…you’re an under-represented minority.
As Google puts it, “this opportunity is available to all traditionally underrepresented groups in technology (including, but not limited to, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, persons with disabilities, women and veterans).”
For the longest time, the meritocracy of Silicon Valley has been an ideal, and not a matter of practice. With steps like this, some of the balance will be adjusted, but this should only be the beginning.
As we noted on our piece on gender inclusiveness in startups, one of the minorities uplifted by this program has to cross these hurdles:
“Only about 5 to 10 percent of the venture capital devoted to early-stage ventures goes to females.”
“Only one out of ten people starting technology startups are women.”
“The ratio of women studying in computer science, one of the most valuable traits to have in a technology startup, has decreased from 37% of degree holders in 1985 to 14% in 2010.”
So this program is good for a beginning, a good first step—but there is much work left to do.
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