At Wingman, we’re creating a world
where no good idea goes to waste.
We believe in the unstoppable force of first-time founders. Too many bold ideas get lost each year—38.5 million, by our estimate—because their creators lack the resources, support, or confidence to bring them to life. We’re on a mission to ensure that doesn’t happen.
OUR STORY: HOW WE GOT HERE
In 2016, we launched UNITE 2030 with a bold vision: to equip a new generation of changemakers to tackle the world’s biggest problems by 2030.
What began as a philanthropic community quickly attracted tens of thousands of budding founders from across the globe—each fueled by purpose and eager to disrupt the status quo. They pitched ideas to reduce inequality, combat climate change, and transform education, often collaborating across borders and time zones.
But while the spark of innovation blazed bright, we noticed a harsh reality: many promising ventures struggled to get the funding, mentorship, and real-world traction they needed. As first-time founders, they were often labeled “high risk” and overlooked by traditional investors. Without a structured path forward, too many concepts fizzled out before ever reaching their full potential.
That’s where Wingman came in. Building on the philanthropic momentum of UNITE 2030, we created a robust ecosystem focused on both the founder and the startup. By combining hands-on support, access to capital pathways, and a relentless commitment to community, we’re ensuring that no big idea goes unsupported—and that the next wave of impact-driven leaders can soar far beyond the drawing board.
Our Ecosystem
At Wingman, we unite two distinct forces under one mission: no big idea goes unsupported. By merging our existing philanthropic platform with our new hands-on venture-building, we offer a seamless path from spark to scale—so every founder can launch confidently, no matter their starting point.
Our philanthropic community and origin story. UNITE 2030 has empowered nearly 50,000 changemakers worldwide, providing free resources, global events, and a supportive network for mission-driven ideas. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it’s where socially conscious founders spark bold solutions—without facing the usual barriers of cost or access.
Launching in late 2025, Wingman Ventures is our new venture studio dedicated to first-time founders ready for long-term growth. Building on the momentum of our pre-accelerators (Camp 2030 and Camp 385), Wingman Ventures provides structured mentorship, capital pathways, and a high-accountability environment to transform validated concepts into thriving ventures.
Every Venture Needs Validation—Here’s Ours
While Wingman Collective is newly launched, it stands on the solid foundation of UNITE 2030, which has been empowering first-time founders since 2016.
Through UNITE 2030, we’ve supported thousands of innovators, and built a thriving global community—proving that our “Founder First” approach isn’t just talk, but a proven path to transforming ideas into measurable success.
50K
Founders Impacted
First-time entrepreneurs in over 175+ countries have gained access to mentorship, support, and a global community that believes in their potential.
600+
Events Hosted Globally
Our hands-on events and accelerators foster deep collaboration, real-time feedback, community support, and a supportive environment where founders can learn by doing.
198,515
Hours of Direct Support Provided
Since 2016, we have provided over 198k hours of cumulative support, ensuring no founder navigates this journey in isolation.
77.4%
Underrepresented Founders
While less than 10% of startup founders globally are from ethnic minority groups, 77.4% of Wingman founders identify as ethnic minorities.
Additionally, 60% of our community are women. We’re proud to champion a startup ecosystem where historically overlooked voices lead the way.
OUR MISSION: IGNITE 38.5M VDENTURES
We aim to ignite and support 38.5 million untapped ventures worldwide—helping founders build market-validated, sustainable, and scalable companies that improve both their lives and the world around them.
Why 38.5 million? Because every year, 38.5M business ideas go to waste. That’s why we’ve built an ecosystem that tackles both the external barriers (funding, market validation) and internal hurdles (fear, lack of mentorship) to give first-time founders a real chance to launch.
Why 38.5M? Learn more about our mission here.
Our Approach
Launching a venture is never just about the product; it’s about the people behind it—especially if you’re a first-time founder.
90% of startups fail, often due to a blend of external obstacles (like limited funding or poor product-market fit) and internal barriers (such as fear of failure or lack of confidence).
That’s why we’ve built a four-tier system that tackles both sides of the equation—ensuring you grow as a founder while your venture scales in the real world.
We normalize risk and help you overcome the self-doubt that holds many first-timers back. By focusing on resilience, leadership, and a belief in your own potential, we strengthen the person building the venture.
Great ideas need practical frameworks to thrive. From lean startup principles to market validation, we equip you with hands-on exercises and resources to execute effectively from day one.
First-time founders often feel isolated. Our global network and Co-Pilot mentors ensure you never have to go it alone, offering real-time support and feedback whenever you need it most.
We connect you to funding opportunities and guide you in refining your offerings for market readiness. By validating your idea’s commercial potential early on, we help de-risk your venture for both you and investors.
FROM SPARK TO SCALE
At Wingman, we don’t just talk about empowering first-time founders—we’ve built a 3-pillar framework that guides you from that initial spark of inspiration to a fully scalable, investable venture.
Here’s how we do it:
People before pitch decks. We bring founders, mentors, and peers together in a supportive network. Whether you’re scribbling ideas on a napkin or iterating on a minimum viable product, you’ll never walk this path alone.
Founder First Community
Tailored Pre-Accelerators
Where sparks become tangible solutions. Not every founder is at the same stage, so our pre-accelerators match you with the right level of challenge, hands-on mentoring, and structure.
Venture Building
Where big ideas get the runway to truly soar. For founders who’ve proven their concept and are ready to scale, our upcoming Wingman Ventures (launching late 2025) takes you from prototype to full-scale using our Founder Playbook & Methodology.
THE WINGMAN ETHOS
Our values are our guiding ideals—principles that shape how we live, build, and show up for each other.
By embracing these values daily, we forge a culture that blends ambition, empathy, and purpose—within startups and beyond.
People, not pitch decks. We keep each founder’s growth and well-being front and center.
FOUNDER FIRST
ALL HEART, NO EGO
Genuine generosity. We share resources, insights, and wins without expecting anything in return.
Momentum matters more than perfection. We make mistakes, and we learn by doing—fast.
BUILD IN MOTION
We encourage every founder to dream beyond the ordinary, expanding visions to spark real-world impact.
THINK BIG, AIM HIGHER
PROGRESS WITH PURPOSE
Sustainable, purpose, and ethical growth is woven into every venture’s DNA.
Success is a hands-on journey—resilience, creativity, and accountability are the tickets forward.
OWN YOUR GROWTH
CULTURE CODE
Everyone who joins our collective—founders, mentors, or staff—signs our Culture Code, a pledge to embody these values in real time. It’s how we maintain a supportive, inclusive environment where first-time founders and Co-Pilots alike can thrive.