digitalundivided: "We Believe in Skill Over Pedigree"
Karen followed up with another source that she forgot to mention during our initial conversation: digitalundivided (DND), a membership-based social enterprise specifically geared towards helping black women get into the tech space. The founder managing director of DND is Kathryn Finney and "she is fantastic!"
Perhaps we want to shift away from an opportunity area that incorporates tools/channels that specifically offer groups more typically underrepresented in the tech world. That being said, DND, while working to diversify the tech sphere ("a diverse tech pipeline"), is also grounded in merging entrepreneurship with innovative tech: they offers fellowship for those who have innovative tech startup ideas.
They offer a (dues-based) membership model, giving DND community members fee online office hours with "top experts", free credits and "goodies" from their partners, and free tech help from top developers and programmers. They also have an annual conference, FOCUS 100, to which members receive a free pass ($899 value).
Here is their mandate: "digitalundivided is a social enterprise excelling at getting the urban community in the tech space! Enterprising entrepreneurs, tech curious, and digital rock stars should join our community for access to thought leaders from top tech companies, to network with diverse startups, and other like minded individuals!”
DND has also coined an "evidenced-based digitalundivided (DID) model" that is pretty appealing:
The DID model is based on four key areas: START, GROW, FOCUS and INVEST. Entrepreneurs START with an idea, then GROW that idea into a company. With FOCUS, the idea becomes a business ready for funding and partnerships, and the success of the business allows us to then INVEST in other communities or START again with a new idea.
START
A workshop series focused on teaching urban entrepreneurs how to THINK BIG and turn their ideas into a product.
GROW
A network of small groups and meet-ups that allow entrepreneurs to network and support each other through the development of their companies.
FOCUS
A program that mentors, develops and advises tech companies with black women as cofounders. Twenty percent of our FOCUS Fellows have received funding from angel and/or venture investors. A major part of this program is the (aforementioned) annual #FOCUS100 Start-up Boot Camp and Symposium.
INVEST
A project focused on developing and supporting investments in tech companies from the urban community.
-R.V.