Defy Ventures is funded and managed by a group of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who recognize that many former drug dealers and gang leaders share similar skill sets and talents with top business leaders. Through an intensive internship program that includes MBA-like training, executive mentoring, leadership development, and career placement, Defy Ventures offers its interns a legitimate chance to succeed as income earners, entrepreneurs, fathers, and role models in their communities. Defy’s signature program engages interns in a series of business plan competitions that award up to $150,000 in seed capital to winning ventures.
Defy Ventures is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that is entirely privately funded by executives, foundations, and other generous donors.
Are you cut out for Defy?
Despite your felony history, are you so ambitious that even gravity can’t hold you down?
If so, welcome to a challenge that leads to the ultimate payoff: starting and operating your own successful business, or landing a fulfilling career.
If you are a natural entrepreneur who loves to:
- Turn a no into a yes
- Take calculated risks
- Influence others
- Innovate
- Corner a market
- Make a profit
… then let Defy teach you how to finesse your street smarts into legal success.
How? Hands-on, no-bull training from some of the country's best and boldest venture capitalists, investors, and CEOs who get their fix by backing under-recognized potential. 100 spots for our inaugural class are filling up now.
pled guilty or no contest to a felony, have a juvenile felony, have received young
offender (YO) status, or had a felony removed from your criminal record in any
other way.
currently live?
recovery and are not currently using the drug you have been addicted to.
We're sorry, but you are currently not eligible
for Defy Ventures.
1. Are you male or female?
Defy Ventures currently only works with men with felony convictions. However, we are aware that many women have had their career prospects affected by felony convictions as well. It is our long-term goal to develop a program to serve women in this situation as well. In the meantime, the following organization may be able to assist you:
Greenhope Services for Women2. Have you been incarcerated within the past ninety (90) days?
Because Defy Ventures is focused on providing the skills and opportunities you need to build a long-term career after a felony conviction, clients need to have at least 90 days of “street” or post-release time before qualifying for the program. We suggest that you look to one of our partner organizations that specialize in supporting people immediately after their release from prison:
The Fortune Society The Osborne Association The Center for Employment Opportunities The Center for Community AlternativesWe hope you will return to complete a Defy Ventures application after you have been home for at least 90 days.
3. Have you ever been convicted of a felony offense? Please answer yes if you have pled guilty or no contest to a felony, have a juvenile felony, have received young offender (YO) status, or had a felony removed from your criminal record in any other way.
Defy Ventures works with men who have had trouble finding a good job or starting a career because of a felony record. Because you do not have a felony conviction, you do not qualify to be a Defy Ventures client. However, there are a number of organizations that work with individuals who have had trouble finding good jobs or starting careers for other reasons. We recommend the following:
Streetwise Partners America Works The Hope Program4. Are you registered as a sex offender?
Defy Ventures is not currently equipped to serve individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses. However, it is our long-term goal to develop a program that can serve you.
5. Will you be sixteen years old or older on January 2, 2012?
Because Defy Ventures is designed for individuals who are ready to begin a long-term career, you must be at least 16 years old to participate. Please return to complete an application after your sixteenth birthday.
6. Can you get to Midtown Manhattan in one hour or less from where you currently live?
Becoming a Defy Ventures client requires a significant time commitment of up to 25 hours per week, in addition to any time commitments you might have to your current job, probation or parole requirements, or your family. Because of these time expectations, we cannot accept applicants who live more than one hour away from our current location.
7. Are you currently addicted to drugs or alcohol? Please answer no if you are in recovery and are not currently using the drug you have been addicted to.
Because Defy does not specialize in recovery services, we cannot accept applicants with an active drug habit. Please contact one of the following recovery service providers:
Argus Community FEGS ExponentsPlease return to complete a Defy Ventures application when you have made progress in your recovery and are not currently using.
8. Do you have either a high school diploma or GED?
Defy Ventures is open only to individuals who have a high school diploma or GED; applicants will be required to produce documentation. Please return to complete an application once you have earned your high school diploma or GED.
Congratulations!
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DownloadCongratulations!
You are eligible to apply for admission to Defy Ventures. To complete an application, please fill out the following personal information. You will then gain access to Defy Ventures’ program application, as well as an invitation to an in-person information session.