The New Builders

What if everything you’ve been told about business is wrong?

Contrary to the myth of the white, male tech founder that dominates our mindshare, most new businesses are started by people who are Black, brown, female, and older. Many of them are immigrants and people who have been left out of the narrative. We call this next generation of business owners New Builders. Individually, they are strong. Collectively, they are mighty.

Meet the New Builders. They are the next generation of great entrepreneurs.

Inquire about appearances by Seth Levine or Elizabeth MacBride: [email protected]

Praise for

Across various chapters of my professional career, one of which as head of Investment and Innovation of the U.S. Small Business Administration, I've seen first hand the seismic changes our entrepreneurial economy is going through. The New Builders perfectly captures these important and interconnected trends - trends that many people fail to see.

Javier SaadeFormer Associate Administrator, Chief of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration

As a woman entrepreneur in a field dominated by men, I know what it’s like to have to work harder to be taken seriously and to win respect. Women have power, as these stories make clear. They don’t need it lent to them. They need and deserve a fair shot – and we’ll all benefit from giving them one.

Eva Shockey Brent Author, TV Personality, Bow Hunter, Conservationist

The New Builders is a masterpiece of investigation and insight. Joe Biden and everyone in his administration needs to read this book NOW! It is both an inspiring and troubling glimpse at the changing nature of entrepreneurship in America.

David SmickGlobal Macro Hedge Fund Strategist and NYT Bestselling Author

Pay attention to this book: Entrepreneurs may not look like you expect them to, but they’re always at the forefront of where we need to go, next.

Jim ShockeyNaturalist, Outfitter, TV Producer and Host of Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures and UNCHARTED on Outdoor Channel.

Elizabeth MacBride and Seth Levine have done it again! Discerning fact from fiction and really getting to the heart of how the 21st century entrepreneur is thinking and responding in the ever-evolving landscape of "innovation ecosystems" domestically and globally. This is a must read book for those intrigued or looking to better understand how entrepreneurs and small business owners will ultimately reinvigorate the American and Global economy in a post COVID-19 landscape and channel the spirit of America's Founders whom were the original entrepreneurs that founded one of the greatest countries of modern history…

G. Nagesh Rao 2016 USA Eisenhower Fellow

As entrepreneurship becomes democratized, the characteristic of entrepreneurs is rapidly changing. Seth and Elizabeth do a brilliant job of explaining these changes by telling specific stories of the next generation of entrepreneurs in The New Builders. Anyone who cares about the future of entrepreneurship, or the future of the American economy, needs to read this book.

Brad FeldFoundry Group partner, Techstars co-founder, author of The Startup Community Way

We're about to experience a profoundly different and exciting economic future--one where community will matter more than ever. This book is an essential guide to what's ahead for anyone who cares about reinventing the American economy.

Elaine PofeldtFoundry journalist and author, The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business

Entrepreneurs translate society's values into reality. The New Builders is a fascinating (and heartening) window onto the next generation of entrepreneurs and the products and services they're building in communities across the country.

Felice GorordoCEO of eMerge Americas, Miami

Thanks to Elizabeth and Seth for this clear, concrete roadmap on how to drive entrepreneurship and innovation in the U.S. economy. Their stories and messages show how the face of American entrepreneurship is changing and how entrepreneurs on Main Street are key to job growth and prosperity. I hope the new team in Washington checks out "New Builders" and follows many of its recommendations.

Ambassador John Heffern (ret)Fellow, Georgetown University

Elizabeth and Seth have uncovered the power and unlimited creativity of the human brain personified by the new generation of creators helping a new ecosystem which will conquer this planet ...Inspirational to all including governments and their leaders. It tells you how to take and give and shows how to embrace the philosophy of problem solving rather than complaining.

Zahi KhouriPalestinian/American entrepreneur and philanthropist

The vitality of Lancaster City is in larger measure because of its New Builders, the mosaic of peoples from across the globe who have made Lancaster their home — whether in the 1600s or the 2000s. To see this concept reflected by MacBride and Levine is to understand what is special about our city — and no doubt, many others.

Danene SoraceMayor of Lancaster, PA.

Journalists who write about the Arab region tended to cover stories of conflict, security, destitution and hardship. The region is so much more than that. Elizabeth decided to write a different narrative, about the opportunity and hope in entrepreneurs who are innovating and driving change. I would argue that many of those stories became known because of her tireless efforts. Now, she and Seth Levine have turned a similar, powerful lens on New Builders in the United States — I can’t wait for these stories to be known, too.

Dina SherifExecutive Director, MIT Legatum Center for Entrepreneurship & Development, and Partner, Disruptech

The future belongs to individuals who take their economic power and create success on their own terms. In this illuminating book, Seth and Elizabeth explain how the financial system in America works for some founders while failing others — women, Black and brown — who are exactly the people we need to succeed.

