The CityBridge Launch Fund supports businesses that are poised to grow and scale in the city, contributing to an equitable and excellent public education ecosystem.
Launch Fund: Ventures.
Launch Fund
The CityBridge Launch Fund provides seed funding for early-stage education entrepreneurs ready to take on the complex process of navigating their venture’s go-to-market journey. Through the Launch Fund, we aim to fund and advise equity-minded ventures that advance our vision of Washington, DC, as a national proofpoint for educational equity and excellence.
During this 15-month venture philanthropy investment fund, selected entrepreneurs receive the curriculum, coaching, connections, and capital to launch into the DC education market.
Curriculum
Launch Fund entrepreneurs have access to a bench of seasoned experts and receive consulting support around product and business development, market analysis and insights, fundraising and venture capital, and revenue and financial modeling for viability.
COACHING
During the 15-month investment period, Launch Fund entrepreneurs receive ongoing check-in support and problem solving around personalized grant milestones.
Connections
CityBridge provides personalized, brokered introductions to members of the CityBridge alumni network of over 500+ education leaders in the region. Launch Fund entrepreneurs also have access to our seasoned venture advisors for strategic advice and pitching.
Capital
Launch Fund entrepreneurs receive a $40,000 unrestricted grant.
CityBridge Education is thrilled to announce Dr. Omolara O. Fatiregun as the inaugural entrepreneur in the CityBridge Launch Fund. Dr. Fatiregun is the Founder and CEO of THRIVE!, a venture that uses technology to help school systems and human services agencies root out systemic racism in spending. Learn More
Ventures at CityBridge
CityBridge drives innovation by funding and supporting local leaders—prioritizing leaders of color—who are transforming the student experience. We support the creation of education startups focused on solving some of the most pressing problems in DC’s K-12 education ecosystem. As early stage investors, our programming aims to provide startup founders with the capital, connections, and curriculum to launch an equitable venture in DC.
We incubate ventures designed to rely on different types of revenue (e.g., fees, fundraising) and the business model that is most promising for an entrepreneur’s chosen goals. Past Ventures entrepreneurs have launched EdTech products and applications, nonprofits, and other social enterprises.