Tagline
FundingHope is an SEC and FINRA registered investment crowdfunding platform developed to connect impact investors with founders in need of capital and addressing UN SDG targets.
Bio
Co-Founder, CEO, & Managing Director – FundingHope, LLC
Dorian Dickinson is a pioneering force in the investment crowdfunding space, with over a decade of experience fueling innovation and capital access for founders and entrepreneurs in disadvantaged and rural communities around the world. As the Co-Founder, CEO and Managing Director of FundingHope, Dorian has spearheaded the development of one of the most dynamic and accessible SEC-registered, FINRA-member platforms for startups and investors alike, democratizing investment opportunities and empowering entrepreneurs who have historically been left behind by traditional banks and Wall Street.
With a background in business and rural development, Dorian's journey began by creating access to capital for communities in need across America, Mexico, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazonia, and Southeast Asia, where he quickly recognized the vast untapped potential of crowdfunding to transform the entrepreneurial landscape. Driven by a passion for inclusive finance and a belief in the power of community, he launched FundingHope to bridge the gap between innovative startups and forward-thinking impact investors.
Dorian’s visionary approach has not only earned him accolades within the industry but is also making a tangible difference in the lives of founders and investors who seek more meaningful engagement with the financial ecosystem.
A respected voice in the crowdfunding and fintech communities, Dorian is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a contributor to several leading publications on finance and entrepreneurship. His insights into the future of investment and the role of technology in enabling more equitable access to capital continue to inspire and influence the evolving landscape of crowdfunding.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dorian is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
In a world where access to capital can make or break dreams, Dorian Dickinson stands at the forefront of a movement to make those dreams accessible to all.
Skills:
Capital Raising & Investment Crowdfunding
Investment Crowdfunding (Reg CF)
Capital Formation Strategy
Investor Relations & Engagement
SEC and FINRA Compliance (Reg CF)
Campaign Structuring & Management
Financial Modeling for Startups
Bridge Financing Strategy
SAFE Agreements & Convertible Notes
Business Growth & Development
Startup Growth Strategy
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Fundraising for Impact Ventures
Venture Capital & Angel Investment Advisory
Scaling Early-Stage Companies
Impact Investing Strategy
International Market Expansion
Leadership & Strategic Management
Executive Leadership
Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Management
Team Building & Organizational Culture
Strategic Planning & Execution
Advisory Board Development
Public Speaking & Thought Leadership
Marketing & Storytelling
Investment Campaign Marketing
Storytelling for Investor Outreach
Pitch Deck Development & Coaching
Community Engagement Strategy
Brand Positioning for Impact Startups
Specialty Areas
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Strategy
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Alignment
Rural and Underserved Community Investment
Economic Development through Entrepreneurship
Cross-Sector Collaboration (Private, Public, Nonprofit)
Location
Chicago, IL
Last Active
13 days ago
Name / Logo
Elevator Pitch
FundingHope is an SEC-registered, FINRA member investment crowdfunding platform developed to connect everyday and accredited investors with founders in need of capital and contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Industry
Finance
Location
Chicago, IL
Website
Team Size
1-5 employees
Company Stage
Growth
Funding Stage
Seed
Funding Raised
$1m to $5m
Annual Revenue
Undisclosed
| Skill | Strength | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | 95 / 100 | Dorian co-founded FundingHope, contributing to the growth of an innovative crowdfunding platform. As a multiple-time founder, I bring deep, hands-on experience in launching, scaling, and leading successful ventures across both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. I have built companies from the ground up, developing expertise in startup growth strategy, capital raising, business development, and team leadership. My work has included navigating regulatory compliance, structuring investment crowdfunding campaigns, forming strategic partnerships, and positioning brands for growth in competitive markets. This experience gives me a unique perspective on the challenges founders face and the strategies required to build resilient, mission-driven organizations that achieve lasting impact. |
| Crowdfunding | 95 / 100 | Dorian has successfully raised between $500k and $1M for FundingHope, demonstrating strong fundraising capabilities. In the crowdfunding space, Dorian focuses on business growth and development through startup growth strategy, business development and strategic partnerships, fundraising for impact ventures, venture capital and angel investment advisory, scaling early-stage companies, and impact investing strategy. I also bring experience in market positioning for crowdfunding campaigns, investor targeting and engagement, campaign marketing, and guiding companies through international market expansion. |
| Finance | 95 / 100 | Dorian has a deep understanding of the finance industry, particularly in investment crowdfunding and fintech. He specializes in capital raising and investment crowdfunding, with expertise in Investment Crowdfunding (Reg CF), capital formation strategy, investor relations and engagement, SEC and FINRA compliance for Reg CF offerings, campaign structuring and management, financial modeling for startups, bridge financing strategy, and structuring SAFE agreements and convertible notes. |
| Entrepreneurship | 95 / 100 | As a co-founder and CEO, Dorian has led the establishment and growth of FundingHope, navigating the complexities of startup management. In the field of entrepreneurship, Dorian brings expertise in executive leadership, nonprofit and social enterprise management, team building and cultivating organizational culture, strategic planning and execution, advisory board development, and public speaking and thought leadership. |
