Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

GSV SL is a buyout fund managed by GSV Ventures, which is based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2016, GSV Ventures focuses on the digital education market, investing in companies that span the educational spectrum from Pre-K to adult learners. The firm is dedicated to supporting early and late-stage entrepreneurs who are reshaping the $7 trillion digital education and future of work sectors. Notable investments include companies such as Coursera, ClassDojo, Degreed, and Guild Education. In addition to its investment activities, GSV Ventures organizes the ASU+GSV Summit, a prominent event that attracts thousands of founders, investors, educators, and policymakers from around the globe.

Google is a multinational corporation specializing in Internet-related services and products. Its extensive product portfolio includes Google Search, which provides access to online information; Google Ads, an auction-based advertising program; AdSense, which allows websites to display ads; and YouTube, a platform for video content. Google also offers Android, an open-source mobile operating system, alongside hardware products like Chromebooks and Chromecast. The company provides cloud-based services such as Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, and Google App Engine, as well as tools for real-time analytics. Additionally, Google AI focuses on advancing artificial intelligence and integrating it into various products. The philanthropic arm, Google.org, supports initiatives that leverage technology for social good, while the Google Foundation invests in innovative technologies to address global challenges. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in Mountain View, California, Google has become the world's leading search engine and a key player in the digital landscape.

Reach Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm established in 2015 that focuses on early-stage investments in the education technology sector. The firm targets startups developing technology solutions for various educational challenges, including early childhood, K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. Reach Capital prefers to invest between $100,000 and $500,000 in seed rounds and $1 million or more in Series A or B rounds, typically acquiring stakes of 3% to 5% in seed investments and 8% to 10% in later-stage funding. By supporting promising entrepreneurs, Reach Capital aims to enhance educational opportunities for all children and acts as a catalyst to attract additional investment in the rapidly growing ed-tech market. The firm explicitly avoids investments in wearable devices and related applications for schools.

Rethink Food is part of Rethink Capital Partners, a platform that develops impact investment vehicles targeting social and financial returns. The firm specializes in late Seed to Series C rounds and growth capital investments, focusing on companies led by women or those that prioritize gender diversity in leadership. Rethink Food aims to invest in technology-driven businesses that address critical challenges related to health, education, sustainability, and economic empowerment, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With a preference for investments ranging from $2 million to $15 million in companies generating recurring revenues between $0.5 million and $15 million, Rethink Food seeks to foster systemic change through its support for entrepreneurs and tech platforms committed to creating a more inclusive economy. Established in 2016, Rethink Capital Partners operates from its headquarters in White Plains, New York, with additional offices in New York City and San Francisco.

Owl Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and based in California, specializing in investments in education technology companies. The firm focuses on a broad range of educational sectors, including early childhood, K-12, higher education, and career mobility. With over $600 million in assets under management, Owl Ventures has invested in 24 companies, leveraging its extensive domain expertise to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses into industry leaders. The firm takes an active, hands-on approach to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship within the education technology landscape.

500 Global, formerly known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in seed investments, primarily focusing on early-stage technology and financial services startups across various sectors, including biotech, e-commerce, fintech, and digital healthcare. 500 Global operates a four-month accelerator program, where it typically invests between $0.05 million and $1 million for a 5 to 10 percent equity stake in companies with at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. The firm targets a global market, with particular emphasis on regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since its inception, it has invested in over 2,200 startups and supports the growth of innovation ecosystems through educational programs and partnerships. 500 Global also prioritizes investments in companies led by minority founders, reflecting its commitment to diverse entrepreneurial leadership.

Duke Energy is a major electric power holding company based in the United States, providing electric and natural gas services to approximately 7.5 million customers across six states, including Ohio and Kentucky. The company operates through two primary segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure. It generates electricity from a diverse mix of sources, including coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and natural gas, and boasts an electric generating capacity of about 35,000 megawatts in the Carolinas and the Midwest. In addition to electricity, Duke Energy also offers natural gas transportation and distribution services. The company is committed to sustainability and community support, further evidenced by its philanthropic efforts through the Duke Energy Foundation, which focuses on enhancing community vitality and promoting climate resilience. Founded in 1837 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy continues to play a significant role in the energy sector.

ICONIQ Capital, LLC is a global multi-family office and investment firm based in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in New York and Singapore. Established in 2001, ICONIQ Capital originally served as the family office for Mark Zuckerberg but has since expanded its clientele to include influential families and organizations from Silicon Valley and beyond. The firm specializes in direct investments, particularly in technology growth equity, venture capital, middle market buyouts, and real estate. Its investment focus includes sectors such as enterprise software, financial technology, and information technology, primarily within North America and Europe. In addition to investment management, ICONIQ offers financial advisory and family office services, aiming to facilitate strategic relationships and governance for its clients.