Abigail E. Disneyfilmmaker, philanthropist, activist

In The New Builders, MacBride and Levine make clear the promise of entrepreneurship—that innovators and job creators can be a critical force in creating inclusive prosperity in our communities. The stories, barriers, and triumphs of so many entrepreneurs of color, as well as women and rural entrepreneurs, are inspiring—and also heart wrenching. As the authors point out, entrepreneurs are on the front lines of rebuilding our American economy so that it works for all people. The immediate question before us as a nation is: what are we doing to support these New Builders?

Wendy GuilliesPresident and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation

In this important and timely book, Mr. Levine and Ms. McBride debunk the myth that entrepreneurs are young, white and well educated men. Examining the deep history of entrepreneurship in this country, often driven by women, immigrants and people of color, Levine and McBride tell the stories of the unsung entrepreneurs of yesterday and today. In so doing, they make a compelling case that it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also in our economic interest to ensure that these entrepreneurs get access to the funds and networks that they need in order to nurture and grow their businesses.

Katharine WeymouthFormer CEO and Publisher, Washington Post

Leveling the playing field for all entrepreneurs is crucial to our country’s economic future. The increasingly diverse and dynamic people starting businesses today are closing opportunity gaps and developing innovative products and services to address some of our most pressing problems. The New Builders brings their stories to life, and is critical reading for anyone who wants to understand the future of business in the United States.

Steve CaseChairman and CEO of Revolution, LLC, Co-Founder of AOL, Founding Chair, Startup

The New Builders is outstanding. It will be a huge contribution to the understanding of and discussion about entrepreneurship for general business people, economists, students, their teachers/professors and the group that you have coined New Builders. Chock full of information that will in fact surprise most readers, even those steeped in business and finance. I also love how The New Builders provides historical context for the entrepreneurial experiences and stories that have shaped our nation.

Lisa Green HallFormer CEO, Calvert Impact Capital

The mythology of entrepreneurship is that it is all about technology and Silicon Valley, but the truth is that the vast majority of entrepreneurs in America are small business owners, often Black and brown and female. In The New Builders, Seth and Elizabeth drive this point home with stories about these New Builders. This is an optimistic book that looks at entrepreneurship in America and sees a future that is more inclusive and more equitable.

Fred WilsonVenture Capitalist and Blogger

New Builders is a thought-provoking collaboration, probing the recesses of today’s small business economy. It shines a much needed light on minority, female, and heartland-based entrepreneurs, showing readers that it is not too late to support the structures that allow them to thrive.

Jerome WilliamsEntrepreneur, investor, player’s union negotiator and former NBA player for the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and the New York Knicks.

“Back to you, reader. Turn the page. And experience how together we can turn the world around. Elizabeth and Seth, thank you for giving voice to this community, to these amazing change makers, to these New Builders.”

Tyra BanksEntrepreneur, Author, Actress and Model

Seth Levine

A long-time venture capitalist, Seth Levine is a co-founder and partner of Foundry Group, a Boulder, CO based venture firm. Easily distracted and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, Seth also spends time as an advisor to venture funds and companies around the world. Seth and his wife live in Colorado with their three children.

Elizabeth MacBride

An international business journalist, Elizabeth’s work has been featured in The Washington Post, BBC, MIT Tech Review, Quartz, and many other prominent publications. She founded Times of Entrepreneurship to share the stories of many often-overlooked entrepreneurs she has encountered in her reporting around the world. A writer, traveler and seventh-generation Washingtonian, she lives in Alexandria, Va., with her two daughters.

Meet the

THE NEW BUILDERS

Booker T. Wilkins
52 years ago, taking courage into his hands, barber Booker T. Wilkins knocked on the door of a white landlord. He’s been a New Builder in Alexandria, Va., ever since.

Carmen Portillo
Carmen Portillo fell in love with chocolate-making when she was in college -- now she runs a company that has survived two recessions.

Claire Cheff
With her husband, Claire Cheff owns an outfitting company in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Their love of place helps create wilderness advocates across the country.

Jill Castilla
Banker Jill Castilla backed a retail project on the East Side of Oklahoma City when no one else would.

Sandino Thompson
Sandino Thompson used some of his social capital to get a real estate project with a white developer off the ground.

Jasmine Edwards
commuted weekly from Tampa, Fla., to Atlanta, Ga., to get her startup off the ground. New Builders bring a whole new level of grit to the equation.

Kirsten Quigley
Kirsten Quigley founded a market-leading brand, Lunchskins, from her kitchen table. But unlike many male founders, she didn’t find open doors when she went to seek finance and mentors.

