Techstars Atlanta and Cox Enterprises have selected Barry Givens as the managing director for the new Social Impact Accelerator -- the second accelerator to launch out of the partnership in Atlanta.
Givens, a Stone Mountain native who stepped into his new role in late August, will focus on helping entrepreneurs and companies looking to help others and the world with their innovative ideas at the new accelerator.
The Social Impact Accelerator kicks off in January 2020. Techstars is currently taking applications for its first cohort for the three-month long program. The accelerator is looking for companies focused on STEM training, environmental sustainability and community-enriching initiatives. Applications are open until Oct. 13.
From selling custom-made, painted tennis shoes during his undergrad at Georgia Tech to corporate experience at John Deere to the successful exit of his automated cocktail-making startup Monsieur, Givens has been through almost every stage of the tech ecosystem as an entrepreneur. Now, he's looking to enter the mentor role, as the head of Techstars Atlanta's newest accelerator.
"I knew post-exit that I wanted to spend a couple years helping other entrepreneurs --specifically entrepreneurs of color," he said.
His first introduction to Techstars Atlanta was all thanks to Jasmine Crowe, founder of the recycled food waste startup Goodr.
"I’m really looking forward to working with COX," he said. "Personally, I didn’t know they did as much as they do. They touch a lot of different industries, they do a lot in the Atlanta community. They are 1,000 percent (behind) helping companies in the Techstars program. They’re ... really passionate about solving problems in Atlanta, and building great companies here. I’m really excited to see how this partnership unfolds. (We have) a lot of the same ideas and ideals of how we’ll approach different companies in the program."
Atlanta, Givens said, is a melting pot that goes beyond the diversity of race. The city is a travel hub, culture hub, center for music, leading film and entertainment town and so much more, he said.
"There isn’t another place or city I can think of that touches so many different industries at such a high level," he said. "Through Techstars, there’s so many things here, problems within our city that we can solve."
Givens hopes to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs and startups who want to solve those problems by mentoring them and connecting them with corporate leaders in Atlanta through the accelerator.
"One of the beautiful things about Atlanta, it is extremely diverse," he said. "What that means is people expect more out of us. It’s just that the expectation in Atlanta is a lot higher than most cities. We have to work a little harder to reach those expectations."
Givens, an African American, said in the past two to three years, research and discussions about racial and gender imparity in the tech space have increased. The problem with the lack of diversity in tech for women, people of color and other minorities, Givens said, is the way institutions are already built. By accepting a diverse group of startups into the accelerator, Givens believes this will serve as an example for other parts of the community to follow.
"If you look at my network, it is very heavily leaned towards African Americans," he said. "And so by having someone like myself (in this role), there are people I’ve already been interviewing that have never heard of Techstars, but through my network ... that will hopefully increase the pipeline ... You need diversity installed."
Givens said he's excited to give Atlanta startups the opportunity to truly make a difference through the accelerator and, hopefully, make a difference in the community.
"I get to sit down every day and help entrepreneurs solve real problems for the world at large. I’m really excited," he said. "We're already interviewing companies."
Atlanta Inno and Givens will host a fireside chat at WeWork 101 Mariettta St. for our State of Innovation on Oct. 10. Topics of discussion will include diversity, corporate involvement in the tech startup ecosystem and how far Atlanta has come as a tech hub. Tickets are available here.
