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We prepare 2nd-stage BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+ and rural founders to scale and build authentic, values-aligned relationships for sustainable business growth.
Statistics indicate that women claimed just 2% of the VC funds, and women of color claimed just under 1% in 2021.
Black startup entrepreneurs still received only a tiny fraction — 1.2 percent — of the record $147 billion in venture capital invested in U.S. startups through the first half of this year, Crunchbase numbers show. That compares with the more than 13 percent of the U.S. population that is Black or African American. (Crunchbase, 2021)
In a 2019 study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York it was noted that only 17% of firms with non-Hispanic Black ownership reported their funding needs were satisfied.
29.4% of BIPOC business owners receive all the funding they request from the bank compared to 54.2% of that of white business owners.
With only 1.2% of BPOC entrepreneurs receiving venture capital funding, there is an obvious gap in accessing money and resources that are essential in growing any business.
From our Due Diligence Accelerator to our Integrated Capital Fund to our ConnectUP! Summit, we provide our community of founders with equitable access and culturally-informed resources, funding and networks. Our programming prioritizes women of color and is informed by the lived experiences of Black women – but all are welcome. We believe when we work for the most marginalized, we do better for all. This has been our secret to success.
CEO Circles are designed to equip second-stage CEOs with actionable strategies to overcome the hurdles of surviving in the market space, maintaining good business practices, and scaling up. Each month, 3-4 CEOs will join us to sit down with Expert Mentors and work through issues they may be facing. These topic-specific meetings are also a space for CEOs to seek advice from their peers who may have experienced similar hurdles in the past.
The ConnectUP! Summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors and entrepreneur support organization leaders from Minnesota and across the country for two days of culturally responsive talks, action-driven workshops, deep-relationship building and diverse networking opportunities. With an emphasis on entrepreneur needs and realities, the ConnectUP! Summit provides founders with tools, resources and connections to #LevelUp themselves and their businesses!
C2: ConnectUP! Circle is a platform designed for all entrepreneurs to connect and grow at a deeper level. We built C2 for every entrepreneur to have the tools to excel in their business and operations. Through personalized groups, business management courses, coaching and virtual tools C2 is the perfect space for entrepreneurs to succeed in their business goals. Submit an interest form to get first access!
The ConnectUP! Summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors and entrepreneur support organization leaders from Minnesota and across the country for two days of culturally responsive talks, action-driven workshops, deep-relationship building and diverse networking opportunities. With an emphasis on entrepreneur needs and realities, the ConnectUP! Summit provides founders with tools, resources and connections to #LevelUp themselves and their businesses!
Interested in joining the Due Diligence Accelerator and Integrated Capital Fund? Email ixchel@connectupmn.org to be considered.
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Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay current with our work, our programming, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike!