Accelerating Impact: 10 Startups Addressing Social Justice and Systemic Racism | Net Impact

Reimagining capitalism focuses on helping businesses understand and harness their power as a force for good. In 2021, this is more crucial than ever as the worst health crisis in history, COVID-19, has led to the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. This economic crisis has disproportionately affected communities of color.

Paving the way to catalyze lasting change, Cox Enterprises announced the 2021 class of the Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator powered by Techstars. The program, now in its second year, offers virtual mentoring, funding and global connections to 10 for-profit, mission-driven companies. This year, the accelerator is supporting companies addressing social justice and systemic racism issues. By investing in these companies, Cox Enterprises provides them access to the networks and resources to help them be successful and gain the recognition they deserve.

Startups Addressing Social Justice and Systemic Racism

Here is the class of participating startups in the Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator powered by Techstars:

• Acclinate: Birmingham, Alabama-based digital health startup that aims to diversify clinical trials.
• Co:census: New York-based survey software startup for inclusive polling.
• COMMUNITYx: Los Angeles-based Social Network for Social Good that connects likeminded changemakers around calls-to-action.
• Empowrd: Atlanta-based app for connecting with elected officials and enabling personalized civic engagement.
• Govrn: A political-tech startup that aims to change the way people donate to political campaigns by enabling Outcome-Based Donations.
• JusticeText: California-based video evidence management software for public defenders to process footage for legal defense.
• Legal Equalizer: Atlanta based company with an app that teaches people about their rights and allows them to have eyewitnesses during police encounters. 
• MINWO: Woodbridge, Virginia-based DEI Tech startup that matches Black business with organizations that want to support and invest in them.
• STRE.ME: A platform that brings real change around how people think, behave, and work through measurable awareness and accountability.
• Unpacking: Unpacking powers gamified diversity training for the future of work.

In a press announcement, Maury Wolfe, assistant vice president of corporate responsibility and public affairs at Cox Enterprises, said of the 2021 class, “Finding new, innovative solutions to solve one of this country's biggest issues is at the forefront for this class ... we are passionate about creating lasting change for generations to come, and we hope these ideas will help get us there.”

What Happens Next

Cox business leaders and experts will act as strategic mentors to these startups to help bring their businesses to life and nurture their innovation. The entrepreneurs will prepare to pitch their company's ideas to potential investors at a Demo Day presentation on April 29, 2021.

For our country to fully defeat inequality and systemic racism, we need companies to step up. Encouraging social diversity and addressing social justice issues is fundamental to the organizations that Net Impact partners with and we are proud to support Cox Enterprises and the 2021 class of the Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator powered by Techstars.

Congratulations to these startups! We look forward to following their journeys and seeing their impacts unfold.