“The most gratifying aspect of being a founder is the realization that I am actively pursuing my purpose of creating transformative and educational content that empowers numerous lives.”

“As an entrepreneur, I am driven by the desire to innovate and the autonomy to implement solutions that align with my vision of a more inclusive and supportive world. Each venture I undertake is a step towards breaking down barriers and empowering communities, particularly those who are often marginalized.”

“I hope that Inspiring Futures creates a space that is welcoming and embracing of all those who have system-involvement and are trying to move forward in life. I hope Inspiring Futures successfully de-stigmatizes mental health, and that as a result, these incredible youth and young people are able to stay out of future systems that the foster care system is often a pipeline to, disrupting the narrative that foster care is a pipeline to jail, homelessness, and other negative outcomes.“

“My vision for Village Nanny is for our app to be so universally accessible that it creates a paradigm shift in what families view as not only feasible and accessible, but beneficial, in terms of their family's village and needs. I hope to create a more caring, community-centered world in which children and elders are cared for in the ways that serve them best, a world in which more people have embraced the notion that it truly "takes a village,” and to leave a legacy for our own children.“

“Through Erudyte, my vision is to contribute to a world where education is truly inclusive, breaking down language barriers and providing equal opportunities for students regardless of their linguistic backgrounds. Ultimately, I envision a world where language is not a hindrance to academic success, and students can thrive, contribute meaningfully to society, and pursue their aspirations without limitations imposed by language barriers.”

“What I enjoy most about being a founder is the incredible opportunity it provides to champion causes that truly matter, like the taboos and stigmas surrounding women's health. Being a founder gives me a platform to make a meaningful difference, such as ensuring that the information we provide is both accessible and impactful.”

“Through [Southern Nevada Black Educators Initiative], I aspire to establish a realm that provides students of color with representation and opportunities. I envision a world abundant with culturally attuned, highly skilled Black educators passionately advocating for their students.”

“I want to contribute to a world where Black voices and narratives are authentically represented and celebrated, challenging stereotypes and promoting a diverse and inclusive cultural landscape.”

“I want to create a world where everyone has equal access to resources and the ability to pursue their dreams. I hope to help create a world that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and respect for different perspectives. I want a world where race, age, gender, social class, or background aren’t barriers to opportunity.”

Introducing our first 2024 Camelback Fellowship cohort of education and conscious tech innovators!

“I hope that The Liberation Foundation helps close the door to recidivism and becomes a platform for men and women to highlight what true “Reform” looks like.”

“I spent almost 10 years as a K12 educator, first as a teacher, then an instructional coach, a career academy leader, and a principal-in-training. No matter whether I worked in a private school, public school, or district office, I was constantly confronting systems bound by constraints and bureaucracy. Finally, after years of trying to implement change from within, I realized I could help more students and affect greater systemic change outside of the system.”

In a time where technological innovation is redefining industries, driving our economy, and reshaping society, Camelback Ventures is committed to elevating the diverse voices and groundbreaking contributions of undervalued entrepreneurs, and highlighting how their innovative spirit is propelling us towards a future that is both inclusive and revolutionary.

Here are a few powerful takeaways from our recent "Entrepreneurship Is...Innovation" panel, powered by longtime supporters CTIA Wireless Foundation and featuring Camelback Fellows and Catalyst Winners. 

“I hope Poder Capital will transform the way BIPOC communities access capital and build wealth in the present and generations to come. I hope we play a role in undoing centuries of exclusion from the financial system.”

“At Abloom, we're bridging the mental health gap and making schools better for students. We achieve this by leveraging machine learning and AI to provide personalized student check-ins, real-time analytics, and proactive support to educators and students. It's about creating positive change through technology, and that's what I love most about being a founder.”

“I hope [GACHEP] will be the start of a transformation in the way that we approach people who have committed crimes. Education is essential in this world and I believe that if this fact is supported the most, we can create interventions at different points of peoples’ lives and create pathways to success for all.”

“[Black Girls Film Camp] is cultivating the next generation of Black girl storytellers who will shift the narratives that have been culturally and historically limited.”

“The legacy I hope to leave behind is to see Black men have opportunities to lead in the transformation of our public school system while also owning homes in the neighborhoods where these schools exist so that they are not impacted by gentrification when it shows up in their communities, but can instead tell a story of "re-intrification" and how they decided to return to the places where they came from after college to transform it from the inside out.”

“Many thought this was an unattainable task, while others had concerns over my safety ‘if/when’ we succeeded. What they didn't know was that we (including those that joined the cause along the way) decided early on that accepting this lack of transparency and colonial governance that fed corruption and mismanagement of public funds was out of the question. We were and are willing to die for this, and thus, determined to find a path. And we did. And we are just getting started.”

“As a founder, what I enjoy most is the ability to bring my vision to life freely and in collaboration with young people and educators. It's about having the autonomy to directly challenge and transform the systemic issues I encountered during my time as a teacher and administrator, and co-create solutions with those most impacted by inequity in schools.”

“I ultimately pursued entrepreneurship to control my time and working conditions, and to have the potential for unlimited wealth. I want this freedom not only for myself, but for others as well. That’s why the businesses I’m building will help employers, employees, and stakeholders prosper together.”

In this dynamic episode of "It's Not Your Money," Efraín Gutierrez delves deep into “the patriarchy,” how it has shaped philanthropy, and what a different way of doing and being might look like.

“Doing away with applications will create a major disruption in the way foundations typically learn about new organizations, but it won’t stop them from learning altogether. In fact, it may draw more philanthropic leaders out of offices and echo chambers, and into relationships and communities where they can gain a better understanding of what is needed and which organizations are leading truly impactful work.”

