Defy Ventures Inc
Defy Ventures' mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance through entrepreneurship, career readiness, and personal development training programs delivered both in prison and in the community. Defy's programs are helping currently and formerly incarcerated people across the country defy the odds by providing pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and a successful reentry. Defy is a national organization operating in 8 states including California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Financials
Programs
CEO of Your New Life in-prison reentry program
Defy's core curriculm, CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) is a 6- to 9-month reentry program offered in prisons and transitional facilities across 8 states nationwide. Participants are called Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) and complete a robust curriculum focused on career readiness, personal development, and entrepreneurship.
Post-Release Reentry Services
When Defy graduates are released from prison, Defy's post-release programs provide reentry services, case management, skill building events, and ongoing coaching and mentorship. Defy works to ensure that people that criminal histories have their best shot at a second chance, defying the odds of recidicism by securing living-wage employment and/or business creation.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and Business Accelerator
Defy's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and Business Accelerator help formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs take their business from concept to reality, accessing the capital and mentorship they need to build sustainable businesses.
Volunteering + Events
Virtual Business Coaching Nights and Pitch Competition Events
Defy welcomes volunteers from the business community as coaches for our Business Coaching Nights and Pitch Competitions supporting members of our Entrepreneurship Bootcamp program! Taking place virtually, you can join us from the comfort of your home and help cheer on formerly incarcerated Entrepreneurs in Training as they build their businesses. To sign up, visit: https://volunteer.defyventures.org/
Workshops, Mentorship, Fair Chance Hiring, and more!
Other ways to support Defy our Entrepreneurs in Training include: host a career readiness or skill-building workshop for EITs, mentor a new entrepreneur, host a Defy Fair Chance Hiring Workshop at your employer, hire Defy EITs, and more. To learn more, contact [email protected]
In Person Prison-Based Business Coaching Days and Pitch Competitions
Volunteering is a mutually transformative and beneficial experience for both Defy Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) and for volunteers. Through Defy’s programs and volunteer events, all participants experience human connection, changing perceptions about human potential, challenging of mindsets, and personal growth. Volunteers are an integral part of Defy’s program. As a volunteer, you are a part of our model to create systemic change and shift mindsets! Prison events are full-day experiences that are instrumental to Defy’s in-custody program, CEO of Your New Life. Prison-based events are full-day experiences that take place in person and will often include bus transportation to and from the correctional facility from the nearest metro area. To sign up, visit: https://volunteer.defyventures.org/
