Founders First CDC Event Series
REAL IMPACT. STRONGER ENTREPRENEURS.
Recognition and Inclusion of Small Business Expansion — an evening celebrating the founders who’ve completed our programs, connecting them with the region’s funders, partners, and decision-makers.
Upcoming events appear first, with completed events still available below for context and future interest.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Location: TBD
Held Thursday, May 7, 2026
Make City Main Event Space, Chicago, IL
Held Thursday, July 9, 2026
Rutgers Business School, Newark, NJ
RISE was created to recognize, connect, and resource founders who are building real economic impact.
No clear education or trusted place to recognize regional winners, entrepreneurs, and partners.
No platform for underrepresented founders to pitch in front of funders, mentors, and capital providers.
Few opportunities to connect with peers and community leaders between programs and grant cycles.
Small businesses need legal, finance, marketing, and growth support but are not always sure who to trust.
An evening of recognition, connection, and live pitch moments for founders.
Selected founders pitch live in front of funders, partners, and community leaders, with one company receiving a $5K award.
We celebrate founders who have completed Founders First programs and recognize the businesses creating real community impact.
Local funders, partners, and business leaders share insight on access to capital, growth strategy, and founder support.
Founders connect directly with capital providers, corporate partners, advisors, and peers who can help move their business forward.
RISE Participant Spotlight
Tammy Marshall, FNP-C, is the founder of La Luzer Health & Wellness, a South Dallas hybrid medical practice combining mobile and clinic-based care. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, she leads a 45-foot mobile medical unit and Education Wellness Program, delivering care in preventive care to schools and underserved communities — and has provided over 4,000 community health services through partnerships with the Texas Department of State Health Services and local school districts.
Be Part of This Impactful Initiative
RISE partners help support founders who are building businesses, creating jobs, and expanding economic opportunity in their communities.
85
Cohort Programs
Supported
4,700+
Member Companies
$385K
Average Revenue Increase
37%
Low-to-Moderate Income
Owned
66%
Historically-Underserved
Owned
A curated partnership platform connecting founders and companies to growth-ready diverse businesses.
Partners meet vetted founders, expanding high-quality procurement-ready and service-ready opportunities.
Partners gain curated access to small businesses that can become future borrowers, suppliers, clients, employees, and partners.
Partners participate as speakers, spotlight organizations, or roundtable hosts, building trust and deeper market insight.
Partnership demonstrates leadership in inclusive economic development by supporting high-growth, underserved founders.
National Lead Partner
$50K+
Regional Spotlight Partner
$25K
VIP Founder Ecosystem Seat
$10K
Table / Nonprofit Impact Seat
$5K
Founders First CDC does not endorse the information, content, presentation or accuracy of any other website and claims no responsibility for it. You will be subject to the terms and conditions of the other website, including but not limited to its privacy policy.
Click the link above to continue or CANCEL
