Startup America Partnership

What Startup America Partnership does

Startup America Partnership is a non-profit initiative founded in 2011 by the Case Foundation, the Kauffman Foundation, and the White House to promote and expand inclusive entrepreneurship across the United States. It functions as a network aggregator and resource curator rather than a software product company, operating a 32-state Startup State Network that connected more than 13,000 startups within its first two and a half years of operation. Its primary audience is diverse entrepreneurs — with particular emphasis on women and people of color — who lack access to networks, capital, and support infrastructure.

The initiative's product surface consists of three components: (1) a curated online resource hub linking entrepreneurs to partner-provided guides, reports, and tools (Morgan Stanley gender-diversity framework, American Express OPEN's State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey, First Round 10 Year Project data, Diana Project research, etc.); (2) the #FacesofFounders campaign launched in 2016 under the Case Foundation's 'inspiration capital' initiative, which has collected over 700 founder stories to reframe entrepreneurial demographics; and (3) the underlying 32-state regional network that serves as a distribution channel for partner resources and events. There is no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, API, or software product in the conventional sense.

The business model is grant- and foundation-funded rather than revenue-generating: the Partnership provides all resources free of charge and operates as a program within the Case Foundation rather than as a standalone commercial entity. Its value proposition centers on three forms of 'capital' — social, financial, and inspirational — and on institutional credibility derived from its White House and major-foundation co-sponsorship. With 11–50 employees and no disclosed revenue or funding rounds, the organization operates at a sub-scale programmatic level rather than as an investable venture.

Name

Startup America Partnership

Legal name

Startup America Partnership

Website

https://startupamericapartnership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Startup America Partnership is a non-profit initiative founded in 2011 by the Case Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, and the White House that operates a 32-state network connecting 13,000+ diverse entrepreneurs to curated resources, partner programs, and inclusive-entrepreneurship campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship network
• Startup resources
• Inclusive entrepreneurship
• Diversity initiatives
• Founder support

