Know To Grow, Inc.’s Post

Of the 89 companies in the Summer 2024 cohort on @YC’s website, just 5 have Black founders. Here are three things YC can do to lead the way in supporting Black founders: Y Combinator is the Harvard of accelerators for startup founders. But not for all of them. 1. Give clear explanations to rejected applicants. Nothing drives a founder forward like clear, actionable feedback. It helps them identify their company’s weaknesses and, thus, what to work on to improve. This type of transparency would build trust with Black founders and ultimately encourage more to apply. Even doing this for the top 10% of rejected applicants could make a big difference. 2. Partner with other organizations that already do an excellent job of supporting Black founders. There are many out there (my favorite being @goodienation),). Not only can these organizations offer diverse and innovative ideas, but collaborating with them would widen the pool of Black applicants. 3. Leverage the (albeit relatively small) network of YC-backed Black founders. Mentorship is a critical part of YC’s model, and I’d argue that the value of that mentorship increases when the mentor understands the additional challenges associated with being Black in that space. Black YC alumni can support new Black applicants on their journeys, and their referrals can help build a steady stream of Black applicants for future cohorts. I believe Y Combinator can uplift Black and underrepresented founders more broadly, but these three steps are a good start. Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments. Also, shout out to the five companies representing this year’s cohort! Rastro (YC S24) Zimi (YC S24) &AI Conductor Quantum AnswerGrid

💡 Transforming Cities and Security: The Power of Black Startup Investments 🌍 The future of our cities depends on innovation that is **intelligent, sustainable, and secure**. Yet, to truly achieve this vision, we must address a critical gap: the **lack of investment in Black startups** driving solutions in **cybersecurity and urban sustainability**. Here's why this matters: 🛡️ **Cybersecurity as a Cornerstone of Progress**:   As cities adopt IoT, AI, and connected systems, the need for robust cybersecurity grows exponentially. With their unique perspectives and experiences, Black founders bring **innovative, community-driven solutions** to protect our urban ecosystems from increasing cyber threats. 🌱 **Urban Sustainability Needs Diverse Leadership**:   Sustainability efforts—like smart grids, renewable energy, and circular economies—impact communities differently. Black startups are more positioned to develop **equitable, inclusive solutions** that address both global environmental goals and local challenges. 📈 **Closing the Wealth Gap with Economic Growth**:   Investing in Black entrepreneurs fuels **job creation and wealth generation** in underrepresented communities. It also ensures that the benefits of urban innovation are widely shared, reducing economic disparities while driving technological advancement. 🤝 **Representation Matters**:   Diverse teams lead to **better decision-making and innovation**. By supporting Black founders in cybersecurity and sustainability, we ensure that the technologies shaping our cities reflect the needs and priorities of all communities. 🚀 **The Call to Action**:   Despite their potential, Black startups often face systemic barriers to funding and resources. Increased investment is not just a matter of equity—it's an economic and societal imperative. Supporting these entrepreneurs means building cities that are smarter, safer, **inclusive, resilient, and thriving for everyone**. 💬 **What's Next?**   Let's break down barriers and create pathways for Black innovators to lead the charge in **cybersecurity and urban sustainability**. Our cities' future—and shared success—depends on it.   #CultureZUrbanSustainability #InvestInBlackStartups #Cybersecurity #UrbanSustainability #DiversityInTech #SmartCities #InclusiveGrowth #FutureReady

Of the 89 publicly-shared companies in the Summer 2024 cohort on Y Combinator, just 5 have Black founders. Here are three things YC can do to lead the way in supporting Black founders: Y Combinator is the Harvard of accelerators for startup founders. But not for all of them. 1. Give clear explanations to rejected applicants. Nothing drives a founder forward like clear, actionable feedback. It helps them identify their company’s weaknesses and, thus, what to work on to improve. This type of transparency would build trust with Black founders and ultimately encourage more to apply. 2. Partner with other organizations that already do an excellent job of supporting Black founders. There are many out there (my favorite being @goodienation),). Not only can these organizations offer diverse and innovative ideas, but collaborating with them would widen the pool of Black applicants. 3. Leverage the (albeit relatively small) network of YC-backed Black founders. Mentorship is a critical part of YC’s model, and I’d argue that the value of that mentorship increases when the mentor understands the additional challenges associated with being Black in that space. Black YC alumni can support new Black applicants on their journeys, and their referrals can help build a steady stream of Black applicants for future cohorts. I believe Y Combinator can more broadly uplift Black and underrepresented founders, but these three steps are a good start. Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments. Also, shout out to the five companies representing this year’s cohort! Rastro (YC S24) Zimi (YC S24) &AI Conductor Quantum AnswerGrid

