To every dreamer, every disruptor, every relentless soul who dares to believe they can build something extraordinary from nothing — this message is for you.

As Managing Partner of the StartUP Fund and CFO of The Courtney Jordan Foundation in America, I have the rare privilege of standing at the nexus of purpose and capital — where visionary ideas meet the resources that make them possible. But let me be clear: the capital we invest is not simply dollars and cents; it is a vote of confidence in you, the entrepreneur, the innovator, the pioneer.

My journey here has been shaped by struggle, conviction, and an uncompromising belief in the power of standing up — whether it was fighting systemic racism in my hometown, running for public office to challenge entrenched forces, or helping steward over $100 million of Mr. Courtney Jordan’s equity investments to reimagine what fintech and financial access can look like for those long shut out of the game.

When you accept an investment, a grant, or a partnership from us, understand this:

You are not being given a handout.

You are being entrusted with a mission.

We invest in you because we believe you carry within you the capacity to rewrite what is possible — not just for yourself, but for your family, your community, your generation. The StartUP Fund exists to empower marginalized, underestimated, and under-resourced entrepreneurs to take their rightful place at the forefront of innovation, growth, and wealth creation. We are here to dismantle the barriers that for too long have separated talent from opportunity.

But we are also here to remind you:

Capital is only as powerful as the character behind it.

Your grit, your integrity, your perseverance when the first prototype fails, when the first customer walks away, when the first investor says no — that is what will define you. Our funding can open doors, but only your resilience can keep you walking through them.

I urge you: Build boldly. Take risks. Surround yourself with mentors, with partners, with a team that shares your vision but also challenges your blind spots. And above all, never lose sight of why you began. When your business succeeds, you are not just growing a company — you are shifting ecosystems, proving that genius lives in every zip code, every background, every face society has underestimated.

We are proud to stand beside you, to fuel your ascent, and to champion the world you are building.

Your success is not just your own — it is a beacon for countless others who will follow the trail you blaze.

With conviction,

Nicholas A. Gallardo