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Why SEED SPOT

We are on a mission to support traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs creating  solutions that improve lives or make the world a better place.

SEED SPOT believes in uplifting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds who want to enact positive change through their business ventures. We provide access to rich networks of resources, mentors, business fundamentals, community partners, and capital sources, to help entrepreneurs find success and ensure everyone has a chance to share their ideas with the world.

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SEED SPOT helped us pivot our business and carve out a niche in the agency space by focusing on nonprofits tackling emerging media. Today, we've helped a range of clients from smaller nonprofits to larger startups, have solidified advisors, and still leverage SEED SPOT's network on a regular basis.

- Ashwath Narayanan Founder, Social Currant

Featured Alumni

We are proud to support our brilliant, visionary alumni as they create solutions and enact change around the world.

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Sheila Iyengar

Founder & ED
NAGI Foundation
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Michelle Heyward

Founder
PositiveHire
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Hector Ocasio

Founder
Pet Connect
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Oscar Pedroso

Founder & CEO
Thimble.io
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Our Focus Areas

Making sustainable development goals actionable through business

Our impact focus areas are rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and provide a framework to measure the social impact of our alumni's business ventures. We strive to uplift those seeking to enact positive change in our communities.

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Meet the Team

Everyday we each ask ourselves, "How did I help entrepreneurs today?" We are a team of problem solvers, brainstormers, dreamers, and get-sh*t-doners. We are fueled by coffee and passion to work with entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and beliefs. We unequivocally believe that entrepreneurs will lead the charge of innovating and solving the toughest problems facing our cities, our states, and our world.

Zach Leverenz

Chief Executive Officer

Lauren McDanell

VP of Strategy & Growth

Tristan Gandolfi

Senior Director of Programs

Corinn Carter

Chief of Staff 

Chris Bell

Entrepreneur Programs Manager

Regina Kuvakos

Grant Writer

Redempta Mwende

Measuring and Evaluation Fellow

Erin O'Shea

Chief Financial Officer

Katelyn Roberts

Senior Development Operations Manager

Virgílio Monteiro

Mandela Washington Fellow

Festus Malakia

Mandela Washington Fellow

INTERNS

National Board of Directors

Comprised of leaders in their field, the SEED SPOT board sets the vision for success for SEED SPOT. They are visionaries. Big thinkers. Dreamers. They are not afraid to challenge the status quo. They believe in a society where inspired and supported entrepreneurs are solving big problems.

Russell Goldstein

Board Chair

U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management

Sheila Herrling

Vice Chair

Sr. Fellow, Beeck Center for Social Innovation

Brent Papek

Treasurer

Partner, EY

Courtney Klein

SEED SPOT Co-Founder

Patrick Armstrong

Board Chair Emeritus

Vice President, JDA Investments

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Rashad Moore

Managing Partner, Score 3 Ventures

Susan Penfield

Board Chair Emeritus

Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

Michael Ellenby

Director of Corporate Innovation, Coplex

Molly Matthews

CEO, Job-IQ

Erin O'Shea

CFO of SEED SPOT,
MBA, CPA

Brian Hill

Executive Director,
Phoenix Fashion Week

Sentari Minor

Head of Strategy,
evolvedMD

Joronda Montaño

Prevention and Wellness Consultant

PETS OF SEED SPOT

Chauncey

Chauncey

Chief Pawperations Officer

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Archie

Accounts Retrievable

Griffin

Griffin

Digital Barketing Manager

After Participating in a SEED SPOT Program:

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HappyPlate

Served their first customer with healthy food
journey2

All Things EQ

grew sales to 20 K-12 schools for $20K students
journey3

The Mentor Method

raised $1.4M for workplace inclusion venture
journey4

Keep Nature Wild

sold their venture with help from a mentor

Our Impact

Since 2012, we've been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs make their ideas a reality. We are committed to providing resources and support to those who may not see themselves represented in the traditional entrepreneurial space, so that their world-changing ideas can come to life.

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62%

BIPOC Entrepreneurs

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59%

woman founders

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89%

Traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs

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9,719

JOBS CREATED

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3,635

Entrepreneurs Served

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$399m

Revenue Generated

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$196m

Capital Raised

Access the full 2023 Annual Impact Report

The Impact Report is an annual overview of SEED SPOT's approach to entrepreneurship, program results and success stories from our community of alumni, mentors and partners.