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What are the most effective ways to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds?

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Networking with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds is not only a way to diversify your deal flow, but also a way to support innovation and social impact. However, finding and connecting with these founders can be challenging, especially if you are not part of their communities or networks. In this article, you will learn some effective ways to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds, such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and people with disabilities.

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1 Identify your goals and gaps

Before you start networking, you need to have a clear idea of what you are looking for and what you are missing. What kind of entrepreneurs are you interested in? What sectors, stages, and geographies are you targeting? What are the gaps in your existing network and portfolio? How can you fill them with diverse perspectives and experiences? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your focus and prioritize your efforts.

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2 Research and reach out

Once you have identified your goals and gaps, you need to do some research and reach out to potential contacts. You can use online platforms, such as Crunchbase, AngelList, LinkedIn, and Twitter, to find and follow entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds who are working on relevant problems and solutions. You can also use databases, such as Women Who Tech, Black Founders, Latinx Founders, Out in Tech, Immigrant Founders, and Ability in Tech, to discover and contact diverse founders in your fields of interest. When you reach out, be respectful, genuine, and specific. Explain who you are, why you are interested, and what you can offer.

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Abhisshek Singlla

Partner - Burgeon Law | IBLJ Future Legal Leaders 2025 | Legal500 - (2024 & 2025) Recommended Lawyer | Forbes 2023 - Top Individual Lawyer | Venture Intelligence - Legal Advisor 2024 | ALB India Super 50 Lawyers 2023
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Research is one of the preferred method I would consider, considering you get to have all information and accordingly it increases the probability of responsiveness and accordingly helps in networking with entrepreneurs.

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3 Join and support communities

Another way to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds is to join and support their communities. You can attend events, such as pitch competitions, hackathons, panels, and workshops, that showcase and celebrate their achievements and challenges. You can also join groups, such as accelerators, incubators, mentorship programs, and associations, that provide resources and opportunities for their growth and development. By joining and supporting these communities, you can show your commitment, build trust, and establish relationships.

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Elena Del Pup

Bioinformatics PhD candidate | Forbes under30 Italy | TedX speaker| Founder TheGoodScientists | co-MD NucleateNL | EWOR Venture Partner | NOVA 111 | Top20 EU Seed Sector Talent | Clinton Foundation CGIU ‘22
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New stakeholders and potential strategic partners are emerging in the VC ecosystem, thanks to the new generation of founders and early-career innovators. Some of my favourite transformative examples are grassroot initiatives run by students for students, such as student VC funds, student venture building programs, and entrepreneurial, tech and talent hubs. Many of these players are fundamentally changing the face of venture capital, the demographics of founders, and entry-level venture analysts, and are catalysing a new entrepreneurial culture, mostly founder-led, bottom-up and community-led. These also have strong commitments to DEI goals and DEI KPIs.

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4 Provide value and feedback

Networking is not a one-way street. You need to provide value and feedback to the entrepreneurs you connect with. You can offer your expertise, advice, connections, or referrals to help them with their goals and challenges. You can also provide constructive feedback on their ideas, products, or pitches to help them improve and validate their assumptions. By providing value and feedback, you can demonstrate your interest, credibility, and value proposition.

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Natasha Zena

Innovating Digital Media and Communications.
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One of the ways many underrepresented entrepreneurs are dismissed is a lack of honest, valuable feedback. As a startup founder, I rarely received helpful direct, to-the-point feedback (even when I was in a pitch competition). Some of it was most likely unconscious bias — e.g. I was the only or one of a few Black founders at the competition and you did not want to "tear me down" or you did not want to invest and a head nod and a 'nice job' was how you wanted to send me on my way. The best thing you can do for founders is give them the same trusted feedback you would give to a male-led startup you were interested in. We can take it. Show them gaps and places where they are winning. Give them a fair, fighting chance.

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Abdenour Boukamhi

Workforce Development Specialist, Independent
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I agree with you. In the MENA region women are underrepresented and among the reasons the isolation and non recognition of their economic initiatives. Positive feedbacks can boost the moral and encourage start-up to go forward.

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5 Follow up and follow through

The last step to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds is to follow up and follow through. You need to maintain regular communication and engagement with your contacts. You can send them updates, articles, invitations, or introductions that are relevant and useful. You can also ask them for feedback, opinions, or referrals that can benefit you or others. Most importantly, you need to follow through on your promises and commitments. If you say you will do something, do it. By following up and follow through, you can strengthen your bond, reputation, and reputation.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most effective ways to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds?

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2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals and gaps

2 Research and reach out

3 Join and support communities

4 Provide value and feedback

5 Follow up and follow through

6 Here’s what else to consider

Venture Capital

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What are the most effective ways to network with entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals and gaps

2 Research and reach out

3 Join and support communities

4 Provide value and feedback

5 Follow up and follow through

6 Here’s what else to consider

Venture Capital

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