Groundbreaking Study Uncovers Path to Increasing Black Women Tech Founders
A recent study published in the Strategic Management Journal has revealed a practical strategy to address the underrepresentation of Black women in the tech startup world: gaining employment at startups before founding their own ventures. Despite the rise in entrepreneurship across the United States, diversity remains a significant challenge in the startup ecosystem.
The research, conducted by experts from Texas A&M University, Arizona State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, analyzed data from over 8,000 individuals who participated in Venture For America (VFA), a nonprofit organization that places recent college graduates in startup roles through a competitive fellowship program. The study tracked the career paths of these individuals using LinkedIn data and conducted interviews with 39 startup professionals, including 10 Black women founders.
The findings show that individuals with startup experience are 91% more likely to start their own ventures. This effect was particularly pronounced for Black women, who are significantly underrepresented among startup founders. The researchers discovered that working in a startup environment helps dismantle psychological barriers by providing representation and exposure to founding experiences.
“Many of the Black women we interviewed never saw themselves as startup founders—until they worked at a startup,” explains Dr. Chris Bingham, Phillip Hettleman Distinguished Professor. “Seeing founders up close helped them realize that those leading startups were also figuring things out.” The study suggests that targeted policies and fellowship programs connecting Black women to early-stage startups as employees could lay the groundwork for future entrepreneurial leadership.
The implications of this research are profound, both for individual empowerment and for enriching the startup ecosystem with fresh perspectives. As Dr. Sekou Bermiss, Associate Professor of Strategy, notes, “Black women bring new ideas, questions, and goals to the table. Encouraging their entrepreneurial journeys isn’t just a diversity win—it’s an innovation win.”
The study’s findings highlight the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the startup world. By providing pathways for Black women to gain experience in startups, we can unlock new potential for innovation and leadership in the tech industry.
