UpStart

WHO WE ARE

UpStart is a social venture and innovation consulting firm. We partner with entrepreneurs, start-ups and established organizations to redesign the experience and expression of modern Jewish life.

Using the most current design theories to architect change, we combine entrepreneurial principles and practices with Jewish texts and learning methodologies to create a roadmap for the delivery of meaningful and compelling Jewish experiences.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

FOR STARTUPS UTILIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL TOOLS AND METHODS TO EFFECT SOCIAL CHANGE

All successful start-ups are seeded with an intense entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for changing the world. UpStarters are a robust network of Jewish social entrepreneurs across the country who are actively re-defining Jewish life. They have an infectious enthusiasm and a range of skills, but many lack the knowledge set to create a thriving organization. Their needs can include: business and organizational development skills, a place to work, programmatic and content expertise, mentorship, connections and funding. Our goal is to help them develop and implement their vision, business focus, and capacity to innovate, so that they can make a lasting and profound impact on Jewish life.

UPSTARTER PROGRAM

• LOCAL An invitation-only program that cultivates the most promising ideas of Bay Area-based Jewish social entrepreneurs. Through individual attention and a peer network, the UpStarter Program helps these entrepreneurs develop and implement their vision, build their infrastructure, attain fiscal sustainability, scale impact, adapt to shifting needs and environments, and gain access to networks and resources needed to achieve maximum impact.

• NATIONAL A fee based program that utilizes a combination of in-person and online meetings with customized coaching and consultations to deliver the same benefits as the local Bay Area-based program. National UpStarters are included in the full UpStarter network including participation in the annual 2-day UpStarter retreat in the Bay Area.

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START UP YOUR JEWISH ID

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FOR ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATIONS STAYING RELEVANT BY UNLOCKING CREATIVE POTENTIAL TO INNOVATE

Successful established and early stage organizations remain vigilant about understanding their market place and their customer’s needs, and have the skills to innovate and to renew or change their strategy and offerings.

• Perhaps you’re an established Jewish organization trying to figure out how to make yourself relevant to the next generation?

• Maybe your community needs leadership better equipped to refine a vision of the future, and develop and implement the strategy that will bring it about?

• You may be looking to integrate lessons from other successful innovators and their innovations and are not sure what they are or how to support the culture change that might be required to implement new ideas?

Our team has assisted hundreds of diverse social entrepreneurs and established organizations in responding to these and other challenges. We partner with you to reinvigorate your mission, values, and strategic focus while helping to build your capacity to anticipate and create needed change. Our expertise allows us to bring unique value and understanding to this intersection of innovation, organizational know-how, and Jewish life.

UpStart begins by listening to your story, assessing your needs, defining the problem, and developing a customized plan of action. Consulting services include:

STRATEGIC DESIGN AND PLANNING Working with your organization to refine its core mission, values, and strategic focus and increase your capacity to innovate. Our signature processes help identify your most important challenges, recognize opportunities, form thoughtful solutions and implement a course of action for organizational, systemic or programmatic change.

EXECUTIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND LAY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Offering an array of leadership development services intended to help organizational leaders create a framework for energizing their mission, identifying potential new avenues for growth and fostering continual social innovation. Includes application of the most cutting edge principles and practices of entrepreneurship through the UpStart lens, and experience of using these models within startups and established Jewish organizations.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Exploring and applying best practices in program design in order to position organizations to design, deliver, and measure the success of innovative, meaningful and compelling programs infused with high-quality Jewish content and perspectives.

ADVANCED JEWISH FRAMEWORKS OF INNOVATION AND CHANGE

Providing organizations with an in-depth understanding of Jewish texts, terms and concepts that will enrich both their ability to frame their work within a substantive Jewish context, and infuse their programmatic offerings with qualitative, relevant Jewish experiences.

OUR SERVICES