JumpStart is committed to inclusion across all of its programs. We recognize the single best hope for the nation’s ongoing competitiveness is to create inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, and we understand there are the unique challenges and opportunities facing minority entrepreneurs.

From educational opportunities to networking and career development, here are six valuable organizations dedicated to helping diverse entrepreneurs grow and flourish.

Help and Connections
Whether it’s minority-focused accelerators aimed at startups (such as Driven) or organizations that work to support existing businesses, there are no shortage of resources available to help diverse entrepreneurs get the help—or the make the connections—they need.

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
About: This business membership organization increases opportunities for Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business owners by linking their ventures to corporate America.

What They Do: NMSDC offers an array of resources, including certification programs, access to specialized funding, business networking and continuing education. The organization also has a database of certified minority suppliers, offers an assessment toolkit and spreads pertinent statistical and financial information.

NewME Accelerator
About: A tech startup accelerator/incubator for those businesses led by African-Americans, Latinos or women.

What They Do: This 12-week program provides minority and female entrepreneurs with mentoring, networking opportunities and (sometimes) funding to help their startups grow. NewME started as a residential program, meaning entrepreneurs live and co-work together 24-7, but the popularity and success of the program has led to the creation of a virtual course and support for minority entrepreneurs across the country.

 

Talent
From mentoring programs to internship opportunities, below you will find organizations dedicated to finding and encouraging promising minority talent is critical to future success.

Code 2040
About: Based on the statistic that the U.S. will be a majority-minority nation by 2040, Code 2040—which was founded in 2012—has the goal of erasing disparities in tech employment, wealth and skills by that year. In other words, the nonprofit’s ultimate goal is to ensure that “Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of America’s innovation economy as technologists, investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs.”

What They Do: Code 2040 creates programs that connect top Black and Latino/a tech talent with companies, funders, and fellow technologists committed to diversity and inclusion. They work with students, professionals, and companies around the country.

Society Of Hispanic Professional Engineers
About: Founded in 1974, SHPE is a national organization of professional and student engineers. By serving as role models, the members of the organization aim to increase the number of Hispanics participating in STEM education and jobs, as well as boost the group’s contributions to the innovation economy.

What They Do: SHPE holds an annual tech/career conference (The SHPE Conference), as well as a leadership event (National Institute for Leadership Advancement) while each individual chapter across the U.S. also functions as a networking and support hub. The nonprofit SHPE Foundation, a partner of SHPE and other organizations, does academic outreach and enrichment, and manages scholar-internship programs.

 

Initiatives
For the following initiatives, it’s all about collaboration, education and networking to enact real change.

Black Founders
About: Black Founders’ mission is “to increase the number of successful black entrepreneurs in technology” in order to “create an ecosystem that stimulates tech entrepreneurship and fosters economic growth in the community.”

What They Do: Networking and educational events across the country—including monthly meetings in select cities or national conferences—in order to facilitate networking, personal connection and promote diversity and innovation.

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
About: Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter founded ICIC in 1994. The nonprofit’s mission is “to drive economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector investment to create jobs, income and wealth for local residents.”

What They Do: ICIC focuses on research and strategy, with the goal of “strengthening inner city economies by providing businesses, governments and investors with the most comprehensive and actionable information in the field about urban market opportunities.” The organization also supports and participates in conferences across the U.S., and creates tailored programs/seminars in various cities to help prepare inner-city companies to grow.