When Joanna Smith signed up for Google’s Black Founder cohort, she didn’t know she’d feel the sense of community that would lead to growth. But she quickly realized that the expertise she learned from mentors and the network she was building would take her business to the next level.

“The accelerator gave me a sense of community I haven’t felt in a long time! It was the perfect balance of content, community, and subject matter expertise to push us forward,” Joanna Smith, CEO of AllHere Education, said. “Our OKRs helped us focus, communicate, and execute. We’ve done more work and delivered more value faster than ever before.”

AllHere Education provides support to teachers, school leaders, data analysts, social workers, counsellors, and other support staff across the U.S. It helps them increase student success and build engagement with families.

Last week, Google has announced it has launched two prestigious accelerator programs for Black and women founders.

This is the third year the accelerator program will support 10 to 12 tech startups across North America.

Applications for The Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders and Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders are open until July 28. Follow the link for details on how to apply.

“Black and women entrepreneurs continue to be underrepresented in Canada’s tech startup ecosystem because many lack access to resources required to launch their business. For Black founders, a recent study underscores how securing funding, financing, capital or sales is the most significant barrier to scaling their business,” the tech giant said.

“Similarly, for women founders, the study also highlights challenges faced with accessing venture capital and support. Compared to their male counterparts, women are less to receive venture capital or angel funding and other forms of leverage such as trade credit or capital leasing. In fact, data revealed global venture funding to female-founded companies fell significantly in 2020, with only 2.3 per cent of funding going to female-only founders.”

Along with mentorship and technical project support, accelerator programming will also feature deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development for founders, a statement reads.

Participants will also receive guidance from a roster of speakers and facilitators.