Inaugural Summit · Sept 23–24, 2026

Investing in innovation.
Forging eternal impact.

Faith · Capital · Calling

The Venture-Forge Summit® convenes a rare gathering of investors, founders, and business leaders in Austin, Texas.

2
Days
150+
Leaders
10
Sessions
∞
Impact
2026 Lineup

The voices on the forge floor.

See all speakers
Jenn Mazzola, Northpoint Austin
Jenn Mazzola
Northpoint Austin
MC
Mark McClain, SailPoint Technologies
Mark McClain
SailPoint Technologies

Founder and CEO of SailPoint, a leader in unified identity security for enterprises with 2,645 employees. He's earned acclaim for the strength of SailPoint's culture — the backbone of the company's success — and now shares that people-first ethic with leaders everywhere to bring startup culture back from the brink.

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Mark McClain
SailPoint Technologies
Rich Carney, In the City for the City
Rich Carney
In the City for the City

Retired U.S. Army LTC and Green Beret who moved from State Department counterterrorism work to three decades of building Kingdom movements. He has led six citywide initiatives, helped catalyze 400+ new churches, and founded In The City For The City. Author of Walking Together.

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Rich Carney
In the City for the City
Joel Trammell, XpertLoop.ai
Joel Trammell
XpertLoop.ai

CEO and co-founder of XpertLoop, the leading AI platform for the CEO role. A longtime Austin entrepreneur who has founded multiple successful startups, Joel focuses on helping leaders reach their full potential.

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Joel Trammell
XpertLoop.ai
Jon Werner, FIESTA
Jon Werner
FIESTA

Co-founder of EventMagic and FIESTA, one of Austin's largest founder and investor communities. A technologist with 35+ years in software and 80+ U.S. patents, many from his decade at adidas, he now builds AI that strengthens real-world human connection.

Tap to read more
Jon Werner
FIESTA
Renji Bijoy, Immersed
Renji Bijoy
Immersed

Founder & CEO of Immersed, building spatial computing and AI productivity tools including Visor. A former software architect with PhD work in computer vision at Georgia Tech, he's raised $40M+ and grown Immersed to 1.5M+ users worldwide.

Tap to read more
Renji Bijoy
Immersed
Jeff Johns, Impact Foundation
Jeff Johns
Impact Foundation

Co-founder and CEO of Impact Foundation, with 30+ years in entrepreneurship, generosity, and impact investing. He previously led growth at National Christian Foundation, opening 30 offices in 12 years. He and his wife Jacqlyn also founded Acton Academy Albuquerque.

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Jeff Johns
Impact Foundation
Ryan Streeter, The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin
Ryan Streeter
The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin

Executive Director of the Civitas Institute at the University of Austin. Policy entrepreneurship, building think tanks, with a focus on cities, dynamism, and social mobility. We raised two now-adult kids on 2 continents in 5 cities where they never had a backyard or garage — and they have turned out great.

Tap to read more
Ryan Streeter
The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin
Cameron Deike, Prosper CFO
Cameron Deike
Prosper CFO

President and Founder of Prosper, providing accounting and finance for companies with $10–100M in revenue. Prosper has doubled in size four years running and made the Inc. 5000. Cameron believes how Christian owners run their businesses is their biggest Kingdom impact.

Tap to read more
Cameron Deike
Prosper CFO
Derek Welborn, Saints Western
Derek Welborn
Saints Western

After 15 years in full-time ministry, a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity — and became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. He lives in Austin with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray, telling redemptive stories through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God's leading.

Tap to read more
Derek Welborn
Saints Western
Scott Harris, Social Factor
Scott Harris
Social Factor

Fractional CMO with Chief Outsiders, driving revenue growth across tech, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofits. He's also co-founder of Social Factor, a social media community management consultancy, and a founder, investor, and Christ follower.

Tap to read more
Scott Harris
Social Factor
Brett Ender & Harry Gray, Noble Origins
Brett Ender & Harry Gray
Noble Origins

Harry Gray is Founder and CEO of Noble Origins, a wellness brand based in Austin, Texas.

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Brett Ender & Harry Gray
Noble Origins
Jake Thomsen, Sovereign's Capital
Jake Thomsen
Sovereign's Capital

Managing Partner at Sovereign's Capital, where he leads venture investing in faith-driven founders from pre-seed to Series A, at a firm with $1.2B+ under management. He helped launch Faith Driven Entrepreneur in 2017 and is called to support founders through their loneliest years.

