The basics:

• New nonprofit Trenton Forward launches to boost investment, economic development
• First Trenton Forward Summit scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027
• AI-powered Trenton Forward Atlas will connect businesses, properties, incentives
• Initiative aims to unite investors, developers, entrepreneurs, civic leaders

A group of business leaders are coming together to launch Trenton Forward. The new economic development platform is designed to make New Jersey’s Capital City easier to understand, navigate, and invest in.

NJBIZ has learned exclusive details about the organization, including the announcement of the inaugural Trenton Forward Summit, Jan. 14, 2027. The event will bring together business leaders, investors, principals, owners, developers, site selectors, advisors, entrepreneurs, civic leaders and institutional partners from across the state. Additionally, the effort will introduce a new ecosystem intelligence platform, Trenton Forward Atlas.

The Trenton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit is built around a new model for economic development – connecting people, organizations, information, capital, and opportunities to help move projects and ideas toward action.

Trenton Forward is launched by a founding board with experience spanning entrepreneurship, marketing, business growth, technology, organizational leadership and public-private partnerships. The group said the initiative is created around a shared belief that Trenton already possesses many of the assets needed for economic growth — including its role as the state capital, transportation connections, major institutions, historic neighborhoods, entrepreneurial talent, and strategically located properties.

However, greater coordination is needed to connect those assets with the resources required to create impact.

The founding Trenton Forward board includes:

Kwaku Dokyi, executive director and founding director, is a Trenton-based social entrepreneur and founder of The Kooman Co. He brings experience in operations, project management, compliance, global supply chains and business development, with a focus on building connections and creating pathways for opportunity.

Lawrence Krampf, chairman and founding director of Trenton Forward, brings more than four decades of experience in marketing, communications, business growth and civic leadership. An Advertising Hall of Fame inductee and NJBIZ ICON Honoree, Krampf brings statewide relationships, institutional credibility, and experience building organizations and partnerships.

Michael Hierl, secretary and founding director, is the retired founder of the Princeton-based Pacesetter Group of Cos. and a Harvard-trained organizational change expert. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, government leaders, civic organizations, and higher education institutions on organizational alignment and social entrepreneurship initiatives.

Michael Reagan, treasurer and founding director, is a former BellSouth chief information officer and CGI senior vice president. Reagan has led commercial and state-government sectors across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. He brings experience in technology leadership, modernization, public-private partnerships and institutional execution.

Building an ecosystem for Trenton’s future

Dokyi said Trenton Forward focuses on repositioning the city as a center for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development. At the same time, it will create a central platform that connects businesses, nonprofits, projects, initiatives and incentives.

“Our goal is to reposition Trenton as a city known for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development,” Dokyi told NJBIZ. “We are building an ecosystem that connects the people, organizations and opportunities shaping the city. That means highlighting business opportunities, supporting and promoting existing businesses and organizations, and helping them navigate site selection, incentives and approvals so they can move forward.”

Our goal is to reposition Trenton as a city known for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.
– Kwaku Dokyi, executive director and founding director, Trenton Forward

He said the organization is designed to support companies already operating in Trenton while also creating a foundation for future investment.

“For businesses already operating in Trenton, we want to strengthen the support infrastructure they need not only to remain here, but to thrive,” Dokyi said. “At the same time, we are building the foundation for new investment and for people who want to start businesses and raise their families in Trenton.”

He added, “Trenton Forward is not here to solve every problem on its own. We are creating a platform that helps the people and organizations already doing the work in the city move beyond silos, coordinate their efforts and work together more effectively.”

A new model for economic development

Krampf said the organization is focused on helping businesses and investors better navigate opportunities in Trenton. It also brings together the resources needed to move projects forward.

“We’re tying in with what the governor is looking to do to make it easier to do business, find a property, buy a property, get it approved, and restore or build,” Krampf told NJBIZ. “That’s the goal. Setting up a platform to bring together the community, market Trenton’s asset portfolio, and create a new model for economic development, using technology, and building relationships. Trenton Forward essentially connects the dots!”

The organization’s framework centers around four priorities supported by eight strategic pillars:

• Building the economy
  • Entrepreneurship & Small Business
  • Workforce & Opportunity Pathways

• Building connections
  • Ecosystem Visibility
  • Institutional Partnerships

• Building places
  • District & Corridor Activation
  • Property & Mixed-Use Development

• Building community
  • Arts, Culture & Placemaking
  • Ecosystem Stewardship

The eight pillars are reflected in

The Trenton Forward brand identity reflects the eight pillars, with a figure-eight design element representing an infinity loop. Organizers said the symbol shows the organization’s belief that economic development is an ongoing process — one built through continuous connection between people, ideas, resources and opportunities.

