Startup Runway Foundation, Inc.

Every startup is unique, but one thing remains constant: the need for visibility. Christy Johnson of BIP Capital shares why setting KPIs, leveraging data, and building a strong foundation are critical—even in the early stages. Many founders focus on revenue first, but without understanding what’s happening underneath, growth becomes a guessing game. Tune in to learn how BIP helps startups unlock their full potential through performance engineering, ??? Listen now : https://lnkd.in/gG8UnuUr ?? Watch the full conversation : https://lnkd.in/gyUJD34V ?#StartupGrowth #VentureCapital #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #investing #PerformanceEngineering #ScalingStartups

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci interviews Lisa Calhoun, Founding Managing Partner of Valor VC, the South's first woman-led institutional venture capital firm. Lisa shares her inspiring journey to becoming a trailblazer in the VC world, from launching a firm focused on AI and SaaS companies to founding the nation’s largest nonprofit connecting underrepresented founders to investors. She offers powerful insights on leadership, courage, and curiosity, and how taking risks can lead to a life with no regrets. In this clip, she shares a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to lead.?Listen to the full conversation with Lisa Calhoun on Everybody Leads, available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows: https://lnkd.in/eW8fQayJ

We're excited to announce that Startup Runway is heading to Columbus, GA for a special pitch competition at Columbus State University! In partnership with StartUP Columbus and proudly sponsored by Georgia Power Company, this event is designed to connect underrepresented founders with their first investor connections and provide valuable mentorship. Are you a founder in the region looking to take your startup to the next level? This is your chance to pitch your vision, gain exposure, and connect with industry leaders. ?? Date: April 3, 2025 ?? Location: Columbus State University - Cunningham Conference Center ?? Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your startup and make powerful connections! ?? Apply now to pitch or register to attend: startuprunway.org/apply #StartupRunway #WhatsNextInTech #WestGeorgiaStartups #ColumbusGA #FoundersToFunders

?? AI is growing in the South—so is Valor. We just closed Valor Fund 3—a $27M commitment to backing the best B2B AI and SaaS startups at seed in the South. We're adding 11 venture partners to the team to expand our coverage in key states including Virginia, North Carolina and Florida, and adding to our programming for founders through a new Masterclass series. This fund is already in motion, leading investments in AI-driven innovators like Autonoma, Inc (Birmingham), Acuity Behavioral Health (Atlanta), Ruedata (Chattanooga), and Visalaw.ai (Memphis). To the visionary investors backing us and the unstoppable founders building with us—thank you. This is just the beginning. ?? Read more: Full release--link in the first comment. Thank you Hypepotamus for covering it--link in second comment. #VentureCapital #AI #SeedStage #VC #AppliedAI #genAI VIPC | Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation Aurelia Flores Startup Runway Foundation, Inc. - Atlanta Startup Podcast

30 Showcases. Hundreds of Founders. One Mission. Last night, we filled the room for our 30th Startup Runway Showcase—a milestone moment in our mission to connect underrepresented founders with their first investors. The energy was electric, the pitches were inspiring, and the impact was undeniable. ?? A huge congratulations to our winners! ?? ?? Erica Evans, Blood Rheology Solutions - EmpowerHER Award ?? Duvall Smith, OyuAI - Judges Prize ?? Douglas Wilson, SyncPop - Audience Choice Since 2016, Startup Runway has helped over 250 founders take the stage, gain visibility, and access critical early funding. These pitch competitions aren’t just events—they’re launchpads for groundbreaking startups that might otherwise go unseen. ?None of this would be possible without our incredible sponsors! ? National Science Foundation (NSF) America's Seed Fund Georgia Power Company Foundation American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact NCR Voyix Foundation Cox Enterprises Your support fuels the future of innovation. To everyone who showed up, mentored, judged, and championed these founders—thank you for making this moment possible. Here’s to 30 more showcases and an even brighter future for diverse entrepreneurs! ??? #StartupRunway #WhatsNextInTech #FoundersToFunders #DiversityInVC #30ShowcasesStrong #ATLStartups

? 1 Day Away! Meet the Judges of Startup Runway’s 30th Showcase! ? Tomorrow, some of the most promising founders will take the stage to pitch their startups—and our incredible panel of judges will have the tough job of selecting the winners of our $10K grants! ?? Meet the Investors Making the Calls: ?? Jewel Walker (VentureSouth) ?? Chukwuemeka (Iyke) Iwotor (Level Up Ventures) ?? William L. (Valor VC) These investors are passionate about supporting diverse founders and helping them secure their first checks. ?? Don’t miss the action! Join us at Science Square for an unforgettable showcase. Register now → https://lu.ma/zenybs6t #StartupRunway #WhatsNextInTech #FoundersToFunders #ATLStartups

Join Lisa Marie Calhoun and Christy Johnson, Performance Engineering Leader at BIP Ventures, for an inspiring and insightful conversation on what it takes to build, scale, and thrive in innovation today. From Christy’s unique journey—from rural Costa Rica to leading high-growth companies—to defining the milestones that matter, this episode is packed with actionable advice for founders and investors alike. Whether you're a founder navigating the challenges of scaling or an investor hunting exceptional value, this conversation is a must-listen. Tune in now! ???https://lnkd.in/gG8UnuUr ??https://lnkd.in/gyUJD34V ?#StartupGrowth #VentureCapital #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #investing #PerformanceEngineering #ScalingStartups?

Meet the Finalists of Startup Runway’s 30th Showcase! ?? We’re thrilled to introduce the incredible founders who will be pitching at Startup Runway’s 30th Edition! These visionary entrepreneurs are building the future, and you don’t want to miss the chance to see them in action. ?? Seats are filling up fast—register now! → https://lu.ma/zenybs6t Join us March 6th at Science Square to cheer them on, network with investors, and see who takes home the $10K grant! #StartupRunway #WhatsNextInTech #FoundersToFunders #ATLStartups Duvall Smith - oyu.ai Kendra Koch - joindivergently.com Savalas Colbert - heartbeatfam.com Douglas Wilson - wepopoff.com Bryce E. Folsom - elifesummary.com Kablan Kadjo - productflo.io Sarisha Lohano - DocAI Erica Evans - Blood Rheology Solutions Yash Vagal - curanostics.health None of this would be possible without the sponsors that support our mission. Thank you National Science Foundation (NSF) America's Seed Fund, American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, NCR Voyix Foundation, Cox Enterprises, and Georgia Power Company for fueling our founders.

It never fails— Our finalists consistently rate the Mentor Hour and Mock Board Meetings as the most valuable part of their Startup Runway experience. In this judgment-free space, founders meet with experienced investors and executives to gain real insights on the challenges of scaling their businesses. These conversations spark game-changing connections and provide the guidance founders need to grow. We’re always looking for mentors with experience investing in or leading high-growth startups. That includes leaders from our incredible sponsor organizations that support the mission of Startup Runway - National Science Foundation (NSF) America Seed Fund, American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, Cox Enterprises, Georgia Power Company, NCR Voyix Foundation, and Portal Innovations, LLC. Your expertise could make all the difference. Join us as a mentor! ?? Sign up today: https://lu.ma/wu78phbn #WhatsNextInTech #StartupRunway #BecomeAMentor #Mentoring #StartupFounders #MentorHour #ATLPitch