About Us
We believe every visionary founder deserves the resources to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures — without sacrificing ownership.
Our Mission
To democratize access to early-stage capital by providing non-dilutive grant funding, expert mentorship, and a global support network to founders from all backgrounds. We exist to break down the barriers that prevent talented entrepreneurs — especially those from underrepresented communities and emerging markets — from accessing the financial resources they need to build, launch, and scale high-impact ventures that drive economic growth and social progress.
Our Vision
A world where a founder's potential is measured not by their network or net worth, but by the strength of their idea and the depth of their commitment. We envision a thriving, inclusive global startup ecosystem where geography, gender, race, and socioeconomic background never determine a founder's access to capital. By 2030, our goal is to have directly funded over 5,000 founders and catalyzed a ripple effect that inspires other organizations to adopt founder-first, equity-free funding models.
A Team Built by Founders, for Founders
We understand the entrepreneurial journey because we have lived it ourselves, and we built this platform to make that journey a little less daunting for the next generation.
Founders Growth Grant was established in 2020 by a collective of seasoned investors, serial entrepreneurs, and development professionals who recognized a critical gap in the early-stage funding landscape. While venture capital and angel investing continue to grow, the vast majority of promising founders — particularly those outside traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, London, and Singapore — remain locked out of the capital they need to validate and grow their ideas. We set out to change that by creating a grant program that is genuinely accessible, transparent, and designed with the founder experience at its core.
Our team brings together decades of combined experience across venture capital, startup operations, international development, and technology. We have founded and scaled companies, managed multi-million-dollar investment portfolios, and advised governments on innovation policy. This diverse expertise allows us to evaluate applications with nuance, support founders with practical and actionable guidance, and design programs that address the real-world challenges entrepreneurs face at every stage of their journey.
Since our inception, we have funded over 500 founders across more than 35 countries, distributing more than $2.5 million in non-dilutive grants. Our alumni have gone on to raise follow-on venture capital, create thousands of jobs, and build products that serve millions of users worldwide. But the numbers only tell part of the story. What drives us is the individual impact — the single mother in Nairobi who launched a fintech platform serving unbanked communities, the university student in Bogotá who built an edtech tool now used in over 200 schools, and the veteran in Detroit who turned a manufacturing idea into a supplier for Fortune 500 companies.
We are not just a grant program — we are a movement. Every application we review, every founder we fund, and every mentorship relationship we facilitate brings us closer to a world where talent and ambition are the only prerequisites for building something extraordinary. Whether you are a first-time founder with a bold idea or a seasoned entrepreneur pivoting into a new market, Founders Growth Grant is here to walk alongside you on the path from vision to reality.
The Principles That Guide Us
Every decision we make — from how we review applications to how we support our alumni — is rooted in these core values.
Transparency
We believe trust is built through openness. Our application criteria, evaluation process, and funding decisions are clearly communicated at every stage. Founders always know where they stand, what to expect, and how decisions are made. We publish annual impact reports and maintain open channels for feedback to ensure accountability to the communities we serve.
Innovation
We champion founders who dare to think differently and challenge the status quo. Innovation is not just about technology — it is about finding creative solutions to pressing problems, whether in healthcare, education, agriculture, or financial services. We actively seek out ventures that introduce new approaches, disrupt stagnant industries, and push the boundaries of what is possible in their respective fields.
Impact
Every grant we award is an investment in measurable, meaningful change. We prioritize founders whose ventures demonstrate clear potential for positive economic and social impact — from creating jobs and strengthening local economies to addressing critical gaps in essential services. Our impact tracking framework ensures that funded founders set ambitious goals and receive the support they need to achieve them.
Community
Building a venture can be isolating, but it does not have to be. We cultivate a vibrant, supportive community of founders, mentors, and industry experts who share knowledge, resources, and encouragement. Through peer-to-peer learning sessions, regional meetups, and an active online forum, our network ensures that no founder ever has to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone.
The People Behind the Mission
A dedicated group of investors, operators, and changemakers committed to leveling the playing field for founders worldwide.
Dr. Sarah Chen
Executive Director
Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in venture capital and international development. A former partner at a leading impact investment firm, she has deployed more than $50 million across emerging markets and holds a PhD in Development Economics from MIT. She founded Founders Growth Grant after witnessing firsthand how systemic barriers prevent talented entrepreneurs from accessing capital.
James Okonkwo
Head of Programs
James is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and exited two technology companies across Africa and Europe. With deep expertise in program design and startup acceleration, he oversees our grant lifecycle, mentorship matching, and founder support initiatives. His passion for nurturing early-stage ventures stems from his own experience of struggling to secure funding as a first-time founder in Lagos.
Maria Rodriguez
Chief Impact Officer
Maria leads our impact measurement and evaluation framework, ensuring every dollar disbursed translates into tangible outcomes for founders and their communities. Previously, she served as a senior advisor at the World Bank's Innovation Practice and has authored influential research on the effectiveness of grant-based funding models in accelerating startup growth across Latin America and Southeast Asia.
David Kim
Head of Technology
David is a full-stack engineer and former CTO of a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup. He leads the development of our application platform, impact analytics dashboard, and founder tools. A passionate advocate for technology accessibility, David ensures our platform delivers a seamless experience for founders regardless of their technical background or the devices they use to access it.
Do You Qualify?
We keep our criteria clear and straightforward so you can determine your fit before investing time in an application.
Grant Eligibility Requirements
- Founder Status: You must be the founder, co-founder, or a core member of the founding team of a registered business or legal entity, or be in the process of formal registration at the time of application.
- Stage of Venture: Your venture should be at the pre-seed or seed stage, ideally with a minimum viable product (MVP), early customer traction, or a clear prototype that demonstrates market demand and product-market fit potential.
- Growth Potential: Applicants must demonstrate a scalable business model with clear potential for revenue growth, job creation, and measurable economic or social impact within their target market over a 12 to 24-month horizon.
- Commitment: At least one founding team member must be working full-time on the venture or committed to transitioning to full-time within three months of receiving the grant, ensuring dedicated focus on execution.
- Grant Usage Plan: You must provide a clear, detailed plan for how the grant funds will be used — such as product development, marketing, hiring, or market expansion — with defined milestones and expected outcomes.
- Legal Compliance: Your venture must operate in compliance with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations, and you must not be engaged in any illegal, unethical, or harmful activities.
Ready to take the next step? Review our full application guidelines and submit your proposal.
Apply for a Grant