Google for Startups is providing a major boost for young Latinx and Black entrepreneurs who are disproportionately underfunded in the startup world. One way they’re doing this is through the Latino Founders Fund, which provides non-dilutive cash awards to Latinx-led startups making an impact in their communities. At the recent eMerge Americas conference, cybersecurity startup Kriptos was selected to receive the award, and will receive $150K in equity-free funding, Google Cloud credits, and Google mentorship.
The Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund provides $150,000 cash awards — without giving up equity in return — and hands-on support to help Latino entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses in the US. In addition to non-dilutive capital and up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, recipients also receive hands-on mentorship from Googlers, along with other resources such as sales training, investor prep, mental health therapy, and community offerings at no cost.
Kriptos, a cybersecurity startup that helps businesses prevent data leakage by locating, classifying, and labeling documents automatically according to their sensitivity level, is an excellent example of the type of startup that Google for Startups aims to support. The company has already helped numerous businesses protect their confidential information, and the Latino Founders Fund award will enable them to expand their impact even further.
In addition to Kriptos, another example of the impact of Google for Startups is Storybook, a togetherness app for family wellbeing and sleep. The startup was able to successfully launch and grow its app thanks to the support and mentorship provided by Google for Startups. The company was even selected for the prestigious Google for Startups Accelerator, which provides six months of training, mentorship, and resources to high-potential startups.
The selection of Kriptos for the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund is a significant achievement for the Miami-based startup and a testament to the incredible work they are doing to help businesses protect their sensitive information. It’s also a testament to the dedication of Google for Startups in supporting underrepresented communities in the startup world.
Overall, Google for Startups is making a significant impact by providing resources, funding, and mentorship to help underrepresented entrepreneurs succeed. The surprise presentation of the $150K cash award to Kriptos at the eMerge Americas conference is just one example of the incredible work that Google for Startups is doing to support young Latinx and Black entrepreneurs. By creating a more inclusive and representative startup culture, Google for Startups is helping to ensure that all entrepreneurs have a fair shot at success.