Jahleel Pettiford
Jahleel Pettiford is working two jobs and building his design brand on the side. Sometimes, he finds himself nodding off while fulfilling orders from his bedroom floor.

Danaris Mazara
The cakes from Danaris Mazara’s bakery are so good that people pay $2 for a cup of crumbs.

Isaac Collins
Isaac Collins won a pitch competition in college that gave him a leg up into the world of entrepreneurship. Now, he’s a pillar of the community.

Meet the

THE NEW BUILDERS

Booker T. Wilkins

52 years ago, taking courage into his hands, barber Booker T. Wilkins knocked on the door of a white landlord. He’s been a New Builder in Alexandria, Va., ever since.

Carmen Portillo

Carmen Portillo fell in love with chocolate-making when she was in college -- now she runs a company that has survived two recessions.

Claire Cheff

With her husband, Claire Cheff owns an outfitting company in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Their love of place helps create wilderness advocates across the country.

Jill Castilla

Banker Jill Castilla backed a retail project on the East Side of Oklahoma City when no one else would.

Sandino Thompson

Sandino Thompson used some of his social capital to get a real estate project with a white developer off the ground.

Jasmine Edwards

commuted weekly from Tampa, Fla., to Atlanta, Ga., to get her startup off the ground. New Builders bring a whole new level of grit to the equation.

Kirsten Quigley

Kirsten Quigley founded a market-leading brand, Lunchskins, from her kitchen table. But unlike many male founders, she didn’t find open doors when she went to seek finance and mentors.

Jahleel Pettiford

Jahleel Pettiford is working two jobs and building his design brand on the side. Sometimes, he finds himself nodding off while fulfilling orders from his bedroom floor.

Danaris Mazara

The cakes from Danaris Mazara’s bakery are so good that people pay $2 for a cup of crumbs.

Isaac Collins

Isaac Collins won a pitch competition in college that gave him a leg up into the world of entrepreneurship. Now, he’s a pillar of the community.

Buy

THE NEW BUILDERS

Teach

THE NEW BUILDERS

Especially for Student Founders who are Women and People of Color …

The New Builders curriculum is available for free for use by University entrepreneurship professors and professionals. This is a case-study-based exploration of the how-to’s of entrepreneurship in the tech-enabled economy, especially for women and people of color.

Course Description

“But today's New Builders are different from the entrepreneurs who came before them. For the first time, the people often left out of the entrepreneurial narrative are walking onto center stage. If our finance and mentorship systems catch up to this new diverse reality, the New Builders will have a star turn on America's revolving stage. We believe that they will.”

– The New Builders, Chapter 16

This course explores an updated perspective on entrepreneurship for the next generation – you! While entrepreneurship has grown more popular across our cultural narrative, the reality of entrepreneurship has narrowed: fewer new businesses incorporated in recent years than in the past 30 years. We will examine the current landscape of entrepreneurship everywhere, the mindset and tactics of successful entrepreneurs, opportunities to enter entrepreneurship through community and creative capital, and how to visualize a career around starting businesses.

Curriculum material is based on text from The New Builders, authored by successful investors and entrepreneurs, Seth Levine (Foundry Group, ~$3bn AUM) and Elizabeth MacBride (Times of Entrepreneurship, MIT Tech Review, Forbes).

ARE YOU A NEW BUILDER? TAG YOURSELF ON TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM WITH #ImANewBuilder AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

#ImANewBuilder, #IAmANewBuilder

7 Mar 2022 1500963030582054912

Check out @startupblogpost’s Slice’d Podcast latest episode featuring @sether discussing his career as a VC, author, and his philanthropic ambitions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seth-levine-co-founder-of-foundry-group-and-pledge-1/id1583302287?i=1000553161787 #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #imanewbuilder #smallbusinessowner #Funding

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‘; NewBuildersBook @NewBuildersBook ·

3 Nov 2021 1455923502729601027

Check out the latest review of The New Builders in The Zebra: https://thezebra.org/2021/11/01/the-faces-of-main-street-business-builders-have-changed/ @sether @editoremacb #imanewbuilder #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessesMatters #womeninbiz #blackbusiness #LatinoAmerica #startup

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‘; NewBuildersBook @NewBuildersBook ·

28 Oct 2021 1453811744795762688

In 1 week, Seth Levine’s interview w/@mbs_works will drop. Listen to Seth read from and discuss Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital by @CarlotaPrzPerez and how it’s impacted his own work #imanewbuilder https://thenewbuilders.com/#buy

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‘; seth @sether ·

22 Jul 2021 1418214085116796928

Fantastic conversation with Scott Becker on his “Private Equity Podcast” about the book, what inspired us, and about our writing process. Check it out: https://beckergroupbusinessleadership.com/seth-levine-founder-of-the-foundry-group-about-his-new-book/ https://thenewbuilders.com/#buy #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #economicrecovery #Diversity #imanewbuilder

