In the world of early-stage innovation, Gene Murphy has carved out a role few can replicate, connecting capital, community, and opportunity with a fierce commitment to inclusion. As Vice President at J.P. Morgan, Murphy leads the firm’s Global Passport Banking & Startups Program, where he oversees venture partnerships, startup acceleration, and multicity initiatives that are rewriting the blueprint for who gets funded, and how.
But Murphy’s impact extends far beyond traditional finance. From co-founding FoundersBoost, a reimagined pre-accelerator for early-stage founders, to helping shape over 17 Techstars-powered cohorts, he’s become a behind-the-scenes architect of today’s most promising innovation ecosystems.
Driving Innovation Through J.P. Morgan & Techstars
At J.P. Morgan, Murphy co-leads the Techstars New York City Powered by J.P. Morgan program and other major cohort-based partnerships across the country. These initiatives are intentionally designed to support multicultural and underrepresented founders, addressing the equity gaps that have long existed in early-stage venture ecosystems.
In some cohorts, more than 100 diverse founders have participated, blending financial access, investor exposure, and operational mentorship in a model that’s gaining national recognition.
“If you are consistently meeting your most ambitious goals, you probably aren’t setting the bar high enough,” Murphy reshared in a post, reflecting a mindset that continues to shape his approach to founder support and program design.
FoundersBoost: Laying the Groundwork for High-Growth Startups
Before J.P. Morgan, Murphy co-founded what is now FoundersBoost, a global network of pre-accelerators offering foundational support to aspiring entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the program evolved into a structured launchpad helping hundreds of founders gain traction, navigate investor conversations, and accelerate product-market fit.
This work remains central to Murphy’s ethos: equipping first-time founders with the tools and belief system to scale confidently, even in uncertain markets.
Global Roots, Local Execution
Murphy’s leadership isn’t confined to New York. He previously served as Managing Director of the NadiFin Fintech Accelerator and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at WeWork Labs Dublin, mentoring European founders at the intersection of fintech, regulation, and product growth.
These experiences gave him a global lens on innovation, while his hands-on work with U.S. accelerators reflects an ability to build trust and structure in local ecosystems. He’s since emerged as a connector, someone who sees value not just in funding, but in community-building, trust, and shared outcomes.
Scaling Impact Through Platforms and Events
A core part of Murphy’s approach involves building platforms that scale beyond any single program. Through investor showcases, demo days, and strategic partnerships, he’s helped J.P. Morgan become more than a backer, it’s now seen as an active collaborator in startup growth.
Whether he’s moderating panels, introducing overlooked founders to top-tier VCs, or orchestrating pitch events in multiple cities, Murphy is quietly engineering visibility for entrepreneurs who deserve it.
Public Reach and Community Influence
Murphy’s insights on acceleration, founder growth, and capital readiness have earned him a LinkedIn following of over 11,200. His posts offer a mix of tactical startup advice, event recaps, and reflections on navigating high-stakes environments.
He also shares personal notes via Twitter (@genemurphy), once humorously reflecting, “Once had my life saved by U2’s The Edge… I also work with tech startups.”
