Dorian Dickinson
Multiple time founder. Currently lead FundingHope crowdfunding platform.
Founder and CEO · Chicago, IL
Open to advisory
5 hrs / month
Funding · Operations & Finance · Leadership & Strategy
5 years building FundingHope from scratch. Multiple time founder with grit and resilience. 20+ years in business development, capital strategy, and partnerships. I know what it takes to build a business, get it funded, and scale it.
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About Dorian
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)
Company
FundingHope
fundinghope.com
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.
Company Stage
Growth
Funding Stage
Seed
Funding Raised
$1m to $5m
Team Size
1-5 employees
Annual Revenue
Undisclosed
Location
Chicago, IL
Founded
2021
Industry
Finance
Skills
Founder
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
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.
Entrepreneurship
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.
Business Strategy
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.
Leadership
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.
Experience
job
Co-Founder, CEO, & Managing Director
FundingHope, LLC
Dorian Dickinson is Founder, CEO, and Managing Director of FundingHope, an SEC-registered, FINRA-member crowdfunding platform connecting impact-focused investors with entrepreneurs advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He built FundingHope after more than a decade working on economic development and sustainability projects in rural America, conflict zones, and developing countries, work that showed him how often strong ideas stall for lack of access to capital. Before FundingHope, Dorian spent 15 years building economic development, sustainability, and public health initiatives in underserved communities across the U.S., Mexico, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, including helping stand up Afghanistan's first commercial poultry operation in 40 years and introducing renewable energy and sanitation infrastructure to drought-affected regions of Kenya and Palestine. In Chicago, he was contracted under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration to build Make It Right, the city's first integrated crime-prevention and community development program. At FundingHope, Dorian runs the full operation, from regulatory compliance and issuer onboarding to capital strategy and partnerships, giving him a ground-level view of what it actually takes to get a company from idea to funded.
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.