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‘; seth @sether ·

1 Jul 2021 1410617402241404949

Check @editoremacb and my conversation with @brandonuttley on @goforlaunchio talking about the real faces of entrepreneurship today. https://www.goforlaunch.io/new-builders-of-entrepreneurship/ https://thenewbuilders.com/#buy #Entrepreneur #startup #imanewbuilder #DiversityandInclusion #BlackbusinessWomenOwners

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#ImANewBuilder

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Apr 26

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Excited for our Instagram take-over of the Commonplace Books (commonplaceokc account) tomorrow. Give them a follow and join in tomorrow as we talk about some of the #newbuilders in OCK and beyond!

#imanewbuilder, #instagramtakeover, #smallbusiness, #entrepreneurship …

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Apr 18

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🎉 GIVEAWAY! 🎉 The New Builders is a wake-up call for America to start seeing and valuing a new generation of business owners. Contrary to the myth of the white, male tech founder that dominates our mindshare, most new businesses are started by people who are Black, brown, female, and older. As female founders of Silent Book Club, we reflect this. #iamanewbuilder
📚 Enter for a chance to win one of 10 copies of The New Builders: Face to Face with the TRUE Future of Business, and read the inspiring stories of today’s entrepreneurs.
📚
To enter:
1. Follow silentbookclub
2. Like this post and tag a friend in the comments
3. Tap the link in bio to fill out entry form for 5 bonus entries
📚
No purchase necessary, ends April 25, 2021, US-only, 18+. Full rules available on our website at silentbook.club or #linkinbio …

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Jun 7

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FACTS: "Black women may be the fastest-growing segment of new business founders, but in the world of tech startups and venture capital, they might as well be invisible."

I addressed this issue and shared my own story by writing the FORWARD for thenewbuildersbook by the amazing sethlevine and elizabeth.macbride. 📚

AMAZING: The book debuted #1 new release in Business Entrepreneurship on Amazon. Check it out! thenewbuildersbook #imanewbuilder …

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Apr 20

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Don't miss our next event as Jean-Paul O'Brien and Cody Burkhart are joined by the authors of the upcoming book, The New Builders. We'll have a conversation about how the next generation of entrepreneurs is made up of women, people of color, immigrants, and people over 40 . We'll also discuss a broken system that is not set up to support and resource these entrepreneurs. Register at link in bio. editoremacb sether NewBuildersBook
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#event #virtualevent #enttreprenuers #POCfounders #WomeninBusiness #Immigrantowned #Foundersover40 #IamaNewBuilder #NewBuildersBook #startup #smallbusiness #mainstreet #founder #investor #VentureCapital #networkingevent #inspire #activate #hyperenable #humanperformance #humanpotential …

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Apr 21

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At the end of January photographed in Staunton, Va for the book “The New Builders” by Seth Levine and Elizabeth MacBride. thenewbuildersbook
www.thenewbuilders.com
Jaheel Pettiford is one of the “New Builders” who the author’s have found to be the future and present source of economic growth in the US. He is working two jobs and building his design brand on the side. jahleeell
In "The New Builders, we tell the stories of the next generation of entrepreneurs — and argue for the future of American entrepreneurship. That future lies in surprising places — and will in particular rely on the success of women, black and brown entrepreneurs. Our country hasn't yet even recognized the identities of the New Builders, let alone developed strategies to support them.
Our misunderstanding is driven by a core misperception. Consider a "typical" American entrepreneur.
The dominant image of an entrepreneur as a young white man starting a tech business on the coasts isn't correct at all. Today's American entrepreneurs, the people who drive critical parts of our economy, are more likely to be female and non-white. In fact, the number of women-owned businesses has increased 31 times between 1972 and 2018 according to the Kauffman Foundation (in 1972, women-owned businesses accounted for just 4.6% of all firms; in 2018 that figure was 40%). The fastest-growing group of female entrepreneurs are women of color, who are responsible for 64% of new women-owned businesses being created.
In a few years, we believe women will make up more than half of the entrepreneurs in America.
The age of the average American entrepreneur also belies conventional wisdom: It's 42. The average age of the most successful entrepreneurs — those in the top .01% in terms of their company's growth in the first five years — is 45.
These are the New Builders. Women, people of color, immigrants and people over 40.”
#imanewbuilder #newbuildersbook #Staunton #StauntonVA #VA #entrepreneur #mainstreet #smallbusiness #success #businessowner #goals #startup #Entrepreneurlife #entrepreneurship …

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What if everything you’ve been told about business is wrong?

Praise for ​

THE NEW BUILDERS

about the authors

Seth Levine

Authors

Elizabeth MacBride

Meet the