Encouraging diversity in tech start-ups
We are excited to be working in partnership with Up Our Street and SETsquared Bristol on a Diversity and Inclusion Project to Improve Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation amongst tech start-ups in the city. Set up by the University of Bristol and based at Engine Shed in the heart of the Enterprise Zone, SETsquared Bristol supports high tech start-up companies, and is home to over 80 innovative ventures.
The research project will enable SETsquared to combat identified barriers to businesses from diverse communities, and improve and increase the inclusion and representation of non-white business founders applying to the incubator. Research from 2017 shows that just four of SETsquared Bristol’s current members have BAME founders, which is not reflective of Bristol’s population, of which 16% are from BAME backgrounds.
Abdi Mohamed, Director of Ashley Community Housing, said:
"SETsquared Bristol’s Diversity and Inclusion Research Project is a great initiative because it will give us an opportunity to explore the skills and experience that the BAME community can offer the high tech industry in Bristol, along with the challenges they face."
ACH and Up Our Street will work together to determine the BAME applicant pool of entrepreneurs, businesses, and founders with the potential to apply to SETsquared Bristol, find out if they are aware of the support available to them in the Bristol ecosystem, and identify what can be learned from BAME founders of tech companies who have succeeded in incubators and accelerators.
The project will release its findings at the end of May 2018.
To find out more about our research work visit https://www.ach.org.uk/policy-advice-research
