1Philadelphia Executive Director & Coded By CEO, Danae Mobley | Founding Philly Ep. 52

This episode is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs. 

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In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Danae Mobley, CEO of Coded By and Executive Director of 1Philadelphia, to explore what it really takes to build a durable startup ecosystem — and why talent, endurance, and consistency matter more than chasing the next big trend.

Danae’s path into ecosystem leadership didn’t start in tech. It began in education, teaching fifth and sixth grade through Teach For America, where she first saw how outcomes are shaped by forces far beyond the classroom. That experience led her into city and regional planning, where she learned how policy, infrastructure, and coalition-building create the conditions for communities to thrive.

That systems-level perspective now shapes her work at Coded By, a nonprofit focused on developing the next generation of tech and innovation leaders. Danae shares how the organization has evolved from early exposure to coding into a long-term talent pipeline, supporting young people from ages 8 to 24 with a focus on adaptability, leadership, and entrepreneurship in an increasingly AI-driven world.

We also unpack the origins of 1Philadelphia, which grew out of a realization that access to the tech ecosystem couldn’t stop with students alone. Danae explains how the organization works to coordinate founders, nonprofits, universities, corporates, and government — reducing redundancy, filling gaps, and focusing more intentionally on early-stage founders who want to build and scale in Philly.

Our conversation dives into Philly Tech Week and Innovation Weekend, two cornerstone moments for the local ecosystem. Danae reflects on taking the reins of Philly Tech Week, honoring its legacy while expanding its reach, and shares how Innovation Weekend has become a platform for bringing national perspectives into the city. A recurring theme across both events: endurance — for founders, for organizations, and for Philadelphia itself.

We also explore how AI is reshaping conversations around access. While the barriers to building have never been lower, Danae cautions against treating AI as a shortcut, emphasizing that tools only create opportunity when people are prepared to use them well.

Finally, we zoom out to Philadelphia’s future. Danae challenges the idea that the city needs to “pick a winning industry,” arguing instead that Philly’s real opportunity lies in investing deeply in people. Her vision is a city known for exceptional talent, where founders choose to stay, build, and reinvest — and where “Building in Philly” feels like the obvious choice.

Whether you’re a founder, operator, ecosystem builder, or someone invested in the future of Philadelphia’s tech scene, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded look at how strong ecosystems are built — slowly, intentionally, and with people at the center.