Meet the Graduates of Founder Gym Cohort 10

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FounderGym

17 min readSep 10, 2019

“Prior to Founder Gym, I didn’t understand fundraising. I would present my company in hopes of funding, but through the FG experience, I realized I was doing it all wrong. Now, I know how to best position my company as a valuable investment vehicle for investors and clearly articulate that.”

~ Heber Miguel, Founder of Eber Health

“The trainers are fantastic — candid, real and generous. Office Hours are a slice of growth-mindset heaven. The opportunity to review everyone’s work in a group setting really helped me to develop a critical eye for my own work.”

~ Laura Aiken Tett, Founder of Tusk

“The best thing about the FG Cohort was the plethora of expert training session videos by key venture capitalists and angel investors who shared and imparted their wisdom and genuine real world knowledge. This was wonderful access that provided and fostered an environment of inclusion and teamwork.”

~ Kurt Hailstock, Founder of My Trainer GPS

“Coming into the program, I was in the ideation stage and not really sure what resources to start with or where to begin. This 6 week program provided the structure and support I needed, so now I feel like I have the ‘Google Maps’ directions to funding my company. I just have to be disciplined and follow each step as it’s laid out, and I’ll get there just fine.”

~ Joy Ekuta, Founder of Hostowambe

We are excited to debut the graduates of Founder Gym Cohort 10! For six weeks, from July 22nd to August 30th, we trained 28 founders, spanning four countries and three continents on how to successfully raise money to scale their tech startups. With this latest set of graduates, the total number of Founder Gym Graduates is now 357.

Since graduating our first FG Cohort in January 2018, Founder Gym’s Alumni community has grown 1273%.

FG Graduates are building world-class companies.

Founders in FG Cohort 10 are developing a variety of solutions across a wide array of industries:

The first personalized skincare subscription service for women of color with the use of AI and medical expertise
IoT products for on and off-grid consumers to bring power and connectivity everywhere
A tech-enabled marketplace connecting couples with professional planners who coordinate weddings and events
An online platform to automate the fragmented, painful and costly process of estate settlement so that surviving loved ones have the freedom to grieve after a death

But they face unique challenges as underrepresented founders.

In a recent study, it was reported that only:

1% of venture-backed founders were Black
1.8% of venture-backed founders were Latinx
2.4% of venture-backed founders were Middle Easterners

Another report revealed that women received only 2.2% of venture capital.

This is why we built Founder Gym.

For six weeks, we provided an intense virtual training experience for select founders, led by some of the most experienced investors and founders in Silicon Valley. Now, after completing the rigorous graduation requirements, we are excited to officially introduce the graduates of FG Cohort 10.

But before you meet the founders, take a look at the numbers.

Meet the Cohort 10 Graduates!

“Before Founder Gym, I had the confidence but not all the right tactics to fundraise. Now, I’m ready! I have even more confidence and a bag full of tools to use.”

Founder: Adrian Wayman
Company: Green Box
Description: Green Box is a premium curated cannabis subscription club, delivering premium cannabis right to your door.
Location: Portland, OR
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“My experience with FG Cohort 10 was invaluable. I was surrounded by such bright and innovative founders who looked like me.”

Founder: Alisia Ford
Company: Glory
Description: Glory is the first skincare shop to provide personalized facials for all skin tones with the use of AI and medical expertise.
Location: Portland, OR
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Because of Founder Gym, I now understand the principles of raising institutional capital.”

Founder: Arthur G. Smith
Company: PowerTalk Ventures
Description: PowerTalk is an educational technology platform which features cultural icons who are willing to share their expertise and experiences.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“I have never connected with a group of startup founders (let alone persons with similar backgrounds) who are passionate about turning their vision into a viable business that disrupts the world.”

Founder: Bianca Roberson
Company: Single Girl Box
Description: Single Girl Box is a beauty and lifestyle subscription box of the best in class products curated with Black women in mind.
Location: Chicago, IL
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“This experience gave me an in-depth look into the thought process of investors and successful founders. I firmly believe that this experience has given me a solid foundation to become a successful startup founder and reach my fundraising goals.”

Founder: Deonte Smith
Company: Myscout
Description: Myscout is a mobile interactive trading card that allows athletes to share their sporting experience and gain exposure by connecting with the rest of the sports world.
Location: Fishers, IN
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“If you’d like to learn from the best trainers in the startup ecosystem, create great fundraising documents, and join a community of excellent founders, Founder Gym is the way to go!”

