New Voices Fund

Slutty Vegan is a plant-based burger restaurant established in 2018 by Pinky Cole in Atlanta, Georgia. The restaurant aims to provide vegan meal options to communities that previously lacked access to such choices. It features a counter-service format and offers a diverse menu of plant-based burgers, which are generously topped with sauces and various accompaniments, alongside sides and beverages. This establishment caters to those seeking fast food alternatives without compromising on taste or dietary preferences.

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 brand specializing in natural hair care products designed specifically for boys with textured hair. The brand aims to empower young males by encouraging them to embrace and celebrate their unique hair. Its product line includes a leave-in conditioner, an essential oils blend, and a curling cream, all formulated with plant-based ingredients such as shea butter, marshmallow root, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and argan oil. These products are free from harmful chemicals like phthalates, sulfates, and parabens, promoting healthy hair growth and enhancing the confidence of multicultural boys. Young King Hair Care is committed to redefining young male grooming through quality, safe, and effective hair care solutions.

NaturAll Club specializes in creating hair treatment products that prioritize natural, safe, and non-toxic ingredients. By utilizing fresh components like avocado pulp, bananas, and coconut cream, the company aims to elevate clean haircare standards and deliver effective solutions for hair nourishment. In addition to its product offerings, NaturAll fosters a supportive community for individuals with kinky and curly hair by providing educational resources on natural haircare, organizing community meet-ups for encouragement and growth, and facilitating online forums for members to connect and share knowledge. The company is committed to integrity in its business practices while uplifting its community through both high-quality products and meaningful engagement.

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 renovation projects. The company provides a personalized matching service, ensuring that each project is paired with a suitable contractor while also offering guidance and financial protection at no cost to the homeowner. For general contractors, Sweeten serves as an efficient growth engine by streamlining marketing, lead acquisition, and project bidding, while also vetting projects for budget and readiness. The platform features a wealth of resources, including an extensive online library of renovation knowledge, promoting transparency and informed decision-making for both homeowners and contractors. Since its launch in 2011, Sweeten has expanded its services to ten major cities across the United States, handling projects with budgets ranging from $15,000 to over $3 million.

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 offers a diverse range of products, including liquid lipsticks, metallic lipsticks, lip care items, setting powders, illuminators, glitter, face oils, eyebrow gels, eyeshadows, and eyeliners. Beauty Bakerie sells its products through its online platform and various retail locations, including major stores such as ULTA, Nordstrom, and Target, reaching over 1,000 locations globally. With a robust social media presence, the brand has garnered more than one million followers and raised over $8 million in venture capital. Beauty Bakerie has received recognition from numerous prominent publications, highlighting its impact in the beauty industry and affirming its status as a rapidly growing firm. The brand is led by its founder, who plays a crucial role in shaping its vision, branding, and product development, contributing significantly to its distinct aesthetic and market appeal.

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.