Future Founders, the nonprofit organization building the nation’s largest inclusive community of intentional young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial-minded leaders, is proud to announce the exceptional founders selected for the 12th cohort of its prestigious national Fellowship program.
The Fellowship is a high-impact, year-long accelerator designed to help young entrepreneurs grow both personally and professionally. Through targeted mentorship, skills-based programming, immersive retreats, peer collaboration, and meaningful community engagement, Fellows gain the tools, connections, and support needed to accelerate their ventures and strengthen their leadership as founders.
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce this year’s class of Fellows,” said Scott Issen, President & CEO, Future Founders. “Since launching the Fellowship in 2015, our community has achieved extraordinary milestones, generating more than $433 million in revenue, securing over $320 million in capital, and creating more than 2,400 jobs. We’re thrilled to welcome this next group of founders and support them as they continue building businesses that make the world a better place.”
This year’s cohort features five graduates of Startup Bootcamp, Future Founders’ early-stage program designed to help young founders take ideas and side hustles and turn them into functioning businesses. Their selection into the Fellowship reflects the continued growth of their ventures and highlights the strength of Future Founders’ founder pipeline, supporting entrepreneurs from their earliest ideas through the next stage of scaling their companies.
Each Fellow was carefully chosen following a rigorous nationwide application and interview process, underscoring the strength and promise of this extraordinary group.
The Fellowship and program activities are generously supported by: Motorola Solutions Foundation (Founding Organizational Sponsor); ActiveCampaign, Chicago Housing Authority, Keywell Foundation, Nasdaq Foundation, The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation and Summer Oaks Fund (Premier Sponsors); and Itzkowich Family and The John E. & Jeanne T. Hughes Foundation (Sponsors).
Alexander Ajlouny, Love Pants – MI
Love Pants is a festival fashion brand aimed at materializing the importance of giving LOVE. What I’m looking forward to: “Building a community with likeminded entrepreneurs.”
McCall Brinskele, Cove – CA
Cove is a standardized menstrual effluent collection and transport system designed to deliver research-grade samples for diagnostics and biotech innovation. What I’m looking forward to: “Getting to be part of a vibrant community of innovators.”
Candace Cisneros, Kintsugi Coffee Company – IL
Kintsugi Coffee Company is a boutique mobile coffee experience creating elevated, story-driven moments for private and corporate events. What I’m looking forward to: “Connecting with other founders!”
Tim Cohen, Ethos Training Systems – IL
Ethos Training is a strength and conditioning facility that offers group and private training, as well as amenities such as physical therapy, massage, and co-working. What I’m looking forward to: “Meeting all of the other entrepreneurs!”
Sophia Fang, Peachy Day – PA
Peachy Day is an integrative migraine prevention app designed to reduce pain, fast-track speed to care by years, and fundamentally lower healthcare costs. What I’m looking forward to: “Being in a community of fellow mission-driven founders. The entrepreneurship journey is really tough, and I’m thrilled to find a space where I can bring my full self!”
Shavon Francis, Fleurish Chicago – IL
Fleurish Chicago is a floral design firm and retail flower shop combining beauty and operational excellence to serve corporate clients, communities, and flower enthusiasts. What I’m looking forward to: “The peer community and accountability that comes with being surrounded by founders who are in the thick of building, just like I am.”
Jacob Grass, Astradian Technologies – CA
Astradian Technologies offers an AI-powered tool for government contractors that fully analyzes all contracting opportunities, reducing the time to a bid/no-bid decision by 95%. What I’m looking forward to: “Meeting other founders and learning how to grow my company.”
Nicole Halper, Proofed & Proven – OK
Proofed & Proven helps thought leaders and changemakers transform complex ideas into polished, accessible, and impactful writing. What I’m looking forward to: “The accountability and mentorship Future Founders Fellowship will offer to help me grow.”
Isabella Hinkson, PooPoof, Inc. – MA
PooPoof is a biomimetic foam device that makes dog waste disappear by breaking it down into water and natural soil nutrients in minutes. What I’m looking forward to: “Connecting with the cohort! Building can be isolating, and having a community that understands both the emotional and strategic sides of the journey makes the process more sustainable!”
