I'm really into the startup/entrepreneurship world.
While running a startup accelerator, tech biz, and VC stuff is fun, I'm also a huge supporter of social change organizations - particularly those that enable under-served populations by teaching entrepreneurship as a path to economic stability.
Defy Ventures is an entrepreneurship, employment, and character development training program for currently and formerly incarcerated men, women, and youth.
Defy Ventures has less than 5% recidivism by the participants in the program - who go on to build awesome business trajectories and pay it back in their communities after release.
Some statistics about their work:
- Served 3,600+ formerly incarcerated Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) across 24 states
- Served 1,700+ currently incarcerated EITs across 15 correctional facilities
- Recidivism for served EITs is less than 5%
- Financed and incubated over 170 startups founded by EITs, which created 350+ jobs in their communities
- Disbursed $700,000+ to EIT startups through business pitch competition awards and microloans
- EITs report an 83% income increase and 95% employment rate within 7 months of enrolling in Defy
I was first introduced to Defy Ventures and their mission at FounderCon 2016, the Techstars global annual conference held in Cincinnati. The mission resonated with me deeply and I love to keep track of what they're doing.
This is the most amazing video of one of their events held at a prison.
Watch the VR 360 video below, learn about their mission. Be in awe. Seriously, the human connection and interaction is amazing.
Follow and support Defy Ventures!