Founder: Donna Sanders
Company: Social Solar
Description: Social Solar is the first web app that connects urban energy consumers (including renters) who want to use renewables with top-rated clean energy suppliers at the most affordable prices.
Location: Olathe, NY
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“The accountability partners gave me a real feeling of support and togetherness. Getting on a call together and receiving feedback meant a lot.”

Founder: Fahim Pour
Company: Pukket
Description: Pukket is a platform that allows brands to automatically identify and reward their customers for talking about them on social media, creating word-of-mouth at scale.
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Before Founder Gym, I was not confident that I could articulate what my company was doing to investors. At the end of the cohort, I received feedback from one of the FG Trainers saying she understood exactly what I was doing from the very beginning of my pitch.”

Founder: GiGi Mcdowell
Company: Fêtefully
Description: Fêtefully is an online platform automating and streamlining the wedding and event planning process to provide couples with affordable and personalized planning services while also allowing planners to earn money in their spare time.
Location: Dallas, TX
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Fundraising is a game. And like any other game, you must first understand the rules to win. Then, you must hone your skills, look at the details, and prepare everyday to win. Fundraising is a full-time job.”

Founder: Heber Miguel
Company: Eber Health
Description: At Eber Health, we’re accelerating the world’s transition from Diagnostic care towards Preventive Care by offering convenient in-home visits and telehealth consultations. Our motto is “Health begins At home.”
Location: Beaverton, OR
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“The best thing about the FG Cohort was the opportunity to hear from people who are where we want to be, as well as sharing and hearing real founder experiences.”

Founder: James Pritchett
Company: 3D Map Videos Company
Description: 3D Map Videos is a network of travel research video portals that offers consumers narrated 3D map tours of places and events.
Location: Stockbridge, GA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Founder Gym believed in my dreams and made sure I knew I was significant throughout the whole process. They changed my future in a short time, and because of this, I pursue life with a different perspective of my visions and goals.”

Founder: Jasmine Fain
Company: ENPWR U
Description: ENPWR U is mapping software that increases organizations’ programming analytics and social reach to underrepresented communities.
Location: Red Oak, TX
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Before Founder Gym, I had a huge case of imposter syndrome and felt as though I wasn’t good enough. After the whole experience, I can confidently pitch my business and I now rise to the challenge and look forward to telling the world about Wonderfund, rather than hide away from it.”

Founder: Jessica Walker
Company: Wonderfund
Description: Wonderfund reimagines the way we gift to children through high-quality investments, thoughtful memories, and financial literacy skills.
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“The best thing about the FG Cohort experience was to see that other founders (some very successful) are also just human beings.”

Founder: Johanna Seeliger
Company: Diversify
Description: Diversify has developed a recruiting process that hires faster, better and more diverse talent.
Location: Vögeliweidli, Switzerland
Get Connected: Linkedin

“I met other founders who had made the decision to take a bet on themselves. Joining this community makes me feel like I have a team that’s pushing me and rooting for me to succeed!”

Founder: Joy Ekuta
Company: Hostowambe
Description: Hostowambe is a marketplace that helps you connect with small-scale event planners.
Location: Redwood City, CA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Because of Founder Gym, I have been able to put my team on the correct path and raise funds for our company.”

Founder: Justyn Eddins
Company: Zave
Description: Zave is a mobile application that utilizes augmented reality and helps users find filtered and localized deals and coupons.
Location: Milpitas, CA
Get Connected: Linkedin

“The best part of this experience was participating in a cohort with people of color and women. Also, we were trained by two accomplished women who truly are educators and know how to teach.”

Founder: Katherine Martin
Company: VisaValet
Description: VisaValet is an online concierge service for immigration matters.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Founder Gym is the most professional cohort experience you can be a part of. It’s more than just learning experience — it’s a family.”

Founder: Kenyon Hall
Company: SOIL
Description: SOIL develops portable connected energy products that offer solutions for energy poverty, disaster recovery, and the outdoor recreation consumer.
Location: Suwanee, GA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“The FG Cohort has given me the training and foundation to hold myself accountable for my success and the confidence to believe in my abilities to see my vision through to fruition.”

Founder: Kurt Hailstock
Company: My Trainer GPS
Description: My Trainer GPS connects exercisers/consumers to a nearby and available health and fitness professional that matches their specific needs and will assist them with their fitness-related goals and wellness.
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Before Founder Gym, I felt overwhelmed by all the material available about fundraising. All the different opinions made it difficult to determine which ones to apply. Founder Gym provided me with the confidence and motivation I needed to create a clear path for myself.”