Ten years ago, I embarked on a journey that started with a simple yet bold idea: to create a platform where Black voices could be heard, where our stories and successes weren't just footnotes but headlines. That idea became Blavity Inc., and it has been an incredible ride filled with challenges, learnings, and triumphs. Back in those early days, one of the toughest challenges was simply navigating the landscape as a founder who didn’t attend Stanford, Harvard or any other pipeline to the valley. From the jargon, to the unspoken etiquette of fundraising, I often felt like a fish out of water. While this journey honed my resilience, it also opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that many founders face, particularly in the tech space. Today, I find myself reflecting on those early days and how they’ve shaped AfroTech’s commitment to support and uplift the next generation of entrepreneurs. Access shouldn't be a privilege for the few but a fundamental opportunity for all who dare to innovate and dream big. That's why I'm thrilled about the launch of the Founder Circle at AfroTech Conference, a program to ensure the power of AfroTech is used to accelerate Black startup’s growth. This year we are particularly inspired by startups working on health equity issues, accessible sustainability, voice tech, and B2B software.  This initiative is a commitment to opening doors that were once closed and creating pathways that were once nonexistent. It’s about giving 200 tech founders FREE access to: 1) Ticket to AfroTech Conference in Houston Texas 2) Leadership and charisma group coaching from renowned expert Olivia Fox Cabane, to ensure you not only lead in your businesses but also lead in life. 3) Top-tier networking opportunities and warm intros that connect you with the right people at our partner companies and VCs. If you're a tech founder on the brink of something great, or know someone who is, I encourage you to apply to the AfroTech Founder Circle: https://lnkd.in/gnxwgT7g Here’s to building a future where we continue to build our own table and everyone has the tools they need to succeed.

I am beyond grateful for our amazing partnership with the Kapor Center, which has been instrumental in the success of BIA on the Hill 2024. Working closely with Lili Gangas and the entire Kapor Center team has been a truly inspiring experience. Their unwavering passion for creating equitable innovations, developing supportive policies, and building tools that empower diverse entrepreneurs is nothing short of remarkable. From day one, I’ve been drawn to the Kapor Center’s dedication to ensuring that Black, Indigenous, and Latinx entrepreneurs receive the visibility and support they deserve in the broader innovation economy. Together, we’ve not only fostered meaningful discussions at the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference but also implemented initiatives that drive real change and open up new opportunities for underrepresented communities. A special shoutout to Nathan Jones for his insightful contribution to our second panel, "Scaling for Success: Technologies, Strategies & Policies to Elevate Black Entrepreneurship." Nathan’s expertise and dedication were pivotal in shaping the conversation and providing valuable strategies to elevate Black-owned businesses. The impact of our collaboration is evident in the strides we’ve made toward a more inclusive tech ecosystem. By amplifying the voices of those who are often unseen, we are paving the way for a future where diversity and innovation go hand in hand. A heartfelt thank you to Lili Gangas, Nathan Jones, Allison Scott, Ph.D., Patrick Armstrong, and the entire Kapor Center team for your continued dedication and for being such incredible partners in this journey. Your commitment to equity and empowerment truly makes a difference, and I am excited to see what we will achieve together moving forward. Together, we are building a tech landscape that celebrates and supports the diverse voices of tomorrow. #Gratitude #Partnership #Equity #Innovation #BlackEntrepreneurs #BIAOnTheHill #KaporCenter #DiversityInTech #TechPolicy #InclusiveFuture #Empowerment #ScalingForSuccess #DecadeofBlackInnovation

Join us in the Zone 👊🏿 We are so excited to announce that Black Founders Network, Nobellum, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Federation of Black Canadians, Black Opportunity Fund, BlackNorth Initiative, DMZ, Tribe Network, and African Impact Initiative are uniting to form the Black Innovation Zone - featuring at this year’s Collision Conf! 🎉This collective is dedicated to increasing access and visibility, by amplifying the voices and innovations of Black founders, investors and professionals across Canada and beyond.🙌🏿 The Black Innovation Zone is more than just a collective; it's a movement aimed at empowering Black entrepreneurs, investors and professionals by providing them with the platform they need to showcase their talents on an international stage. Our goal is to foster development, community building, and to serve as a beacon for those navigating the challenges faced by Black founders in the tech industry and other sectors. Join us at our booth (E167) during Collision week, and stay tuned for exciting updates about the events, opportunities and activations we will be curating for Black innovators! We’re here to promote cross-cultural collaborations and inclusivity within the global business ecosystem. It's time to share the stories and innovations of Black founders at Collision. 🎉Here's to building a legacy and creating a road map for future Black innovators in Canada and around the globe! 🌍 Help us shape the Black Innovation Zone experience, by filling out our programming survey in the link below. With your feedback, we can continue to build for the community, with the community. 💪🏿https://lnkd.in/gkUXq4nt #BlackInnovationZone #Collison2024 #TechConference #BlackEntrepreneurs #ProfessionalDevelopment #Community

