# Donna Harris

> Donna Harris is the founder and CEO of Builders + Backers, co-founder of Washington’s 1776 startup hub and a general partner at 1776 Ventures. Her career spans software businesses, startup community development and seed investing. Her current work combines founder expertise, AI tools and funding for experiments to help more people turn ideas into businesses.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Builders + Backers
- **Organizations:** Builders + Backers, 1776 Ventures, 1776 (co-founder), Startup America Partnership (former managing director), K Street Capital (co-founder), Global Entrepreneurship Network, Economic Innovation Group Policy Council, Praxis, APCO Worldwide International Advisory Council, Kinderstreet (founder and former CEO), Interpoint Group (former vice chair)
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree, Central Michigan University, MBA, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Honorary Doctor of Laws, American University
- **Known for:** Co-founded 1776, the Washington startup hub launched in 2013., Designed and led Startup America Partnership’s Startup Regions Initiative., Received an honorary Doctor of Laws from American University in 2016.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2013** — Held roles at Oracle and EDS, founded Kinderstreet and served as vice chair of Interpoint Group.
- **Before 2013** — As managing director at Startup America Partnership, designed and led its Startup Regions Initiative.
- **2013** — Co-founded the 1776 startup hub in Washington, D.C., with Evan Burfield.
- **2014** — President Barack Obama visited 1776 on July 3.
- **2016** — Received American University’s honorary Doctor of Laws; addressed Kogod graduates in May and announced her step back from 1776 day-to-day operations in November.
- **2021** — The Idea Accelerator began; Builders + Backers’ 2024 anniversary post identifies an original group of 15 builders.
- **2023** — Announced the Idea Accelerator’s Detroit expansion with Heartland Forward and Ford Motor Company Fund.
- **2025** — Builders + Backers appeared at No. 528 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2026** — Published Builders Field Guide essays on pitch competitions, AI ownership and children’s books for entrepreneurial adults.

## Achievements

- Co-founded 1776, the Washington startup hub launched in 2013.
- Designed and led Startup America Partnership’s Startup Regions Initiative.
- Received an honorary Doctor of Laws from American University in 2016.
- Led Builders + Backers when it entered the 2025 Inc. 5000 at No. 528.
- Builders + Backers reported more than 600 companies helped to launch and reach across all 50 states in August 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Published “Where in the AI Economic Stack will Humans Sit?” on September 1, exploring AI, productive assets and entrepreneurial ownership.
- **2026-08** — Published “Think Like an 8-Year-Old” on August 18, recommending children’s books for adults with entrepreneurial ideas.
- **2026-05** — Published “Breeding Cobras or Building Companies?” on May 13, questioning the incentives and outcomes of pitch competitions.
- **2025-08** — Builders + Backers announced its No. 528 position on the 2025 Inc. 5000.

## Links

- Website: https://www.donnaharris.me/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharrisindc/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dharrisindc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharrisindc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/donna-harris
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09