The phrase "laid the foundation of" can be substituted with synonyms that convey a similar meaning. Some examples include "established the groundwork for," "set the basis of," "initiated the framework for," "pioneered the beginning of," and "created the underpinnings of." These phrases all suggest an action of setting the groundwork or foundation for something that will have continued growth or development. They are often used to describe the beginning stages of a project, organization, or even a movement. Each phrase suggests motion and progress, bringing an exciting sense of anticipation to what will happen next.