In 2022, Founders Advisors established The John Michael Pierce Entrepreneurial Fund to honor and continue the legacy of John Michael as a fun-loving, entrepreneurial and impactful person. Founders Advisors committed $500,000 to be funded over 10 years, along with matching funds from others, to form a philanthropic perpetual fund with a goal of reinvesting returned capital so it can be recycled for ongoing support of young entrepreneurs in our community. The purpose of the fund is to invest in aspiring entrepreneurs, like John Michael, who are chasing their dreams. Every year, an entrepreneur with the best business idea is chosen to receive up to $100,000 in funding. Selection criteria is based analysis of the entrepreneur’s plan as well as how the entrepreneur matches the personality and enthusiasm of John Michael.

This year’s award was presented at the 35th Annual Jemison Award ceremony, hosted by the Alabama Venture Club. The Jemison Award is Alabama’s most prestigious honor recognizing high-quality, fast-growing companies based in the Birmingham area.

The recipient of the 2nd annual John Michael Pierce Award was presented to VeroSkills, a workforce platform aimed towards retraining refugees into great careers in AI, Automation, and Software Engineering. Founders team members, Duane Donner, Founder and CEO, and Chris Jenkins, Vice President and brother-in-law to John Michael, presented the award alongside the Pierce family to Daniel Walsh, Founder and CEO of VeroSkills.

If you are interested in learning more about the John Michael Pierce Foundation or feel led to donate to the Entrepreneurial Fund, you can find more information here.