Urban Innovation Fund

Apply Design is a modern virtual staging software that helps anyone create photorealistic virtual staging edits for $7 an image in a 20 minutes turnaround. It features advanced editing capabilities, allowing users to customize the staging to their exact specifications using AI technology.

Avela is a Nobel Prize-winning, venture-backed edtech/govtech startup focused on increasing access to high quality education with the first common application system for PK-12. They provide districts, charter networks, and early childhood programs with best-in-class enrollment software.

BookNook’s K–8 synchronous online learning platform is designed to help schools easily implement high-impact tutoring to improve reading and math skills.

A modern mortgage company that simplifies the mortgage process through a digital platform, allowing users to request quotes, compare options, and apply for mortgages online.

Chief AI provides software designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of leaders and their teams, particularly in high-stakes environments such as government and corporate settings. The platform focuses on automating workflows, managing information securely, and leveraging AI to improve operational processes.

Civic IQ is an AI-driven platform that helps businesses identify early buying signals in the public sector, enabling them to engage with government agencies before formal requests for proposals (RFPs) are issued.

ClimateWells focuses on creating energy transition credits by shutting down marginal oil and gas wells, which are responsible for a significant portion of methane emissions. The company aims to eliminate emissions, create jobs, and improve local air quality through verified carbon credit projects.

codeSpark is the #1 learn-to-code app for kids aged 3-10, improving problem-solving, sequencing, and early coding skills through interactive games and activities.

Codi is a flexible office management platform that provides AI-powered office solutions including cleaning, pantry restocking, IT management, and furniture design, all aimed at automating office operations and enhancing workplace culture.

Commenda is a platform that enables businesses to seamlessly register, stay compliant, and manage their tax obligations across 70 countries, providing solutions for corporate governance, international tax, and entity management.

Dataships captures more email and SMS opt-ins from your customers at checkout, unlocking a powerful audience that comes back to buy more often. Grow your repeat purchase revenue without disrupting purchase flows or risking compliance violations, no matter where you sell.

Applies a 12-dimension investment rubric to invest in Black, Latino, and underrepresented-focused founders, wraps portfolio companies with curated senior-operator networks, and directs 50% of profits to community foundations.

Acts as an institutional co-founder: originating ideas, building products and pairing CEOs, run by repeat founders (Garrett Camp, Naveen Selvadurai) offering hands-on, small-class, full-stack help from ideation to go-to-market.

Writes ten $300k–$500k checks annually to founders who relocate to a Chattanooga founder outpost, living there until $1M annual revenue, with always-on, portfolio-run operational support.

Led by former Twitter executives Katie Jacobs Stanton and Alex Roetter with deep social, political, and engineering expertise, they offer hands-on support, prioritize political transparency, and explicitly back underrepresented founders (≈1/3 female, 1/2 BIPOC).

Seed-stage investor led by Hootsuite founder Ryan Holmes and angel Manny Padda, targeting founders under 30, typically supporting tech-product startups participating in the LOI Program.