Inside the Collapse of Venture for America

Inside the Collapse of Venture for America

By: Annabel Burba and Sam Blum

For the college grads entering Venture for America ’s 2024 class of fellows, the organization’s annual training camp was billed as a gateway to a career in the startup world . The week-long symposium was a crash course in VFA’s hallmark offerings: talks, presentations, networking events, all to experience first-hand the nitty-gritty of building a company and becoming immersed in a dedicated entrepreneurial community.??

Fellows were certifiably hyped to be joining VFA. The organization oozed prestige. It was founded more than a decade ago by tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who left the organization in 2017 to focus on politics and cultivated a small but potent movement as an outsider presidential candidate in 2020. And most importantly, VFA connected new grads with sought-after startup jobs. It had exclusive partnerships with startups that regularly hired its fellows through VFA’s native job portal, Connect. VFA was known for its robust community and alumni network, and offered entrepreneurial mentorship and financing for the most promising startup ideas pitched by fellows. Read More...


Modern CEO of the Year

Modern CEO, Stephanie Mehta ’s weekly newsletter, which also runs in Fast Company and Inc. magazines, is seeking nominations for Modern CEO of the Year. All chief executive officers who have demonstrably driven innovation, navigated complexity, transformed culture, or futureproofed a business are eligible. Nominations should provide concrete examples of how the CEO’s actions have led to positive outcomes in 2024 or set their company up for the year ahead.

Submit your nomination today


Insights from the Inc. Masters — the inner circle of Inc. 5000 honorees

My Hypothesis Is: Use This Phrase to Spark Progress

What Buddhist Thought Taught Me About Running a Business

Scale Farther and Faster with Founder-Friendly Capital

THE FIRST-EVER DIGITAL HOME FOR THE INC. 5000 COMMUNITY

Built by Inc. in partnership with Capital One Business , the Inc. 5000 Community is a digital platform available for free to all founders and CEOs of Inc. 5000 companies. Join the Inc. 5000 Community here .

Russell Palmer

Immersive Marketing Expert (IoT, BLE, NFC, POAP, GEO Tags, Google Nearby)

2 周

I had hope for Title III Jobs act to empower us to fuel innovation, but all we did was create an etsy for ideas to profiteer.... I was hoping for revolutionary business funding, but only one actually made it and is successful Legion M Entertainment. I STILL believe that community builders are essential in creating the future, but the whole crowdfunding era is clouded by folks who have funds to try to capture more funds and sit pretty with LITTLE progress... While community builders, entrepreneurs who DO take action are left with a SEED funding market completely EMPTY of resources and loans are obsolete... We must build with very little as we work to serve humanity with resources and value.. I have began very many startups with simple business models that could be quite scalable, but I cannot get past my lack of funds, my credit, or my impoverished humble beginnings. So, fuck it, Why play at capitalism??? I'll just build a trust and work to acquire for my people and for my community.

要查看或添加评论,请登录