The logo highlights “RE” around revitalization and real estate, meanwhile the arrow symbolizes Trenton moving forward.

More broadly, the infinity symbol represents the organization’s goal of creating a permanent platform for collaboration. Trenton Forward seeks to outlast individual projects, leaders and initiatives while continuing to support the capital city’s growth for generations.

Why Now?

Krampf said several developments and marquee events helped highlight both the opportunity and urgency behind the launch.

“The World Cup and America 250 really brought it to my attention. We’re the only state capital in the country without a hotel. I own a business in Trenton. I want a place that has vibrancy after 5 p.m., where you can get a cup of coffee and build community, and feel safe,” said Krampf. He noted the untapped potential in Trenton is not currently fulfilled.

He said the city’s history, location, transportation assets, waterfront access and available properties create a foundation for future growth.

“There’s more history in Trenton than anywhere in the country. You’re on a train hub – you’re getting the advantage of what’s going on in New Brunswick right now. You’ve got an airport. You’re on the water. You’re halfway between New York and Philly. You’ve got land that is ripe for development. And basically, it’s just a matter of cleaning it up and making it vibrant again, reimagining the future of Trenton – from vacancy to vibrancy. We take these properties that are vacant and make it vibrant again.”

There’s more history in Trenton than anywhere in the country.
—Lawrence Krampf, chairman and founding director, Trenton Forward

The phrase “from vacancy to vibrancy” has become a defining theme of Trenton Forward’s vision. The group hopes to help transform underutilized properties and overlooked assets into opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship, community activity and economic growth.

Krampf said achieving that vision will require collaboration across sectors.

“You have to work collaboratively with government – state, local, and city government to make it happen. And what we want to do is have people choose New Jersey. Position this with universities, so we have workforce and build businesses here. So, Trenton becomes ‘Startup City.’”

First Trenton Forward Summit

A central piece of the organization’s launch is the announcement of the first Trenton Forward Summit at the Trenton War Memorial.

The January 2027 summit will bring together business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, institutions, civic leaders, principals, developers, site, selectors, advisors and implementation partners. The event will offer a day focused on information, collaboration, opportunity and dealmaking.

Organizers said the event will create a forum where leaders can identify opportunities, build relationships and move ideas toward execution.

Krampf said the goal is to create a gathering where conversations can turn into partnerships and projects.

“Attendees can expect an incredibly valuable day where they will become aware of the numerous opportunities available in Trenton, connect with business and community leaders within the city, and around the state, and create an easy pathway to invest in Trenton,” said Krampf.

Dokyi said the Summit will bring the broader Trenton Forward ecosystem to life through a series of interconnected experiences.

The Summit will feature:

• Main-stage conversations
• Trenton Forward Marketplace
• Breakout sessions
• The Choose Trenton Gallery
• An interactive Atlas Experience
• Partnership Lounge
• Trenton Forward Media Studio
• Curated networking opportunities

Together, these spaces seek to help participants identify opportunities, exchange practical solutions, build strategic relationships and move projects forward.

Introducing Trenton Forward Atlas

As part of the launch, Trenton Forward is also introducing Trenton Forward Atlas.

The AI-assisted economic development intelligence and activation platform is designed to make it easier for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and partners to navigate opportunities in Trenton.

The platform brings together information on properties, incentives, capital resources, organizations, projects and ecosystem partners. It establishes a guided system designed to help users understand opportunities, identify connections and determine next steps.

Building the future together

Trenton Forward is a year-round platform for relationship-building, thought leadership, ecosystem intelligence and economic development activity.

Its 365-day engagement calendar will include

• weekly episodes of the Trenton Forward Speakeasy Podcast and regular project updates
• monthly Morning Brew and Evening Brew gatherings under the “Things Are Brewing in Trenton” theme
• executive meetings and curated introductions
• quarterly white papers and advisory working sessions
• annual signature events, including Founders Night, the Founding Advisory Council Convening and the Trenton Forward Summit

Trenton Forward will also represent and promote the city at regional events throughout the year.

Organizers said the goal is to create an enduring platform for collaboration. A space to bring together business leaders, institutions, entrepreneurs, investors and community partners while continuing to expand the network of advisors, members, and strategic partners shaping Trenton’s future.

Additional announcements around partnerships, advisors, programs and opportunities to engage are expected in the coming weeks and months.

More information about Trenton Forward, the Summit, membership opportunities, and future announcements is available at TrentonForward.org.