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Jake Thomsen
Sovereign's Capital
Richard Cunningham, Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital
Richard Cunningham
Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital

VP & investor at Sovereign's Capital, underwriting private equity, growth equity, and venture funds that promote human flourishing. He hosts the Faith Driven Investor Podcast and founded the Faith Driven Investor Fund Manager Gathering. Baylor finance and MBA grad, and former Bears centerfielder.

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Richard Cunningham
Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital
Wesley Fang, Kingdom Capital Network
Wesley Fang
Kingdom Capital Network

Executive Director at Kingdom Capital Network, a faith-based nonprofit helping underserved small-business owners gain access to meaningful capital, mentorship, and leadership development to scale their businesses for Kingdom impact. Previously Vice Chair at ForbesBooks, assisting founders and CEOs with book concept and go-to-market strategy, and leader of the due diligence team at an Austin-based venture capital firm, overseeing investor relations for 25+ companies and transacting over $20M. His greatest passion is helping entrepreneurs across all sectors steward their businesses well for the Kingdom.

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Wesley Fang
Kingdom Capital Network
Sean Riley, The Stony Brook School
Sean Riley
The Stony Brook School

Chief Strategy Officer at The Stony Brook School and founding Executive Director of Gravitas, now the No. 3-ranked online private school in America. He also founded EDified Strategies, helping Christian schools and mission-driven organizations with strategy, growth, and the wise use of AI.

Tap to read more
Sean Riley
The Stony Brook School
Patrick Farrell, Keystone Investing
Patrick Farrell
Keystone Investing

Founder and Executive Director of Keystone Investing, a community of faith-driven investors with chapters in DC, Austin, and St. Louis. Since 2022, Keystone has invested in 30+ companies and deployed nearly $7M. Previously on the founding executive team at Nehemiah Security.

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Patrick Farrell
Keystone Investing
Todd Engstrom, Greater Austin Mission Society
Todd Engstrom
Greater Austin Mission Society

Executive Director of the Greater Austin Mission Society, leading strategy, research, citywide relationships, and organizational development. In Austin since 2004, he has spent two decades in church planting, leadership development, and global mission — previously as Executive Pastor of Ministry Strategies at The Austin Stone and a founding leader of the 100 UPG Cooperative. He and Olivia have five children.

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Todd Engstrom
Greater Austin Mission Society
Caren Kelleher, Gold Rush Vinyl
Caren Kelleher
Gold Rush Vinyl

Founder & CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, the Austin pressing plant named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and co-owner of Waterloo Records. A former Google Play and Songkick leader with a Harvard MBA, she was named Austin Business Journal's Best CEO of 2023.

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Caren Kelleher
Gold Rush Vinyl
Ryan O'Keefe, ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast
Ryan O'Keefe
ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast

Co-founder and VP of the Austin Technology Prayer Breakfast, an annual gathering where Austin's tech community hears the gospel. Drawing on global missions, church staff leadership, and enterprise software sales, he inspires an "As You Go" faith at work.

Tap to read more
Ryan O'Keefe
ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast
Prayer Partner
Luke Cochran, PRAY ATX
Luke Cochran
PRAY ATX

Attorney and partner at Bovey & Cochran, PLLC, representing local governments across Texas. With his wife Haley, he stewards Pray ATX, a movement cultivating spaces across the city where people encounter God's presence in prayer.

Tap to read more
Luke Cochran
PRAY ATX
Prayer Partner
Jenn Mazzola, Northpoint Austin
Jenn Mazzola
Northpoint Austin
MC
Mark McClain, SailPoint Technologies
Mark McClain
SailPoint Technologies

Founder and CEO of SailPoint, a leader in unified identity security for enterprises with 2,645 employees. He's earned acclaim for the strength of SailPoint's culture — the backbone of the company's success — and now shares that people-first ethic with leaders everywhere to bring startup culture back from the brink.

Tap to read more
Mark McClain
SailPoint Technologies
Rich Carney, In the City for the City
Rich Carney
In the City for the City

Retired U.S. Army LTC and Green Beret who moved from State Department counterterrorism work to three decades of building Kingdom movements. He has led six citywide initiatives, helped catalyze 400+ new churches, and founded In The City For The City. Author of Walking Together.

Tap to read more
Rich Carney
In the City for the City
Joel Trammell, XpertLoop.ai
Joel Trammell
XpertLoop.ai

CEO and co-founder of XpertLoop, the leading AI platform for the CEO role. A longtime Austin entrepreneur who has founded multiple successful startups, Joel focuses on helping leaders reach their full potential.

Tap to read more
Joel Trammell
XpertLoop.ai
Jon Werner, FIESTA
Jon Werner
FIESTA

Co-founder of EventMagic and FIESTA, one of Austin's largest founder and investor communities. A technologist with 35+ years in software and 80+ U.S. patents, many from his decade at adidas, he now builds AI that strengthens real-world human connection.

