Kimberly Bryant is well-known for using technology and engineering to empower young girls of color to pursue STEM fields. As the Founder of Black Girls Code, she has made a big impact by providing coding instruction and resources to young girls that might not have otherwise been exposed to those skills. To continue her mission of increasing diversity in STEM, Bryant has recently announced a new venture–VC Office Hours.
VC Office Hours will provide a unique opportunity for startup entrepreneurs to engage with Bryant’s network of venture capitalists, angel investors, and tech industry more broadly. These sessions will be held multiple times a month and will serve as a platform where startups can present their ideas and receive mentorship from experienced investors.
Bryant has teamed up with Silicon Valley Bank to provide these forums, which she believes will be beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs of color. She notes that access to venture capital and investor networks is typically limited to privileged startups, and hopes her initiative will even the playing field for minority-owned businesses.
Bryant has several investors already signed up to participate, and is actively working to recruit more. She believes that this program can help businesses that typically don’t have access to capital, and can help create a more diverse and inclusive technology space.
Additionally, Bryant plans to use the platform to promote and teach basic business concepts to entrepreneurs such as pricing, financial planning, marketing, and product launches. She believes skills such as these are essential for success in the startup world, and is committed to helping increase access to information and resources in the tech space.
With this initiative, Bryant continues to prove her commitment to increasing diversity in STEM and technoogy. Her new platform will make an impact both by providing a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to get advice and guidance, and ultimately by democratizing access to capital and resources, and creating a more inclusive technology space.