| Sales | 90 / 100 | Dorian has extensive experience in connecting investors with founders, focusing on capital access for underserved communities. Dorian's expertise includes consultative sales, relationship-driven selling, B2B and B2C sales strategy, lead generation and pipeline management, client acquisition and retention, sales process optimization, account management, strategic partnership development, negotiating and closing deals, and building high-performing sales teams. |
| Business Strategy | 90 / 100 | Dorian brings extensive experience in business strategy, helping founders refine their business models, develop scalable growth plans, and position their companies for long-term success. His background includes strategic fundraising planning, market entry and expansion strategy, operational scaling, and aligning mission-driven goals with investor expectations. Dorian works closely with entrepreneurs to strengthen their go-to-market approach, build strategic partnerships, and create sustainable frameworks that support both financial performance and social impact. With a deep understanding of early-stage company challenges, he focuses on practical, actionable strategies that help founders move from vision to execution. |
| Marketing | 90 / 100 | Dorian has developed marketing strategies to promote FundingHope and its mission to democratize investment opportunities. Dorian specializes in marketing and storytelling strategies that help startups and impact-driven ventures connect with investors and broader audiences. His expertise includes investment campaign marketing, crafting compelling storytelling for investor outreach, and developing and coaching effective pitch decks that resonate with potential backers. Dorian focuses on building community engagement strategies that foster authentic connections and loyalty, as well as brand positioning that elevates impact startups and clearly communicates their mission, value, and growth potential. |
| Leadership | 90 / 100 | Dorian is an experienced leader who has built and scaled organizations across both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His leadership style emphasizes strategic clarity, team development, and a mission-driven approach to growth. With a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, Dorian focuses on building strong cultures, aligning teams around shared goals, and fostering environments where innovation and accountability thrive. He has led diverse teams through early-stage growth, capital raises, market expansion, and organizational change, always with an emphasis on purpose-driven leadership and long-term success. Dorian’s experience working with founders, investors, and community stakeholders positions him as a trusted advisor and leader committed to advancing both business and impact. |
| Speaker | 85 / 100 | Dorian is a respected speaker at industry conferences, sharing insights on crowdfunding and finance. He has developed expertise in public speaking, focusing on delivering keynote addresses, moderating panels, and leading workshops on investment crowdfunding, entrepreneurship, and business development. Dorian specializes in communicating complex topics like SEC and FINRA compliance, capital formation strategy, impact investing, and startup growth in a clear, engaging, and actionable way. His public speaking experience also includes mentoring entrepreneurs through pitch coaching, investor presentations, and strategic storytelling for fundraising success. |
| Mentoring | 85 / 100 | Dorian is committed to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge and experience. Dorian brings a mentoring approach grounded in executive leadership, team building, and strategic planning, helping founders and early-stage entrepreneurs strengthen their organizational culture, scale their companies, and navigate the complexities of business growth and fundraising. His experience in nonprofit and social enterprise management, advisory board development, impact investing strategy, and investor relations allows him to guide entrepreneurs through capital formation, strategic partnerships, and crowdfunding success, while also supporting their personal and professional leadership development. |
Title
Co-Founder, CEO, & Managing Director
Position Description
As the Founder, CEO, and Managing Director of FundingHope, Dorian Dickinson leads the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of an SEC-registered, FINRA-member investment crowdfunding platform committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Under his leadership, FundingHope connects mission-driven investors with entrepreneurs working to create sustainable and inclusive businesses across communities in the United States. Dorian oversees platform development, issuer onboarding, investor engagement, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that each campaign aligns with both impact and financial rigor. His role includes shaping strategic partnerships, guiding capital raising efforts, and building a team culture rooted in transparency, innovation, and community empowerment.
Accomplishment Notes
Launched FundingHope, an SEC-registered, FINRA-member investment crowdfunding platform that connects investors with businesses addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets in underserved communities. Built and scaled the platform from concept to operational launch, including regulatory approval, product development, and strategic go-to-market execution. Named a Top 10 Innovator of 2024 by Innovation in Business Magazine and selected as a 2024 Chicago Innovation Award Nominee, recognizing FundingHope's role in democratizing access to capital. Developed the FundingHope LaunchPad, a premium service offering that supports founders in campaign preparation, compliance, and investor outreach. Established strategic partnerships with ecosystem leaders across venture capital, community development, and impact investing, helping to expand FundingHope’s reach and credibility. Featured speaker at national events, including SuperCrowd Chicago and the Inclusive Capital at Scale summit, sharing insights on crowdfunding models, regulatory strategy, and inclusive economic growth. Recognized for leadership in impact finance, empowering founders to raise capital while addressing critical challenges like financial inclusion, climate action, and community development.