FoundersForge

Everyone says “build in public” and “just post,” but nobody actually tells you how.

At the Startup Mountain Summit in 2025, Amanda Goetz explained her porch method: present your reality, open the door, reflect, connect your story to your solution, and help others.

It’s simple, real, and it works.

We’ve always believed in the underdog entrepreneur.
Now we’re helping them launch with AI.

Introducing the FoundersForge AI Academy — our new AI coding bootcamp with Ergon Insights Founder, Jason Oglesby.

We’ll take you from zero to a live, deployed product in 8 weeks. No coding experience needed. Product launch guarantee.

The Foundations cohort is open now and spots are limited. Link in bio 🔗

Lora Eshbach, Co-Founder of The Generalist, is sharing what it takes to build a space people come back to again and again. Join us at Spark Plaza on April 23rd from 12 to 1 PM.

Here's what's on the agenda:

- How to test your ideas before going all in
- Navigating getting your product on shelves
- Building a business that can survive slow seasons

If you're a creative, maker, or future founder, we'd love for you to be there.
Come ready to learn and leave ready to build.
RSVP + Info in the bio 🔗

April is packed with events 🔥
There’s something for everyone whether you’re a developer or a small business owner.
We’re excited to see you there!

The Startup Mountain Summit is headed back this October 12-13th to Johnson City, TN at the ETSU Brinkley Center.

We’re partnering with to host the Tennessee Regional Qualifier Round of the Startup World Cup on the first night of the conference (Oct. 12th)! The winner will move on to compete in the World Cup finals for $1M in investment in Silicon Valley, CA.

We couldn’t be more excited to bring this event to the community and host it alongside the Summit! You can apply to pitch at the link our bio & grab your early bird tickets! 🔗

Special thanks to our first sponsor, Baker Donelson, for making this event possible!

See y’all at the Summit! 🏔️

Join us for these events in March, including our special announcement event on the 11th 🫡 RSVP info in the bio!

Our first Amplify 423 event of the year brought out 50+ incredible attendees — and we couldn’t be more grateful for this community. Seeing so many of you show up to support what we’re building at FoundersForge and invest in learning something new is why we do what we do.

Stay tuned for more workshops on vibe coding and our coding academy coming soon👇

What if building faster didn’t mean working harder?

Join us for this Amplify423 session with David Nelson, Executive Director of FoundersForge and a builder focused on using AI to simplify everyday tasks and accelerate product development.

David will introduce Vibe Coding — a practical, founder-friendly approach to using AI tools to streamline workflows, reduce busywork, and move ideas forward quickly.

In this session, you’ll learn how founders, creatives, and non-technical builders are using AI to:

• Simplify everyday tasks and workflows
• Automate repetitive work
• Move from idea to prototype faster
• Build and test products without overcomplicating the process

This session is designed to be approachable, practical, and immediately useful — no advanced technical background required. Whether you’re launching a startup, working on a side project, or just looking for smarter ways to work, you’ll leave with tools and insights you can start using right away.

Who should attend: founders, students, creatives, operators, and anyone curious about working smarter with AI.

Amplify423 is a series of events and workshops dedicated to helping founders learn, grow, and stay connected — providing the tools and resources startups need to launch and grow successfully in our region and beyond. Most importantly, we spotlight the founders and innovators building right here in the mountains.

You don’t have to be a founder to join — everyone is welcome.

RSVP in bio.

The idea that talent has to leave home to succeed does real damage to the people working hard to build resources where they are.

Big cities didn’t start with opportunity. They built it because people stayed, invested, and got involved.

If someone is creating something that could benefit you, support it. Don’t just hope it works. Participate.

Stop fantasizing about success somewhere else. Build it where you are, or stand beside the people who already are.

If you’re building outside a major metro, this article is worth your time

Link in bio 🔗