FormFree Makes Several Executive Announcements

FormFree has appointed former hip-hop/rap recording artist-turned-techpreneur Victor D. Lombard, professionally known as DIVINE, as head of culture. The company also appointed MX Technologies, Inc. (MX) Founder and Executive Chair Ryan Caldwell to its board of directors. 

First, DIVINE is the CEO and founder of Solvent, a fintech focused on financial empowerment for marginalized groups. Solvent broke ground in 2022 when it was accepted as part of the inaugural cohort of Amazon’s AWS Impact Accelerator for Black Founders, an eight-week program designed to help high-potential, pre-seed startups led by under-represented founders. Additionally in 2022, Solvent was accepted into Village Capital’s Innovations in Justice Tech, a fellowship program in collaboration with AmFam Institute and Dream.org that supports entrepreneurs building innovations to improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice system.

DIVINE grew up in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and endured childhood poverty and incarceration at age 19. Realizing his potential was boundless but his options were limited, following his release DIVINE took a leap of faith and asked Ben Horowitz, general partner and co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, to mentor him. Horowitz, who grew up a hip-hop/rap fan in Berkeley, California, agreed. The mentorship proved a turning point for DIVINE, and his transformation from system-impacted youth to tech-founder has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Black Enterprise, Entrepreneur and Inc.

As head of culture at FormFree, DIVINE will use his new platform and hip-hop/rap talent to reach out to unserved and underserved urban renters with messages of financial empowerment and hope. Further, DIVINE will work closely with Harrington in a collaborative partnership with FormFree to bring awareness and empowerment to this audience.

“Hip-hop/rap culture and music in particular is a universal and global language,” said DIVINE. “What better way than using it to help build awareness of the benefits of homeownership and provide a technology bridge so people will be able to take control of their financial futures.”

“Technologies like Passport and the FormFree Exchange can change everything for minority homebuyers, getting rid of the disregard on one side and distrust on the other. It takes all the judgment away. Borrowers can raise their profile with lenders, and lenders know they’re creditworthy and compete for their business, so it’s a win-win for buyers and lenders,” added DIVINE. “With Solvent and FormFree’s shared mission and vision, there’s a perfect alignment, and I’m really proud to be part of this unique partnership to bring about transformation.”

Second, Caldwell founded MX as a mission-driven organization focused on empowering the world to be financially strong. Prior to founding MX, Caldwell built and successfully exited multiple technology startups and performed consulting work in the United States, Singapore and London for large corporations, including Visa and Microsoft. 

“I am excited to continue my work with FormFree, now as a board member,” said Ryan Caldwell, founder and executive chair, MX. “We share a vision to improve consumer and business outcomes by helping businesses to reliably connect and verify financial data, gain customer intelligence and deliver personalized money experiences to improve customer engagement and retention.”

Caldwell has the conviction to help empower financial strength and freedom to honoring and protecting our service members and precious freedoms. Caldwell completed the majority of undergraduate hours at the United States Air Force Academy and transferred to the Marriot School of Management at BYU to finish his degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Information Systems.