Google is making new commitments to diversity with the launch of two startup programs aimed at jump-starting growth for business owners, specifically for women and Black founders.
These are the latest in a long list of programs the tech giant has created to empower businesses seeking adequate resources for success, said Google's head of first startups, Jewel Burks Solomon. Furthermore, she added that the tech giant is specifically adding resources to help companies succeed in the unprecedented business climate brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
"We think that giving these founders the best resources that Google has to offer is a great way for us to really be helpful and to just also make sure that these businesses succeed and grow," she told Cheddar.
Google isn't just offering help because it's a trend on Twitter, said Jason Scott, head of startup developers ecosystems at Google. The company is committed to ensuring businesses continue thriving in the future.
"One thing we're really, really, really passionate about is continuing to support diverse founders and representations across all of our programs," he said.
Continued support isn't always measured in monetary terms, Solomon mentioned, but it can also be defined by the tools that can be used to make a product or idea more complete. The new programs offer "additional services" that provide unique access to personalized mentorship and technical workshops.
"We're really excited that Google has taken the stand to say, 'We're going to not just do a one-time thing, but we're going to do something that will really stand the test of time and continue to invest in these businesses,'" Solomon said.
Lasting success for the startups is not Google's sole priority, noted Solomon. The company is also committed to ensuring fair business practices so smaller companies are not simply overrun by larger entities.
"This is our entire team mission: to level the playing field for underrepresented startup founders. And it didn't just start this week or last week. It's been something that we've been doing for many years," she said.
For Solomon, participating in the launch of these new startup initiatives is personal and one she's happy Google fully stands behind.
"I started a tech company back in 2013, so I really understood the challenges, frankly, that Black and brown founders faced," Solomon said.
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