New Voices Fund

Slutty Vegan is a plant-based burger restaurant chain founded in 2018 by Pinky Cole in Atlanta, Georgia. This counter-service establishment specializes in offering a diverse array of vegan burgers, which are characterized by generous portions of sauce and toppings. The company aims to provide vegan meal options to communities that previously lacked access to such choices, promoting a healthier lifestyle through its fast-food offerings. In addition to its signature burgers, Slutty Vegan also features a selection of sides and beverages, making it a comprehensive destination for those seeking plant-based fast food.

THE CAR INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS BROKEN They charge you more based on things that have nothing to do with how you drive. They point to gender, job title, marital status and even your credit score—which is systematically biased against vulnerable communities and has nothing to do with how you drive. They don’t want to change the system. We do. LOOP is different. We’re building fair, equitable, and affordable insurance based on how and where you drive. We put people first, treating our members with respect and dignity—making sure they can chat with an understanding person, not a frustrating bot. And as a B-Corp we’re committed to giving back and being a force for good in the world so we can uplift the communities impacted by systemic injustice. To us, that’s what it means to Drive Good.

Young King Hair Care is a Georgia-based natural hair care brand dedicated to redefining young male grooming. They encourage boys with textured hair to celebrate and love their crown by offering plant-based products free from harmful chemicals.

NaturAll Club is a manufacturer of hair treatment products dedicated to promoting clean haircare and beauty standards. The company specializes in creating products using natural, safe, and nontoxic ingredients, such as avocado pulp, bananas, and coconut cream, ensuring high performance and effective nourishment for hair and body. In addition to its product offerings, NaturAll Club is committed to fostering a supportive community for individuals with kinky and curly hair. The company engages its audience through informative content on natural haircare, community meet-ups, and online platforms that encourage knowledge sharing and mutual support among its members. Through these initiatives, NaturAll Club aims to uplift and empower its community while maintaining a focus on integrity in its product development.

Bitwise Industries Inc. is a technology ecosystem company based in Fresno, California, focused on enhancing the local technology landscape. Established in 2013, the company operates Geekwise Academy, which provides accelerated coding education aimed at individuals of all ages, particularly from marginalized backgrounds. In addition to educational services, Bitwise Industries runs a custom software development firm, Shift3 Technologies, that connects experienced developers with entry-level programmers to create software solutions. The company also fosters community and collaboration by developing tech venues and co-working spaces that serve as hubs for technologists and technology companies. Through these initiatives, Bitwise Industries aims to empower individuals with vital tech skills and create pathways to meaningful careers in the technology sector.

Sweeten is a home renovation platform that connects homeowners with vetted general contractors to facilitate design and improvement projects. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York, the company aims to enhance the renovation experience by providing personalized matches between homeowners and contractors, offering guidance and financial protection at no cost to the homeowner. Sweeten's platform also serves as a growth engine for general contracting firms by streamlining marketing, lead acquisition, and project vetting. With a focus on transformative renovations, Sweeten accommodates a wide range of budgets, from $15,000 to over $3 million, and has expanded its services to ten major American cities. By leveraging transparency, data, and a comprehensive online library of renovation resources, Sweeten empowers both homeowners and contractors throughout the renovation process.

Squad is the intimate voice-only social experience. Squad combines audio technology with powerful habit creation, giving you and your people a comfortable and casual way to come together to share, laugh, and connect. You can share updates on what you're up to and exchange messages, facilitating real-life social conversations with only your closest people.

Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand, Inc. is a cosmetics manufacturer based in San Diego, California, founded in 2011. The company produces a diverse range of beauty products, including liquid lipsticks, lip care items, setting powders, illuminators, glitter, face oils, eyebrow gels, eyeshadows, and eyeliners. Beauty Bakerie sells its products through an online platform as well as in over 1,000 retail locations worldwide, including major retailers like ULTA, Nordstrom, and Target. The brand has gained significant recognition for its unique aesthetic and product offerings, earning accolades from prestigious publications such as Allure, Cosmopolitan, and Forbes. With a growing social media presence boasting over one million followers, Beauty Bakerie has established itself as a rapidly expanding player in the cosmetics industry. The brand is led by its founder, who is instrumental in shaping its vision and product development. As a subsidiary of Unilever N.V., Beauty Bakerie continues to innovate and engage with its customer base effectively.

Healthy Roots is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks aimed to teach natural hair care to young girls of color. It aims to empower girls through education, diversity, and positive representation by utilizing a doll, book, and app to teach natural hair care to young girls. The dolls come in different skin tones, facial features, and hair textures to represent the diversity of the African diaspora. Its first Black doll, Zoe, was launched in 2019, which combines educational play experience with curly hair care. The doll's hair can be styled in a variety of ways with the guidance of the Big Book of Hair. The Big Book of Hair is an illustrated manual for natural hair care. Healthy Roots Dolls' app allows users to track their hair health and get curated content for their specific hair needs to be based on the data they input. Yelitsa Jean-Charles founded the Detroit, Michigan-based company in 2015.