Kim T. Folsom

Kim T. Folsom is an impact investor, entrepreneur, and the founder, chairperson, and CEO of Founders First Capital Partners, a San Diego-based platform focused on closing the funding gap for underserved small businesses in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience in scaling ventures, Folsom has built a career centered on economic inclusion and business innovation. Prior to launching Founders First Capital Partners, Folsom held executive roles and founded or served as a key executive at several ventures, including "ShowUhow" (acquired by Sellpoints), "DriveCam" (now Lytx), and "SeminarSource." Over her entrepreneurial career, Folsom has launched six companies, exited three, and raised $30 million in institutional venture financing, navigating the challenges faced by underrepresented founders.

Folsom co-founded Founders First Capital Partners to provide a virtual small-business growth accelerator and revenue-based venture fund aimed at supporting underserved businesses. Under Folsom's leadership, the firm has become a leading private provider of funding for diverse-led main street businesses and is recognized as a national Black- and women-led, revenue-based capital platform. The company offers flexible, non-dilutive growth capital, including revenue-based financing, term loans, and advisory services, primarily to service-based B2B and B2G businesses. More than 80% of its investments support companies led by people of color, women, LGBTQ+ founders, and military veterans. Folsom has secured $200 million in committed capital for the platform, supporting hundreds of companies and contributing to the creation of over 500 premium wage jobs in communities traditionally underserved by capital markets. In an interview with Barron's, Folsom described her ambition as becoming the Goldman Sachs for diverse companies.

Folsom also founded LIFT Development Enterprises, a nonprofit community-development organization supporting underrepresented small business owners in accessing capital. She has served as an adjunct professor at National University, teaching graduate-level courses in strategic business management, entrepreneurship, and venture financing. Folsom co-founded a STEM and robotics enrichment program for underrepresented middle school students in Southern California. As a speaker and thought leader, Folsom has delivered keynote addresses at major events, including commencement speaker for City University of Seattle, and has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, and Inc., where she contributes a regular column on growth strategies for small businesses.

Folsom's leadership has been recognized by both business and civic organizations. Founders First Capital Partners has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies and was named to Inc.'s Power Partners Awards. Folsom has been named to Inc.'s Female Founders 500 list and was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Community Advisory Council. She was honored as a Girl Scouts San Diego Cool Women Honoree, and Founders First has been recognized as an ImpactAssets 50 Emerging Impact Manager. Folsom has spoken at the Milken Institute Finance Forum and is recognized for her expertise in inclusive entrepreneurship, revenue-based financing, and economic mobility in the United States.