ATLANTA, GA — [December 2, 2025] — Square One Startup School, the virtual pre-accelerator dedicated to uplifting underrepresented founders, today announced that it has officially obtained its 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation—solidifying its evolution from a program within Surthrive LLC into a fully independent organization with a national platform for inclusive innovation.

Founded in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Square One started as a simple experiment: could quality startup education, mentorship, and capital access be delivered virtually—meeting founders where they are—without requiring them to relocate to traditional tech hubs? The answer became a resounding yes.

What began as a coaching program in Atlanta, Georgia has since grown into a scalable, community-centered platform that serves underrepresented founders across the nation and beyond. To date, Square One has supported more than 200 diverse startup founders who have collectively raised over $10 million, created hundreds of jobs, and built high-growth ventures rooted in their own communities. Its virtual startup showcases have reached audiences across seven countries, four continents, and every U.S. region, demonstrating the power—and necessity—of borderless access.

“Officially becoming a nonprofit marks a turning point,” said Justin McLeod, Founder and Executive Director of Square One Startup School. “We’re no longer just a program—we’re a platform built to scale opportunity. This new chapter positions Square One to deepen our impact, expand national partnerships, and provide founders everywhere with the education, resources, and strategic connections they deserve.”

From Program to Platform: A New Era of Impact

Square One’s transition into an independent 501(c)(3) cements its long-term commitment to economic mobility and inclusive innovation. The new structure enables the organization to expand its year-round virtual programs, strengthen public-sector and industry partnerships, and open new pathways for philanthropy to fuel innovation in underserved regions. 

Square One’s mission remains clear: to build a more equitable innovation economy by equipping historically excluded innovators with the education, resources, and strategic connections needed to launch high-growth ventures that strengthen their own communities.

Its signature 10-week pre-accelerator—paired with ongoing coaching, community support, and investor exposure—empowers first-time founders to progress from idea to execution. By removing geographic, financial, and cultural barriers, Square One continues to demonstrate that innovation can thrive anywhere.

Introducing the Square One Board of Directors

With its new nonprofit status, Square One is guided by an inaugural board of directors composed of nationally recognized ecosystem builders, educators, and economic development leaders.

Justin McLeod — Executive Director
Founder of Square One Startup School; ecosystem builder and entrepreneurship leader who has supported 550+ disadvantaged small businesses, helping them raise $44M and create 1,000+ jobs across 23 states through his small business marketing consultancy, Surthrive.

Lavonya Jones — Board Member
Entrepreneurship educator and economic development leader heading Innovation & Entrepreneurship for the City of Hampton, VA. Formerly led entrepreneurship pipelines at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and 40+ HBCUs.

Charlton Cunningham — Board Member
 Seasoned ecosystem builder and Ecosystem Navigator at The Continuum, with experience leading startup programs at Startup Atlanta, Lightship Foundation, HBCUvc, and Higher Ground Labs.

Charlotte Clark — Board Member
 Former software engineer and current Economic Recovery Corps Fellow supporting inclusive economic development through product, operations, and community-centered small business support.

This board will guide Square One’s national expansion, regional partnership development, organizational sustainability, and founder-focused programming.

A Vision for the Future

With nonprofit status secured, Square One is poised to scale its platform to reach thousands of underrepresented innovators nationwide. In the coming year, the organization will:

  • Expand its virtual pre-accelerator to additional regions
  • Launch new industry-specific cohorts, such as AI, climate, and BlueTech
  • Deepen partnerships with economic development agencies, universities, and investor networks to co-create innovative solutions that address place-based challenges
  • Continue building community-centered ecosystems where innovation fuels local economic growth

“Entrepreneurship is the most powerful engine for economic mobility,” McLeod added. “By meeting founders where they are, we ensure that those historically left out can help shape—and benefit from—the future of innovation.”

About Square One Startup School

Square One Startup School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reimagining who gets to build the future. Through a virtual 10-week pre-accelerator, year-round learning programs, and a national ecosystem of partners, Square One equips underrepresented founders—especially women and entrepreneurs of color—with the tools, mentorship, and connections needed to launch high-growth startups that create jobs, build wealth, and strengthen communities.

Donate now at www.squareoneschool.com/pledge