The pre-accelerator program for founders of color expanded statewide in Tennessee in 2021, now includes representation from Memphis to Tri-Cities
Nashville, Tenn. (February 1, 2022) – The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, today announced its new cohort entering the 2021-2022 Twende program. Twende is a year-long program for entrepreneurs of color in all industries looking to significantly grow their businesses and gain access to world-class curriculum, a supportive community and individualized mentorship. Twende is Kiswahili for “Let’s go,” and is the spirit that drives the growth of the EC’s program for entrepreneurs of color.
“As we expand this program statewide, we’re seeing women and founders of color pursuing business ownership at historic rates, and the sky’s the limit with this year’s cohort,” said Brynn Plummer, the EC’s vice president of equity, diversity and community. “They represent the future of entrepreneurship in Tennessee and beyond, and we can’t wait to pair our support and resources specifically created for founders of color with their unlimited potential for growth and success.”
The program expanded statewide in Tennessee in 2021, and it now has a total of 55 members registered. All Twende companies in the 2021-2022 cohort are tech-forward and growth-oriented. Those developing new software or platforms are classified as novel tech (12), and those who are leveraging existing technologies in innovative ways are classified as tech-enabled (43). By industry, the cohort consists of 12 in Consumer Goods; 4 in Healthcare; 1 in Hospitality; 28 in Services; 10 in Tech.
To learn more about this program and how to support emerging Black and LatinX-owned businesses across Tennessee, click here.
Twende sponsors include UBS, Cummins, Verizon Wireless, LBMC, Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo, Butler Snow, The State of Tennessee’s Office of Governor Bill Lee, Launch Tennessee, and Dr. Turner and Phylanice Nashe.
About Nashville Entrepreneur Center
The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded in 2010 by business leaders who wanted to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and to celebrate the spirit and tenacity of the entrepreneurial community. The EC serves as Nashville’s center for entrepreneurship, supporting visionaries—from every background, in any industry, and at all phases—by connecting them to critical resources and championing their desire to change the world. Learn more about the EC by following @entrecenter on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at www.EC.co.