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit initiative: Startup America Partnership is a non-profit initiative created by the Case Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, and the White House in 2011 to promote and expand entrepreneurship. It does not operate as a commercial revenue-generating entity but rather as a resource and network aggregator for entrepreneurs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Startup America Partnership is a national non-profit network that aggregates educational content, capital resources, mentorship, peer support, and corporate partner programs to support 13,000+ early-stage startups across 32 U.S. states. Its offerings include the Startup America Resource Hub, the Startup State Network of state-level partner organizations, and the FacesofFounders.org platform spotlighting underrepresented founders, all delivered free of charge to entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Startup America Partnership is a resource aggregation platform and network program, not a unified software product. It consists of the FacesofFounders.org campaign initiative, a curated resource hub linking entrepreneurs to external programs and guides, and the broader Startup State Network spanning 32 states with 13,000+ startups. The organization focuses on inclusive entrepreneurship through three types of capital: social, financial, and inspirational.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Startup America Resource Hub A curated online resource hub aggregating educational content, mentorship opportunities, capital connections, and partner programs for 13,000+ startups and individual entrepreneurs across the United States. Free to access; serves individual founders and early-stage startup operators.
• Startup State Network A coordinated network of state-level partner organizations spanning 32 U.S. states, providing regional coordination of startup support resources and programming for local entrepreneurs.
• FacesofFounders.org Data-driven platform profiling 140+ underrepresented founders (women and people of color) to spotlight diverse entrepreneurship and serve as a resource for the Startup America network.
• Founder Coalition A corporate partner coalition including Andreessen Horowitz, Google for Entrepreneurs, American Airlines, NYSE, Dell, Intuit, Microsoft, and others, providing entrepreneurs access to partner programs and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,000+ startups connected to network
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kauffman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Co-created the Startup America Partnership alongside the Case Foundation and White House in 2011. Kauffman Foundation is a major player in entrepreneurship research and promotion, contributing expertise in startup ecosystems and education.
• White HousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Co-created the Startup America Partnership alongside the Case Foundation and Kauffman Foundation in 2011. Provided institutional backing and national visibility for the initiative.
• Morgan StanleyminorOthersMorgan Stanley's Sustainable and Responsible Investment and Global Quantitative Research teams provided the 'Why It Pays to Invest in Gender Diversity' framework, examining how gender diversity is profitable for companies and investors.
• Village CapitalminorOthersVillage Capital provides resources to entrepreneurs working on social problems in agriculture, education, energy, financial services and health sectors. Features innovative peer-to-peer decision making for investment allocation.
• American Express OPENminorOthersCommissioned the 2016 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report analyzing trends from 2007-2016, providing data on women-owned businesses in the United States.
• Project EntrepreneurminorOthersCreated by UBS Elevating Entrepreneurs and Rent the Runway founders, this initiative empowers women through access to resources, venture competition, accelerator program, and networking events.
• Faces of FoundersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPart of Case Foundation's 'inspiration capital' initiative. The #FacesofFounders campaign collects and shares stories of diverse founders to change the face of entrepreneurship.
• National Venture Capital Association (NVCA)minorOthersNVCA provides venture capital data and resources. Their NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey examines diversity and inclusion practices of VC member firms.
• First RoundminorOthersFirst Round 10 Year Project researched and compiled statistical information about startups and founders, providing '10 lessons' for venture capitalists to make data-driven investments.
• EndeavorminorOthersEndeavor helps entrepreneurs accelerate and scale by providing talent, investment networks, and global mentorship. Has helped over 85 companies raise over $500M.
• Diana ProjectminorOthersBabson-based project focused on economic advancement of women through entrepreneurship through academic research, online resources, and international research conferences.
• JumpStart IncminorOthersJumpStart Inc fosters entrepreneurs and builds ecosystems with focus on diversity, providing business assistance, mentorship, scaling services, and an online resource library.
• Blackstone LaunchpadminorOthersUniversity-based entrepreneurship platform enabling students, staff, and alumni to access mentorship, community, resources, and online tools. Has global network of over 500K students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: SCORE is a nonprofit network providing mentoring, workshops, and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs across the U.S. It is the most direct functional peer, offering a similar resource-and-network model without a profit motive.
• Endeavor: Endeavor selects high-impact entrepreneurs and provides mentorship, talent networks, and investor access — a model explicitly listed as a Startup America partner and serving the same entrepreneur-support mission globally.
• Village Capital: Village Capital supports entrepreneurs solving social problems through peer-driven investment decisions. Listed as a Startup America partner and shares the inclusive, mission-driven orientation.
• JumpStart Inc. JumpStart fosters entrepreneurs and builds ecosystems with a strong diversity focus, offering mentorship, scaling services, and an online resource library — directly comparable to Startup America's diverse-entrepreneur mandate.
• Blackstone Launchpad: Blackstone Launchpad is a university-based entrepreneurship platform serving 500K+ students with mentorship and resources. A listed Startup America partner targeting a narrower (student) segment of the same entrepreneur population.
• Diana Project (Babson College CWEL): The Diana Project, housed at Babson College, researches women entrepreneurs' access to capital and provides resources — closely aligned with Startup America's women-entrepreneurship focus and a listed partner.

Broad incumbents

• Kauffman Foundation: Kauffman Foundation is one of the three founding partners of Startup America and runs much larger entrepreneurship research, education, and ecosystem programs at the national level. Comparable as a larger, broader incumbent in the same nonprofit entrepreneurship space.
• Case Foundation: The Case Foundation is the parent organization of Startup America and operates broader inclusive-entrepreneurship initiatives (FacesofFounders, inspiration capital). Comparable as the larger hosting entity in the same mission space.
• National Venture Capital Association (NVCA): NVCA is the trade association representing the U.S. venture capital industry and provides data, policy advocacy, and resources for VC-backed founders. Comparable as a larger nonprofit/member organization in the broader entrepreneur ecosystem.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA is the federal agency supporting small business formation and growth through resource portals, training, and capital programs. A much larger government incumbent addressing overlapping entrepreneur-support needs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/startupamerica
• Facebookfacebook.com/startupamerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1965666

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup America Partnership