About Us​

Where Young Entrepreneurs Belong

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Our Work

We’re Changing the Conversation

Future Founders is building the nation’s largest inclusive community of intentional young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial-minded leaders.

To us, “entrepreneur” isn’t a job title. It’s a mindset. One that allows you to take control of your future and pursue what matters most to you. To be an entrepreneur is to be a leader. To raise your hand. To solve the problem. To take the initiative. And when done correctly, to leave the world a little bit better than you found it.

We immerse youth in experiences that inspire and empower them to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and create their own opportunity. For our middle and high school students, Future Founders provides the first meaningful experience with entrepreneurship. And for our 18- to 30-year-olds, Future Founders offers the validation, skill-building, and network young founders need to start and grow profitable businesses.

While our community of founders is inclusive to all, we place enormous emphasis on diversity, as we believe it’s long overdue for our businesses to mirror the rich culture of our people. Because this diversity will eventually lead us to a better future – a world where our businesses reflect our people, and opportunity, choice, and economic freedom are available to all.

We want to foster inclusion in the entrepreneurial community and seed more diverse founders into the startup ecosystem.

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Aspiring entrepreneurs should learn from real entrepreneurs and have a strong peer community.

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Our History

We’re Entrepreneurs, Too

Future Founders was established in 2011 through the merger of two programs: one created by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center – which now runs 1871 – and another founded by Uptake Technologies Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Brad Keywell. From the beginning, we focused on something we believe isn’t talked about enough: entrepreneurship is lonely.

Access to capital and skills matter, but community matters more. Founders – especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds – often lack the social capital and network that sustain confidence through the inevitable highs and lows. So we built Future Founders to be people-first. Not just mentorship, but meaningful relationships. Not just cohorts, but a multi-generational community of peers and alumni who show up for one another long after a program ends. Because businesses don’t change the world on their own. People do.

Every Youth Can Become an Entrepreneur

Recognition We’ve Received

Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge

Selected for the Blackstone Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge to expand access for diverse founders from underserved communities.

Chicagoness Award

Recognized by 1871 for advancing education, inclusion, and collective opportunity in the entrepreneurial community.

Community Empowerment Award

mHUB honored us with the Community Empowerment Award for advancing diversity in entrepreneurship and manufacturing.

ChicagoNEXT Award

World Business Chicago honored us with the ChicagoNEXT Award for advancing technology and innovation.

Notable Leaders in Philantrophy

CEO Scott Issen was named a Crain’s Notable Leader in Philanthropy for advancing entrepreneurship and community impact.

What Our Founders Are Saying

"I’ve been a part of the Future Founders community since 2019. What drew me in was the opportunity to get together with other entrepreneurs who were interested in community, and want to solve the world’s biggest problems and create better opportunities for others."
Brendan WangStartup Bootcamp & Fellowship Alum
“Future Founders helped me turn my side hustle into an actual business. They helped me take steps to further my education in entrepreneurship. It just helped me get out of my shell more. I plan on fully using all the resources they gave to me to further my business.”
Jamir ChancellorApprenticeship Alum
"This program is hands-down the best thing I ever did for my business and for myself as a business owner! I found community, self-confidence, and the tools I needed to grow intentionally. So grateful for the team at Future Founders and I can’t wait to welcome in the new cohorts in Chicago in November!"
Annie CombsStartup Bootcamp & Fellowship Alum
"Future Founders is such a memorable experience. You walk away with more tools in your toolbox, and the immense satisfaction of knowing you too can create your own company."
Dulce MedinaBe Your Own Boss Alum
“I think what makes a difference in your success in life is the opportunities that you have, and Future Founders is full of those opportunities. It’s also full of people that are changemakers and at the forefront of business and innovation.”
Hannah KingFellowship Alum
“Future Founders has given me so many cool experiences. They put me in a room with people my age who think like me, which is so hard to find nowadays. If you’re thinking of Future Founders, do it! You’re going to come out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and gain new experiences.”
Kasiya WellsApprenticeship Alum
"Future Founders is one of the best things I ever did in my life. I met so many people just like me, which boosted my self-esteem and helped me realize that I have what it takes to become an entrepreneur!"
Cherish DavisBYOB & Startup Bootcamp Alum
"What drew me to Future Founders was that I knew a lot of other people who had been in the program and were very successful. They had really great things to say about it, so I just had to see for myself."
Tiffany GilFellowship Alum
"There is nothing like the Future Founders community! If you are thinking of applying, you should!"
Madison QuinteroFellowship Alum

Ready to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs?

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