Introducing Wingman: A New Venture Studio for First-Time Founders
When I first founded UNITE 2030, I was driven by a singular vision: to unite, empower, and equip young leaders to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges—specifically, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). My belief was (and remains) that our biggest problems won’t be solved by individuals working alone; they will only be resolved by diverse, talented teams dedicated to collaboration and innovation.
Over the years, UNITE 2030 has connected thousands of Changemakers across more than 190 countries. I’ve witnessed countless incredible success stories, where budding entrepreneurs not only overcame obstacles but flourished. But I also saw a critical gap: the journey from “idea” to “implementable, sustainable venture” is incredibly difficult—especially for first-time Founders.
The path is filled with roadblocks: no blueprint, no processes, no community, and often little in the way of capital or expert guidance.
Through UNITE 2030’s programs, I was fielding questions from innovators about how to take their ideas beyond the concept stage, how to structure teams, raise funding, develop products, pilot solutions, and more. Then something clicked: There needed to be a bridging mechanism—a dedicated support system to help these emerging Founders turn their world-changing concepts into thriving businesses.
That’s when the idea for Wingman took flight.
Lessons Learned
When I look back on my journey with UNITE 2030, a few key lessons stand out—lessons that ultimately lit the spark for Wingman:
Community is Everything
At UNITE 2030, I saw firsthand how much more impactful solutions can be when they’re created in a supportive ecosystem. A sense of belonging encourages Founders to take risks, share resources, and collaborate in ways that amplify their impact.
Structured Process Facilitates Innovation
Our programs at UNITE 2030 have guided participants through ideation, design thinking, prototyping, and pitching. Having a step-by-step framework gave them the space and confidence to be creative, while also keeping them accountable and focused.
Global Perspective is Key
Tackling the SDGs is, by definition, a global endeavor. Through UNITE 2030, we’ve seen over and over that innovations are stronger when they’re informed by diverse perspectives. Startups need to think globally from day one to solve the biggest challenges.
Adaptability Beats Expertise
Everyone starts somewhere. Many times, I’ve watched experts outside of the startup world struggle to break free from conventional wisdom—while fresh Founders, with fewer preconceived notions, embrace bolder ideas. With the right guidance and resources, these newbie Founders move mountains.
After seeing the need for a space that nurtures these budding entrepreneurs, I felt compelled to evolve. I wanted to create a new organization that is specifically designed to guide first-time Founders from the earliest idea stage to launch and beyond. Thus, the journey from UNITE 2030 to Wingman began.
Why a Venture Studio?
A venture studio is more than an incubator or accelerator. It’s a company that actively builds and invests in startups, usually from inception. Think of a venture studio as part co-founder, part investor, and part mentor. Rather than passively supporting Founders from the sidelines, a venture studio works hands-on with entrepreneurs to validate ideas, develop products, form teams, and navigate the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.
This model resonates with me because it aligns perfectly with what we did at UNITE 2030—rolling up our sleeves and working alongside Founders. The difference now is focus: at Wingman, we’re zeroing in on early-stage entrepreneurs who might not yet have the network or know-how to get their ventures off the ground. We provide more than just training; we get into the nitty-gritty of building, piloting, and scaling.
Wingman: The What, The How, The Why
We live in an incredibly entrepreneurial time. In the U.S. alone, around 69 million Gen Zers have a business idea in mind. Yet only a fraction—about 8%—ever launch, leaving 38.5 million ideas on the shelf each year. Meanwhile, many who do start lack a proven roadmap or supportive network, and only about 18% find real stability.
For me, these numbers translate into untapped potential. Behind every “lost” idea is a founder who feels overwhelmed, underfunded, or simply unsure how to move forward. Wingman Collective exists to change that—to help bring these hidden ventures to life and amplify their impact on the world.
At our core, Wingman Collective is an ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to move from early-stage ideas to market-ready ventures. We believe there’s no single path to success; rather, there’s a need for both philanthropic community support and structured mentorship to guide founders every step of the way. Here’s how we bring it all to life.
Wingman Collective’s Two Arms
UNITE 2030 (Philanthropic Arm)
Our free, impact-driven community that empowers socially conscious founders to tackle everything from climate issues to healthcare disparities. We ensure that passion, not pocket depth, drives your chance to build and collaborate.Wingman Ventures (Venture Studio)
Our structured pathway for founders ready to validate, refine, and grow their businesses. Launching in late 2025, this venture studio will offer deeper mentorship, direct investor connections, and a “learn-by-doing” approach to entrepreneurship.
Camps for Every Stage
Camp 2030: A 6-day immersion for founders still shaping what they want to build—an intense sprint of brainstorming, prototyping, and social-impact challenge solving.
Camp 385: A 3-month accelerator for those with a more defined idea or prototype. Participants refine their concepts, test market fit, and emerge with polished pitches ready for the next level.
These programs feed directly into the broader Wingman ecosystem. Think of them as stepping stones: if Camp 2030 sparks your passion, Camp 385 helps you build upon it, and Wingman Ventures will provide the runway to scale.
The How
A Dual Methodology: Founders + Startups
Empowering Founders Themselves
Even the best business model can fail if the founder is left uncertain and isolated. At Wingman Collective, we focus first on your mindset—confidence, resilience, and practical skills—so that you’re prepared for the highs and lows of the startup journey.An Iterative Roadmap
We guide startups through five flexible phases: Spark → Validate → Build → Launch → Scale. Instead of forcing you into a rigid, linear process, we encourage you to pivot freely as you gather user feedback and market insights.
In short, we invest in both the founder and the venture, because we’ve learned that one without the other rarely leads to long-term success.
Looking Ahead
Wingman Collective represents the evolution of everything I’ve built with UNITE 2030: a community to share ideas freely, plus a venture studio model that offers sustained, hands-on support. If you’re a first-time founder who wants more than just motivational words—if you crave concrete frameworks, a network of collaborators, and real funding pathways—then Wingman Collective is for you.
Our team is here to make sure you’re not one of the 38.5 million who leave a brilliant idea on the table. Let’s launch and scale those ideas instead, so we can create meaningful impact together.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to see the ventures we’ll bring to life—and the world we’ll collectively change.
—Alyssa
