Entrepreneurs around the world now have a direct path to AI-powered venture building, as the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Builders + Backers® today announced a partnership that opens access to a new AI-powered platform, Builders Studio™.
At a time when AI is rapidly reshaping how businesses are built and operate, this partnership ensures that access to venture-building tools keeps pace with the speed of innovation.
GEN helps founders reach their full potential, no matter where they are in the world — through access to tailored training, events, mentors, investors, peer networks, and leaders of innovation ecosystems. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to activating untapped entrepreneurial talent worldwide by removing traditional barriers to entry. Through this professional venture-building tool, GEN and Builders + Backers are enabling more founders to build, test, and launch ideas in real time.
How It Works
Through this partnership, GEN provides its global community with a trusted pathway to Builders Studio, where they:
• Turn any idea into a tested, fundable venture—guided by AI trained on real founder experience
• Get strategic coaching and expert support anytime
• Apply for funding to test and build—no insider connections required
• Tap into a national network of builders and backers who've done it before
Builders Studio™ complements GEN’s programming for founders, including global competitions such as the Entrepreneurship World Cup, by offering support before, during, and after engagement.
“Every community has hidden builders—people with ideas that could solve real problems or create new opportunities,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “This partnership gives them the tools to move from ‘what if’ to ‘I’m building it’—and that’s how we drive more inclusive economic growth.”
"AI is dismantling the infrastructure that decides who gets to be an entrepreneur," said Donna Harris, Founder and CEO of Builders + Backers. "Working with GEN, we're putting real venture-building tools in the hands of anyone with an idea and the drive to build it — no matter where they are in the world."
Entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and partners across GEN’s global network can explore the platform and sign up at genglobal.org/builders-studio.
About the Global Entrepreneurship Network
The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates in 200 countries with a mission to make it easier for anyone, anywhere, to start and scale a business. By fostering deeper cross-border collaboration between founders, investors, policymakers, ecosystem leaders and others, GEN fuels healthier and more efficient local and national entrepreneurship ecosystems. In the past year, GEN has supported 2.24 million entrepreneurs, mobilized $4M+ in funding for entrepreneurs, partnered with 1,000+ entrepreneurial support organizations, and engaged more than 300 policymakers in efforts to advance policies and programs to help businesses start and scale. To learn more, visit www.genglobal.org.
About Builders + Backers
Builders + Backers helps entrepreneurial dreamers become builders who create and grow promising new companies. Our AI + Human venture studio helps everyday innovators turn ideas into startups—powered by expert-trained agents, real founder insight, strategic support and innovative funding. From idea to launch, we've reimagined how great companies get built. Builders + Backers has activated thousands of entrepreneurs across all 50 states and helped launch over 600 new companies. For more information, visit www.buildersandbackers.com.