Founder: Laura Tett
Company: Tusk
Description: Tusk is an online platform to automate the fragmented, painful and costly process of estate settlement so that surviving loved ones have the freedom to grieve after a death.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“The primary way I transformed during the FG experience is getting into the mind of VC’s and entrepreneurs who have raised money. It helped me understand the game from a different perspective.”

Founder: Maikil Herndon
Company: One City Ent
Description: One City Ent is the number one competition platform to allow artists, fans, and businesses to connect, discover and shape the culture.
Location: Fort Washington, MD
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

Before the FG Cohort, I was not confident of the process and documents required for engagement with potential investors. I now understand better how to pitch and what type of investors to look for who will provide investment and support for my startup Wanngi.”

Founder: Maree Beare
Company: Wanngi
Description: Take control of your health with Wanngi. Wanngi is your health record, enabling you to track your symptoms, securely upload medical records and set fitness goals.
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“At first, I thought fundraising was all about who you know (part of it is), but I learned that most of it is about strategy. Hearing from founders who have raised seed and series A funding made me feel more confident, letting me know that I can do it, too. I understand how to attract the attention of investors as well as find common ground with them.”

Founder: Oluwasanmi Ariyo
Company: Wavlength
Description: Wavlength is the “stock market for musicians” where fans can buy, sell and trade collectible cards of their favorite artists, granting them ultra-exclusive perks such as invitations to album release parties, exclusive merchandise and priority access to projects before they are released
Location: Folcroft, PA
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Because of Founder Gym, I have met lifelong friends that will push me to be a better founder.”

Founder: Ricky Humphrey
Company: Edgde
Description: We are a brand new platform for podcasts where a podcaster can upload their podcast and let their audience pay for that content.
Location: Springfield, OR
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“I am even more determined and focused to develop as an entrepreneur, even as a ‘seasoned’ one! Your age should not limit you from having a dream!”

Founder: Robin Corbins-Robinson
Company: Virtual Genie Magic
Description: Virtual Genie Magic is a scholarship research assistance business that helps students and parents find much needed (and sometimes unknown) resources and funding for secondary education.
Location: San Antonio, TX
Get Connected: Twitter and LinkedIn

“Before Founder Gym, I was unsure about my journey as a startup tech founder. FG gave me more confidence, reassurance, and enlightenment.”

Founder: Roderick Turner
Company: TOP IT
Description: TOP IT is a social blockchain platform that allows everyday users to create skilled, talented, and niche video/photo challenges to compete against peers, rivals, celebrities and brand influencers. Users can create challenges publicly or privately while viewers vote on the best content, leave comments and join in. You choose the category, duration, and audience!
Location: Desoto, TX
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“Because of Founder Gym, I am part of a network of innovators and future tech leaders.”

Founder: Shavonn Doughlin
Company: Carnival Savvy
Description: Carnival Savvy is the first online platform that makes participating in global Carnivals and festivals safe and simple.
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“I now know what it feels like to be supported by strangers and to have them invest in your dreams in a genuine way.”

Founder: Teddi Rene Jackson
Company: United Kweendom
Description: United Kweendom connects women to developmental resources, strategic guidance, and a supportive community to help them efficiently navigate major life transitions.
Location: Waldorf, MD
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“I had a high-level idea of what my product would do and look like. FG has brought me closer to turning it into a reality. I now understand what I need to do in order to deliver a finished product and pitch successfully to investors.”

Founder: Uttara Gopal
Company: Velocity Money
Description: Velocity Money is a financial app that will help consumers optimize their credit card usage and grow their disposable income.
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

Congratulations to the FG Cohort 10 “Best in Class” Winners

One part of the FG Cohort graduation requirement is that founders deliver their 2-minute pitch at Graduation Day. The FG Cohort members then vote on the top three pitches. Congratulations to our FG Cohort 10 “Best in Class” winners: GiGi McDowell, Kenyon Hall, and Laura Aiken Tett.

Meet the FG Cohort 10 Trainers

Mandela SH Dixon has trained hundreds of founders around the world on how to raise startup capital and build successful businesses. She was the founding Portfolio Services Director at venture firm Kapor Capital, the Global Director of Startup Weekend Education, and a tech startup founder backed by Kapor Capital, 500 Startups, and Imagine K12 (acquired by Y Combinator). Mandela is an inaugural member of First Round Capital’s prestigious Angel Track program. She is a sought-after speaker and has shared her frameworks for success on over 90 stages, as well as in over 100 article publications. Mandela has received various recognitions, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List and LinkedIn’s Top 10 Voices in Venture Capital and Startups.

