Rise

Rise exists to empower, provide opportunities, and create a formal community space for Fellows and Alumni who identify with groups that are underrepresented or marginalized in the United States. Rise groups also seek to provide members with identity-based support to help them succeed as leaders and founders within entrepreneurial communities.

Rise is a partnership among Fellows, Alumni, the VFA Team, and our larger network. The program is spearheaded by the individual groups that fall under the Rise umbrella with support from the Programs team. Interested in joining one or more of our Rise groups? Submit this quick form to get connected and begin receiving information about the group(s) you select.

If you are interested in creating a new Rise Group, submit this form and a member of the VFA team will reach out to talk with you.

BUILD21

build21 is an empowerment network for Fellows/Alumni of African-American, Afro-Caribbean and African descent to directly connect personally and professionally with each other and experienced entrepreneurs of color in the high-growth entrepreneurial ecosystem, globally.

Co-Leads: CeCe Mingo, Destine Brown, Mahamadou Camara, Tim Hinton, & Emmanuel Childs

Team Advisor: Andrew Albert

To Contact Leads: build21leads@ventureforamerica.org

ANTHA PRERNA

Antha Prerna is intended for Fellows and Alums who identify as South Asian or South Asian American to discuss race and identity in both professional and personal contexts. Antha Prerna (Unthuh Prayer-na) is a sanskrit phrase meaning "self motivated" and "entrepreneurial" which is where the word entrepreneur originated.

Co-Leads: Bijoy Shah, Rohan Sura, Abhi Gadudasu, Mira Gandhi, Utkarsh Kumaran, & Kiran Ramakumar

Team Advisor: Julia Kortberg

To Contact Leads: vfaapleads@ventureforamerica.org

VFAMÍLIA

We hope to create an inclusive space for underrepresented communities and build a network of future entrepreneurs by utilizing our talents, networks, and suave; while striving to make a positive, long-lasting impact within our Latinx Community.

Co-Leads: Fernando Bohorquez, Julian Razo, & Aracely Cano-Gramajo

Team Advisor: Victoria Reyes

To Contact Leads: latinxleads@ventureforamerica.org

VENTUREOUT

VentureOut is VFA’s queer affinity group, for fellow and alum who identify as LGBTQIA+ (allies are welcome). VentureOut is meant to create a shared space to connect with queer folks and grow personally and professionally.

Co-Leads: Hadas Marcus, Morgan Vagts, and Nick Weiner

Team Advisor: Mandi Ford Argo

To Contact Leads: ventureoutleads@ventureforamerica.org 

VFASIANS

VFAsians was created as a forum for Fellows who identify as Asian or Asian-American to discuss our identity in both professional and personal contexts. Our aim is to highlight the shared experiences of Asian/Asian-Americans and provide a collaborative platform upon which Fellows can plan events and access resources, mentorship, and connections.

Co-Leads: Erin Lee, Bijoy Shah, & Nathan Nimbargi

Team Advisor: Betsye Moon Park

To Contact Leads: vfasiansleads@ventureforamerica.org

VENTURE FIRST

Venture First provides those who identify as first-generation college graduates within the VFA community with professional and personal development opportunities through equitable access to mentorship, networks, and knowledge. We aim to empower one another through conversations, shared experiences, and resources. 

Co-Leads: Oscar Guillén Arauz, Zachary Andreason

VFA Team Advisor: Victoria Reyes 

To Contact Leads: venturefirstleads@ventureforamerica.org 

VFA WMN

VFA WMN was created to provide a supportive inclusive community for those who identify as women. Our goal is to create informal spaces for VFA women to connect and share stories. We strive to create a network where women grow professionally and a build a network of support. We aim to do this through programming and collaborating with other Rise Groups to create intersectional events. 

Co-Leads: Veronica Bido and Emma Dawson

Team Advisors:  Bonnie Martinez and Megan Butler

To Contact Leads: vfawmnleads@ventureforamerica.org

Maydan

VFA Maydan is toolbox and community for fellows who identify as Middle Eastern or North African committed to the professional and personal development of each other in entrepreneurial environments, empowering each other through a connected network, and creating a dialogue around identity. 

Co-Leads: Jad Hamdan

VFA Team Advisor: Hilary Ferencak

To Contact Leads: vfamedanleads@ventureforamerica.org

OYVEYFA

OyVeyFA seeks to provide a safe, welcoming, and fun community for Jews of any kind within Venture For America to connect. We intend to build a professional network to help community members overcome anti-Semitic obstacles, facilitate cultural conversations and experiences among both VFA’s Jewish community and allies, and support the individual and collective needs of VFA’s Jewish community. 

Co-Leads: Courtnie Lewis, Chase Mendell, Talia Wolf-Jacobs, & Natalie Sada

VFA Team Advisor: Victoria Reyes

To Contact Leads: oyveyfaleads@ventureforamerica.org