Companies built differently.
SpringForward Ventures creates and operates employment social enterprises that help individuals encountering barriers to employment, including those with behavioral health wellness needs, access meaningful work, build economic agency, earn fairwages, and pursue future ownership through EVERY Employee, a framework centered on equity, voice, and ownership for every employee.
A SpringForward workplace embraces EVERY Employee making an investment upfront that unleashes potential, enables social connections so that a diverse workforce with unique abilities and needs thrives. A SpringForward company utilizing the EVERY Employee approach ensures all workers are valued and respected, earn fair wages, have a voice in governance and eventually an ownership stake in the business operation.
SpringForward provides financial, legal, technical, and entrepreneurial support to start-up companies utilizing the EVERY Employee framework.
Industries
Indoor Urban Agriculture
SpringForward Farms is a commercial indoor hydroponic farming operation and workforce development site designed to strengthen both the local economy and the regional food system. The farm produces premium microgreens year-round for retail, food service, and institutional customers while creating meaningful employment and career pathways for individuals encountering barriers to employment.
More than a farm, the facility serves as a hands-on training site where participants gain industry-recognized skills in controlled environment agriculture through a one-hundred-hour training program. By integrating commercial production with workforce development, SpringForward Farms demonstrates how social enterprise can generate both economic and community impact.
As one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture, controlled environment farming offers significant opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and job creation. Continued investment in equipment, technology, workforce training, and community partnerships will enable SpringForward Farms to expand production, create additional employment opportunities, and increase access to fresh, locally grown food throughout the region.
Food Production
At SpringForward Feeds, we believe healthy meals should be delicious, nourishing, and accessible to every student. Our commercial food production enterprise prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, scratch-cooked breakfasts and lunches. Every meal is thoughtfully prepared to promote health, well-being, and student success.
SpringForward Feeds is more than a food production company—it is a workforce development social enterprise. Through SpringForward's EVERY Employee™ framework, individuals both with and without barriers to employment gain meaningful work, industry skills, supportive coaching, and opportunities for economic mobility while helping nourish students throughout our community.
Each meal served represents an investment in both people and purpose. Revenue from food production supports employment opportunities and helps sustain operations, while philanthropic investments enable us to provide fresh, scratch-cooked meals to students as well as support apprenticeships in the food industry. Together, these investments strengthen student wellness, expand workforce opportunities, and demonstrate how mission-driven businesses can create lasting community impact.
How do I become part of SpringForward?
Whether you are looking to become part of an innovative company or an investor looking to make an impact, there are roles at SpringForward that require your unique skill set. Please drop us a note using our Contact form and tell us a little bit about yourself and your situation.
Let’s change the world together.
Our Partners
Funding Disclosure:
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. The total cost of the SpringForward Farms Workforce Development Services project is $307,000. 100% ($307,000) is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Disclaimer:
This product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites, and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.