Black Orlando Tech's programs meant to shepherd more minorities into tech careers and entrepreneurship are growing.
The Orlando-based nonprofit this summer kicks off the second iterations of its Startup Series and Tech Cohort programs, meant to train entrepreneurs and aspiring tech workers. The programs have grown dramatically since their start in 2020. For example, Black Orlando Tech expects 50 people to participate in the Startup Series this year, up from 10 people last year, Communications Chair Kelda Senior told Orlando Inno.
Tech Cohorts in an eight-week virtual program that teaches skills in areas ranging from digital marketing to cybersecurity. Startup Series is a four-month virtual program that gives founders or budding entrepreneurs training, resources and one-on-one coaching. Both programs started in early July, but participants can join anytime and get caught up by watching the course replays, Senior said. More information on the programs is available on Black Orlando Tech's website.
The goal of the programs is to help more minorities pursue technology careers or start their own companies, said Black Orlando Tech Executive Director Rose LeJiste.
When these two programs kicked off last year, they reflected a major shift for Black Orlando Tech from just a meetup group to an accelerator and training group, Board Chair Tiffany Spencer previously said.
One of the participants in the inaugural Startup Series was Aubrey Perry, founder of Orlando-based Reviox LLC. The program helped Perry with planning for and operating his business, which developed an app that lets users find breweries, redeem discounts and track their visits. Perry since has moved on to the Seed Stage Accelerator program at Orland-based Starter Studio, which Perry said he hopes will prepare him to potentially seek and accept investment capital.
There is a shortage of Black business owners in the technology sector. For example, just under 25% of startups in the professional, scientific and tech sector are minority-owned, according to a 2019 analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by Austin-based software firm Volusion LLC. Meanwhile, 40% of Americans are part of an ethnic or racial minority group, according to the Census Bureau data.
The growth of startups is important for Central Florida because they can create high-wage jobs and innovative solutions for other businesses.
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