In an effort to assist Chicago’s Black-owned startups through the tumultuous Covid-19 pandemic, Google is giving grants to six South Side businesses.
Google is providing $450,000 in non-dilutive cash to local startups through its Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. The program, initially revealed in June, is investing $5 million into Black-owned startups throughout the U.S. Google also created a three-month accelerator program for Black founders from across the country.
In addition to the cash, startups will receive access to Google’s technical resources, people and best practices. The tech giant, which has a large presence in Chicago, worked with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office to identify the grant recipients.
“I applaud Google for their commitment to supporting our city’s residents and communities, doing the critical work to unlock the tremendous levels of potential right here at home,” said Mayor Lightfoot in a statement. “It’s through dynamic partnerships like these that will enable us to turn the tide on the decades of disinvestment within our communities of color—particularly on our South and West Sides—and create a city where everyone has a chance to build a future and pursue their dreams.”
4Degrees, an artificial intelligence startup working to help people better leverage their professional network, and GoLogic, a delivery SaaS platform, are among the recipients.
The other four startups include Cyber Pop-Up, LifeWeb 360, A.M. Money and Five to Nine.
Inno reporting earlier this year found that Chicago had just nine Black-founded startups that had raised more than $1 million in funding over the course of their startups’ lifecycles. Data shows that Black entrepreneurs receive a small fraction of the funding and support that their White counterparts do.
“We are committed to helping Black founders who have been deeply impacted by Covid-19 and who are disproportionately locked out of access to the funding they need to succeed,” said Jewel Burks Solomon, the head of Google for Startups U.S., in a statement. “By combining cash awards with Google for Startups mentorship and programming, we hope to help create a more level playing field for these founders, who are building amazing companies and making an impact on their communities.”
Mountain View, Calif.-based Google first came to Chicago in 2000 and has been steadily expanding its local workforce since. Google, which has 1,300 local employees, opened a second office nearby its first in the Fulton Market neighborhood last year. Across the two office buildings, Google employs people in product, engineering, technical infrastructure and finance roles.
Here's more on the six Chicago recipients of Google’s Black Founders Fund:
Daniel Rogers, A.M. Money
Rogers started A.M. Money to open up access to affordable financing for low-income college students. The startup uses alternative analytics and helps students navigate their financial situation. He will use the funds to build customer support capacity, helping people of color and vulnerable communities hit especially hard by Covid.
Jasmine Shells, Five to Nine
Shells wanted to help organizers manage virtual and in-person company events in a more analytical and efficient way. Five to Nine is a tool that provides RSVP tracking, automated reminders and post-event analytics. Funding will be used to hire engineers that can help them meet the product and tech milestones necessary for closing larger pending contracts.
Ablorde Ashigbi, 4Degrees
Ashigbi created 4Degrees, a relationship intelligence software that helps those in relationship-driven industries, such as private equity and investment banking, strengthen those relationships over time. Funds will be used to make key engineering hires to accelerate important business initiatives.
Rachele Louis, LifeWeb 360
Louis wanted to use technology to better help families and friends remember their loved ones. Through LifeWeb 360, she is bringing those families and friends the technology to create memorial scrapbooks. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company saw a massive increase in demand for its product as an alternative to traditional funeral services. Louis will use the funds to implement the feature requests from customers.
Christine Izuakor, Cyber Pop-Up
Izuakor is rethinking how businesses approach the cybersecurity industry. Cyber Pop-up is an on-demand cybersecurity service platform powered by vetted and highly skilled freelance experts. It’s unique model addresses diversity issues in the industry by expanding employment opportunities for underrepresented communities. Cyber Pop-Up will use the funds to hire a full-time operations manager and business development manager.
Patrice Darby, GoLogic
Darby created GoLogic to empower small businesses to sell more faster. GoLogic is a logistics platform that moves people or products locally, maximizing worker utilization and driving profitability for SMBs. They are a Techstars alumni. During the pandemic the company has seen increased demand in online ordering, curbside pickup and delivery services.
