BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) entrepreneurs are those who create impactful businesses while addressing systemic barriers. Their contributions can inspire communities and pave the way for future generations, highlighting the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship. However, BIPOC entrepreneurs have often faced barriers to accessing capital, which can hinder the economy and prevent the nation's talent from reaching its full potential. For example, a study found that Black and Hispanic testers were asked disproportionately about their education and credit history compared to white testers, and that Latino-owned businesses are underfunded across all types of capital.
Hosted by MIT Sloan School of Management, this series focuses on accelerating inclusion in the innovation economy. Dive deep into different ways of thinking about innovation and inclusion, and discover steps you can use to make a difference within your own communities. This session features a conversation about creating new capital and funding models for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and how to remove institutional and structural barriers inherent in the process. Malia Lazu, Founder, The Urban Labs and MIT Sloan Lecturer Fiona Murray, Associate Dean for Innovation and Inclusion, MIT Sloan Lynne Hoey, Head of Lending & Olamina Fund Managing Director, Candide Group Konda Mason, Co-Founder & President, Jubilee Justice; Strategic Director, The Runway Project