Evolving from static labels to cultural affinities
Focus on rising potential, not a pity party.
While in Berlin, Germany, I had the chance to connect with Techstars VP for Community Jennifer Cabala. An original Startup Weekend core team (with them since the second one ever held), she shared some of the amazing strides and support that have come under Techstars.
One of the key takeaways, among many, was this goal to reduce focus on labels like ‘Women’s Edition’ to more cultural affinities, like “Fashion Edition.” And it makes sense, having dealt with seemingly siloed communities like the deaf and hard of hearing; one of the biggest learnings was how to integrate them into the broader societal networks for more equal access and opportunity. A ‘Fashion’ edition helps attracts women without siloing; after all, we some some incredibly talented and fashionable men in our ranks.
And it dovetails with what Kauffman is finding with its ESHIP Summit and Ecosystem Builders research and findings. One of the seven pillars of the Ecosystem Builders manifesto is the concept of ‘Connected Networks,’ or making silos more permeable for faster and greater economic development.
Over at 1863 Ventures, our focus has been to reshape the narrative from traditionally underrepresented groups to ‘New Majority.’
It’s a bit more forward thinking from our lens, and helps showcase the bubbling potential rather fueling on a pity party.
People want a hand up…not a handout. — Barack Obama
As we plan the next Startup Weekend program in the Greater Washington, D.C. Region, we are also integrating this evolutionary model. The next Startup Weekend DC event will be a ‘Latinx in Tech’ edition to test out what the Hispanic community tends to excel in.
And we’ll be curious to see what affinity industry verticals come out of it for the next step in the edition evolution.