In this insightful ”It’s Not Your Money” episode, Lisa Flick Wilson and Staci Walker from the Radical Optimist Collective to share their experiences working with philanthropy teams on racial justice learning, how that is different and similar to working with teams in other industries, and how their approach as a collective differs from typical org white supremacy cultural norms. 

“Just as we expect founders to design products and services that meet the needs of their target markets, I contend funders must also put in the effort to design financing instruments that align with the needs of BIPOC, women and nonbinary social entrepreneurs.“

Get to know Camelback Ventures’ first-ever Vice President of Development, Cathy Yi.

“It can be so easy to move through our daily to-dos towards our missions and forget to actually stop and embrace the why. Let our hearts lead. So much of the work is about us. Examine how we choose to show up for ourselves, our people, our mission. Ground ourselves in intention, especially when doing work that moves us towards a liberated future.”

“Co.act Detroit aims to promote a more equitable funding landscape in our region by piloting participatory practices and centering community voices. Our role as a convener also allows us to advocate for change across philanthropy by creating space for honest dialogue, peer learning, and reimagining decision-making.”

Camelback Ventures is proud to welcome our fourth cohort of the Capital Collaborative by Camelback Ventures.

“By making a conscious effort to elevate our own psychological operating system, we can expand our view beyond our own immediate needs and  fears. This more resourceful perspective equips us with the depth required to tackle systemic issues more holistically, thus opening the door for more enduring and equitable solutions in the realm of philanthropy.”

“As human beings, we are all hard-wired through millions of years of adaptation for a fear-based fight or flight mental operating system. In my experience, it’s especially important to pay more attention to my own wiring when I am involved in philanthropy that’s operating across lines of difference. It’s only when I am able to break out of these default psychological settings that I am able to elevate my perspective and truly see the bigger systems of which I am a part—and to help those I am working with to do the same. “

“In a time characterized by youth-led global political movements advocating for issues that directly impact their future, such as gun control and climate change, the need to include youth voices in decision-making has become more pressing than ever. Recognizing this imperative, the Search & Align team at Camelback Ventures embarked on an experiment to integrate youth perspectives into our Fellowship selection process through the creation of the Youth Leadership Award (YLA).”

“‘White foundation staff often have difficulty discerning between helping and controlling the work of Black leaders.’ This statement precisely encapsulated the issue at hand, bringing clarity to what we have been seeking from funders. We need your help in supporting the solutions that we, in collaboration with our communities, are uniquely positioned to create and implement.”

“This is hard work. It is uncomfortable. The fact that we can ‘step away’ from this is a sign/type of privilege. The important thing is to commit, engage and sincerely work toward improving. White people have a responsibility to be a part of dismantling systemic racism, as we certainly created it.”

“Yes, the work of ending racial injustice is hard and complicated, but it is also okay to allow for creativity, laughter, futuristic visioning, and idealism.”

“Having a group of professionals who share our values and work in a similar space allowed opportunities for collective problem-solving, exposure to new ideas and practices, and brainstorming solutions by harnessing the collective wisdom of such a great group. Just as importantly, we emboldened each other to take risks. We pushed each other to take the bolder step, have the difficult conversations, and be honest about our insecurities and vulnerabilities. This compels us to do more.”

“In philanthropy, so often we fund organizations that parachute into communities to help solve problems with their programming. Going one step further, folks in philanthropy who are often far removed from issues try to solve the problems themselves.  We need to be moving more dollars to community organizations that are closest to the issues.”

“As a White person, I need to live in the racial discomfort. That is not to say I tolerate racial harm or trauma, but instead recognize I need to be in ‘disequilibrium.’ It is only then that I, as a White person, can see and experience with clarity what racial justice is.”

“I was drawn to the Capital Collaborative Cohort because of the space it provided to be with other White-identifying funders as we learned about and processed our roles and responsibilities in the movement for racial justice.”

In a time where technological innovation is redefining industries, driving our economy, and reshaping society, Camelback Ventures is committed to elevating the diverse voices and groundbreaking contributions of undervalued entrepreneurs, and highlighting how their innovative spirit is propelling us towards a future that is both inclusive and revolutionary.

Here are a few powerful takeaways from our recent "Entrepreneurship Is...Innovation" panel, powered by longtime supporters CTIA Wireless Foundation and featuring Camelback Fellows and Catalyst Winners. 

Even if you’ve never written a line of code, you still need to understand technology fundamentals, like how a tech product is built, what it can do for your business, and how to hire and communicate with your tech team. These 7 tips from Camelback Fellowship Coach Maxim Cramer will help you on your journey.

As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, it is always helpful to learn from those who have come before you. Here are seven tips from Camelback Fellows to motivate you to keep pushing forward.

Here we go again! The Camelback Fellowship application is open October 1st - October 18th.

“Here it is - the opening of the 2021 Camelback Fellowship Application. With our search for the next generation of the #CamelbackFam in full swing, we wanted to fill you in on some updates. In the name of continuous evolution, we’re making a few changes (you know we like to keep it fresh!)”

“In 2021, we are looking forward to brighter days, growth, and innovation. We launched a new Capital Collaborative cohort; we are reconfiguring the Camelback Fellowship, and we are investing in our network of past Fellows by building a team to support them.”

In entrepreneurship, we believe you always get better or worse, but you never stay the same. So, we’ve made a program rooted in helping entrepreneurs only get better. We identified five Core Competencies that we make sure every Camelback Fellow grows and excels in.

“There’s a way to fundraise as yourself. Your racial identity, academic pedigree, and physical appearance are not deal-breakers. I know this from experience. I’ve helped founders across all spectrums of race, sexuality, class, and type of venture. They’ve all been able to raise funds. There is no magical formula, but it is possible to raise money while keeping your soul intact.”