Paving the Way for Women to Lead at Every Level

The START Accelerator program was launched in June of 2022. Lynn and the She Run It Foundation Board launched the program with digitalundivided in response to the #Inclusive100 research that indicated a disproportionate decline in Black and LatinX representation (which was already low), across the industry. The goal was to bring the powerful ideas and emerging business concepts from women of color to fruition. Online applications were solicited through press and social media, and a 10-person cohort was selected to participate. The cohort was subsequently matched and mentored one-to-one by Lynn, members of the She Runs It Foundation Board, and other industry leaders through a 8-week curriculum designed specifically for founders innovating in tech, marketing, and media. The curriculum included customized training modules, workshops led by industry leaders, 1:1 coaching, Entrepreneur in Residence offering with business advisory and office hours, plus access for the cohort to a community of like-minded women. The cohort was trained in origin story, lean startup business models, shaping assumptions, testing hypotheses, identifying the best revenue model, pitch development and practice. The program culminated in a demo day in early December of 2022, during which the 10 selected entrepreneurs presented business plans and pitches to a jury of industry leaders. All participants received a start-up grant and the entrepreneur with the proposal voted most promising received additional funds. Video pitches were subsequently shared online for a People’s Choice component which garnered hundreds of visits and votes resulting in an additional grant for the winning idea. While still too soon to track the success of the business ideas presented, the initiative invited new people and infused the marketing industry with fresh thinking.