Founders Live Fort Lauderdale is excited to host our Spring Kick-Off pitch event!
Join us for an incredible evening…
Founders Live is an unforgettable happy hour competition sweeping the globe.
5 founders
99-second pitches
4 minutes audience Q&A
YOUR VOTES decide the winner!
So bring your friends and coworkers, grab some food and drink, get to know your local entrepreneurs, and vote for what you think will be the next big thing… built in South Florida.
Starring
Marc Lissade as the City Leader
Marc Lissade is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and the Director of Startup Broward, StartupGrind Fort Lauderdale as well as FoundersBoost South Florida. He is also the Founders Live Fort Lauderdale City Leader.
Marc is a veteran organizer of multiple Techstars Startup Weekends, Techstars Startup Week, and Global Entrepreneurship Week events among many other entrepreneurial support activities. Having explored many startup ecosystems, Marc believes that true innovation knows no geographical or financial bounds and has been hard at work helping build his local ecosystem.
As an innovation activist, Marc believes that innovation is a human right that has been historically overlooked. His new book on innovation is due out in Spring 2024.
Special Women's Month Presentation by Kwamara Thompson
About Kwamara
As a social entrepreneur, Kwamara Thompson has always been fighting for positive change by leading with her passion for education. As an accomplished speaker, consultant, educator, and activist, Kwamara has started multiple ventures throughout her career to help people improve their lives, to help organizations become equity and empathy focused, and to help alleviate the structures of systemic racism.
As an angel and seed investor, Kwamara and her umbrella company, TEC, LLC have helped to invest millions of dollars in small businesses across the country and have recently launched a fund.
As a philanthropist, Kwamara has helped to raise and give out hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students across the country.
Kwamara is recognized as an industry leader having been featured in multiple articles across the globe including CBS, NBC, Yahoo News, Business Insider, Boston Herald, MarketWatch, and more. She has spoken at numerous conferences across the country and has been featured on multiple podcasts.
Kwamara also sits on the board of numerous organizations, including iHeart Media Advisory Board and the Black Information Network. She is on Pace University Lubin School of Business and Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business Advisory Board. She holds a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, a Masters in Education Leadership, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University. She is a nationally highly certified and award winning educator. She is an NYU Steinhardt School of Education Senior Leader. She is a member of Educator Leaders of Color, Education Pioneers, and New Leaders as well as an Afterschool Alliance Ambassador.
Kwamara has always believed that entrepreneurship and education are often the best ways to attain financial freedom. She has been promoting community, empowerment, and sistahood for over 20 years.
Competing Startups and Founders
TBA
Interested in pitching at this or a future event? Apply here!
Agenda
6:00 PM - Welcome & Networking
6:30 PM - Special Presentation
7:00 PM - Pitch Competition
8:00 PM - Announcement & Farewells
Winners
The Founders Live winners package includes:
The Professional Boost membership with over $900,000 in cash savings on over 90+ essential apps and services for startups
An appearance in the Founders Live Prime Time regional qualifiers with a chance to advance to our Prime Time global event in the fall.
Official After Party
TBA
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