Arizona's AI Founder Accelerator
Underrepresented founders
belong in the AI economy.
belong in the AI economy.
We fund and accelerate underrepresented founders building AI-driven businesses — connecting them to capital, networks, and the decision-makers who can move the needle.
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AI-First
Every Founder We Fund
Arizona
Based & Building
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Foundation
Thank You, Arizona
The room showed up. Now the real work begins.
To everyone who came out and invested their time, energy, and belief in what we are building — thank you. The conversations we had, the connections made, and the energy in that room reminded us exactly why we started Catalyst Coded Foundation.
You showed us that Arizona is ready. The community is ready. The founders are ready. Now we are doing our part to make sure the infrastructure catches up.
You showed us that Arizona is ready. The community is ready. The founders are ready. Now we are doing our part to make sure the infrastructure catches up.
Our Why
This is not about access to opportunity.
It is about ending a system that keeps saying no.
It is about ending a system that keeps saying no.
Underrepresented founders are not failing because they lack talent, drive, or vision. They are failing because the systems designed to fund innovation were never built with them in mind. Too many brilliant people are being over-mentored and underfunded. Too many ideas are dying on the vine because the right check never arrived.
"I was often the most mentored person in the room. And the least funded."
Kendra Valton, Co-Founder & CEO
Kendra Valton, Co-Founder & CEO
We built Catalyst Coded Foundation because we lived that gap — and we have spent our careers inside the rooms where decisions get made. Gen spent 25 years at one of the most powerful technology companies in the world. Kendra has raised capital through Amazon, Ohio State, and IFundWomen. Together, we are bringing that credibility home to Arizona and putting it to work for founders who deserve a real shot.
We are not another mentorship program. We write checks. We build relationships. We do not leave until the work is done.
What We Do
Built different. On purpose.
01
We Write Checks
Qualifying founders receive direct seed funding — released in phases as they hit program milestones. Most accelerators offer curriculum. We offer capital.
02
We Go Deep, Not Wide
Five founders per cohort. Small by design. Real relationships, real accountability, and real coaching — not a lecture series. We believe depth beats volume every time.
03
We Are AI-Specific
Every founder we work with is building an AI-driven business. Our curriculum, our mentors, and our investor network are all aligned to that focus. Specificity is our edge.
04
We Connect What Matters
We are actively building relationships with banks, mentors, and investors who will be part of the journey alongside our cohort. This network is curated — not accidental.
05
We Are Arizona-Rooted
We relocated here on purpose. With $34B in investment flowing into Arizona and companies like TSMC, Apple, and Nvidia planting flags here, the window is open. We intend to fill it with founders who look like us.
06
We Evaluate on Vision, Not Pedigree
We do not care where you went to school or who you know. We evaluate on idea viability, founder commitment, and alignment with our mission. Your network is not a prerequisite.
If this is for you — or someone you know — the time to raise your hand is now.
Our Winter 2026 cohort is coming. We are collecting names from founders, investors, mentors, and community partners who want to be part of what we are building. Get on the list and be the first to know when applications open.
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