In September 2024 the foundation launched its first American Academy of Entrepreneurs (AAE) multistate cohort, comprised of mentors and mentees from Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Washington. A collaboration with four of our partners (Michigan Economic Development Corp., GrowFL, Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the Washington State Department of Commerce), the program began with an in-person retreat at Big Rock Valley and wrapped up in May 2025 with a virtual induction ceremony. 

This new flavor of AAE allows partners to enroll only a few participants, rather than having to fill an entire cohort. And participants benefit by getting access to business owners whom they might not ordinarily meet, thanks to the multistate nature of the cohort.