About
Tech Funding Equity is a project developed within the Aspen Tech Policy Hub from January 2 - March 13, 2020. Fellows of this program are technologists who embark on a 10-week journey to learn and apply the policy making process. By the end of the program, fellows produce policy and advocacy outputs that can help solve a well-scoped policy problem.
The policy problem we set out to solve is: How might we close the early stage funding gap for under-represented tech startup founders? Our solution is twofold:
1) Address the systemic racism put in place during the Great Depression; namely, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) definition of "accredited investor." This can help put an end discriminatory barriers to capital formation and wealth creation based on unfair and unproven assumptions.
2) Increase funding to underrepresented founders and fund managers with the Opportunity Pledge to Accelerate Equity in Startup Opportunities. This pledge offers a framework for sustained effort and lasting change.
Project
The Tech Funding Equity project is led by Aspen Tech Policy Hub Fellow, Mariah Lichtenstern.
Attorney and American Leadership Forum Fellow, Chris Russell, is the Project Mentor.
Learn more about them, advocacy partners, and the growing coalition, below!
Advocacy Partners
Coalition
Since 2009, over 4,300 companies have used the Founder Institute to build global businesses, solve big problems, raise over $950M in funding, recruit a team, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Want to get more involved with Tech Funding Equity? Do you have thoughts, questions, or suggestions? Send us a message and let us know; we'd love to hear from you!