Urban Tech Connect // Forward 2022 Beta

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Uncategorized

Two Latin Micro Mobility Firms merge to create “Grow Mobility”.

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According to Forbes, two Latin American transportation services have merged to expand into global markets beyond Latin America.

Brazilian dockless bike and scooter service Yellow, and Mexican electric scooter startup Grin, have merged to become Grow Mobility. Grow Mobility currently operates 135,000 vehicles across six Latin countries. The combined company is looking to start operations in the US and Southern Europe in 2019, and is applying for permits to start this process.

The group expects to more than double its functions and expand its partnership with on-demand grocery delivery firm Rappi.

The current priority is to use it to explore the opportunities with their digital payment platform.

“…such as buying items at commercial partners who will then become bike and scooter stations. It may be that we need to offer the services of a fintech first without labeling ourselves as such.” Says Grow’s Brazil co-director Marcelo Loureiro.

Grow has secured funding worth $150 million in less than a month, and the group will retain the 1,100-person workforce will a move to new offices in Sao Paulo.

“As we expand, our responsibility in terms of education becomes even more key, but that’s a process where we will see increased maturity over time. Disruption always comes with a bit of noise, but changing the status quo is our mission and we are here to stay.”

 

 

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UTC 2018

Arabian Prince

Arabian Prince – A songwriter, rapper, producer, DJ and technologist, Arabian is best known
for pioneering west coast electro music and being a founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame inducted rap group N.W.A. His passion for technology led to him create a 3D animation
and special effects studio in the 90’s working with companies like Saban Entertainment and
Fox; including 100+ video game titles for Fox interactive and Vivendi Universal. As a
consultant, Arabian has advised many companies on bridging the gap between technology and
the youth, while bringing new product innovations to market. He is currently working with his
tech partners to bring Open Labs to communities across the country to support Diversity,
Women in tech, Veterans and anyone else who wants to explore the future of technology.
He is currently serving as the President of the LAFTC, Los Angeles First Tech Challenge Robotics
Competition which has 160 schools under his belt.

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Startups UTC 2019

Plug In South L.A.’s Urban Tech Connect Gears Up For 2019

 

By Linette Coste (Plug In South LA)

A different type of conference for those who think differently.

LOS ANGELES (January 15, 2019) – On May 16, Plug in South L.A. will host Urban Tech
Connect 2019, the premier conference for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs
to connect, collaborate, create and receive counsel.

Held at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Theatre, the day-long conference is the
largest gathering of African-American and Latino founders in Southern California.
Sessions will focus on empowering and connecting local tech entrepreneurs and
founders to help fuel economic development and revitalization in South Los Angeles
around sectors that are shaping the future of the area.

“Urban Tech Connect is all about bringing tech leaders together to collaborate,
create, and empower,” said Derek Smith. “Success comes from diversity of thought,
and there is a growing network ready to make something happen in Los Angeles’s
innovation economy.”

Expected attendees range from students to start up founders. In addition to gaining
valuable insights into strategy and growth, attendees will participate in
comprehensive sessions that help address the unique challenges people of color face
as entrepreneurs. Successful venture capitalists, professional resources and other
founders and executives will also attend.

Last year’s speakers include such local and national leaders such as Eric Garcetti, the
mayor of Los Angeles, Matt Barnes, NBA champion and investor and Amy DuBoi
Barnett, Chief Content Officer for TheGrio and former Editor-in-Chief of Ebony.
“We have to make sure the [tech] industry reflects us,” said Garcetti at the 2018
Urban Tech Connect Conference. “L.A. is a place that we’ve tried to make sure that
everybody feels like they belong.”

Urban Tech Connect is a partner with Verizon Wireless, CISCO brothers, Amazon Web
Services – We Power Tech, TechStars and Los Angeles Urban League.
About Plug In South Los Angeles

Plug In brings together entrepreneurs, founders, VCs, innovators and emerging talent
for conversations and networking focused on creating a community and hub for
innovation in South LA. Come join our kick off Tech Summit and Digital Media program
in our movement to identify and accelerate the beautiful in tech and digital media.
For more information, go to www.pluginsouthla.com.

