ABOUT MICHIGAN FOUNDERS FUND
Collectively contributing to a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where we live and operate.
Michigan Founders Fund is a network of entrepreneurs and investors who have pledged 1% of equity or carry to support impactful local organizations throughout the state who are doing the work to better our communities and enrich quality of life.
Our Mission
Grow the presence of successful high-growth ventures and advance civic leadership in Michigan.
We accomplish this by:
- Creating a strong, inclusive, and active founder-to-founder support network to help leaders succeed in their ventures;
- Driving a for-purpose, founders-for-founders and founders-for-community culture;
- Providing founders with a simple mechanism for philanthropic giving and opportunities to become community leaders in parallel to being business leaders.
Our Values & Pillars of Growth
CONNECTION
Ongoing support through the sharing of ideas, struggles and experiences leads to better chances of success.
Founders seeing themselves and finding fellowship through peer exchange and relationship building.
CULTURE
The capability to relate and work effectively across cultures can transform companies and communities.
Setting the foundation for equity and inclusion.
COMMUNITY
The more we understand community needs and risks in relationship to the needs of emerging companies, the better equipped we are to positively affect both.
Creating groundedness to and generating capital for MI.
A FUTURE BEYOND TOMORROW
These pillars lay the foundation to collectively create the future we want to see across our state. Entrepreneurs working together and with community leaders results in a stronger, more sustainable Michigan.
The Team
Our History
Michigan Founders Fund (MFF) is a 501(c)3 public charity representing the collective action of the state’s high-growth entrepreneurs. By equipping startup leaders with founder-first programming and company-building support, diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused resources, and a simple mechanism for philanthropic giving, we empower each other to accelerate business growth and community development. Michigan Founders Fund previously served the community as the Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund, an initiative of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation that was launched in 2019 with a focus on Washtenaw County. To advance the support of high-growth entrepreneurs, increase programming, and take a new approach to grantmaking efforts, an independent and re-structured organization was established in December 2021. MFF is dedicated to supporting founders and communities wherever they are throughout the state of Michigan.
