Techstars is a global platform that invests in and supports early-stage technology companies. Founded in 2006, it operates a mentorship-driven accelerator program, providing seed funding, intensive mentorship, and access to a network of investors and entrepreneurs. Techstars has programs in various locations worldwide, including Boston, Boulder, New York, Seattle, London, Chicago, and Austin. It invests $118,000 in each company, with $18,000 in seed funding and an optional $100,000 convertible debt note. Techstars also has industry-specific accelerator programs, such as Techstars Retail and Techstars Music, focusing on retail and music technology, respectively. Its portfolio includes over 1,000 companies with a combined market cap of $8.1 billion.

Duke Energy is a major utility company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, providing electric and natural gas services to approximately 8.2 million customers across the United States. The company operates regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky, and has roughly 35,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity. In addition to its core services, Duke Energy manages natural gas distribution for over 1.6 million customers in Ohio and Kentucky. The company also owns and operates diverse power generation assets, including a significant portfolio of renewable energy projects in North America and Latin America. Through its efforts, Duke Energy aims to deliver energy in a sustainable manner while contributing to the economic vitality and resilience of the communities it serves.

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based organization established in 2000, dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes, particularly for underserved populations, through evidence-based innovation. As part of the ECMC Group enterprise, it focuses on two primary areas: College Success and Career Readiness. The foundation provides grants and engages in program-related investments in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, aimed at fostering improvements in post-secondary education and initiatives. Its overarching vision is to empower all learners to realize their full potential and attain family-sustaining wages.

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and social impact, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, MassChallenge connects high-potential startups with industry experts and investors to foster innovation and facilitate growth. The accelerator operates on a non-equity model, allowing entrepreneurs to maintain full ownership of their companies while benefiting from strategic partnerships and tailored training programs. Through its diverse initiatives, such as targeted accelerator programs like MassChallenge HealthTech and FinTech, the organization aims to drive impactful change and enhance the global innovation ecosystem.

500 Global, established in 2010, is a global venture capital firm with over $2.4 billion in assets under management. Based in Mountain View, California, with offices worldwide, the firm invests in early-stage technology companies across 80+ countries. 500 Global focuses on markets where technology and innovation can drive long-term value and economic growth. The firm's investment portfolio spans diverse sectors such as biotech, fintech, internet, and consumer services, with a preference for companies generating at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. 500 Global offers a four-month accelerator program, providing startups with funding, mentorship, and connections to renowned investors. The firm has invested in over 2,800 companies, including 35 unicorns, and has a team of over 190 members based in 25 countries.

Charter Communications is an American telecommunications company offering high-speed internet, cable TV, and mobile services under the Spectrum brand. It serves approximately 29 million residential and 2 million commercial customers across the U.S., making it the second-largest cable provider behind Comcast.

Founded in 1987, Panera Bread is a leading bakery cafe chain offering freshly baked goods, soups, salads, custom roasted coffees, and other complementary products. It provides omnichannel access to mobile ordering and catering services.

Google.org is a philanthropic arm of Google, a multinational technology company. It funds and supports nonprofits globally, providing them with funding, tools, and volunteers. Google.org has committed approximately $100 million annually to these efforts, aiming to extend the reach of innovative nonprofits and create lasting global impact.

Gaingels is a venture investment syndicate founded in 2014 and based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to supporting the LGBT+ community and its allies. The organization invests in companies led by LGBT+ founders and executives at all stages of development, as well as in established firms committed to enhancing their diversity and inclusivity. With a global portfolio comprising over 130 companies and $70 million in investment capital deployed, Gaingels plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive business environment. Additionally, the Gaingels network actively assists its portfolio companies in identifying and recruiting diverse talent for their leadership teams, while cultivating a vibrant community of industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs committed to driving positive social change through business initiatives.

