The Entrepreneurial Landscape
It is well documented that small business creation and the associated job growth will be a key driver of sustained US economic growth in the 21st century. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, small businesses in the US create 70% of all new domestic jobs. By 2050, the United States will have transitioned to a highly diverse nation requiring the advance development of a robust pipeline of Black, LatinX, and other underrepresented entrepreneur led businesses. These founders must be up to the challenge to ensure our economy does not encounter a significant shortfall of world class talent and innovation for economic growth.
The Marathon Foundation
The Marathon Foundation (TMF) is a highly inclusive organization that provides advanced skills development and entrepreneurial training in support of underrepresented entrepreneurs seeking private, early stage, growth capital to scale their businesses.
The Marathon Foundation's primary focus is to facilitate diverse entrepreneurial development, education, and strategic guidance especially within the Black and LatinX communities, that are increasingly vital to our economy's global competitiveness.
The Marathon Foundation's primary focus is to facilitate diverse entrepreneurial development, education, and strategic guidance especially within the Black and LatinX communities, that are increasingly vital to our economy's global competitiveness.
Team
The Marathon Foundation team consists of acclaimed professors, current and former investment managers/advisors, and successful entrepreneurs. Our training team has over 30 years of collective experience in delivering expert innovation and entrepreneurship training to thousands of diverse founders, including partnerships with such institutional innovators as NSF, NIH, and Google Tech Exchange, as well as several progressive universities and private incubators. We have also served in numerous strategic capacities assisting early stage companies as compensated advisors, consultants, and board members and have trained the entire spectrum of next up entrepreneurs from emerging student entrepreneurs to experienced corporate professionals seeking transition.
Duane McKnight, Founder, Director
Vernon N. Lee, Jr., Director
Dr. Legand Burge, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development Instructor
Dr. Grant Warner, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development Instructor
Kristina Francis, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development
Amiel Bent, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development
Duane McKnight, Founder, Director
Vernon N. Lee, Jr., Director
Dr. Legand Burge, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development Instructor
Dr. Grant Warner, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development Instructor
Kristina Francis, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development
Amiel Bent, Entrepreneur/Venture Capital Training & Development
