Posted June 12, 2020

Tampa Bay Wave is proud to announce their 21st accelerator cohort for the 2020 TechDiversity Accelerator. Tampa Bay Wave has selected fifteen tech companies to join their cohort for the TechDiversity Accelerator, a program that has been supported by the Nielsen Foundation since 2018. This is an international program designed for early-stage tech companies that are 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a minority, woman, veteran, disabled or LGBTQ person or persons.

Wave’s TechDiversity Accelerator is a 90-day program where chosen companies will work in a collaborative, non-competitive environment. Companies will have access to invaluable resources, such as a dedicated TechDiversity Cohort Director, one-on-one mentoring with notable tech founders, sales training, pitch coaching, and investor introductions. TechDiversity Accelerator companies will also participate in Wave’s Demo Day at the conclusion of the program. This is a unique opportunity for founders to pitch their companies to an audience of hand-selected investors and business leaders.

“The Nielsen Foundation is excited to support the third year of the TechDiversity Accelerator,” said Andrea Bertels, Executive Director of Grantmaking of the Nielsen Foundation. “COVID-19 has shown the inequalities across our economy, and this program can really make a difference. We’re proud to be part of the solution — providing greater opportunity for diverse entrepreneurs to build, grow, and expand their businesses and influence in the tech sector.”

The Nielsen Foundation is a private foundation funded by Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics company. The foundation seeks to bridge divides and enhance the use of data by the social sector to reduce discrimination, ease global hunger, and promote effective education. As one of the Nielsen Foundation’s Signature Programs, the TechDiversity Accelerator aims to reduce discrimination and promote inclusion in the startup community.

“Tampa Bay Wave is thrilled to launch year three of our TechDiversity Accelerator program, powered by the Nielsen Foundation, here in Tampa Bay. Wave is determined to continue amplifying underrepresented startups,” said Linda Olson, president and founder of Tampa Bay Wave. “We’re eager to continue promoting the essentiality of tech startup diversity with the implementation of this inclusive program which will define their talents and propel their innovation.”

Read the rest here