Delta Community is one of the largest financial institutions in Georgia, serving over 400,000 members. We offer a variety of traditional banking products such as deposit accounts, credit cards, home mortgages and consumer loans, as well as financial planning services, insurance and more. As a not-for-profit organization, we give back our earnings to members and the communities that we serve.

Antler, established in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies. It supports exceptional founders from day one, providing access to a global network of co-founders, talent, advisors, and expansion support, along with capital. Antler's funds, including Antler UK Fund and Antler India Fund, target various sectors such as information technology, climate tech, healthtech, software, energy services, and SaaS, with investments ranging from USD 0.2 to 0.4 million.

Building Hope’s expertise is in finance, real estate, and charter school operations. They offer finance, real estate, services, and a charter support unit. They provide schools with the advantage of having a professional partner with a shared mission of creating charter schools. Their financing through direct investment, loans, and bonds at below-market rates frees charter schools.

Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011, that manages investment portfolios and provides asset management services to clients across sectors, with a focus on software as a service companies, and analyzes market trends to inform its investment decisions while operating in finance, technology, and real estate.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, established in the mid-1960s by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, is a prominent philanthropic organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, with assets of around $2 billion. The foundation's mission is to cultivate a society of economically independent individuals who actively engage in improving their communities. To achieve this vision, the Kauffman Foundation concentrates its efforts on two primary areas: education and entrepreneurship. These focus areas reflect Kauffman's belief in the interconnectedness of education and entrepreneurial spirit as essential components for fostering individual and community development.

Founded in New York in 2010 by Craig Shapiro, Collaborative Fund is an investment firm focused on creative fields within technology and media. It invests based on the growth of the creative class and collaborative consumption.

Naples Children & Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that improves the physical, emotional, and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children. They also support effective, disciplined charitable programs.

NBCUniversal is a prominent media and entertainment company headquartered in New York, formed from the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment in 2004. The company develops, produces, and markets a wide array of content, including entertainment, news, and information, catering to a global audience. Its diverse portfolio encompasses broadcast and cable networks, a motion picture studio, television production operations, a television station group, and world-renowned theme parks. Additionally, NBCUniversal operates a suite of internet-based businesses that allow consumers to access its content across various platforms and devices. With a significant presence in multiple U.S. states and London, NBCUniversal is dedicated to delivering exceptional media experiences and innovative storytelling.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

Reach Capital, established in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage education technology (ed-tech) startups across the United States. The firm seeks to support entrepreneurs developing technology solutions for challenges in early childhood, K-12, higher education, and workforce reskilling or upskilling. Reach Capital typically invests between $100,000 and $500,000 in seed rounds, taking a 3% to 5% stake, and up to $1 million or more in Series A or B rounds, with an 8% to 10% stake. Additionally, the firm acts as a catalyst, encouraging traditional and non-traditional investors to support the growing ed-tech market.

Aveanna Healthcare is a leading provider of pediatric home care services, formed through the merger of two major companies, Epic Health Services and PSA Healthcare. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Aveanna operates a vast network of over 200 branch offices across 23 states, delivering care to medically fragile patients. The company focuses on addressing the needs of complex and high-cost patient populations, offering services through three main segments: Private Duty Services, Home Health & Hospice, and Medical Solutions. Its Private Duty Services encompass private duty nursing and pediatric therapy, with a growing emphasis on adult home health and hospice care due to increasing demand. By providing safe, high-quality care in the home, Aveanna aims to transform pediatric healthcare delivery and respond effectively to the challenges within the U.S. healthcare system.

East Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2009 that operates across Southeast Asia, providing multi-stage investments from seed to growth for technology companies. It acts as an early backer of notable regional tech firms such as Tokopedia, Traveloka, Ruangguru, Xendit, and others, and supports startups across e-commerce, software, fintech, health tech, ed-tech, and related sectors. The firm maintains a regional focus on Indonesia and Southeast Asia and emphasizes responsible investment and ESG practices, having been among the first in the region to adopt PRI principles. East Ventures also partners on growth financing through EV Growth, a joint venture with SMDV and YJ Capital launched in 2018 to fund growth-stage startups in Indonesia and the wider region. The firm operates through multiple offices in Southeast Asia and is known for its ongoing involvement in the startup ecosystem, providing strategic support and capital across the venture life cycle.

