What We’re All About
UpStart partners with the Jewish community’s boldest leaders to expand the picture of how Jews find meaning and how we come together. Whether someone is starting a new Jewish venture or reimagining what an existing one has to offer, UpStart gives them the entrepreneurial tools, funding, and network they need to build the Jewish community of the future.
UpStart operates from a core belief—that Jewish tradition has thrived and evolved for millennia because trailblazing leaders have developed new ways to connect with its enduring value. We provide today’s social entrepreneurs with targeted support at every stage, creating pathways to take ideas to implementation and beyond. Our targeted support serves:
- Social entrepreneurs and their ventures: those creating new offerings through new Jewish ventures
- Communities and the field: weaving together these bold leaders and the wider community to amplify their impact
Our Mission
Our mission is to inspire and empower leaders to dream, build, and grow bold initiatives that enhance the vitality of Jewish life. Together, we’re creating a more just, vibrant, and inclusive future.
Our Values
- Powered by Jewish wisdom, ethics, and values. We believe these elements of Judaism help shape diverse, inclusive, equitable and vibrant communities.
- Remain radically human-centered. Achieving our mission depends upon putting people (team members, clients, and stakeholders) first by prioritizing their uniqueness, well-being, and dignity.
- Embrace change. We believe that by remaining agile and ideating wildly in the face of uncertainty, we can stay relevant, competitive, and impactful.
- Balance shared accountability with individual agency. We create the conditions for individuals to thrive while being accountable for shared goals and each other.
- Intentionally celebrate ourselves and others. We believe that joy can be found in showing up for the good and the bad. We own our outcomes, celebrate ourselves and others, and believe in the power of working through challenges.
- Catalyze collaboration. We believe that activating the combined wisdom of our network and community creates opportunities to push the boundaries of what is possible.