Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures gives people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance through entrepreneurship, career readiness, and personal development training programs, both in prison and in community facilities. Defy's program features a Shark-tank style pitch competition judged by volunteers from the business community. Our vision is to cut recidivism (return to prison) rates in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives, empowering currently and formerly incarcerated people to defy the odds.

Defy equips program participants (whom we call Entrepreneurs in Training, or EITs) with the skills and tools to become productive and committed employees, business owners, and community members. Defy operates its core program, CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) in six SoCal prisons (where nearly 50% of our current EITs will release to LA County), and in two transitional facilities in LA County. After EITs are released, they can enroll in our post-release programs, including a business incubator.

Defy Ventures’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp empowers formerly incarcerated individuals to build economic stability and self-worth through entrepreneurship. Participants receive intensive business training, mentorship, and seed funding support—turning lived experience into leadership and self-employment opportunities.

Defy Ventures’ in-prison program, CEO of Your New Life, transforms prison culture and prepares participants for safe, successful reentry. This trauma-informed curriculum blends personal development, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to reduce violence, foster healing, and promote accountability. With strong results and deep ties to LA County, this program equips individuals to return home as leaders, not liabilities.

Defy Ventures’ Career & Reentry Services provide trauma-informed reentry coaching, resource navigation, and mental health access for Angelenos returning home from incarceration. Participants receive 1:1 coaching, peer support groups, and free therapy to foster emotional regulation, achieve stable housing, and long-term employment. With this support, individuals are more likely to thrive—and far less likely to return to prison.