Visible News
April 17, 2026
Happy Friday, Visionaries!This week, we’re zooming in on something we think doesn’t get talked about enough: what it looks like to build on your own terms.In a startup ecosystem that often pushes speed, scale, and a single definition of success, we’re always inspired by founders who choose a different path, one rooted in intention, conviction, and clarity about what they actually want to build.That’s exactly why we’re excited to share our latest founder case study featuring Deepak Shrivastava, founder of Sunrise AI and former VHNYC Fellow, and his journey building an AI company with a clear vision and a different approach.From navigating the early stages of building in AI to making intentional decisions about growth, Deepak’s story is a powerful reminder that there isn’t just one “right” way to build a company.At a time when AI is dominating headlines and expectations are high, this story offers a refreshing, honest look at what it takes to build something real, without losing sight of your values along the way.Read the full case study here!
As always, we’re here to make sure founders aren’t just building, but building with clarity, context, and community.Read on for this week's latest founder updates, funding opportunities, resources and more!Be well,The Visible Hands Team
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
VH Portfolio Company Spill just launched a new report in collaboration with Dr. Marcus Collins titled What’s The Tea: The Cultural Exploration of a Digital Black Renaissance 🍵Spill has always been about creating a space where culture, conversation, and community come first, and this new launch builds on that in a powerful way. What’s The Tea is a research project on the significance of SPILL’s platform and its unique community - a project unlike anything that has been undertaken before. Check it out here!
Portfolio Founders
Brandon Mitchell of WriteSea was selected to be a part of the 2026 CareerX cohort!
Dr. Steven Moyo of Welfie was selected as a finalist for the MeHi Primary Care Innovation Challenge!
VHBOS Founders
Piyali Chakraborty of Ashmi Health was recently spotlighted by Startup Boston!
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Let’s build something great together. 🚀
WHAT WE HAVE OUR EYES ON
💸 Funding Opportunities
LA2050 Grants Challenge For: LA impact founders$$$: up to $75K Deadline: April 22Famous Amos Ingredients for Success GrantFor: Black founders$$$: $50K Deadline: April 23NAACP x L'oreal Inclusive Beauty FundFor: beauty founders & influencers$$$: $25K Deadline: April 23The Confidence Collective's Boost Camp and GrantFor: women founders$$$: $20KDeadline: April 29
Hey Helen GrantFor: women founders$$$: $10K Deadline: April 30The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst FundFor: small businesses in Philly$$$: $50KDeadline: rolling deadlineThe McKinney Innovation FundFor: Texas-based founders$$$: $50K-$500KDeadline: rolling deadlinePower Forward Small Business GrantFor: small businesses in New England$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineiFund Women Universal GrantFor: women foundersDeadline: rolling deadlineYippityDoo Big Idea GrantFor: women founders$$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadlineHer Culture Micro GrantFor: African and Caribbean women $$$: $500Deadline: rolling deadlineWomensNet Amber Grant for WomenFor: women founders$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineWish Local Empowerment ProgramFor: Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses$$$: $500-$2KDeadline: rolling deadlineBoston Celtics United, VistaPrint & NAACP Power Forward GrantFor: Black-owned businesses in New England$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineHustler's MicrograntFor: small business owners $$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadlineIdea Cafe Small Business GrantFor: women founders$$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadline
⚡️ Accelerators, Programs & Competitions
Urban Future Prize CompetitionFor: climatetech founders$$$: up to $50KDeadline: April 27Enthuse Foundation Unlock Her Future PrizeFor: women impact founders$$$: $100K Deadline: April 30Dreaming Out Loud DREAM ProgramFor: food and beverage founders in the DMV area$$$: $15KDeadline: May 2Blue Ridge Labs 2026 Founder FellowshipFor: early-stage founders$$$: $20KDeadline: May 3TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200For: early-stage founders$$$: $100KDeadline: May 27Women Founders Network Fast Pitch CompetitionFor: women founders$$$: $25KDeadline: May 31The Cartier Women's Initiative ProgramFor: women founders$$$: $30K-$100KDeadline: June 16
🎪 Featured Events
Tom Tom Festival Innovation SummitFor: any founder or VCWhen: April 23 & 24, Charlottesville, VABiT + iCUE Investor Dinner & LearnFor: any founder or VCWhen: April 29, 5:30-7pm, Tulsa, OKFirst Friday Founders MarketFor: any founder or VCWhen: May 1, 6-9pm, Tulsa, OK
May Founders & VCs Masterclass & MixerFor: any founder or VCWhen: May 5, 6-8pm, New York, NYFemales in Funding SummitFor: women foundersWhen: May 21, 2-7pm, Detroit, MISkip the Pitch, Try the ProjectFor: anyoneWhen: May 26, 5:30pm, Boston, MA
💼 Featured Jobs
Our friends over at Liberty Mutual are hiring for multiple innovation-related positions - learn more about the available roles and apply here!
🧑🏽💻
What we are loving lately
Listening: The Check Writers Room's Latest Episode!
Plus our fave posts of the week...
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