This means partnering with organizations and building programs and policies that actively work against existing norms and systems.
2020.11.10
Clayton Bryan
At 500, we’ve always prided ourselves on our values of being bold, being the example, being humble, thriving, and being inclusive. Whether it was the types of founders who joined our accelerator, events like our Unity & Inclusion Summit, or any of our other initiatives, we believe that much of our success comes from our shared value of inclusivity. In fact, 500’s Black-founded companies (having at least 1 Black founder) have a combined valuation of $1.15 billion and raised $481 million (based on 101 companies, 81 U.S. based) as of October 2020.1
We, like many others, are overcome with grief after the tragic murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Gardner, and the many countless lives that have been lost. Black Americans continue to be an undervalued segment of our society, and this year continued to echo an important fact that we must all face: it is not enough to be “inclusive”.
At 500, this means partnering with organizations that can be critical of our actions for the future and building programs and policies that actively work against existing norms and systems. We know we are not the experts, and so with every new initiative, we are actively researching, learning & unlearning, and working together with the community to create a VC culture that is actively providing opportunities for underrepresented founders and investors.
Today is just a small part of that journey. We’ve been diligently working behind-the scenes, privately meeting internally on how to create substantial, systemic change in our organization. While we are excited to launch some of the incredible initiatives listed below, know that this is just the start of a long journey at 500 as we continue to learn more, iterate our policies, and push forward.
Black Founders Hub
Similar to our 500 Female Forces Initiative, our Black Founders Hub serves as a centralized location of information on our black founder initiatives, community partners, updated approach, and ways that we can increase black representation throughout the world of VC and startups. We hope to provide a singular place for resources for black founders across the early-stage startup community.
Black Founders Content
On an ongoing basis, black founders will be able to get a curated list of resources, upcoming events, and content from around the VC and startup community sent directly to their inbox. We hope to provide founders with opportunities to network with fellow founders and VCs to expand their reach and opportunity.
This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. Please review 500 Startups’ Terms of Use, including the disclaimers set forth in Section 2 thereof, for additional important information.
Based on internal estimates as at September 30, 2020 and has not been independently verified. 1
2. AS OF 30 JUNE 2023 AND INCLUDES PRIVATE, PUBLIC AND EXITED COMPANIES. FOR EXITED POSITIONS, VALUATION DATE IS DATE OF EXIT. THESE FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES, AGGREGATED ACROSS ALL PORTFOLIO COMPANIES HELD ACROSS ALL FUNDS ADVISED BY 500 STARTUPS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES, AND ARE BASED ON INTERNAL DATA THAT HAS NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED AND RELIES ON PORTFOLIO INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY EXTERNAL SOURCES WHICH HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED, MAY NOT BE ACCURATE OR UPDATED. THESE VALUATIONS ARE ESTIMATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 500 GLOBAL’S VALUATION POLICY. SEE 500.CO/COMPANIES FOR A FULL LIST OF PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RETURNS. PORTFOLIO COMPANIES DISPLAYED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL INVESTMENTS IN VEHICLES MANAGED BY 500 STARTUPS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.L.C. (TOGETHER WITH ITS AFFILIATES, “500 GLOBAL”) AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INVESTMENTS WILL BE PROFITABLE OR THAT OTHER INVESTMENTS MADE IN THE FUTURE WILL HAVE SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS OR RESULTS. THIS LIST INCLUDES CURRENT AND FORMER 500 GLOBAL PORTFOLIO COMPANIES WHICH HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED AS WELL AS COMPANIES WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE AN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING. THIS LIST IS UPDATED PERIODICALLY AND AS SUCH MAY NOT REFLECT RECENT 500 GLOBAL INVESTMENTS. PAST RESULTS OF 500 GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, POOLED INVESTMENT VEHICLES, OR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. NO CONTENT ON THIS PAGE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF INTEREST TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES, CONSTRUCTED AS FUND MARKETING MATERIALS BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT INTO ANY 500 GLOBAL FUND, OR USED AS THE BASIS FOR ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS. ALL LOGOS, NAMES, AND TRADEMARKS OF THIRD PARTIES REFERENCED HEREIN ARE THE TRADEMARKS AND LOGOS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. ANY INCLUSION OF SUCH TRADEMARKS OR LOGOS DOES NOT IMPLY OR CONSTITUTE ANY APPROVAL, ENDORSEMENT OR SPONSORSHIP OF 500 GLOBAL BY SUCH OWNERS.
3. AS OF 30 JUNE 2023. INCLUDES LOCATION OF EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS.
