Organization · Venture Capital
Founders First Capital Partners
Founders First Capital Partners is a mission-driven impact investing platform based in San Diego, California, focusing on providing non-dilutive growth capital to service-based businesses, particularly those owned by underrepresented founders.
Overview
What Founders First Capital Partners does
What Founders First Capital Partners is
Founders First Capital Partners is a mission-driven impact investing platform based in San Diego, California, focusing on providing non-dilutive growth capital to service-based businesses, particularly those owned by underrepresented founders.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 24, 2026
Official channels
Find Founders First Capital Partners elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Founders First Capital Partners as a funder
Investment thesis
Founders First Capital Partners is dedicated to closing the capital-access gap for underrepresented founders, particularly those in service-based businesses. They provide non-dilutive growth capital solutions to help these businesses scale without sacrificing ownership.
Focus narrative
The organization specializes in flexible growth capital through revenue-based financing, hybrid loans, and term loans, with amounts up to $2 million. They target service-based businesses with annual revenues between $500,000 and $10 million that are poised for growth and ready to scale into the mid-market. Founders First Capital Partners emphasizes supporting businesses that create quality jobs and drive economic mobility.
Value beyond capital
Founders First Capital Partners provides not only capital but also advisory services and access to a network of mentors and peers through their business acceleration programs. Their Capital Activation Events connect founders directly with funders, fostering growth partnerships and opportunities for service-based businesses.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $500,000–$2,000,000
- Sweet spot
- $1,000,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Series B · Growth Equity
- Sectors
- FintechHealthcareConsumerCommerce & RetailEducationFood & AgricultureHR & WorkforceGovTech & Civic TechLogistics & Supply ChainEnergy
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 52
Portfolio context
Notable clients include Angela Quach, CEO of The Destiny Lab, who appreciates the organization's commitment to validation and representation in the community. The organization has deployed $14.1 million across 52 loans, creating 201 net new jobs through its portfolio.
Capability profile
Founders First Capital Partners as a community
Community overview
Founders First Capital Partners is a mission-driven organization based in San Diego, California, founded in 2015. It aims to close the capital-access gap for underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and military veterans. The organization specializes in providing non-dilutive financing solutions to service-based businesses, particularly those in underinvested communities. By offering flexible growth capital options, Founders First Capital Partners helps businesses scale without sacrificing ownership, thereby driving economic mobility and job creation.
Community focus
The organization focuses on service-based businesses with annual revenues between $500,000 and $10 million that are poised for growth. Founders First Capital Partners emphasizes supporting minority-owned businesses and aims to create quality jobs through its financing solutions. Their approach includes revenue-based financing, hybrid loans, and term loans, with amounts up to $2 million.
Member value
Members benefit from access to non-dilutive growth capital, tailored financing solutions, and a network of resources designed to support their business growth. The organization also provides mentorship, connections to funders, and participation in various programs aimed at accelerating business development.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- June 9, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Builders
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community, accelerator, and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open and application
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
Founders First Capital Partners hosts several events, including Capital Activation Events that connect founders with funders for direct funding opportunities and growth partnerships. The next Capital Activation Event is scheduled for June 9, 2026, in Chicago. They also run a Certified Innovative Supplier Program and various accelerators and bootcamps to support business growth.
Notable members
Notable clients include Angela Quach, CEO of The Destiny Lab, who has praised the organization's commitment to validation and representation in the community. The organization has partnerships with influential entities such as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Common questions
What to know about Founders First Capital Partners
Upseed classifies Founders First Capital Partners under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 24, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.