Founder-In-Residence
Program
About the program
We identify, inspire, educate, and empower diverse entrepreneurs
Underrepresented individuals face a multitude of unique obstacles that prevent them from pursuing entrepreneurship. We’re here to change that.
Our proprietary program gives diverse leaders the skills and training necessary to succeed in the venture world while accounting for cultural sensitivities and challenges unique to underrepresented groups.
Meet Our Current Founders-in-Residence
The Journey Venture Studio is proud to present our inaugural group of founders. These three entrepreneurs are bright, ultra-driven, and ready to be a disruptive force for good.
Victoria Huang
Founder-in-Residence
Silver Horsley
Founder-In-Residence
Neda Hassanzadeh
Founder-in-Residence
Kasai Rogers
Founder-In-Residence
Program Highlights
Empowering the next generation of diverse founders
months of culturally competent leadership coaching and venture development training
Direct and in-kind financial support to relocate to phoenix and prototype and test venture concepts
How the Program Works for Founders
Over the course of eight months, entrepreneurs will receive culturally competent leadership coaching and venture development training. They will work with the Journey team to develop, prototype, and test a novel business model and a company creation plan.
The Journey provides each Founder-in-Residence $110,000 in direct and in-kind financial support, as well as support in areas of accounting, revenue cycle management, legal and compliance, IT, recruiting, and more. Founders will be expected to research, prototype, and test venture concepts, set a clear vision for the business, ensure a data-informed path towards product market fit, and manage an allocated budget for business building and validation.
At the end of the eight month residence program, founders will pitch in front of the Journey Board, sponsors, and partners to determine which concepts will receive funding to incorporate and go to market.
To be eligible to participate, entrepreneurs must reside in Phoenix for the eight-month program. During their time in the program, they can leverage the team’s network and other community resources.
Invest in the program
The Founder-in-residence program also provides opportunities for investors and philanthropists to get involved
Investors will have the ability to generate, validate, and launch innovative ideas through a robust and efficient process. Unique donor benefits include a tax deduction that generates a holistic return on your investments, and early visibility into portfolio companies for future potential investments.
Victoria Huang
Founder-in-Residence
This past spring, I obtained my MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While at Wharton, I focused my studies on finance and entrepreneurship and was the co-president of the Femtech Club. I went to business school with the intention of starting my own company and of understanding how to interweave my passion for women’s empowerment with my professional interests in business. I’m excited to bring these intentions to life with The Journey!
Before business school, I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2017, with degrees in Comparative Human Development and Public Policy. After graduation, I moved to San Francisco, where I spent three years as management consultant and two years as a Business Operations Manager at an early-stage procurement software startup. In my free time, I was an active volunteer at Oasis for Girls, a non-profit that provided girls, from under-resourced neighborhoods, with empowerment and skill programs.
Silver Horsley
Founder-In-Residence
From Atlanta, Georgia, Silver Horsley developed an interest in dermatology and skincare from an early age. This passion led him to found StoneFaced Organx, an all-natural skincare brand focusing on hyperpigmentation. Silver’s journey in business and finance began at Morehouse College, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing.
At Morehouse, Silver gained practical experience through various internships. At EY-Parthenon, he analyzed financial statements and developed investment strategies, including a proposal to boost Kellogg’s revenue by $300 million. As a Proximate Fellow at BCG, he evaluated strategic growth levers for a Boston-based barbershop and proposed a targeted hair care product portfolio.
Silver also spent a summer at AEA Investors LP, where he rotated through multiple departments, authored deal screens, and summarized financial statements for new deal opportunities. His work at AEA included creating a business plan for his skincare brand, identifying goals, resources, and market opportunities.
In addition to his professional experiences, Silver served as a Residential Advisor at Morehouse, fostering community and enhancing student life through events and initiatives. He was actively involved in community service, contributing over 150 hours to organizations like Achieve M.O.O.R.E and the Boys and Girls Club.
Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Silver enjoys health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and ESG initiatives. His diverse experiences and dedication to skincare and dermatology continue to drive his career and personal interests.
Neda Hassanzadeh
Founder-In-Residence
Originally from New Jersey, now a proud and passionate Phoenician, Neda is a healthcare enthusiast with a fervent passion for women’s health. Neda graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Health from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. She further enhanced her academic expertise by obtaining a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University in New York. Two years ago, Neda was on a path to pursue her MD, aiming to make a direct impact on patients’ lives through clinical practice. However, during her journey, she discovered a profound passion for storytelling. This realization led her to pivot from the traditional medical path to explore the powerful role of narrative in healthcare. She recognized that storytelling is not just an art but a vital tool in healthcare innovation. As a result, Neda delved into the world of medical device technology sales. This role became a pivotal chapter in her journey, where she honed the art of weaving compelling narratives into the presentation of medical innovations. By effectively communicating the life-changing benefits of advanced medical technologies, she learned how powerful storytelling could be in positively impacting patient lives.
Neda understood that compelling stories could drive change, inspire communities, and bridge gaps in understanding complex medical issues. By blending her medical knowledge with her storytelling skills, she found a unique way to influence healthcare on a broader scale. Today, Neda stands at the intersection of storytelling, healthcare, and innovation. She is dedicated to using her narrative talents to create meaningful impacts, advocate for advancements in medical technology, and ultimately drive positive change in the healthcare landscape. Her journey exemplifies how following one’s passion can lead to unexpected and impactful contributions to society.
Neda’s hobbies include playing the piano, having performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times, reading riveting nonfiction books, writing healthcare themed poetry, attending sporting events (go Suns!), and exploring the vibrant and evolving culture of Phoenix.
Kasai Rogers
Founder-In-Residence
Kasai Rogers is a proud alumnus of Morehouse College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. With a passion for finance and social impact Kasai is dedicated to leveraging business principles to drive positive change. His academic excellence has earned him recognition through various prestigious scholarships, including the Bayless Student Success Scholarship and the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon. While at Morehouse Kasai served as the President of the Morehouse Scholars of Finance chapter, where he worked to provide opportunities and exposure for students aspiring to pursue careers in finance.
He has completed two summers at the Boston Consulting Group, sharpening his analytical skills and contributing to impactful client projects. At Morehouse, Kasai also led his team to win the 2022 Ally Bank Moguls in the Making Case Study Competition with a groundbreaking property ownership solution designed to address income inequality and upward mobility. Kasai’s latest venture is a healthcare startup under the Journey Venture Studio’s Founder in Residence program. This new chapter aligns with his career aspirations in entrepreneurship and deal-making, with a strong focus on using capital to create positive, lasting impacts in the healthcare sector.