DALLAS, TX – Google for Startups today announced the recipients of its fourth Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and second Latino Founders Fund, which respectively provide promising Black and Latino-led startups non-equity cash awards to help fuel their businesses. Three Dallas-based founders are among the recipients, including six in Texas, which amount to $900,000 invested in Texas startups.
“In 2020, we launched our first Google for Startups Black Founders Fund to help Black tech entrepreneurs overcome the disproportionate hurdles they face when raising capital,” said Lisa Gevelber, VP of Google for Startups “Over the past three years, we’ve significantly expanded the scope of our work, expanding our Black Founders Fund to Europe, Africa and Brazil, and to Latino founders in the US. We’ve now provided $45M in cash awards and to 547 promising entrepreneurs through our Black and Latino Founders Funds. We are excited to welcome a new group of diverse founders who are using technology to solve some of society’s biggest problems.”
The Google for Startups Black and Latino Founders Funds will provide $150,000 cash awards as well as hands-on support to help Black entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses in the US. In addition to the non-dilutive capital and up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, recipients also receive mentorship from Googlers, along with other resources such as sales training, investor prep, mental health coaching, and community offerings at no cost.
Buzzbassador is a business-to-business, Software-as-a-Service platform that helps DTC and Retail brands unlock scale with influencer marketing using end-to-end automated workflows.
“Buzzbassador’s acceptance into Google for Startups’ Black Founders Fund marks a pivotal milestone in our company’s journey and growth trajectory,” Calvin Waddy, CEO and Co-founder at Buzzbassador, said. “Google’s investment and belief in our company is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to our mission. This partnership gives us the unique advantage of access to a vast ecosystem of advanced technologies and unparalleled expertise from Google’s worldwide network,” Waddy continued. “Google’s support will not only catalyze our growth but also allow us to achieve unprecedented innovation in our highly competitive industry, delivering a game-changing solution to our brands and creators.”
Roboamp makes any website load in one second or less on mobile with just one line of code. On average Roboamp customers have seen an increase of up to 500% in web performance and all of this with ZERO coding.
Stemuli is a 3D, immersive gaming experience that uses Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Gaming to navigate a student from their current academic proficiency to their dream job.
Google has backed 448 founders through its Founder Funds globally since 2020. Specifically in the US, they’ve backed 226 founders who have gone on to raise $190M+ in follow-on funding raised in the US. Recipients Buzzbassador, Stimuli and Roboamp represent an integral part of the growing startup ecosystem in Texas.
ABOUT GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS
Google for Startups works to level the playing field for startup founders and communities to succeed by bringing the best of Google’s products, connections, and best practices to startups. Paired with a deep commitment to create diverse startup communities, many of our offerings are designed specifically to provide underrepresented founders with access to resources and opportunities. We support startups everywhere to build something better. Because when startups succeed, we all succeed. To learn more, visit Google for Startups.
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Announcing the 2023 recipients of our Black and Latino Founders Funds
Lisa Gevelber, Global VP, Google for Startups
“Today, we’re announcing 46 U.S. recipients of this year’s Google for Startups Black and Latino Founders Funds. Beyond $150,000 in equity-free cash to help fuel their business, participants in our Founders Fund program receive sales and fundraising training, technical support from Google mentors, up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, mental health coaching from a team of Black and Latino therapists, and participation in an amazing community.”
“These founders are solving some of our most pressing problems. For example, three weeks ago, I had the chance to meet with and award Mariza Hardin participation in our Founders Fund program for her startup, Zócalo Health. Zócalo’s AI-powered telemedicine app is helping increase access to affordable healthcare for the Latino community in the U.S.”
Erik Cardenas and Mariza Hardin, Founders of Zócalo Health
“Mariza joins founders like Carlos Gaitan of Benchmark Labs, a startup using Google’s AI tools to help farmers better predict weather patterns to improve their crop yields; Erika Hairston of EdLyft, a platform that prepares college students for careers in computer science; and Zara Perumal of Overwatch Data, a cybersecurity startup that protects companies by detecting and analyzing business risks. “
“The Google for Startups Founders Fund community continues to grow around the world. Last month, we welcomed our newest Black Founders Fund recipients in Africa, Europe and Brazil. Since 2020 we’ve provided $45 million in cash funding to 547 Black and Latino founders. We’ve seen our funds have a catalytic effect for founders, helping them raise further capital. Past recipients have gone on to raise over $400 million in investment after being selected and they’ve used these funds to create jobs and grow their revenues.”
Black Founders Fund recipients from Europe and Africa at London Tech Week
“We’re looking forward to working with these businesses to help them reach their full potential. Hear from recipients of our U.S. Black and Latino Founders Funds in their own words, and learn more about all of the 2023 recipients…” HERE