Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures is a United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by Catherine Hoke. Its organization's goal is to address the social problems of mass incarceration, recidivism, and related issues by providing well-being, entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development training programs to individuals with criminal histories.[1]

Defy Ventures
Founded2010
TypeNon-governmental organization
FocusEnding recidivism and mass incarceration
Location
Area served
United States
MethodEntrepreneurship, employment, and leadership training
Key people
CEO and President: Andrew Glazier
Websitedefyventures.org

History

Defy Ventures was founded October 2010 in New York City, with a plan to build a replicable model that would work in urban communities in the U.S.[2] In January 2012, it launched its pilot group of entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) and in the fall of 2012 opened up enrollment to women.

The organization offers combined face-to-face and video courses consisting of well-being, entrepreneurship training, personal development, mentoring, business incubation, financing opportunities, and network development. In July 2015, it launched its CEO of Your New Life program, which teaches job readiness, well-being, entrepreneurship, technology basics, personal finance, etiquette, and personal development, to incarcerated men and women. The program also provides follow-up, with post-release job placement, entrepreneurship startup funding, and mentoring.

As of 2015, over 100 companies have been started by Defy's EITs[3] and over 3,000 business people have become involved as volunteers, judges and mentors for EITs.[4]

In 2015 the program was expanded to the Bay Area, [5] and to Southern California in 2016 and in Connecticut and Colorado in 2017. The organization currently offers programming through both chapters and independent affiliates (under license) in California, Colorado, Washington State, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois.

Programs

Defy offers three primary programs and two secondary programs available to license globally for any organizatio.

Its signature program, CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) includes six to eight months of courseworkp. Content is delivered through textbooks and supplemental DVDs. All courses feature in- person discussion groups and/or facilitation. The program is provided in prisons and transitional facilities.

Defy’s Alumni Association programming designed to support EITs who have completed CEO YNL either in custody or in the community through the critical first 90 days of reentry. It includes skills-based workshops, community building activities, and service activities.

The Business Incubator includes advanced coursework in entrepreneurship and business management, supporting EITs through the process of launching new businesses. EITs can apply to the Business Incubator after completing the CEO YNL program and demonstrating steady employment and housing) 'or the Entrepreneur Bootcamp. All courses are delivered remotely online. EITs have the opportunity to learn in-person from executive mentors and compete to receive seed money.

See also

References
  1. "Helping ex-criminals develop start-ups". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  2. "Most Creative People". fastcompany.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  3. "Harnessing the "Hustle"". nynmedia.com. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  4. "Defy Ventures Looks to Turn Former Criminals into Successful Entrepreneurs". techrepublic.com. Retrieved 2015-09-06.
  5. "Google helps fund Defy Ventures, gives Bay Area ex-convicts a shot at startups". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
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