There is an ongoing commitment in many parts of the world to support and work with Black-owned and black-led businesses. This commitment could result from a commitment to racial justice or a genuine desire to help the Black-owned and Black-led companies to make a difference in the world. The responsibility could also stem from changing trends in the world and, consequently, focus on all-inclusivity. No one community has to be marginalized or left out of the picture.
Stats on venture funding to black early-stage companies
Although venture financing to black startups has been slow, the trend is changing. According to Crunchbase stats, funding to black ventures in the US reached approximately a 1.8billion in the first half of 2021. This funding was over a fourfold increase from the previous year. Multiple reasons account for the renewed focus on funding black-led startups.
Black startups disrupting industries
Thus, many Black-owned and Black-led startups are working to fulfill powerful goals—for example, those committed to supporting the digital framework for Africa’s healthcare systems. You can also find influential startups in the technology and beauty industries. Others are dedicated to giving game-changing academic platforms for those hitherto sidelined.
Here, we highlight and explain black-led startups disrupting industries and how they are doing it.
1. Color of Change
Color of Change is headed by Rashad Robinson, a civil rights leader in the US. The organization boldly invites you to make a fundamental change in the world. It is one of the world’s major Black-led online racial justice organizations. Their multiracial team has the job of helping people understand how to respond effectively to racial injustices in the world all around us.
The organization is based mainly online and has a seven million-force member driving it. They can move decision-making at top-level corporations and governments to create a more accommodating, less-hostile environment for black people in America.
The Color of Change organization also designs strategies that have the power to fight racism. They strategize these approaches to fight injustice and racism in workplaces, politics, and the culture that drives the people. In addition, the policies address discrimination and prejudices in community life and criminal justice.
Thus, Color of Change is so powerful that they change the unwritten and written societal rules. Their staff is innovative and strategic. They are dedicated to their mission to make sure justice is natural in this world. They are committed to social good, and that is how they are disrupting industries and sectors. Until justice in the world around them is real.
2. Bankjoy
Bankjoy is a super online and mobile banking technology Black-based startup led by CEO Michael Duncan. Y Combinator and Bessemer Venture Partners back it. The organization is headquartered in Detroit and aims to deliver the best digital banking experiences. Indeed, it brings joy to the banking sector, whether big or small.
Bankjoy is so fast-growing that they expect to triple their growth phase this year, disrupting industries. They deliver modern, easy-to-use, and clean banking technology all over the US. Their products include
- online banking
- mobile banking
- e-statements
- online account opening
- online loan application
- a conversation AI called Joy
They look for people who thrive in startup environments and want to be a part of stimulating growth. Their culture is remote-first and continuing to scale.
Bankjoy believes in building beautifully with all their products and company. They also leverage the best tools in the industry to achieve success. To them, leadership and self-drive are the keys.
3. Helium Health
Helium Health is the company building the digital infrastructure to empower healthcare services across the globe and emerging markets. It is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and San Francisco, CA. Co-founded by Adegoke Olubusi, Tito Ovia, and Dimeji Sofowora, this Black-led Start-up has about 51-200 employees with the potential for more.
Their infrastructure will partner with and strengthen Africa’s healthcare systems and the stakeholders. By giving them tools and data that is actionable for use, Helium health is helping them make informed decisions about their healthcare systems.
Helium Health aims to make world-class healthcare a reality for the world’s six billion population in emerging markets. Thus, working at Helium Health guarantees that you will make an impact, become innovative and work among a team of brilliant minds.
4. Valence
Valence is a global community and a platform whose focus is to create pathways for Black professionals. It aims to create social good and is located in Santa Monica, CA. The V-C-backed platform is a Black-led startup under CEO Guy Primus and co-founder Emily Slade. The forum is dedicated to giving black professionals a route to use their potential and reach success.
Their mission is to unlock global power for black professionals and create social and economic progress. The talented and ambitious professionals are drawn from a wide variety of industries. Through inspirational events, career opportunities, and mentorship. In addition, Valence empowers and educates these black professionals. Thus, Valence is another Black-led startup disrupting the industry and finding its place on the business map.
Valence also connects, empowers, and showcases professionals in the global Black professional community to the world. It is a curated network that Black professionals trust to give them access to opportunities and to pursue careers and executive leadership experiences. Members who have been vetted have exclusive access to excellent business experience with diverse cultures that partner with Valence to recruit and promote black professionals.
In addition, a Valence member will have access to mentorship sessions and a chance to build professional bonds and friendships. In return, these bonds will foster collaboration and strengthen the collective whole.
5. Pilotly
Pilotly is another Black-led startup shaking the industries to create a niche for themselves. Led by CEO and co-founder James Norman, they specialize in creative research teams in organizations. They are passionate about their job. Therefore, they strive to create meaningful engagement between an audience and content creators around the globe.
Through Pilotly, creators will get meaningful and detailed feedback from their audience, eventually improving their business. Operating between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, Pilotly creates impressive products that gauge the audience’s response and give you a view of the consumer population.
You will have a front-row to the daily media distribution and consumption changes. The pilot.ly will discover what content will work with what audience and how the population will receive the data.
6. Hurdle
The Hurdle is a leader in providing culturally intentional services for mental health. They exist to help individuals live with power and operate with joy. They encourage a well-balanced workplace and healthy self-care practices.
Hurdle looks for individuals willing to improve the mental health of marginalized communities. Because of their identity, they know how it feels to be sidelined. Therefore, they will honor and believe you when no one else will.
The Hurdle is a Black startup led by CEO Kevin Dedner. The platform will also give you a comprehensive plan of teletherapy services. These services will also include self-mastery and other tools for meeting the needs of populations who are not catered for by traditional resources. Hurdle, too, is a Black-led startup that is disrupting industries and catering to the mental demands of the marginalized.
7. Curls
Curls is a Black-led startup. As the name suggests, they are about connecting curly-haired women all over the globe. Led by CEO and Founder Mahisha Dellinger, they learn what each curly hair needs to bring out its beautiful natural curls. They have a mission to make curls accessible to curly hair everywhere, from babies to adults.
They have a passion for helping women live with beautiful curls. They collaborate with leading cosmetic companies and wellness experts in developing Curls brands. These brands care for the overlooked curly audience with a high-quality and remarkable product.
Their products are formulated to cater to each hair needs and at all ages. These products are available everywhere in the US at major retail outlets. You will also find the Curls products in most salons and hair boutiques to cater to their customers.
In addition to four-walled stores, Curls products are offered to online stores at CURLS.biz. The Black-led company is continually growing and disrupting industries to get a special place for curly-haired beauties. It has emerged as the leader in natural hair care in the last decade.
Curls are constantly innovating new products to meet the evolving needs of the industry. They help curly-haired women not just tame their manes but celebrate and showcase their perfectly imperfect coifs.
They have worked with big curly-haired names and influencers because their products are world-class. Their combination of expert formulations and tapping into the ignored niche has proved a winner.
Final Thoughts
Rising with a passion for the marginalized, especially the Black community, requires expertise and courage to stand out. Numerous Black-owned and Black-led businesses have sprung up in the last decade to honor and defend the rights of marginalized communities.
There are teams of experts in every imaginable field, from hair and beauty to medicine and technology. These companies are winners in their areas. Furthermore, they are still expanding rapidly and encompassing more innovative strategies to achieve their goals.
Remember, it’s upon all of us to be better at what we do. Moreover, we owe ourselves to be better allies by taking action at our places of work. We could become more intentional in our support for these and other Black-owned and Black-led businesses to make a difference in the world.