Pioneering Tech Ecosystem Development

A non-profit organization that focuses on economic mobility & ecosystem development through long-term support and investments

Our Mission

Igniting potential across all communities with educational and hands-on exploration of emerging technologies, FounderPad inspires and empowers founders to turn ideas into fundable, scalable, and impactful tech companies. As a non-profit, we prioritize education, economic mobility, economic growth, inclusivity, and above all, a Strong Tech Community.

We impact our community by offering

AI Academy

Inspires ideation through workshops, hands-on boot camps, StartathonAI hackathons, and AI clubs in schools and underserved communities.

Caltivator

Validates startup ideas through mentorship, community support, and non-dilutive funding to build MVPs and achieve market traction.

Foundry

Support the product-market fit stage and scale startups to Series A with investment, mentoring, and VC connections.

Ecosystem Benefits

Building a Local Tech Community

Educate and inspire inclusively
Economic growth and mobility
Talent retention and acquisition
Regional positioning as an Innovation Hub

Founders

End-to-end support - from ideation to Series A
Non-dilutive funding through PRIs and SAFEs
World-class mentorship
Access to an Expert Tech Community

Venture Capitalists, Accelerators, Incubators

Influence the startup pipeline
Curated, de-risked deal flow
Improved due diligence
Co-investment opportunities
Early talent insight
Early-stage impact investing

Our timeline

Current Achievements

Founded Google Developer Group (GDG) Annapolis and Baltimore, and collaborated with several GDG groups in the DMV area to host tech events and training sessions.

Collaborating with local accelerators, incubators, Tech Councils, and Universities (ongoing).
Launched AI Academy and competitions like StartathonAI, impacting over 300 people.
Piloted Cultivator

Q4 2025

Form a Board of Directors with expertise in AI, VC, non-profit, grant writing, and community leaders.

2026

Raise $500K (40% seed funding, 30% operations, 20% marketing, 10% events).

Run over twenty educational and hands-on training events, and competitions like StartathonAI, impacting over 600 people and inspiring ten projects.
Formally launch the Cultivator.

2027

Run over thirty educational and hands-on training events, and competitions like StartathonAI, impacting over 900 people and inspiring twenty projects.
Launch 10 startups with MVPs.