February 27, 2026

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Visible News

February 27, 2026

Happy Friday, Visionaries!We’ve been a little heads down lately — deep in planning mode as we shape what’s next for our founder community. Some exciting new programming is on the horizon, and while we’re not ready to share all the details just yet, we’re excited to share we're building with intention!In the meantime, we wanted to share a couple of thoughts/projects our team has been working on this week that speak to the bigger conversations shaping the ecosystem.Kerry's Thoughts on "Being Aesthetic in a Male-Dominated Space"Our Director of Brand and Marketing Kerry Ingram recently shared a think piece on her experience as a hyperfeminine marketer in the VC/tech space — offering perspective on identity, presence, and navigating spaces where you don't always look like "what’s expected."It’s a powerful reflection on what it means to show up authentically while building in environments that haven’t always been designed for you. As more founders and operators carve out their own paths, conversations like these help expand what leadership can look and feel like.📖 Check out Kerry’s article here!

Daniel & the Massachusetts AI EcosystemWe’re excited to see VH Co-Founder and General Partner Daniel Acheampong continuing to contribute to conversations shaping the future of responsible innovation in MA.His recent involvement with the Massachusetts AI community reflects the kind of cross-sector collaboration needed to ensure emerging technologies are accessible, equitable, and impactful. From students to seasoned operators, these gatherings are helping define how AI tools will be built and used — and who gets to be part of that future.

Read on for this week's latest compilation of founder wins, resources, and funding opportunities in our community.Be well,The Visible Hands Team

SEEN Founders

VHNYC Founders

VHBOS Founders

Forget About Your Life PlanForget About Your Life Plan is a memoir about building startups, building community, and navigating profound loss. Co-written with the late Pava LaPere, Kevin Carter explores what happens when work, friendship, and grief collide — and how the entrepreneurial ecosystems that Pava touched will never be the same. Pre-orders are now open for the community-supported first edition.

Want to get in front of a highly engaged community of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders? Now’s your chance! We’re offering sponsorship opportunities in upcoming editions of this newsletter.

As a sponsor, your brand will be featured in front of thousands of mission-driven readers who are shaping the future of venture and innovation.

📩 Interested? Check out our sponsorship deck and reach out to Kerry at [email protected] to explore partnership opportunities!

Let’s build something great together. 🚀

WHAT WE HAVE OUR EYES ON

💸 Funding Opportunities

Women Founders GrantFor: women founders$$$: $5K Deadline: February 28

Founders Pool Boost GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $1K Deadline: February 28Detroit Startup FundFor: Detroit-based founders$$$: $15K-$50KDeadline: March 2San Jose Small Business Startup GrantFor: San Jose-based, early-stage founders$$$: $5K-$10KDeadline: March 6

Ebay Circular Fashion FundFor: fashion founders$$$: $5KDeadline: March 8Meta AI Glasses Impact GrantsFor: wearable AI-tech founders$$$: $25K-$200KDeadline: March 9Climate Smart Community InitiativeFor: climate founders$$$: up to $115KDeadline: March 12Coalition Community Quarterback GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $50KDeadline: March 20Planet & Purpose GrantFor: women CPG founders$$$: $5KDeadline: March 23Outta ExcusesFor: any founder$$$: $3K-$10KDeadline: March 31Impact Ventures Impact GrantFor: women and BIPOC, North Texas-based founders$$$: $1KDeadline: March 31Breva Thrive GrantFor: overlooked founders$$$: $5KDeadline: March 31Operation SecretSOS Small Business GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $2.5KDeadline: March 31Verizon x LISC Digital Ready GrantFor: small business founders in NY, CA, and WV$$$: $15KDeadline: March 31Shophand Small Business Boost GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $5KDeadline: April 1LA2050 Grants Challenge For: LA impact founders$$$: up to $75K Deadline: April 22Hey 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

Forum Ventures AcceleratorFor: B2B pre-seed founders$$$: $100K investmentDeadline: February 28Make It In Brooklyn Pitch ContestFor: AG tech founders$$$: $5KDeadline: February 28

Queens Startup Org Tech and Innovation ChallengeFor: NYC-based founders$$$: $5K-$20KDeadline: March 2Camelback Ventures FellowshipFor: early-stage founders$$$: $50KDeadline: March 2

Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures Regional Pitch Competition in PhillyFor: Philly-based early-stage foundersDeadline: March 6Accion Ripple Digital Leap Forward AcceleratorFor: small business founders$$$: $10KDeadline: March 18

Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures Regional Pitch Competition in PhoenixFor: AZ-based early-stage foundersDeadline: March 20Underscore VC Pearce Summer Fellows ProgramFor: Boston-based foundersDeadline: March 23

Arch Grants Startup CompetitionFor: early-stage founders$$$: $75KDeadline: March 31Elevate x Ascend Leap ProgramFor: BIPOC foundersDeadline: March 31Opportunity Fund Open PitchFor: early-stage tech founders$$$: $125K

Deadline: April 10Neurodiverse Entrepreneurship ProgramFor: neurodivergent founders$$$: $19KDeadline: April 15

 🎪 Featured Events

Tulsa Tech Week x Planbrite: Events as an Investment | Experiential Marketing 101 SeriesFor: any founderWhen: March 4, 2-2:45pm, ZoomShe Builds Boston Coffee MeetupFor: women foundersWhen: March 4, 9:30am, Boston, MAWomen Who Network: Beyond the Brand EventFor: women founders, creatives and investorsWhen: March 31, 6-8:30pm, New York, NY

 💼 Featured Jobs

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