We know that less than 5% of startup funding is invested in underrepresented groups, and less than 3% of those funded are women-owned startups.
Demetra Brown, senior director, the dec network | redbird
BIG iDEA Dallas, a seven-week intensive program designed to help propel Black founders from an idea to a successful, market-validated business concept in an effort to spur underrepresented business funding and growth, will have a Demo Day from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28 at The DEC@Redbird. The event is open to members of the public, who are encouraged to come out and support these burgeoning entrepreneurs.
The event, hosted by The DEC@Redbird, which administers the program sponsored by Charles Schwab and North Dallas Bank & Trust Co., will feature 9 budding entrepreneurs competing in a business expo and showcase with an audience of Dallas-based investors. The first-place winner will have the honor of being the BIG iDEA Dallas champion and will receive up to $3,500 in funding for their business.
In the program, which began Sept. 16, participants have taken a deep dive into the innovation process through market research and competitive analysis, while receiving counsel from well-established business leaders who helped these emerging entrepreneurs develop a thoroughly validated business concept. Demo Day will connect these founders to local investors who can help them launch and grow their businesses.
Current Demo Day participants include:
· Alexandria Caesar’s RGXO Music Group is an innovative organization helping artists cultivate their talents while making money.
· Chelsy Gray’s Adaya Beauty uses AI to analyze customers’ hair and skin conditions, then has beauty experts recommend safe, effective products.
· De’Andra Roberts turns families’ life stories into books and videos by providing access to experienced interviewers and an intuitive questionnaire with her business, A Life to Share.
· Estelle Monroe and Valerie Biggs want to connect students and young adults with professional organizations to help them start their career journeys via their Nethubb marketplace.
· Jaylon Smith is creating a peer-to-peer social platform Teasoil.com, designed to help locals find and connect with each other based on professions, skills and common interests.
· Kayla Briggs, founder of Rosewood Technologies, uses oils derived from fruits and spices to create natural feminine care products.
· Teah Brooks of Brooks Incorporation of Games LLC wants people to be able to find their true passions through video gaming.
· Miles Robinson, owner of Clean Cut Mobile Men’s Grooming provides a unique and efficient mobile grooming service to the busy, working man in DFW, educating men on health via convenient self-care.
· Laura Wise, The Black Female Freelance Network, The BFF Network is a collective of black women freelancers specializing in marketing, communications and design to create a hiring pipeline of black women in creative spaces and sharing resources along the way.
Register: https://thedec.brushfire.com/demo-day/518213
Email: info@redbirddec.com