By Shawna Young, CEO of Camelback Ventures

We’re in a moment when hard-won progress is being unraveled—progress built on fairness and opportunity. Camelback’s work proves that inclusive innovation is American innovation. This isn’t just a moral issue—it’s a strategic one. To sustain that progress, we must keep funding visionary leaders and protect their stories and their impact.

Ten years ago, Camelback Ventures was founded on a simple belief: genius is equally distributed; opportunity is not. Since then, we’ve invested over $8 million in more than 180 ventures, reaching 5 million lives. Our success is more than metrics—it’s a movement.

And our work is far from done. If anything, investing in the genius of diverse founders matters more than ever.

The 2025 Guardian Summit is both a celebration of our first decade and a strategic gathering for what comes next. Over two days, we’ll bring together founders, funders, educators, creatives, and champions to focus on what underinvested founders need now: capital, connections, and coaching.

We see the power of this approach in leaders like Reuben Ogbonna of the Marcy Lab School. With targeted support, Reuben built a high-impact, one-year tech training program, opening career pathways for young people from low-income backgrounds—many of whom had been locked out of traditional opportunities.

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We built the Summit to foster deep connections. It features founder-led innovation studios, opportunities for rejuvenation, and a dedicated space to honor those shaping the future.

What’s ahead for Camelback? We’re moving more capital into the hands of underinvested entrepreneurs, from early-stage to sustained support. We’re evolving our fellowship to offer wraparound services—fiscal sponsorship, infrastructure consulting, and more—so founders can thrive at every stage.

This moment—and this summit—is an invitation. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or ally, you belong here.

Because we aren’t just celebrating 10 years. We are standing guard over the next 10.

Learn more about the 2025 Guardian Summit here .

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