The HBCU tech founders you need to know

Today,?The Plug?has released a first-of-its-kind report analyzing 100 high-growth, Black-led technology companies that are making a significant impact in their industries and communities.

The Black Tech Effect 2023?report is an opportunity to celebrate the success of these founders and companies while acknowledging the ongoing challenges affecting the Black tech ecosystem. Over 10 percent of the companies on our list are led by HBCU alumni.

Far too often, Black-led tech companies are under-examined and under-represented.?The Black Tech Effect?aims to shift narratives of Black tech companies from a deficit lens to an empowered one, reimagining the current state of tech. We utilized an innovative methodology that looks not just at a company’s total funding and years in operation, but their social impact as well.

The over-emphasis of growth and performance have led to false insights and narratives about the progress of Black-led tech companies. This paucity of information has detrimental effects not just on Black founders and companies, but on society as a whole. By missing out on the impact these companies bring, we also miss out on innovative approaches to global issues like climate change and sustainability.

The Black Tech Effect?report was created in partnership with The Tech We Want, a program of the social change venture?Omidyar Network. Omidyar Network believes this report will help address the data gap on Black-led tech companies, promote an inclusive future and help position these founders and companies to be seen by more investors.

The 12 companies led by HBCU alumni featured on our list are creating innovative solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. They are working in industries ranging from A.I. and machine learning to health tech:

1910 Genetics

Founder:?Jen Nwankwo

HBCU:?Claflin University

Named for the year sickle-shaped red blood cells were detected in an African American patient, 1910 Genetics seeks to improve the timeline and cost of drug development for genetic diseases.

Aella

Founder:?Akin Jones

HBCU:?Howard University

Aella is the first lending company on the African continent to be admitted into Y Combinator as they bring digital banking and BSC loans to underbanked communities.

GoodrCo.

Founder:?Jasmine Crowe

HBCU:?North Carolina Central University

Goodr is a sustainable food waste management platform. The platform uses technologies to connect local restaurants to non-profit organizations that distribute food within their respective communities. Goodr’s app provides partner companies the ability to schedule surplus food pickup to help organizations reduce landfill waste.

Greenwood

Co-Founders:

• Ryan Glover
• Dr. Paul Judge
• Ambassador Andrew Young
• Michael “Killer Mike” Render

HBCUs:?Howard University; Morehouse College

Designed for Black and Latino customers, Greenwood Bank offers a modern banking experience that reinvests in the community and creates financial freedom.

HUED

Founder:?Kimberly Wilson

HBCU:?Howard University

HUED is a digital health company with a focus on equity and inclusivity in the health sector. The software is designed to improve health outcomes and decrease disparities among Black, Latinx and Indigenous patients through access to data and education.

Breakr

Co-Founders:

• Rotimi Omosheyin
• Ameer Brown
• Dan Ware
• Anthony Brown

HBCU:?All attended Florida A&M University

Music Breakr helps creators set up their platforms and engage with emerging artists on a secure, verified platform, reducing the back and forth communication and spam.

Pindrop

Founder:?Dr. Paul Judge

HBCU:?Morehouse College

Pindrop allows customers to unlock and access their private information using their voice. Pindrop safeguards privacy, partnering with financial institutions and communication platforms to create a new, more human security authentication.

Revitalize Charging Solutions, Inc

Founder: Edward Morgan

HBCU: Prairie View A&M University

Revitalize Charging Solutions is an electric vehicle supply equipment manufacturer company. The company services private or public businesses, designing and building interactive chargers that are user-friendly.

Reyets: Social Justice Network

Founder:?Justin Moore

HBCU:?Morehouse College

The Reyets mobile app helps users document police encounters in public as eyewitnesses of injustice. They also provide detailed info on your rights as a citizen and laws in place to protect you from unsanctioned raids, illegal stops and other indignities.

SynsorMed

Co-Founders:

• Amin Holmes
• Theodore Harvey

HBCU:?Both attended Florida A&M University

SynsorMed is an AI-powered monitoring platform helping healthcare organizations manage patients’ medical costs and non-medical needs virtually.

The Labz

Founder:?Farah Allen

HBCU:?Florida A&M University

The Labz is a SaaS platform giving businesses immersive experiences. The multi-media toolbox enables users to boost online engagement and interactive web experiences through audio, video and other dynamic features.

The Wealth Factory

Founder:?Angel Rich

HBCU:?Hampton University

The Wealth Factory aims to reduce poverty by disseminating financial literacy and education. Its 480 agencies operate in 60 countries and deliver financial literacy in over 20 languages.

Ultimately, the findings of this report all serve a greater purpose: to bring visibility to not only these companies but the Black tech ecosystem as a whole, to set the foundation that we’re here, that investors need to see us and we need to be given the same opportunity as other founders and organizations.

In the work,

Mirtha Donastorg