Cultivate: Hack the Wealth Gap powered by AARP Innovation Labs is a 3-month initiative to support eight (8) BIPOC-led tech startups working to reduce wealth inequality in the United States of America.
Sponsoring Agency: AARP Innovation Labs
Type of Fund: Events, Workshops and Conferences
Deadline Available: Available
Deadline Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 05/21/2021
Size of the Fund: Less than USD $50,000
Cultivate: Hack the Wealth Gap powered by AARP Innovation Labs is a 3-month initiative to support eight (8) BIPOC-led tech startups working to reduce wealth inequality in the United States of America.
How Hack the Wealth Gap Works
• Pitch Competition
o The eight (8) finalists will present to a panel of industry veterans for the opportunity to win $10,000 in non-dilutive funding plus $25,000 in program from AARP Innovation Labs. The 2nd place winner receives $2,500 in non-dilutive funding. All eight finalists are admitted into Goodie Nation’s Intentionally Good program, and receive support from July – September.
• Professional Development
o They evaluate the strengths and areas of improvement of founders through readiness evaluations; help them with goal & milestone setting; provide advice from experts including with storytelling & media training; and hold them accountable through groups, partners, and progress reports.
• Warm Intros
o They connect the founders to professionals from prestigious universities & companies for increased opportunities; influencers for endorsements and advisor roles; large companies for pilots and partnerships, and to investors for potential funding.
• Mental Health
o They host Founders’ Therapy each month – small group support sessions where the founders vent amongst themselves about problems only they can understand. It amplifies peace of mind.
Hack the Wealth Gap Activities
Holding BIPOC Founders Working on the Wealth Gap Accountable for Making Progress and Helping them Grow as Leaders. All Sessions are Virtual:
• Pitch Coaching: 1:1 sessions with experts to refine your pitch ahead of the pitch competition.
• Readiness Evaluations: 45 minute sessions where 3rd parties assess your readiness to take on influencers, large companies, and funders.
• Weekly Accountability Group Sessions: 30 minute small group video calls to report your morale, recent wins, plan for the upcoming week, and needs.
• Weekly Peer Accountability + Review: You’re matched with another founder for check-ins on each other’s OKR progress as well as to rate each other’s investability.
• Monthly 1:1’s: 30 minute check-ins with Program Manager and Entrepreneur-In-Residence
• Office Hours: Book 45 minute calls with coaches for instruction on OKR improvement areas.
• Educational Sessions: Workshops, group coaching sessions, etc.
• Events: Invites to program events like mental health sessions and partner events.
• Progress Report Events: online events where you report your recent progress to key stakeholders.
More information at: https://goodienation.org/hackthewealthgap/
