The Founders

Experience-backed. Future-forward.

Operators who have spent their careers building organizations from the ground up, growing them through transitions, and creating things that lasted. That experience lives inside everything Fist Bump Labs touches.

We've built things from scratch, scaled them, and handed them off. Now we're doing it again, on our own terms.

Over the course of their careers, the Kennedys have built organizations from the ground up, grown them through transitions, and created things that lasted. Fist Bump Labs is the platform where all of that experience comes together. Applied across a portfolio of ventures they believe in deeply enough to be fully invested in every outcome.

Bekki Kennedy

Co-Founder, Fist Bump Labs

Bekki Kennedy has spent her career turning early-stage potential into something real. She finds something worth building and she builds it. That pattern has held across every chapter.

At a leading healthcare consulting firm she was among the first employees, helping grow the organization into one of the most recognized names in the industry while building and scaling multiple divisions along the way. One of those divisions was Fire Starter Publishing, where she worked with 36 authors, published more than 40 books, and produced Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek bestsellers. She was recognized with the Fire Starter Award for long-term measurable and cultural impact.

Following the firm's acquisition by a strategic buyer, she supported the transition before turning her attention to community impact and the projects she felt most strongly about.

Today she leads Be the Bulb Publishing, working closely with authors on projects she believes in deeply. Her focus is expanding into AI and technology ventures where her operational background translates well. She serves as the strategic and creative force behind Fist Bump Labs and invests in the communities around her. The instinct for what matters, and the discipline to build it right, have never changed.

Track Record

Built Fire Starter Publishing: 40+ books, 36 authors, WSJ and BusinessWeek bestsellers
Among the first employees at a healthcare consulting firm she helped grow into an industry leader
Recognized with the Fire Starter Award for long-term measurable and cultural impact
Leads Be the Bulb Publishing as developmental editor, thinking partner, and publishing guide
Strategic and creative force behind Fist Bump Labs

Shannon Kennedy

Co-Founder, Fist Bump Labs

Shannon Kennedy has spent nearly three decades building things that didn't exist before he started. He believes progress equals happiness and has structured an entire career around proving it.

He co-founded and bootstrapped an insurtech company into one of the largest individual insurance technology administrators in the country, leading it to a successful acquisition in 2021. Along the way he developed a deep expertise in gamification — building real-time salesboards, achievement systems, and peer recognition programs that drove performance and culture across the organization. That framework is now central to what he brings to other businesses through Fist Bump Labs.

At Fist Bump Labs he leads Fist Bump Scores, builds at the intersection of AI and vibe coding, and consults on gamification strategy. He partners with founders who are serious about growth and shows up as an operator, not just an investor.

Track Record

Co-founded and bootstrapped an insurtech company into one of the largest in the U.S.
Successful exit via acquisition in 2021
UW-Whitewater Outstanding Recent Alumni Award
Designed gamification systems at past companies: real-time salesboards, achievement engines, and peer recognition programs
Leads Fist Bump Scores, building at the intersection of AI and vibe coding
Consults on gamification strategy and development for businesses
Founder-friendly investor who shows up as an operator
Giving Back

Part of the work, not apart from it.

Giving back has never been a line item for the Kennedys. It has been a practice. Over the years they have invested time, resources, and energy into organizations that strengthen communities, expand access, and create opportunity for those who need it most.

From healthcare access and youth development to faith communities and local infrastructure, their giving reflects the same belief that drives their work: that when you have the ability to build something meaningful, you have a responsibility to try.

Organizations Supported

Kandu
HealthNet
St. John Vianney Church
Woodman's Convention & Sports Convention Center
JPAC
FJ Vision Fund
Milestone Rush

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