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Key people at Fledge.
Fledge was founded in 2012 by Luni Libes (Founder).
Fledge is a Seattle, Washington-based startup accelerator that provides funding and mentorship to mission-driven, socially conscious companies utilizing for-profit business models. The organization operates a two-month program across 10 international locations, offering $15,000 to $20,000 in initial capital in exchange for revenue-based equity that startups gradually buy back. To date, the accelerator has raised and invested more than $3 million into its portfolio, selecting participants from highly competitive applicant pools that have reached up to 842 startups from 45 countries in a single cohort. The firm's network of advisors includes industry figures like Will Poole, Dave Richards, and Tom Huseby, who support a diverse range of global impact enterprises. Notable portfolio companies addressing environmental and social challenges include clean cookstove manufacturers BURN Manufacturing and Obamastove. Fledge was founded in 2012 by Luni Libes.
Fledge was founded in 2012 by Luni Libes (Founder).
Fledge is a global network of impact accelerators and seed investment funds that supports mission-driven for-profit startups and co-ops addressing social and environmental challenges.[1][2][3][4] Its mission centers on fostering measurable positive impact worldwide by providing intense, short programs (typically two months) packed with MBA-level education in strategy, financials, marketing, sales, and funding, alongside extensive mentorship and guidance.[1][4] Fledge invests $15,000–$20,000 per invited company via a revenue-based equity model, which aligns incentives with founders, avoids "sell-out" pressure, and enables investments across diverse markets and countries; it also facilitates follow-on funding from its family of seed funds and introductions to impact investors.[1][4] Operating in multiple cities with localized variations, Fledge has refined its model since 2012, accelerating hundreds of companies from dozens of countries, emphasizing conscious capitalism and scalable impact.[1][3]
Fledge traces its roots to 2012, when it began refining its accelerator model to support impact entrepreneurs through structured, high-intensity programs.[1] Key figures include its leadership in Seattle, WA, where it maintains a core presence as a hub for conscious company acceleration and seed funding focused on social and environmental startups.[3][4] The evolution has expanded from U.S.-based efforts to a global network across cities in Europe, Peru, and beyond, incorporating variations like co-op support via partners (e.g., Start.coop in Boston) and even accelerators for angel investors and foundations blending grants with investments.[1][4] Pivotal moments include scaling to help hundreds of mission-driven ventures while building a shared global mentorship network that delivers lasting value post-program.[1]
Fledge rides the surge in impact investing and conscious capitalism, where startups blend profitability with social/environmental good amid rising demand for sustainable solutions in climate, equity, and community challenges.[1][2][3] Its timing leverages post-2012 growth in global accelerator ecosystems, enabling cross-border scaling for underrepresented founders in emerging markets via flexible revenue-based funding that sidesteps traditional VC biases.[1][4] Market forces like foundation capital shifts toward catalytic philanthropy and investor interest in profitable impact plays bolster it, while Fledge influences the ecosystem by democratizing access—training angels, supporting co-ops, and bridging startups to follow-on capital—thus amplifying a "wave of companies" improving global lives.[1]
Fledge is poised to expand its global footprint, potentially deepening programs in high-growth impact verticals like climate tech and equitable supply chains as impact investing matures toward mainstream adoption.[1][3] Trends such as revenue-based financing normalization and AI-driven impact measurement will shape its trajectory, enhancing founder success rates and portfolio resilience. Its influence may evolve from accelerator pioneer to ecosystem orchestrator, powering more unicorns that prove profit and purpose coexist—reinforcing its role in scaling the next generation of world-changing ventures.[1][4]
Key people at Fledge.
