Way back in 2004, the business community started to realize that the only way to be successful in your business endeavor was no longer becoming a sell-side investment banker as soon as you graduated school. The birth of the Hedge Fund was dawning on the entrepreneurial world. People realized that they could understand businesses and could see value in them and their transactions. Once they realized that they could understand a business, how it worked, and the difference between a good business and a great business, they started investing in them. This independent investing led to group investing, which eventually led to venture capital, which eventually led to the startup ecosystem. And here we are today – a society that is filled with entrepreneurs living out their dreams and pursuing their ideas.

But it’s not easy being an entrepreneur. In fact, the majority of the time, it flat out sucks! From the moment that the proverbial light bulb turns on, all hell breaks loose. First, you start with copious amounts of research, learning about the market and your idea. Then you find yourself testing the market and pivoting frequently. Everyone always has their own opinion about what you’re doing and they feel compelled to tell you what to do and how to do it – there never seems to be any congruency. Rifling out business plans, operational procedures, pitch decks, is all just the beginning. Then comes building partnerships and seeking out investment, all while dealing the inevitable statistic that 90% of startups fail. And, this is all before you even open your doors for business. Sacrifice becomes a way of life. Some entrepreneurs keep their full-time jobs while doing this – but they know that as soon as they get home, there is no time for a beer or to watch the latest episode of “Game of Thrones”. Instead, they hunker down and work until 2am before getting a few winks in and waking up to do it all again. You forego time with friends, your family is ignored, you risk your money and your pride. All for something that you truly and deeply believe in. Passion becomes an understatement. You’re obsessed!

This is what IAMSTARTUP was born from. Sometimes, while you’re running against the wind (both ways), wouldn’t it be nice to have a little “simple something” to make you smile. Something to keep you going. Something to hold your head up high for, and remember that your eye is on the prize. We started this apparel brand for, and by, startups to wear proudly and remind themselves that being a startup is not just a noun, but also an adjective. It may seem simple and silly but try it. Say it out load – “IAMSTARTUP”. It’s like an energy drink for your hustle. You work the way nobody will so that you can live the way nobody can.

Let us be straight-up with you! We are going to do whatever we can to DIRECTLY help startups! What does this mean? Well… we have committed to taking a portion from each sale of our products and putting it right towards startups that need it. That means we have an investment fund that puts money (cold hard cash) right in the pockets of startups so that they can grow and make their dreams come true.

We aren’t in the business of hosing our supporters so every investment is made with the startups needs at the forefront. This means that depending on the situation and what they require, we will do our best to accomodate them in a way that will breed success and fruitfulness.

We know you want to be a part of this movement!