# Kim T. Folsom

> Kim T. Folsom is the San Diego-based founder, chairperson and CEO of Founders First Capital Partners. After six technology ventures, she founded the firm in 2015 to provide growth financing and business support to underrepresented entrepreneurs and service-based businesses. Her work includes Founders First CDC, business education, and service on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Advisory Council beginning in January 2026.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairperson and CEO at Founders First Capital Partners
- **Organizations:** Founders First Capital Partners, Founders First CDC, ShowUhow, DriveCam (now Lytx), SeminarSource, REEL Qualified, Manhattan Street Capital, National University, City University of Seattle, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Community Advisory Council, The Links, Incorporated - San Diego Chapter
- **Education:** BS in information systems; economics minor coursework, San Diego State University, MBA, Pepperdine University, Owner/President Management program (in progress; OPM66), Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Built six technology ventures before Founders First., ShowUhow had produced over 1,500 instructional videos, viewed by over three million consumers, by spring 2012., Led Founders First, ranked No. 1,081 on the 2025 Inc. 5000.

## Career timeline

- **1990** — Graduated from San Diego State University’s College of Business.
- **2009** — ShowUhow launched its instructional-video solution; Folsom served as founder and CEO.
- **2013** — Co-founded the Links to STEM educational robotics program through the San Diego chapter of The Links.
- **2015** — Founded Founders First Capital Partners after six technology ventures.
- **2016** — Founded Founders First CDC; began teaching at National University.
- **2021** — Founders First announced an initial close for a $9 million Series A led by Rockefeller and Surdna, supporting deployment of a separate $100 million credit facility.
- **2022-2024** — Served as chairperson of the board at City University of Seattle, according to her public LinkedIn profile.
- **2024** — Recognized as a Cool Women honoree by Girl Scouts San Diego.
- **2026** — Joined the San Francisco Fed Community Advisory Council effective January 1; named to Inc.’s Female Founders 500 list.

## Achievements

- Built six technology ventures before Founders First.
- ShowUhow had produced over 1,500 instructional videos, viewed by over three million consumers, by spring 2012.
- Led Founders First, ranked No. 1,081 on the 2025 Inc. 5000.
- 2024 Girl Scouts San Diego Cool Women honoree.
- 2026 Inc. Female Founders 500 honoree.
- Appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Community Advisory Council in January 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Joined the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Community Advisory Council, effective January 1, announced January 9.
- **2025-03** — Participated in the Milken Institute Finance Forum panel The Big Opportunity of Small Businesses: New Pathways to Success on March 5.
- **2024-06** — Featured in a Savvy Up podcast interview published June 20, discussing her entrepreneurial career and Founders First.

## Links

- Website: https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimtfolsom/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ktfolsom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.folsom.37/

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