SECU Foundation is a charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, to help identify and address community issues and promote local and community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of education, housing, healthcare, and human services.

Republic Services provides non-hazardous solid waste management services across the United States. Founded in 1996, it operates through numerous collection operations, transfer stations, landfills, recycling processing centers, and other facilities. The company offers services such as curbside collection, container supply, compactor rental, recycling processing, and landfill services.

Dairy Council of California develops the health and wellness of children and families by developing lifelong healthy eating habits. The organizational nutrition and education philosophy defines its activities and serves as a lens through which nutrition and education resources are perceived. In addition, they offer a mobile dairy classroom and an outdoor assembly with a live cow.

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a philanthropic organization founded in 1990 that focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and social impact. Established as a legacy of IDG founder Patrick J. McGovern, the Foundation aims to harness the potential of technology to democratize access to knowledge and improve the human condition. It invests in initiatives that explore and develop AI and data science to create positive societal change. By fostering innovation in these fields, the Foundation seeks to fulfill McGovern's vision of leveraging technology for the greater good, ultimately enhancing lives and addressing pressing global challenges.

Y Combinator, established in 2005, is a prominent American technology startup accelerator and venture capital firm. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage companies, primarily in the United States. The firm's core program involves investing a small amount of capital in exchange for equity, typically around 6-7%, and providing intensive support to startups over a three-month period. This includes refining business models, developing products, and honing investor pitches. Y Combinator serves a wide range of industries, with a focus on technology, healthcare, and finance. Additionally, Y Combinator Continuity, a dedicated investment fund, supports founders as they scale their companies, investing in later-stage alumni companies and helping cash-intensive businesses.

NDBN provides basic necessities required to build the strong foundations all children, families, and individuals need to thrive and reach their full potential.

Service Provider Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and located in Golden, Colorado. The firm focuses on co-investing in seed and series A rounds, primarily in collaboration with institutional venture funds. It targets a diverse range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cannabis, cybersecurity, e-commerce, education technology, fintech, hardware, information technology, robotics, and health. By concentrating on these industries, Service Provider Capital aims to support innovative companies at critical stages of their development.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is a member-owned cooperative that provides credit products and financial services to support housing and economic development in its member institutions across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. By offering various financial tools, the bank enables its members to deliver essential financial products that fund housing, small businesses, rural development, and agriculture. Additionally, the bank focuses on specialized community investment, along with affordable housing loan and grant programs, aimed at financing community redevelopment and enhancing affordable housing opportunities in the regions it serves.

General Catalyst is a venture capital firm established in 2000, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in North America and Europe. The company specializes in early-stage and growth equity investments, focusing on technology-driven businesses. It invests across various sectors, including consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, health assurance, and crypto. General Catalyst provides not only capital but also mentorship and resources to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies. To date, it has managed eight venture capital funds, totaling approximately $3.75 billion in capital commitments.

Founded in Austin, Texas in 1999, Superior HealthPlan is a managed healthcare organization dedicated to improving overall health through personalized and affordable care. It serves nearly 2 million Texans, offering nine unique products, including Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and foster care benefits. With over 3,000 employees, the company provides healthcare programs across all Texas counties.

ANRI is a venture capital firm founded in 2012 and based in Tokyo, Japan. The firm focuses on investing in seed and early-stage startups across a diverse range of sectors, including business products, business services, energy, information technology, blockchain, life sciences, mobile, software-as-a-service, technology, media and telecom, and robotics. By supporting innovative companies in these fields, ANRI aims to foster growth and development within the startup ecosystem.