Isiuwa Igodan, Bestie Banter – DC
Bestie Banter is a conversation card game brand that creates interactive experiences designed to spark connection, community, and real-life engagement. What I’m looking forward to: “Connecting and building relationships with other founders and learning from them.”
Canaan Kimball, Deal and Dink – FL
Deal and Dink is an on-court pickleball card game that adds fun challenges and twists to make pickleball more social, engaging, and memorable. What I’m looking forward to:“Being surrounded by other ambitious founders who are actively building and scaling real companies.”
Lisa Larbi, Toffie Shop – TX
Toffie Shop is an African-made body jewelry brand offering ethically crafted, ready-to-wear waist beads from Ghana. What I’m looking forward to: “As a solopreneur, this Fellowship is the kind of validation that builds real accountability. I’m most excited to be surrounded by founders who push me to think bigger.”
Evan Magnusson, Valor Vision – VA
Valor Vision is an AI-driven software platform that transforms standard iPhone video into advanced 3D movement analysis, helping athletes run faster, jump higher, and avoid injury. What I’m looking forward to: “Connecting and exchanging notes with founders that are at a similar stage, but working in different industries.”
Emely Matus, SevenThirty – IL
SevenThirty is an AI-powered personalized planning platform that transforms users’ goals, habits, and values into adaptive, actionable planning systems. What I’m looking forward to: “Mentorship from seasoned operators, refining my pitch and capital strategy, and receiving go-to-market strategy support to scale.”
Blake Meyers, Visibly – CA
Visibly is a mobile accessories company building a phone case with a built-in mirror that allows creators to confidently film and take photos using their back camera. What I’m looking forward to: “Meeting other founders who are actively building businesses, learning from their experiences, and sharing what I’ve learned so far building Visibly.”
Skyler Mott, Dorm To Door Student Storage – MA
Dorm To Door Student Storage provides convenient pick-up, storage, and delivery services for college students. What I’m looking forward to: “Being part of a high-caliber community of builders who are actively turning ideas into real-world ventures.”
Amariah Murdock, INFINITEXEC – UT
INFINITEXEC provides executive support and operational systems that help leaders scale their businesses. What I’m looking forward to: “Connecting with other participants and growing together!”
Anthony Nardone, Gateways Creative LLC – PA
Gateways Cinescape is a location-based entertainment experience that brings people together through the power of high-tech immersive games. What I’m looking forward to: “Becoming a part of the community.”
Johnny Palumbo, Simplify Tech – IL
Simplify Tech is an AI automation and systems integration firm that builds custom, production-ready workflows and agents so lean teams can operate like a Fortune 500 company. What I’m looking forward to: “Learning alongside other founders who are in the thick of building, and to getting honest feedback on how to scale Simplify Tech sustainably.”
Andrew Rubin, State Street Spices – MO
State Street Spices crafts authentic spice blends that represent cities around the country. What I’m looking forward to: “Building a community of young entrepreneurs and innovators from around the country.”
Jeurys Santiago, Minds with Purpose – MA
Minds With Purpose Foundation is a youth-empowerment nonprofit dedicated to democratizing access to economic opportunity for first-generation, immigrant, and BIPOC young people through community, resources, and pathways to growth. What I’m looking forward to: “Building genuine relationships and growing alongside other founders, and leaving with a stronger network, warmer introductions, and clearer pathways to opportunity for the communities we serve.”
Juanita Villegas, Juanita / Portraitbooth Artists – FL
Juanita / Portraitbooth is a live event illustration service creating elegant, hand-painted portraits that transform special moments into timeless, personalized keepsakes. What I’m looking forward to: “Growing as a founder and learning how to be a strong, confident leader while scaling my business.”
Pearl Ubaru, SiSTEM – TX
SiSTEM delivers structured academic planning for grades 6–12 through personalized roadmaps, coaching, and tutoring so families can make confident decisions for their future. What I’m looking forward to: “Meeting all the fantastic people with great ideas!”
For media and sponsorship inquiries, contact Scott Issen at scott@futurefounders.com. To learn more about the Future Founders Fellowship, sign up for email updates.
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