Lighthouse Labs Evolves into Lighthouse Network, Marking a New Chapter in Founder Support

We're excited to announce our evolution into Lighthouse Network—a bold rebrand that reflects its long-standing mission: investing in the lives of founders.

Since our founding over a decade ago, Lighthouse has supported over 140 early-stage entrepreneurs through equity-free accelerator programs, mentorship, and capital access. Now, with a renewed focus on long-term, human-centered founder development, we are moving beyond time-bound cohorts to build a national network rooted in Richmond and powered by trusted relationships.

“We’ve always believed that when founders thrive, so do their companies,” said Debbie Irwin, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Network. “This transition to Lighthouse Network reflects what we’ve been doing for years—walking alongside founders, helping them navigate the messy middle, and building the kind of trust and support systems that aren’t found in a typical accelerator.”

The shift to Lighthouse Network includes:

• Year-round founder support through mentorship, curated investor connections, and targeted programming.

• Strategic events such as the Founder Network Summit, Investor Connect, and Demo Day, while still hosting one accelerator cohort per year.

• A growing national network of founders, mentors, and partners committed to long-term success—not just short-term outcomes.

The rebrand also includes a new visual identity, updated messaging, and a redesigned website, lighthousenetwork.co, to reflect the organization’s broader vision and nationwide reach.

“This isn’t just a name change,” said Irwin. “It’s a commitment to the people building bold ideas—and a recognition that founders need more than funding to succeed. They need community, connection, and a place that sees them as humans first.”