GIC Pte. Ltd. is a sovereign wealth fund wholly owned by the Government of Singapore, established in 1981 to manage the country’s foreign reserves. The firm focuses on securing Singapore's financial future by investing across a diverse range of asset classes in both public and private markets. Its investment strategy includes public and private equity, with particular emphasis on health care, financial services, natural resources, real estate, and fixed income, as well as alternative markets such as foreign exchange and commodities. GIC also engages in venture capital, providing seed capital to start-ups and growth companies. The organization operates through subsidiaries that specialize in various investment categories and maintains a global presence with offices in key financial centers around the world. GIC aims to achieve sustainable long-term returns above global inflation, thereby fulfilling its responsibility to preserve and enhance Singapore's financial reserves for future generations.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the holding company for Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group. Berkshire Bank operates 75 full-service offices across Western Massachusetts, Northeastern New York, and Southern Vermont, organized into four regional markets. It offers a full range of deposit, lending, cash management, insurance, wealth management, trust and investment products to retail, commercial, not-for-profit, and municipal customers, and includes an asset-based lending group serving the private equity community with senior debt facilities. The company operates in Banking and Insurance segments and expanded in 2014 with the acquisition of 20 Bank of America retail locations. Based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Berkshire Bank provides financial services to communities in its footprint.

Plug and Play Tech Center, established in 2006, is a global innovation platform that connects startups, investors, and corporations. Based in Sunnyvale, California, with operations in 22 locations worldwide, the company runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs twice a year, fostering collaboration between major corporations and high-quality startups. These programs span sectors such as Fintech, Insurtech, IoT, Brand & Retail, Mobility, and Health & Wellness, among others. Plug and Play invests in seed, angel, and Series A rounds, with a focus on great teams leading emerging growth companies. Since inception, their startup community has raised over $9 billion in venture funding, with notable success stories including Dropbox, PayPal, and LendingClub.

Blue Collective is a Brooklyn-based investment firm that conducts venture capital and private equity activities. It funds technology-driven startups and growth-stage companies across pre-seed to late-stage rounds, with a focus on early potential and scalable business models. The portfolio spans sectors including B2B software, enterprise technology, hardware, consumer products, biotech and life sciences, and business services. The firm primarily targets opportunities in the United States, with select investments across North America and other regions as appropriate. By providing capital and strategic support, Blue Collective aims to partner with exceptional founders to accelerate product development, go-to-market plans, and growth trajectories.

Lilly Endowment is an independent private foundation located in Indianapolis, Indiana, established in 1937. Its mission centers on providing sustainable support for religion, education, and community development. The foundation places a strong emphasis on initiatives that benefit young people and foster leadership education and financial self-sufficiency within the nonprofit and charitable sectors. Additionally, it supports programs aimed at enhancing higher education opportunities for African Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans across the United States, focusing on projects that align with its commitment to community enrichment and empowerment.

Unicharm Corporation, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading manufacturer and seller of disposable hygiene products, focusing on baby care, feminine care, health care, household, and pet care products. The company's extensive range of baby and child care items includes disposable diapers and training pants marketed under the Moony and MamyPoko brands. In feminine care, Unicharm offers a variety of products such as napkins and tampons under the Sofy brand. The health care segment features incontinence products branded as Lifree. Additionally, the company produces home care items like cleaning sheets and personal care products including cosmetic puffs under the Silcot brand. Unicharm also manufactures pet care products, including food and cleanup materials. With a significant portion of its sales generated internationally, particularly in Asia, Unicharm serves various markets through drugstores, supermarkets, specialty stores, and e-commerce platforms, making it the largest producer of disposable hygiene products in Japan and Asia.

Everywhere Ventures, established in 2017 and based in New York, is a unique early-stage venture fund created by founders for founders. It invests globally in pre-seed deals, typically in a company's first financing round. The fund, with over $70 million under management, is backed by over 500 founders and operators who serve as its limited partners. Everywhere Ventures focuses on purpose-driven teams in the money, health, and work verticals, providing not just capital, but also the expertise and mentoring of its experienced limited partners.