Explore Melissa Bradley's journey and insights in the enlightening video series "Black in Tech 2024," spotlighting the trials and triumphs of Black tech professionals. #DiversityInTech #BlackInTech2024

📣 New paper alert 📣! I am ✨ thrilled ✨ that the first paper from my dissertation has been published in Social Forces. In this paper, I explore how race and class shape Black tech entrepreneurial experiences. Black people in the tech industry face numerous barriers, including micro-aggressions and blocked career advancement. In entrepreneurship, these barriers are even more stark: Black founders receive just 1% of all venture capital funding. But do these struggles look the same for everyone? My research explores this question by studying 46 Black tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley through an intersectional lens, highlighting how class differences shape their entrepreneurial experiences. I find that lower- and middle-class Black entrepreneurs struggle the most with financial and network-based barriers. They often lack access to personal wealth or extensive networks, making it hard to raise early-stage capital from family and friends. In contrast, Black upper-class entrepreneurs possess the financial resources and networks to support their ventures. However, they face a different challenge: not being seen as a “racial fit” within the industry. This perception contributes to more experiences of individual-level discrimination. This research provides new insights into the intersection of race and class in the tech industry, showing how Black entrepreneurs’ experiences are shaped not just by race, but also by their class backgrounds. Understanding these nuances is essential for addressing the barriers Black tech founders face and creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. #BlackEntrepreneurs #Intersectionality #TechIndustry #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Sociology #Research #Academia To learn more, check out the full research findings! https://lnkd.in/gm_f2iUA . If you’d like to read the paper but don’t have access, reach out to me and I’m happy to provide you with a copy!

Join us in the Zone👊🏿 We are so excited to announce that the BlackNorth Initiative, Black Founders Network, Nobellum, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Federation of Black Canadians, Black Opportunity Fund, DMZ, Tribe Network, and African Impact Initiative are uniting to form the Black Innovation Zone - featured at this year’s Collision Conf 2024! 🎉This collective is dedicated to increasing access and visibility, by amplifying the voices and innovations of Black founders, investors and professionals across Canada and beyond.🙌🏿 The Black Innovation Zone is more than just a collective; it's a movement aimed at empowering Black entrepreneurs, investors and professionals by providing them with the platform they need to showcase their talents on an international stage. Our goal is to foster professional development, community building, and to serve as a beacon for those navigating the challenges faced by Black founders in the tech industry and other sectors. Join us at our booth (E167) during Collision week, and stay tuned for exciting updates about the events, opportunities and activations we will be curating for Black innovators. We’re here to promote cross-cultural collaborations and inclusivity within the global business ecosystem. It's time to share the stories and innovations of Black founders at Collision. 🎉Here's to building a legacy and creating a road map for future Black innovators in Canada and around the globe! 🌍 Help us shape the Black Innovation Zone experience, by filling out our programming survey in the link below. With your feedback, we can continue to build for the community, with the community. 💪🏿 https://lnkd.in/gkUXq4nt #BlackInnovationZone #Collison2024 #TechConference #BlackEntrepreneurs #ProfessionalDevelopment #Community

Yesterday, I published a post about creating opportunities that get female founders in front of decision-makers/investors, not just courses. And by some mystic chance, this was the first thing i saw when i woke up this morning: A post by Morgan DeBaun, ↳ Founder of Blavity Inc. , which founded AFROTECH. ↳She announced AFROTECH Founder's Circle. ↳ They give FREE access to AfroTech conference, 25K people attended in 2023;, ↳ Leadership charisma coaching by Olivia Fox Cabane ∞;, ↳ and most importantly - the point I made in yesterday's post: ↳ they provide warm intros to VCs and Partner companies! Sure, this program is not just focused on women ↳ but it's open to women and serves underserved founders. ↳ Additionally, they are practicing both training and ↳ providing material benefit, by removing that barrier to VCs through warm introductions. Of course, I applied for Aeone, and I would encourage every diverse founder to apply.