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Startups

Checking In With digitalundivided Ahead Of Its Fourth BIG Incubator

 

By Monique Wingard (Afrotech)

In 2018, the energy behind catch phrases and hashtags like “The Future is Female” seemed to be limitless, and that movement seems to have gained more vigor with the election of President Donald Trump. A record breaking number of women were elected to state and local office in 2018, and we’re seeing more and more women in leadership roles.

But if you take a close look at the representation of Black and Latinx women in tech and among the ranks of well-funded entrepreneurs, it seems to be more of the same. DigitalUndivided(DID) wants to change that.

In 2013, DID founder Kathryn Finney made her dream of seeing more successful women of color in business a reality. That vision was DigitalUndivided (DID). Lead by Finney and her all woman leadership team, DID focuses on three primary areas: Research, Knowledge and Community. Finney’s work has continued with the development of Project Diane, a study taking a closer look at the state of Black women in the innovation space.

Now in 2019, DID will be welcoming its fourth cohort in its BIG Incubator—a program for Black and Latinx female-led startups. Soon, thousands of women across the country will be vying for the opportunity to take part in this 30-week, curriculum based experience in Atlanta, GA. However, only 20 startups will be chosen to receive assistance from industry leaders to turn their idea into a viable business.

We spoke to DID’s Director of Community, Darlene Gillard to learn more about BIG and the work being done to ensure another year of successful training for future women of color in tech.

If you have been wondering what “BIG” stands for, it’s not an acronym. The leaders of DID wanted to use it as a motivator for women to “Think BIG. Be BIG, and do BIG thangs!”

What makes 2019 more exciting than previous years of BIG?

This year, we’re running the BIG Incubator program in TWO different cities (Atlanta and Newark). We’re very excited about opening the new BIG Innovation Center, a 4000 sq.ft. space in downtown Newark, along with our groundbreaking center in downtown Atlanta (We have Oprah wallpaper!). It’s an honor to have the opportunity to reach more communities and to serve more Black and Latinx women, especially since people have been asking us about expanding to their cities for years. We also work with amazing pathway partners, who provide the “next step” to BIG founders, including the global accelerator, Techstars, and social enterprise pioneers, Echoing Green.

As with any project that deals with constantly shifting facts, stats, and outcomes (like diversity, funding, and data on women of color in tech), are there any new focuses for the next cohort?

digitalundivided has a bold mission, to create a world where women, especially Black and Latinx women, own our work. The BIG incubator focuses on finding great founders first, many of whom are new to the world of startups, and equip them with skill sets that will allow them to thrive. The heart of the BIG program is how to build a successful business, regardless of how the startup landscape changes.

Last year, there were mixed opinions shared by some leading women of color in tech regarding access to capital. Do you or the leaders of digitalundivided think that the landscape looks bleak for women of color who may require funding to take their business to the next level?

Funding avenues for women of color exist, though obviously not as many as there ought to be. The fact remains that it’s still relatively better than how things were back when we published the first ProjectDiane report and that infamous .2% statistic in 2016. For instance, our research in ProjectDiane shows that the total amount raised by Black women increased 500%, from approximately $50 million in 2016 to close to $250 million in 2017. That is positive. However, that $250 million is approximately .0006% of the $427 BILLION raised in total venture funds since 2009.

With the growing attention to the lack of inclusiveness in the space, coupled with the increase of visibility among successful WOC-led startup companies, we’re hoping we can sustain, if not expand, the access to capital of these founders.

Do you have any encouraging words for women of color just getting started on their entrepreneurial journey?

As women of color, we tend to feel pressured to always win in order to prove ourselves to the world. Know that it’s okay to stumble around a bit, or to not get everything right the first time. The best entrepreneurs aren’t those who haven’t failed or made any mistakes, but those who worked through hardships, even pivoting if they had to.

Ladies, if you have been looking for the perfect next step for your business, get your applications in today! The deadline is February 8, 2019–or until every slot is filled. Make sure you take a look at the FAQ first. Click here to apply or visit digitalundivided.com for more information.