SFC Capital is a United Kingdom based venture capital firm founded in 2012 that focuses on early-stage investments, including pre-seed and seed rounds, in sectors such as software, technology, e-commerce, consumer products, enterprise solutions, green technology, medical technology, and hospitality. It backs UK startups through an Angel Network and seed funds, providing capital and guidance and offering access to SEIS- and EIS-qualifying investment opportunities. The firm is described as a leading seed investor in the UK.

Google for Startups is an initiative supporting global startups. It offers access to Google's products, connections, and best practices through a network of partners in over 135 countries. The program aims to help determined startups succeed.

LightBay Capital, established in 2016, is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm that focuses on middle market investments. It targets the consumer, healthcare, and business services sectors, employing a flexible capital approach to support its portfolio companies.

Learning Care Group, Inc. is a leading provider of early education and care services for children aged six weeks to twelve years, operating over 900 corporate and franchise schools across North America, as well as in Hong Kong and Indonesia. The company focuses on creating a safe and stimulating environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning. Its curriculum is designed to enhance physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language skills, preparing children for kindergarten through engaging activities such as dramatic play, exploration, and problem solving. Additionally, Learning Care Group offers Montessori education that includes language, mathematics, and arts, along with employer-sponsored child care and corporate partnership programs. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Novi, Michigan, the company serves more than 100,000 children with a dedicated team of approximately 17,000 educators and staff.

Conagra Brands is a leading packaged food company primarily operating in the United States, where it generates over 90% of its revenue. The company specializes in a diverse range of products, with a significant focus on frozen foods, including well-known brands such as Marie Callender's, Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Birds Eye. In addition to frozen offerings, Conagra also markets snacks, shelf-stable staples, and refrigerated foods under various brands, including Duncan Hines, Hunt's, Slim Jim, Vlasic, Orville Redenbacher's, Reddi-wip, Wish-Bone, and Chef Boyardee. The company primarily distributes its products through the retail channel, with a smaller portion of its revenue coming from international markets and foodservice. Conagra Brands also engages in philanthropic efforts through its foundation, which provides support to nonprofits that offer essential programs and services to diverse communities across the country.

Established in 2005, SMBC Venture Capital is a Tokyo-based corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. It invests primarily in early-stage companies operating within the information technology, life sciences, services, and manufacturing sectors.

Metrodora Ventures, established in 2020 and based in New York, is a venture capital firm focusing on health and learning businesses. It invests in seed, early, and later-stage companies across business products, services, healthcare, and technology sectors, typically taking minority stakes.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a United States government agency established in 1958, primarily in response to advancements in space exploration by the Soviet Union. Originating from the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, NASA has a long history of advancing aeronautics and astronautics. It gained prominence for its Apollo program, which successfully landed humans on the moon in 1969. NASA has since been instrumental in various space missions, including the development of the space shuttle, which provided regular access to space from 1981 until its retirement in 2011. The agency plays a key role in the International Space Station, furthering human presence in space through international collaboration. In addition to manned missions, NASA conducts extensive scientific research, exploring planets like Mars and monitoring Earth's climate through satellites. Its aeronautics teams continue to innovate in creating safer and more efficient aircraft. Overall, NASA's work aims to expand human knowledge and capabilities in space while contributing to advancements that benefit life on Earth.

SOSV, established in 1995 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, is a global venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. It focuses on deep tech innovations in the health and environmental sectors, supporting founders with breakthrough technologies through its HAX and IndieBio startup development programs. SOSV provides resources, facilities, and lab equipment to accelerate product development and scale, with a track record of helping its portfolio companies secure subsequent funding rounds led by top-tier investors.

GGV Capital V, established in 2016, is a venture capital fund based in Menlo Park, California, managed by GGV Capital. The fund invests in the United States and China, focusing on the software sector. It typically allocates USD 5 to 25 million for initial investments in companies within this sector.