Tap to read more
Jon Werner
FIESTA
Renji Bijoy, Immersed
Renji Bijoy
Immersed

Founder & CEO of Immersed, building spatial computing and AI productivity tools including Visor. A former software architect with PhD work in computer vision at Georgia Tech, he's raised $40M+ and grown Immersed to 1.5M+ users worldwide.

Tap to read more
Renji Bijoy
Immersed
Jeff Johns, Impact Foundation
Jeff Johns
Impact Foundation

Co-founder and CEO of Impact Foundation, with 30+ years in entrepreneurship, generosity, and impact investing. He previously led growth at National Christian Foundation, opening 30 offices in 12 years. He and his wife Jacqlyn also founded Acton Academy Albuquerque.

Tap to read more
Jeff Johns
Impact Foundation
Ryan Streeter, The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin
Ryan Streeter
The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin

Executive Director of the Civitas Institute at the University of Austin. Policy entrepreneurship, building think tanks, with a focus on cities, dynamism, and social mobility. We raised two now-adult kids on 2 continents in 5 cities where they never had a backyard or garage — and they have turned out great.

Tap to read more
Ryan Streeter
The Civitas Institute at the University of Austin
Cameron Deike, Prosper CFO
Cameron Deike
Prosper CFO

President and Founder of Prosper, providing accounting and finance for companies with $10–100M in revenue. Prosper has doubled in size four years running and made the Inc. 5000. Cameron believes how Christian owners run their businesses is their biggest Kingdom impact.

Tap to read more
Cameron Deike
Prosper CFO
Derek Welborn, Saints Western
Derek Welborn
Saints Western

After 15 years in full-time ministry, a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity — and became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. He lives in Austin with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray, telling redemptive stories through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God's leading.

Tap to read more
Derek Welborn
Saints Western
Scott Harris, Social Factor
Scott Harris
Social Factor

Fractional CMO with Chief Outsiders, driving revenue growth across tech, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofits. He's also co-founder of Social Factor, a social media community management consultancy, and a founder, investor, and Christ follower.

Tap to read more
Scott Harris
Social Factor
Brett Ender & Harry Gray, Noble Origins
Brett Ender & Harry Gray
Noble Origins

Harry Gray is Founder and CEO of Noble Origins, a wellness brand based in Austin, Texas.

Tap to read more
Brett Ender & Harry Gray
Noble Origins
Jake Thomsen, Sovereign's Capital
Jake Thomsen
Sovereign's Capital

Managing Partner at Sovereign's Capital, where he leads venture investing in faith-driven founders from pre-seed to Series A, at a firm with $1.2B+ under management. He helped launch Faith Driven Entrepreneur in 2017 and is called to support founders through their loneliest years.

Tap to read more
Jake Thomsen
Sovereign's Capital
Richard Cunningham, Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital
Richard Cunningham
Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital

VP & investor at Sovereign's Capital, underwriting private equity, growth equity, and venture funds that promote human flourishing. He hosts the Faith Driven Investor Podcast and founded the Faith Driven Investor Fund Manager Gathering. Baylor finance and MBA grad, and former Bears centerfielder.

Tap to read more
Richard Cunningham
Faith Driven Investing at Sovereign's Capital
Wesley Fang, Kingdom Capital Network
Wesley Fang
Kingdom Capital Network

Executive Director at Kingdom Capital Network, a faith-based nonprofit helping underserved small-business owners gain access to meaningful capital, mentorship, and leadership development to scale their businesses for Kingdom impact. Previously Vice Chair at ForbesBooks, assisting founders and CEOs with book concept and go-to-market strategy, and leader of the due diligence team at an Austin-based venture capital firm, overseeing investor relations for 25+ companies and transacting over $20M. His greatest passion is helping entrepreneurs across all sectors steward their businesses well for the Kingdom.

Tap to read more
Wesley Fang
Kingdom Capital Network
Sean Riley, The Stony Brook School
Sean Riley
The Stony Brook School

Chief Strategy Officer at The Stony Brook School and founding Executive Director of Gravitas, now the No. 3-ranked online private school in America. He also founded EDified Strategies, helping Christian schools and mission-driven organizations with strategy, growth, and the wise use of AI.

Tap to read more
Sean Riley
The Stony Brook School
Patrick Farrell, Keystone Investing
Patrick Farrell
Keystone Investing

Founder and Executive Director of Keystone Investing, a community of faith-driven investors with chapters in DC, Austin, and St. Louis. Since 2022, Keystone has invested in 30+ companies and deployed nearly $7M. Previously on the founding executive team at Nehemiah Security.

