# Blake Caldwell

> Blake Caldwell is the Los Angeles-based CEO and co-founder of FoundersBoost, a mentor-driven startup program launched in 2017 that charges no fees and takes no equity. A former software engineer, he previously co-directed Startup Next Los Angeles and co-founded MoGuard and the music events company 2332 Collective. He is also listed as a general partner in FoundersBoost Fund.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-founder at FoundersBoost
- **Organizations:** FoundersBoost, FoundersBoost Fund, Startup Next Los Angeles, MoGuard, 2332 Collective, iCRco
- **Education:** MSE, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and leads FoundersBoost, whose website reports over 600 supported startups and more than $400 million raised by alumni as of October 2026., Co-founded MoGuard and helped launch it through a successful crowdfunding campaign., Previously co-directed Startup Next Los Angeles, which helped prepare more than 50 startups for accelerators and seed investment.

## Career timeline

- **2009** — Worked as a software development engineer at iCRco, according to The Org.
- **Before 2017** — Co-directed Startup Next Los Angeles, a Techstars program.
- **2014** — Developed the modern MoGuard mustache guard.
- **2016** — Co-founded the Los Angeles music and events company 2332 Collective.
- **2017** — Co-founded FoundersBoost, originally called Startup Boost.
- **2020** — Helped move Startup Boost events online; promoted five remote demo days featuring 37 startups on June 17.
- **2022** — Published Networking For The Under-Networked: Go Local on June 3.
- **2024** — Appeared on the October 24 VC Unfiltered panel episode Venture Capitalists Tell The TRUTH.
- **2025** — Hosted the first FoundersBoost Southern California alumni gathering, bringing together cohorts from 2017 through 2025.
- **2026** — Recruited program directors for a FoundersBoost NYC relaunch and promoted international spring programs.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and leads FoundersBoost, whose website reports over 600 supported startups and more than $400 million raised by alumni as of October 2026.
- Co-founded MoGuard and helped launch it through a successful crowdfunding campaign.
- Previously co-directed Startup Next Los Angeles, which helped prepare more than 50 startups for accelerators and seed investment.
- Co-founded 2332 Collective to bring music and festivals to West Los Angeles.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Promoted the July 20-24 Global Investor Showcase featuring spring startups across Los Angeles, NYC, Glendale, Italy, and Malaysia.
- **2026-03** — Promoted spring applications across Los Angeles, Glendale, NYC, Newcastle, Italy, and Malaysia, with a March 11 deadline.

## Links

- Website: https://www.foundersboost.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecaldwell1/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/blakehcaldwell

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/blake-caldwell
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26