Tech for Equitable Future

History and Founding Story

Tech for an Equitable Future was established by Braze in 2020 as a social impact program aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem. Recognizing the systemic barriers faced by underrepresented founders, Braze leveraged its core product – a customer engagement platform – to provide tangible support. The program's inception was driven by a commitment to help these founders not only survive but thrive, turning innovative ideas into sustainable businesses by equipping them with industry-leading technology and strategic guidance.

Mission and Values

The program's mission is to empower underrepresented founders by providing them with the tools and expertise necessary to scale their businesses effectively. It values equitable access to technology and resources, believing that diverse leadership enriches the entrepreneurial landscape. By focusing on founders from underrepresented groups, including Black and women founders across APAC, EMEA, and North America, Braze aims to address disparities and promote a more inclusive future in tech.

Program Structure and Timeline

Tech for an Equitable Future is a product grant program offering 12 months of free access to the Braze customer engagement platform. This includes a Braze Go package, providing unlimited push notifications, webhooks, and in-app/in-browser messaging for up to 75,000 Monthly Active Users, 500K message credits, and two IP addresses. Participants also receive a Currents Connector for messaging events integration and access to Braze's SDKs and APIs. The program includes a structured 6-week onboarding service to ensure seamless integration and effective utilization of the platform. Following this, each company is assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager for the entire first year, offering continuous support and strategic guidance. Applications are currently closed and are expected to reopen in late 2026.

Mentorship and Network

Participants gain access to a private digital community space, fostering networking opportunities with fellow founders in the program. This community facilitates peer learning and collaboration. Additionally, the 2025 program partners, BET+ and Coursera, offer specialized mentorship and workshops. Select participants can receive 1:1 mentorship from BET+ experts, a branding masterclass, and free email advertising. Coursera provides 1:1 sessions with their CRM experts to address specific challenges in Braze, alongside workshops on social media, content marketing, and SEO.

What Makes it Unique

This program stands out by offering a substantial product grant of a sophisticated customer engagement platform, Braze, which is critical for modern business growth. Unlike many accelerators that focus solely on funding or general business advice, Tech for an Equitable Future provides a direct, hands-on tool that enables lean teams to deliver personalized customer experiences without extensive technical expertise. The inclusion of dedicated customer success management and specialized workshops from partners like BET+ and Coursera further enhances its uniqueness, providing both technological and strategic advantages.

Notable Outcomes

Since 2020, Tech for an Equitable Future has supported dozens of high-growth startups led by underrepresented founders. The program has enabled these businesses to build stronger customer relationships, drive revenue, and accelerate growth. Examples include EatOkra, which connects diners to Black-owned restaurants and uses Braze to personalize engagement and build customer loyalty.

What Participants Can Expect Day-to-Day

Participants can expect to actively integrate and utilize the Braze platform to manage their customer engagement strategies. This involves leveraging its features for personalized messaging, analyzing customer data, and optimizing marketing campaigns. They will engage with their dedicated Customer Success Manager for ongoing support and strategic planning. Daily activities might also include participating in the digital community, attending workshops provided by partners like BET+ and Coursera, and working towards Braze certifications to deepen their expertise.