Panelists at ACDDE Call for Help Addressing Lack of Tech Diversity
Panelists called for more federal dollars and resources to help minority and female entrepreneurs and for the FCC to address the digital divide to facilitate tech startups outside big tech hubs. “You cannot build a technology company with dial-up internet,” Andy Stoll, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation senior program officer-entrepreneurship, said at an FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment’s virtual event.
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Organizations that advise and aid minority- and female-owned tech startups are making some headway for addressing diversity problems in that industry, panelists said. Often locally or community focused, these “tech entrepreneurship support organizations” match diverse startups with capital and educate newcomers about the industry.
Tech entrepreneurship support organizations don’t directly fall under the FCC’s purview. ACDDE working group head Nicol Turner-Lee, Brookings Institution senior fellow, said the committee was charged with examining what the agency can do to “amplify the message” of diversity in tech. “We have the use of the FCC platform and the support of the acting chairwoman to actually get things done.” The U.S. has “not achieved what we need to achieve,” on digital inequality, said ACDDE Vice Chair Heather Gate, Connected Nation vice president-digital inclusion. “Yes, this is the platform to have this discussion, and discussions about finding capital in an environment that has not always been favorable to women and minority populations.”
Several such support organizations that were the focus of Wednesday’s panel started small and grew to meet needs worsened by the pandemic. Out in Tech, which began in 2014, grew from a small community of LGBTQ tech workers to a 40,000-member organization, said Executive Director Andrew Lowenthal. “We needed a place for people to get information,” said NOLAvate Black founder Sabrina Short. “Now we are an ecosystem building organizations” and holding companies accountable, she said. Vets Who Code specialized in remote work pre-pandemic and has seen companies and organizations reach out for assistance since COVID-19 made the practice ubiquitous, said founder Jerome Hardaway.
Federal programs to help minority startups and small businesses should be more accessible, said Shelly Bell, founder of Black Girl Ventures. They should incentivize public-private partnerships, she said. Minority and female entrepreneurs often lack access to attorneys and grant experts, said Short. “If I don't understand the process, if I don't understand how I can even ask for what I want or what is even available, I can't get it,” she said. “Aggregating a bunch of links and putting it on a website is not going to get people to fill out a form,” said Lili Gangas, chief technology community officer at the Kapor Center.
Entities should work with entrepreneurs when creating procurement policies to make them navigable, said Stoll. Upcoming infrastructure bills will involve procurement opportunities for entrepreneurs, Stoll said. “So -- talking to the FCC here -- make sure we get it done properly and smartly,” he said. “What did we learn from the [Paycheck Protection Program] and other programs?” President Joe Biden's administration should restore funding for accelerated small-business growth, said Brookings Fellow Makada Henry-Nickie.
Tools to innovate and start a tech business are cheaper and more accessible than ever, said Henry-Nickie. “So many more people can participate in the digital economy,” she said. “It is important to step back and think about who we should be envisioning when we say ‘tech entrepreneur.’”
The ACDDE will hold a tech and communications diversity opportunity symposium and virtual fair at noon April 28, said a public notice Wednesday. "FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will welcome the Symposium participants," the PN said.