Bronze Valley Expands Programming with VentureLab
WILMINGTON, DE - Bronze Valley, a Birmingham-based nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) venture fund, is expanding its accelerator programming to Delaware in partnership with gener8tor, a venture firm and national accelerator network
Bronze Valley and gener8tor began their partnership with gBETA Bronze Valley VentureLab Alabama, a non-equity pre-accelerator focused on underrepresented founders within the southeastern United States, and gALPHA Bronze Valley VentureLab Alabama, a non-equity entrepreneurship program for students affiliated with Alabama Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Over the last three years, gBETA Bronze Valley VentureLab Alabama has supported 20 companies across four cohorts that have collectively raised over $5 million in venture capital following the program.
“The partnership between Bronze Valley and gener8tor represents a tremendous contribution to innovation and the growth of new business and economic opportunity in Delaware and beyond,” said Neill S. Wright, president and CEO of Bronze Valley. “Expanding this critical partnership through the Bronze Valley VentureLab will increase our impact as we continue to support entrepreneurs and help define the future of business growth in this region and across the country.”
Building on past success, Bronze Valley and gener8tor are expanding the partnership to include another set of non-equity accelerator programs to kick off in 2023. Bronze Valley Venture Lab Delaware will feature two gALPHA programs to help entrepreneurially minded students and technologists create high-growth startups. The program will focus on BIPOC and female founders affiliated with Delaware State University.
“What we know for sure is the impact of successful entrepreneurs of color and women cannot be overstated,” said University president and chairman of President Biden’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Dr. Tony Allen. “When given the opportunity at any age and supported by subject matter experts who care about their success, these business professionals soar and become beacons of hope for their communities. That means better, higher-paying jobs for people who work for them, a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to social responsibility, and a greater appreciation for institutions like Bronze Valley, gener8tor, and Delaware State University who promote their success.”
Additionally, two gBETA programs will provide established companies with individualized coaching, mentorship, investor introductions and more for a total of four programs per year. The program will focus on BIPOC and female founders throughout the state of Delaware.
gener8tor’s network and expertise in sales, marketing and go-to-market strategies support startups that are primed to achieve their growth and fundraising goals.
"Economic development cannot be just about helping people find jobs; we have to help people build wealth," said Senator Darius Brown. "The State of Delaware has a responsibility to promote partnerships like this one that will help historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs secure the funding they need to grow their businesses."
The accelerator is supported by Bronze Valley, Delaware State University, State of Delaware, City of Wilmington, Justworks.org and Barclays.
MEDIA CONTACT
Darren Stephenson
Program Manager
(302) 465-7422
darren@gener8tor.com
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About gener8tor
gener8tor is a venture firm and national accelerator network that supports startups, founders, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs in more than 35 communities across 20 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022.
About Bronze Valley
Bronze Valley is a nonprofit, CDFI venture capital fund that supports early stage, high growth, innovation and technology-enabled companies created by diverse, underrepresented and underestimated founders. The mission of Bronze Valley is to provide an education-to opportunity-to-outcome pipeline for communities that are underrepresented in technology and industry where innovators will shape the future.
