PowerMoves.NOLA is an initiative created to increase the number of venture-backed minority businesses across the country by leveraging the entrepreneurial ecosystem, resources and culture of New Orleans.
Since launching during Essence Music Festival in 2014, the initiative has expanded into the newly formed PowerMoves USA, which has hired a new President and CEO, Phiderika Foust, to oversee all participating program cities.
Foust has a background in venture capital, tech startups, and consumer lifestyle brands. She is a partner at Silverpea Ventures, based in New York City, where she also lives.
Below is a letter from Foust:
PowerMoves Entrepreneurs, Partners and Friends:
It’s an honor to introduce myself to you as the new President and CEO ofPowerMoves USA. That’s right – we’re officially national now!
As many of you know, Powermoves.NOLA has been a leader in the charge around inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation for the past two years. Through its programs in Miami, Detroit, and New Orleans, PowerMoves has served over 165 companies and has a waiting list of more than 100.
Since being appointed CEO earlier this summer, I have been working quietly with our team to build on this momentum, forging new strategic partnerships to grow capacity and expanding our programming to additional cities.PowerMoves.NOLA and future cities will now fall under the nationalPowerMoves USA umbrella. As we continue to grow, this new structure will provide the most effective way for us to support our entrepreneurs across the country.
Speaking of “across the country”, this summer we activated our two newest cities: Chicago and Oakland. In Chicago, we held a B2B Micro-Conference in partnership with I’m Black In Tech and 1871, and in Oakland we hosted our signature PowerUp Bootcamp. Thanks to those of you who attended and congratulations to Wyzerr and AdThrill for winning the pitch competitions that were part of these recent events.
I’m excited about all that we’ve done this summer to grow PowerMoves and am thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead for us to make an even bigger impact. I look forward to working with you to learn how PowerMoves can best help your business grow. Together, we will build an inclusive ecosystem that transforms the face of entrepreneurship, innovation and capital.
You’ll be hearing more about upcoming events (and our National Conference!) soon. In the meantime, thank you in advance for your continued commitment toPowerMoves. YOU are the reason we do what we do.
If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me (see below) and if you’re ever in New York, please say hello!
Best,
Phiderika