By Cassie Smith
Influencers alike gathered at Google Fiber on Thursday, Dec.8 for DivInc’s inaugural Demo Day.
The event showcased ten diverse technology entrepreneurs who participated in the organization’s 12-week pre-accelerator program, where they were given access to investors, workshops and technical experts.
Mentors enthusiastically introduced techpreneurs to the stage as they pitched their company to a packed audience.
On stage, Redenim founder Kelly Ernst described her company’s vision as straightforward, saying, “We want you to get in our pants.” Redenim is a marketplace for designer jeans for affordable lease through a membership program.
Ernst told the Austin Urban Post that the growth she experienced while at DivInc was tremendous compared to last year.
“If you are not focusing on what you are doing, your company is going to flounder,” said Ernst. “My company would not be what it is [today] if were not for DivInc… and their leadership team’s ability to help bring focus to what we are doing.”
Bobby Menefee, founder and CEO of Plume — a millennial solution to building credit through a mobile app — held the same sentiments as Ernst toward DivInc, which was formed to address the lack of diversity in the tech startup ecosystem.
“The 12-week program, it was a significant opportunity for me. It really [allowed] me to get my foot in the door,” said Menefee. “I learned so much… I feel like I [am hopefully carrying] this momentum going forward.”
At the event, DivInc also announced that they are currently accepting applications for their next group of technology entrepreneurs.
Co-founder Preston James expressed his enthusiasm for the completion of the organization’s inaugural program.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s very gratifying and I am extremely proud of the founders for the progress they’ve made,” he said.
To view all those who participated in the program, visit divinc.org.
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