Accelerators

The Importance of Diversity for Start Co.

"By focusing on women-led tech, we instantly brought a healthier split in terms of gender diversity"

"By focusing on women-led tech, we instantly brought a healthier split in terms of gender diversity"

by: Eric Mathews|

December 14, 2022

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Articles | Accelerators | The Importance of Diversity for Start Co.

One of our accelerator programs was named in the top ten by Forbes, and this is in 2012 with our women-led tech program. And it was a big moment for us as an organization and as a community because we always valued diversity and inclusion.

The issue was that we weren’t getting diverse founders in the door, so by focusing on women-led tech, we instantly brought a healthier split in terms of gender diversity, and that also opened the door to better ethnic diversity at the same time. We needed to signal to our ecosystem and the startup marketplace that this was valued not just in words and culture but also with money.

And that’s really what we’re mostly out of because now, when you look at our portfolio, it’s 40% women are greater and 40% minority founder or greater now. And so that was a really transcendent moment for our community.

"We needed to signal to our ecosystem that this was valued not just in words and culture but also with money"

- Eric Mathews

Start Co. works with startups, corporations, governments, universities, and other organizations looking to build data and technology solutions, new business models, and civic innovations that leverage the power of digital cities, venture development expertise, investment, and capital connectivity.

Over the last 10 years, Start Co. has been deliberate about applying its methods and building practices to itself and its partners as it pertains to critical areas that, if not shaped differently, will continue to hold Memphis and communities like it back. Start Co. plays a critical role as a disruptor, introducing reform, and introducing the tactics needed to execute that reform.

Focus:

Hardware, SaaS, Software, Technology

timing:

Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Location:

88 Union Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38103