100 NPS: Proof That Readiness Works
Our most recent Founder Lab cohort rated their experience a perfect Net Promoter Score of 100.
That number isn’t just a metric. It’s the founder equivalent of a standing ovation. It proves what happens when ambitious women get structured access to experts who know how capital really works. The feedback was clear: Movement51’s Lab doesn’t just inspire. It equips, and equips well.
And that readiness? It came from an extraordinary group of experts and Champions who didn’t just share theory, they shared the kind of hard-won lessons you usually only get after a few bumps and bruises.
The Experts Who Delivered Readiness
From capital strategy to governance to human capital, these leaders gave founders clarity, tools, and just enough tough love to move forward with conviction:
Shelley Kuipers, The51 — A serial founder, investor, and activist reshaping who participates in the capital economy. Shelley grounded founders in the realities of today’s venture landscape, making sure no one left the room with rose-coloured glasses.
Paul Natland, VERBED — The strategic mind behind pitch narratives that have unlocked $5B+ in capital. Paul showed founders how to build decks that don’t just look good, but actually close deals.
Jason Thompson — With 30 years in media and storytelling, Jason reminded founders that numbers matter, but stories sell. He helped sharpen narratives until they were impossible to ignore.
Aliya Ramji, MT>Ventures & McCarthy Tétrault — A startup lawyer who knows governance isn’t paperwork, it’s power. Aliya prepared founders to structure their ventures for long-term scale and credibility.
April Hicke, Toast — Co-Founder and CEO of Toast, April showed founders how to build teams that don’t just work hard, but work smart — and stick around for the growth journey.
Rachel Bodor, The51 — A Senior Analyst who lives at the intersection of founders and funders. Rachel pulled back the curtain on how investors think, so founders could finally see the other side of the table.
Shashi Behl, Joydrop — A seasoned entrepreneur who knows funding is more than money — it’s a relationship. Shashi shared the unvarnished truth of what it takes to build those relationships well.
Danick Genest & Nadia McKinney, Logan Katz — CPAs who turned financial jargon into a founder-friendly roadmap. They showed exactly what “investor-ready books” really look like.
Justin Dunnion, GreenSky Ventures — A VC who speaks fluent “venture math.” Justin translated valuations and fundraising mechanics into plain language, making investor logic far less mysterious.
Lauren Ledwell, Sandpiper Ventures — A venture investor who believes term sheets should be read with confidence, not dread. Lauren walked founders through cap tables and terms like a coach, not a lawyer.
Louise Lee, BLG — A securities lawyer who reminded founders that negotiation isn’t about winning, it’s about building deals that last. Louise equipped them with frameworks to do just that.
The Champions in Residence
Champions in Residence are the glue that holds it all together. They rolled up their sleeves, leaned in, and gave founders the kind of honest, one-on-one coaching that can’t be found in any playbook. Their mentorship bridged the gap between theory and reality—and the cohort noticed.
While our experts led the sessions, our Champions in Residence were the glue. They rolled up their sleeves, gave honest feedback, and helped founders turn insight into action. Think of them as the bridge between the classroom and the boardroom:
Kelsey Hahn, Monark — A leadership expert who showed founders how to turn good managers into great leaders — without needing a 300-page playbook.
Mert Yucesoy, Boundariez — A venture investor turned advisor who helped founders see fundraising from the other side of the table (and avoid rookie mistakes).
Jillian Climie, The Thoughtful Co. — Compensation strategist who made sure founders knew how to structure pay and equity in ways that attract talent — and keep it.
Brooke Struck, Converge — A strategy consultant who reminded everyone that culture eats strategy for breakfast, but only if you let it.
Kristen McGill, Zayzoon — An operator who helped scale Zayzoon through 40x growth. Kristen gave founders a masterclass in building systems that don’t break under pressure.
Kenya Rasmussen, Accenture — A strategist who turned complex problems into clear opportunities. Kenya gave founders new tools to communicate value in a way that sticks.
Lisa Helfrick, Sandbox Talent — An executive coach who knows that leadership isn’t about charisma, it’s about clarity. Lisa showed founders how to bring both.
Christine Whiteside, Perigon Labs — With experience from Amazon to startups, Christine helped founders think bigger — and then plan smarter.
Karen O’Leary, File & Claim — A funding expert who proved that not all capital requires giving up equity. Karen helped founders find the money hiding in plain sight.
Simona Fernandes, Plug and Play — A venture analyst who gave founders a candid look at how investors evaluate early-stage agri-food tech — and what makes a company stand out.
Gabrielle Kolotinsky, EDC — A clean tech investor who showed how to structure growth capital that works for both scale and sustainability.
Kelly Fitzsimmons, Random Theory — A marketing strategist who made sure founders could tell their story to customers as well as investors — because growth needs both.
Their mentorship ensured founders didn’t just leave inspired — they left ready.
Why This Matters: A perfect 100 NPS isn’t just bragging rights. It validates Movement51’s model: expert-led education, real-world application, and 1:1 mentorship that produces measurable results. Alumni from past cohorts have already raised over $50M in capital across 17 industries. Cohort 6 is next.
Cohort 6: Applications Now Open: If you’re preparing to raise external capital, Cohort 6 is designed for you. Here’s what you’ll gain:
Access to experts who have collectively raised and deployed billions in venture capital.
A structured program focused on capital readiness — not generic business skills.
1:1 mentorship and warm investor introductions that open doors to funding.
A national peer community of founders and investors who share your ambition.
