This is PHX FWD.
PHX FWD is a founder-led organization that’s not just building a community. We’re helping software founders build great companies, lighting the growth path through “The 7 Stages”.
We know software companies need three things to win —coaching, capital and talent. PHX FWD provides the programming, content, and community that founders need to win.
Our Vision
Make PHX a Top Software City by 2035.
Our Purpose
Helping software companies win.
Our Mission
By 2027, PHX will be viewed as an emerging software city, with:
1000 software
COMPANIES
$500m of
CAPITAL
invested
3000
COMMUNITY
members
Our Values
GENEROSITY
AMBITION
COLLABORATION
LEARNING
GRIT
Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific •
Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific •
Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific •
Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific •
Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific • Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific • Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific • Founder-led • Stage-based • Software-specific •
Our Programs
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Quarterly gatherings designed to unite the PHX software community. Each event brings together founders, builders, and operators for an evening of high-impact networking, great food and drinks, and a fireside chat.
The next date will be announced soon!
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Bi-weekly, function-focused sessions delivered by software company builders, designed to help operators go deep on the strategies that matter most to drive growth. Each two-hour workshop is led by an experienced leader in a specific business function.
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A job board for software roles at high-growth companies in Phoenix. And Peer Groups for key leaders that are stage-specific and function-focused.
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Content, courses and connection to capital at every stage of the growth journey. From early-stage investment to practical capital sources like grants and loans, all the way to venture capital and private equity, founders need guidance to navigate the process of raising capital for their business.
More info coming soon!
In the meantime, learn about joining a Pitch Practice session → -
Founder-led, stage-specific peer groups for Founders and CEOs committed to growing their companies. These small group sessions create a trusted space to get coaching, share challenges, and learn from successful founders who have been through your stage of growth.
Our Team
Clate Mask
CEO
Clate Mask is a powerhouse in the world of entrepreneurship and he's putting that experience to work for Arizona’s software founders. As CEO of PHX FWD, a bold nonprofit on a mission to make Phoenix a top global software city by 2035, Clate is building the kind of founder-first ecosystem that drives innovation, connection, and growth. Through PHX FWD, he champions early-stage to scale-stage software ventures with a full suite of high-impact resources – founder-focused workshops, community events, and programs for coaching, capital and talent – all designed to help software startups get real traction and grow smart.
Before leading PHX FWD, Clate co-founded and scaled Infusionsoft and Keap into a global CRM and automation platform that empowered hundreds of thousands of small businesses. Under his leadership, the company landed on the Inc. 5000 list an impressive eight times. He's also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Conquer the Chaos, a go-to guide for turning startup stress into sustained momentum.
Clate brings more than experience, he brings energy, insight, and a deep belief in what’s possible when entrepreneurs have the tools and support to lead.
Anita Grantham
Talent Program Leader
Anita Grantham is a nationally recognized human capital strategist, celebrated for creating award-winning workplace cultures that drive performance and innovation. She has built high-performing environments at fast-growing tech firms like Pluralsight, BambooHR and Infusionsoft (Keap), earning recognition from Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For and Great Place to Work. Anita has scaled fast-growth companies from hundreds to thousands of employees across multiple geographies, contributing to successful exits including IPOs, private equity, and venture deals.
As an executive-in-residence, she collaborates with organizations to define mission, vision, and values, align strategies, and foster high-performing cultures. Anita advises boards, CEOs, and management teams, drawing on her deep expertise. As an investor and advisor with High Alpha, she guides purpose-driven startups, focusing on talent and scalable growth. A sought-after speaker, she shares insights on leadership and culture globally. Anita volunteers as a Barista for MyParent Cafe’s ADHD/Dyslexia Village, empowering parents. Her purpose-driven leadership drives transformative impact across industries and communities.
Marc Chesley
Capital Program Leader
Marc Chesley is a seasoned technology executive known for his leadership roles in several high-growth software companies. He served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head of Product at Infusionsoft (now Keap), where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company's annual revenue from $1 million to $100 million. After over a decade at Infusionsoft, Chesley transitioned to become the President of OfferPad. This real estate technology company rapidly achieved $100 million in revenue, marking it as one of Arizona's fastest-growing startups.
In August 2017, Chesley joined Paradox, an AI company focused on transforming the recruiting experience through assistive intelligence, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, he was responsible for product engineering, global operations, and the continued innovation of Paradox's AI recruiting assistant, Olivia, once again playing an instrumental role in growing the company from a startup to over $100 million in revenue.
Throughout his career, Chesley has demonstrated expertise in growing and scaling technology companies, leading product innovation, and securing substantial venture capital and strategic financing. His contributions have significantly impacted the tech industry, particularly in Arizona, where he was honored as Arizona CIO of the Year by the Arizona Technology Council and the Phoenix Business Journal, as well as IT Leader of the Year by the Society of Information Management (SIM).
Becky Winter
Director of Programming
+ Member Success
Becky Winter is the Director of Programming & Member Success at PHX FWD, where she combines her love of community-building with a passion for helping software companies grow. She got her start in software at Trainual, joining as an early team member and helping support the company’s growth from under $1M ARR to more than $15M ARR. Over five years there, she worked across marketing, events, partnerships, PR, operations, and strategic initiatives, gaining a firsthand view of what it takes to build and scale a software company.
Before and alongside her work in software, Becky built a broad background in brand strategy, marketing, events, operations, and business growth through consulting and leadership roles across tech and consumer brands. Her experience has included rebrands, launches, partnerships, creative campaigns, executive support, event strategy, and building the systems that help organizations grow with more clarity and alignment.
At PHX FWD, Becky brings that mix of operational leadership, marketing experience, and founder empathy into the work she does every day. She is passionate about creating programs, events, and member experiences that help founders feel supported, connected, and equipped to move through the stages of growth and build great software companies.
Chi Nguyen
Program Coordinator
Chi Nguyen is deeply passionate about building community and believes the strongest companies are built in environments where founders are supported, challenged, and connected. At PHX FWD, she is helping shape a founder-first ecosystem in Arizona, bringing together founders, operators, and investors through high-impact programs, events, and experiences designed to drive real traction.
She joined PHX FWD after earning her Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona. Prior to that, Chi was an Investment Analyst at Tech Launch Arizona, where she conducted due diligence on early-stage startups, led founder interviews, and presented investment recommendations for a $5M seed fund.
Chi has also led and scaled communities at a global level through her work with Work on Climate, where she helped grow a product-focused community through program design, experimentation, and member engagement initiatives.
She brings a unique blend of venture, product, and operational experience, but at her core, she is driven by one thing: building communities that help founders win.