Entrepreneurship as a Way to Equity in Tech
The formal practice of changing systems, be they broken or working exactly as they are intended to, is messy, dynamic, satisfying and often frustrating work. As a part of that effort, we often ask people to acknowledge their privilege and bias; and we encourage our partners and investors to take more risks and to collectively change old behaviors that aren’t working in favor of new ones that offer a more just and inclusive economy across the US. This is what is needed for a thriving and loving society.
We must also acknowledge that many of the outcomes within our economy fall into the category of features, rather than bugs. Work culture in Fortune 500 companies was designed by and for a small number of (mostly) white men. When we see limited numbers of women, people of color, and lesser represented social identities gaining influence and promotion in those spaces, that is not a failing of the system; that is a feature of the system. And while there is significant data which substantiate our fundamental belief that diverse, dynamic and welcoming teams are more innovative and profitable, the built-in bias that exists suggesting that exclusive teams and work cultures are working perfectly fine and need not change — mixed with a recognized or unrecognized fear of loss of power, control and stature — consistently prevents new behaviors from being adopted. That doesn’t mean progress can’t be made within corporations, or that we should stop trying altogether, but it does indicate that we may need to test other strategies.
Entrepreneurship as the gateway to inclusivity
We know that economic freedom is the focal point of a just society, and entrepreneurship offers this autonomy to a diverse array of individuals of varying backgrounds. Because these companies are being built from the ground up, the opportunity to become a founder or contributing team member irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, ableness or sexual orientation is more abundant and presents fewer (not zero) barriers. For these reasons, activation in the emerging innovation economies across our footprint and direct support for entrepreneurs, is a critical part of our GET Cities approach. As we’ve moved through the launch of activities in three American cities (Chicago, DC and Miami), we have remained anchored in our commitment to lift more women, trans and non-binary humans, especially those who are BIPOC, into their power within the tech economy. We fundamentally believe that the emerging market being built organically by entrepreneurs across the country can directly challenge traditionally exclusive industries by building diverse and inclusive teams, products, and markets. Further, it is far easier to prioritize an organizational culture that exhibits all of the characteristics of belonging, equity, inclusion and diversity (BEID) in ways that are different from the incumbent industry leaders, and we acknowledge and celebrate that these diverse teams and cultures need no post-development change of behaviors and culture.
We must celebrate women, trans and non-binary founders
Woman, trans and non-binary tech founders solve real-world problems that exist in our communities, and they’re uniquely positioned to solve those problems because of their proximity and understanding of issues that require intervention and innovation. They are courageous and creative.
But, because they are rarely celebrated, resourced or supported it is hard for women, trans and non-binary humans, and especially those who are BIPOC, to see themselves in all that is possible within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thus, it is critical that we amplify the stories, success, differentiation and magic these founders bring to our economy and society at large.
Women, trans and non-binary founders need investment
Entrepreneurs need resources, and they should not be expected to go it alone. Women, trans and non-binary founders often lack access to familial wealth and industry networks to launch and grow their start-ups. Further, because capital in the US is disproportionately controlled by cis white men, those dollars tend to be distributed across a homogenous portfolio of founders which exacerbates the underestimation and marginalization of diverse founders. For so many entrepreneurs, the right resources at the right time mean life or death for the business. The expectation of entrepreneurs to go it alone can not only cost their business, but so often their health, well-being, and state of mind. Women, trans and non-binary founders need money, connections, and support. To be successful, we must build inclusive pathways to technologies, capital, customers, networks and teams.
Entrepreneurship offers space for the expansion of BEID as a standard business practice
At GET Cities, we are actively trying to achieve greater hiring and promotion of women, trans and non-binary humans, especially those who are BIPOC, within tech workforces. And still, we sometimes wonder if we are just sending already marginalized individuals into highly toxic work environments which will burn them out and ultimately rob the world of their gifts. As we’ve said, it is possible to more effectively build non-toxic work environments outside of the existing tech giants.
Entrepreneurship can be a centering strategy in changing toxic work cultures. We can more directly contribute to the creation of more just work environments by quickly rewarding (funding, mentoring, connecting) diverse founders who seek to incorporate inclusive strategies in their company practices. There is far less bureaucracy within a four-person startup team than within a multi-million or billion dollar corporation with thousands of employees. There is more flexibility within startups as well, as many are not yet publicly traded and have the autonomy to prioritize belonging, equity, inclusion and diversity. Entrepreneurship can be our testing grounds for challenging status quo behaviors.
Economic freedom is critical, not only to a thriving and growing economy, but also to human dignity. Launching and supporting the efforts of myriad diverse entrepreneurs across the tech economy who commercialize critical new innovations and start local businesses that respond to local problems also ensure that the solutions created more directly serve the entirety of the members of our society. This range of solutions bring to bear far more than will ever be possible in a homogeneous tech economy where a preponderance of white male needs, perspectives and solutions are brought to market.
The choices we make about where we invest our programs, resources and support have a direct economic impact in our communities and move us closer to our goal to create a just, inclusive and thriving tech economy by lifting women, trans and non-binary founders into their power. We can solve our country’s greatest challenges when we ensure that resources and opportunities are distributed equitably. We must remove the known barriers that exist for women, trans and non-binary humans, and specifically those who are BIPOC, across our economy and allow all citizens to build solutions and businesses that respond to the needs of everyone.
