platform were built to deliver innovative tools for a blue-collar industry that tech has long ignored. The dynamic range of Launch NY’s mentorship and investment programs have allowed us to rise to the challenges of disrupting a legacy market. Our platform ensures proper training and safety for new and current construction industry employees in the construction industry, and we could not succeed in our mission without Launch NY in our corner.”

Carley Hill

CEO/Founder, CAHill TECH