Get Connected: LinkedIn and Twitter

After working in micro-finance in South Africa, Adam Stelle became the COO of Startup Weekend, and later the VP of Growth at UP Global (Startup Weekend’s parent organization). At UP Global, Adam helped generate $14 million in revenue and opened 5 new offices across 4 continents. In 2015, UP Global was acquired by Techstars, the largest startup accelerator program in the world. Thereafter, Adam became the VP of Growth at Galvanize, a prominent co-working space offering educational programming to startup founders and employees. In 2016, Adam co-founded Loftium, a company dedicated to making it more affordable for people to live in cities. To-date, Adam and his co-founder, Yifan Zhang, have raised $18 million in startup capital to scale their startup.

Get connected: Linkedin and Twitter

After working in Atlanta and Chicago as an investment banker, Ruben Harris entered Silicon Valley in 2014. His first startup role was in Growth Operations and Strategy at Alt School, a startup focused on personalized education. Thereafter, he transitioned to the Partnerships and Lead Generation team at Honor, which created a national network of home care providers. Ruben’s most recent startup role was as Special Advisor to the executive team at Hustle, the leading peer-to-peer texting platform. Ruben is the Co-Host of Breaking Into Startups, a media company and community focused on providing startup career advice. In 2018, Ruben co-founded Career Karma, which helps people find the best coding bootcamp for them. Ruben is a Y Combinator W19 graduate and recently closed a seed round of $1.5 million in June 2019.

Get connected: Linkedin and Twitter

Tanya Soman is a Venture Partner at 500 Startups, one of the largest venture capital seed funds and global accelerator programs. With over $300MM in committed capital, 500 Startups has invested in 1,600 technology startups including Twilio, Credit Karma, Grab, and Udemy. Tanya focuses on seed-stage investment opportunities in the consumer space, with an emphasis on beauty and fashion. When she’s not leading the beauty and fashion specialty track at 500 Startups’ Mountain View Accelerator, she spends her time scouting companies all over the world. Previously, Tanya worked in the AdTech industry in New York and graduated from Babson College.

Get Connected: LinkedIn and Twitter

Nashilu Mouen-Makoua is an investor and writer, currently investing as an Associate at First Round Capital, one of the most active seed-stage venture funds in the country. Before joining First Round, she spent time with founders and investors across New York as an Investing Partner at First Round-backed Dorm Room Fund, Co-President at student-run startup advisors InSITE Fellows, and a Senior Management Associate at Bridgewater Associates. Nash earned her MBA at NYU Stern and her Bachelors at UC Berkeley, spending many years in the Bay Area working at the intersection of people and economic opportunity in international development, urban development and edtech.

Get Connected: LinkedIn and Twitter

Special thanks to the FG Alumni Who Shared Advice at Orientation

During Orientation, four FG Alumni shared their best advice about how to maximize the benefits of the program. FG Cohort 10 appreciated the opportunity to ask Heli Prilliman [FG Cohort 3], Joshua Aviv [FG Cohort 7], Chuka Ikokwu [FG Cohort 7] and Karen KC Chan [FG Cohort 8] about their previous Founder Gym experience and hear about their progress after graduating. Thank you for joining us!

MEET THE FG COHORT LEADERSHIP TEAM

Paige Hendrix Buckner, FG Program Director

Location: Portland, OR

Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“As a former founder, I know how hard it is to start, run and grow a company. I am passionate about connecting founders with the tools, skills, knowledge, and network they need to build strong, sustainable startups. It is exciting to think about how many dreams we are supporting with each new cohort. I’m incredibly proud of our graduates and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Cord Brown, Digital Engagement Associate

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Get Connected: Twitter and Linkedin

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to support underrepresented founders from all walks of life. These founders will go on to build companies that will change the world and I am proud to know that FG contributed to that journey.”

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Are you ready to level up your fundraising skills and join a global network of top-notch founders? Great, because we are ready for you!

The FG Cohort is a 6-week program designed for underrepresented founders who want to raise capital to scale their startup. The entire cohort experience is 100% virtual, so founders can participate from anywhere in the world.

We are now accepting applications for FG Cohort 11.

FG Cohort 11 operates from October 21st — December 6th, 2019, and you can learn more about it by attending one of our FREE Masterclasses.

FG Masterclasses are for founders who are interested in experiencing the power of the FG Cohort, before submitting their official cohort application. FG Masterclass attendees will receive exclusive bonuses, not offered anywhere else. They are 100% virtual, but space is limited, so register today.