Defy Ventures is a United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that tries to solve the social problems caused by incarceration. The organization provides training programs to individuals with criminal histories, as a way of reducing recidivism. The organization was founded in 2010.
History
Defy Ventures was founded in October 2010 in New York City by Catherine Hoke (née Rohr's).[1] In January 2012, it launched its first group of program participants, called entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs). Enrollment to women was opened later the same year.
In July 2015, Defy launched its "CEO of Your New Life" program, which teaches job readiness and a variety of personal development skills to incarcerated men and women. The program also provides follow-up, with post-release job placement, entrepreneurship startup funding, and mentoring.
As of 2015, over 100 companies have been started by Defy's EITs[2] and over 3,000 businesspeople have become involved as volunteers, judges and mentors for EITs.[3]