On September 17, the ten founders in the 2024 Tech Equity Hub Cohort gathered with the Project W community in New York City at Rise New York, created by Barclays, to celebrate the culmination of a successful program and showcase their groundbreaking companies.
Hailing from across the nation—Washington D.C., New York, Sacramento, Seattle, Durham, and Richmond—the founders of the 2024 Tech Equity Hub are pioneering innovative solutions to transform and improve systems ripe for change. While each founder is blazing her own trail, their collective efforts highlight some inspiring themes.
Disrupting Highly Regulated Systems with Mobilization
Two companies in the cohort are leveraging mobility to reach their customers in new and impactful ways:
- TheraMotive: Breaking down physical barriers to accessing physical therapy, TheraMotive is developing AI- and VR-powered mobile clinics designed to meet patients where they are.
- High Road Delivery: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape, High Road Delivery has developed a platform to seamlessly connect people with cannabis products through integrated technology solutions and an omnichannel distribution network.
Empowering Underrepresented Groups with AI
Three companies in the cohort are harnessing the power of AI to empower underrepresented groups across various sectors:
- The Dev Difference: Driving improved outcomes for diverse candidates, The Dev Difference offers personalized AI mock interview prep to help underrepresented talent land jobs in tech.
- SIID Technologies: Utilizing AI-powered eDiscovery software, SIID Technologies provides smart insights and strategies, enabling public defenders to deliver timely and quality legal services.
- Cadence Cash: Supporting women- and minority-owned small businesses, Cadence Cash helps companies find strategic capital and offers a comprehensive growth and financial management toolkit. Their AI virtual assistant, Angel™—the first Black female co-pilot—guides entrepreneurs through the complex financial landscape, helping them secure loans or lines of credit via an integrated funding platform.
Uplifting Emerging Entrepreneurs
Two companies in the cohort are building platforms designed to empower specific communities of entrepreneurs by providing the tools and opportunities needed to grow their businesses:
- The Jefas: Helping Latina beauty brands grow by providing an e-commerce platform, The Jefas marketplace and subscription boxes help emerging beauty entrepreneurs access the $8 billion Latino beauty market.
- HomeCook: HomeCook supports local food entrepreneurs by offering access to commercial-grade kitchens and by leveraging technology to manage and scale the rental and scheduling of commercial kitchen spaces.
Optimizing Processes and Bridging Gaps
Three companies in the cohort are driving change by leveraging technology to optimize processes, provide tailored solutions, and empower their users to save time and money:
- Modet: Enhancing procurement processes in the fashion industry with generative AI, Modet allows companies to optimize their strategies, reduce waste, and improve supply chain management.
- Buildstock: This B2B marketplace enables high-rise builders to find competitive prices while streamlining the procurement of construction materials, leading to significant cost and time savings.
- Inspirame: Leveraging technology to demystify pathways to higher education and workforce development, Inspirame's TecoGuide platform fosters connections between education and industry, creating a more skilled and prepared workforce.
These founders are transforming business as usual. And the companies they are building are testaments to the power of diversity and the transformative potential of tech equity.
Keep an eye on these companies and the founders who are building them—they are going places.
