As we step into 2025, we can’t ignore DEI’s significant attacks and cutbacks within our innovation landscape. But here at Goodie Nation, we’re not dwelling on the setbacks. Instead, we’re encouraging founders, investors, tech professionals, community builders, and the ecosystem to reimagine what’s possible when we put inclusivity and positivity in innovation first.

This year, we’re amplifying what’s always been our superpower: community. Building it, supporting it, and empowering it. Welcome to what we’re calling “The United States of Good” – or keeping it true to our hip-hop roots, the year of “Imagine That.” We know that imagining a better future is just the first step to creating it.

What exactly is “The United States of Good”? It’s our vision for bringing together diverse voices, resources, and ideas to drive inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship forward. With a kickoff in 2024, we hosted dinners across the country that united good people over good food – and it’s proven that these experiences are about more than dinner. It’s a time to fellowship, commune, and connect with people who get it. You might meet a business partner, funder, bestie, mentor or see a familiar face. These aren’t your typical networking events – they’re the birthplace of partnerships, friendships, and breakthrough ideas.

The work continues. Our roadmap for 2025 focuses on three key pillars that will drive sustainable, community-powered innovation:

BUILD

• Creating sub-communities in key innovation hubs (ATL, NY, DC, Chicago, LA, Philly), identity-focused groups like Queens of Innovation, and industry-specific networks in sectors such as health and education.

SUPPORT

• Empowering community builders with the tools, connections, and resources they need to strengthen their local ecosystems and create a nationwide impact.

TRAIN

• Developing the next wave of investors and VCs, focusing on angel and friends-and-family stage investing.
• Delivering world-class leadership development to founders centered on our proven performance mindset approach.

We’re building this on our core belief that relationships aren’t just meaningful – they’re everything. These three pillars are the foundation for creating an innovation ecosystem where everyone feels seen, heard, supported, and empowered to shape their future.

A Look Back at 2024: The Power of Community in Action

2024 was a transformative year for Goodie Nation, marked by profound impact and meaningful connections across our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our unique 12-18-month founder support model continued to demonstrate the power of sustained, relationship-driven entrepreneurship development. 

• A Decade of Impact: We celebrated our 10th anniversary with a powerful weekend of events, including a forward-looking hackathon and an inspiring fireside chat with Big Gipp from Goodie Mob that set the tone for our next chapter.
• Accelerated Founder Growth: We facilitated 300 huddles with 1,787 attendee touchpoints, accumulating a total of 893.5 hours of collaborative learning and support. These sessions ranged from focused discussion to open brainstorming, creating a safe space for founders to share best practices, overcome challenges, and accelerate growth.
• Personalized Founder Support: Our commitment to personalized founder support resulted in 825 one-on-one sessions with Performance Partners and 140 specialized coaching sessions with industry experts. This one-to-one approach ensured founders received timely, relevant advice across various areas including GTM strategy, fundraising, sales, and product development.
• Founder Progress and Accountability: We strongly focused on progress and providing accountability along the way. Founders submitted 1,117 progress reports with an outstanding 52% of them rated as high-quality. This systematic approach to tracking growth helped 76% of startups set strong priorities.
• Power of Community: Our community responded to 417 requests for advice or introductions, demonstrating the strength and responsiveness of the Goodie Nation network. Whether founders needed strategic guidance on sales, insights on IP protection, help with tax preparation, or technical development support, our network consistently delivered meaningful, targeted solutions.
• Major Programs Launched:
  • Introduced our Equity Wings program, welcoming 46 new angel investors to support early-stage investing
  • Launched the “Next Generation: AI Startups” program to foster pre-seed AI innovators
  • Kicked off “The Future of Tech Is Inclusive” in partnership with Amex Ventures
  • Introduced the “Test Drive” program for B2B startups

• Landmark Events:
  • We hosted the Intentionally Good Summit Vol. III, focusing on the power of positive innovation.
  • We convened over 500 professionals at the State of the Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem Summit.
  • We expanded our community dinner series across significant innovation hubs, including LA, Chicago, DC, and Philadelphia.
• Board Evolution and Growth: We added six dynamic leaders to our Board of Directors: Kaseem Ladipo, Caitlin Ferguson, Jeff Hilimire, Jenea Bradley, Kirk Barnes, and Shay Lawson. Each new board member brings unique expertise in scaling businesses, purpose-driven leadership, accounting, sales excellence, and creative entrepreneurship.
• Transformative Partnerships and Support: We forged powerful new alliances and secured significant funding to amplify our impact, including the Love, Tito’s initiative grant, along with over $150,000 in grants from the Kapor Center, Emory’s Philanthropy Lab, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s GoATL Economic Inclusion Fund. These partnerships enable us to empower Black entrepreneurs and strengthen Atlanta’s Black tech ecosystem through programs like ATL BLK TCH.

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for 2025

Building on our strong foundation from 2024, we’re energized by the possibilities that lie ahead in 2025. Our strategic focus areas will include:

• Focused Sector Development: We’re launching targeted initiatives to support founders across key industries, including technology, CPG, financial services, and workforce development, ensuring specialized support for each unique market.
• Enhanced Performance Partnership: Building on the success of our performance partner model, we’re strengthening our network of experts to provide even more specialized support across critical business areas.
• Community-Driven Innovation: We’re deepening our commitment to professional-to-professional support and empowering communities through structured relationship building, knowledge sharing, and collaborative opportunities.
• More Storytelling: We’re launching several new marketing initiatives, and putting more resources into video and written storytelling about the power of community.

 

Here at Goodie Nation, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and increased impact. We invite our community members, supporters, and partners to join us in building “The United States of Good” where innovation thrives through inclusion and collaboration.