Tap to read more
Patrick Farrell
Keystone Investing
Todd Engstrom, Greater Austin Mission Society
Todd Engstrom
Greater Austin Mission Society

Executive Director of the Greater Austin Mission Society, leading strategy, research, citywide relationships, and organizational development. In Austin since 2004, he has spent two decades in church planting, leadership development, and global mission — previously as Executive Pastor of Ministry Strategies at The Austin Stone and a founding leader of the 100 UPG Cooperative. He and Olivia have five children.

Tap to read more
Todd Engstrom
Greater Austin Mission Society
Caren Kelleher, Gold Rush Vinyl
Caren Kelleher
Gold Rush Vinyl

Founder & CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, the Austin pressing plant named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and co-owner of Waterloo Records. A former Google Play and Songkick leader with a Harvard MBA, she was named Austin Business Journal's Best CEO of 2023.

Tap to read more
Caren Kelleher
Gold Rush Vinyl
Ryan O'Keefe, ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast
Ryan O'Keefe
ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast

Co-founder and VP of the Austin Technology Prayer Breakfast, an annual gathering where Austin's tech community hears the gospel. Drawing on global missions, church staff leadership, and enterprise software sales, he inspires an "As You Go" faith at work.

Tap to read more
Ryan O'Keefe
ATX Technology Prayer Breakfast
Prayer Partner
Luke Cochran, PRAY ATX
Luke Cochran
PRAY ATX

Attorney and partner at Bovey & Cochran, PLLC, representing local governments across Texas. With his wife Haley, he stewards Pray ATX, a movement cultivating spaces across the city where people encounter God's presence in prayer.

Tap to read more
Luke Cochran
PRAY ATX
Prayer Partner
Founders Showcase
Noble Origins logoSocial Factor logoProsper CFO logoSycamore Equity logoSaints Western logo
Our Strategy

Three movements.

Venture Forge moves from a single event to an enduring ecosystem by accelerating ventures, galvanizing leaders, and equipping founders.

Accelerate Ventures

Help Christ-centered entrepreneurs move from vision to action by connecting them with the relationships, resources, and capital needed to solve real problems.

Galvanize the Ecosystem

Bring together entrepreneurs, investors, churches, nonprofits, business leaders, universities, and civic organizations around a shared Kingdom mission.

Showcase, Equip & Expand

Celebrate faithful entrepreneurship, equip founders to flourish, and expand the vision of Kingdom investing across every form of capital.

Who This Is For

Built for the builders, backers, and bridge-builders.

Venture-Forge Austin is designed for three kinds of Kingdom-economy leaders.

For Investors

Investors gain access to curated, faith-driven businesses and strategies for mission-aligned investing.

Join the Summit

For Leaders

Connect with innovators shaping markets and discover how faith is fueling entrepreneurship.

Join the Summit

For Supporting Organizations

Showcase your vision and expertise with the faith-driven business leaders who navigate their God-given mandate in the marketplace.

Join the Summit
Our Partners

Standing with organizations advancing the Kingdom economy.

SVC
The Lion's Den
Fiesta
LiftUp
LivingWater
Lamp Post Coffee
Austin Christian University
Concordia University Texas
Impact Foundation
Immersed
Sovereign's Capital
Orderly AI
SVC
The Lion's Den
Fiesta
LiftUp
LivingWater
Lamp Post Coffee
Austin Christian University
Concordia University Texas
Impact Foundation
Immersed
Sovereign's Capital
Orderly AI
SVC
The Lion's Den
Fiesta
LiftUp
LivingWater
Lamp Post Coffee
Austin Christian University
Concordia University Texas
Impact Foundation
Immersed
Sovereign's Capital
Orderly AI
Forge sparks
Our Vision

Fueling the Kingdom economy.

Venture Forge Austin exists to fuel the growth of the Kingdom economy by investing in transformative, faith-driven entrepreneurship. Our vision is to become the go-to hub where faith-driven capital, ventures, and leaders meet and collaborate for Kingdom impact.

Read the vision
2026 Event

September
23–24, 2026.

Austin already has Christian leaders active in Kingdom capital and ventures — much of that work is happening in silos. We are creating a space where investors and entrepreneurs come together to generate lasting impact economically, socially, and spiritually.

Summit attendees
Join us

September 23-24 at Riverbend Centre

Join us September 23-24 at Riverbend Centre in Austin, Texas, for the first-ever Venture-Forge Austin event. From engaging with a thriving faith-driven business community to discovering redemptive ventures seeking investment, this gathering will be a can’t-miss opportunity to be part of what God is building through business in Austin and beyond. Registration is opening soon!

Get notified