Digitalundivided - BIG Accelerator Program is a grant from digitalundivided that funds Black and Latinx women-led startups with the network, knowledge, and scalable revenue model needed to bring their businesses to market. The virtual BIG pre-accelerator equips pre-revenue founders with skills in business management, investor pitching, and product launch strategy in a nurturing, equity-focused environment.

Participants must be building or ready to launch their MVP, have a tech-enabled business, and be prepared to develop scalable revenue models. Eligible applicants are Black and Latinx women-led startup founders. Program participation details and any associated funding vary; no specific deadline is listed.

Is your startup ready to go to market? BIG provides you with the network, know-how, and scalable revenue model to get there. BIG pre-accelerator is a virtual program that provides an enriching experience for founders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and network necessary for business success, in a nurturing and empowering environment that fosters innovation and growth.

The BIG program prepares pre-revenue companies led by founders to be market-ready and capable of developing scalable revenue models.

TO QUALIFY, CANDIDATES MUST: Founders who have started to build or are ready to launch their MVP (minimum viable product) Founders who want to take their tech-enabled business to market Founders are required to share how and in what way inclusion in this program will disrupt inequities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem or investment landscape in which they operate or which digitalundivided operates.

Be ready to test your ideas, develop scalable revenue models, and launch your product or services to the market. Have a refined business pitch ready for investors. Gain comprehensive knowledge in key areas of business management.

Establish connections with mentors, industry experts, and peers. Be better equipped to lead and grow their businesses. Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson, M.

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Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson is the founder and CEO of WellMiss, spearheading the creation of… Founder of Dory Consulting Danielle is passionate about working with brilliant and innovative teams.

She helps… CTO, Startup Tech Advisor, creator of TechSpeak and Co-founder of Wellbeing Inc Nelly Yusupova is a CTO, with over 18 years of experience, leading companies to technical… CFO at TLay Healthcare Services Inc. As a CFO, Corporate Finance and Strategy Executive, Ugochi provides financial leadership,… Serial Entrepreneur and Investor Director at Goulston & Storrs Kristen Ferris is a corporate attorney with a wealth of experience representing clients in… 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬… Corporate Development at Shopify Sabrina leads Corporate Development at Shopify, searching for best-in-class organizations… Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson, M.

S. , B. A.

Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson is the founder and CEO of WellMiss, spearheading the creation of the first trauma-informed digital clinic, a visionary endeavor focused on delivering comprehensive and integrative care to women healing from trauma. Inspired by her own experiences, Jaki has shaped WellMiss to provide a holistic approach to healthcare, meticulously addressing the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual impacts of trauma.

Her remarkable academic journey includes a BA from Spelman College, an MS from Columbia University, and a certification in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Jaki is a trauma educator, trained in Compassionate Inquiry, Trauma Sensitive Heart Math, Culturally-Competent Trauma-Informed Care, and Grief-Informed practices. She is also an Ivy-League trained journalist, having spent five years reporting.

Jaki is backed by Techstars and bolstered by the support of Cox Enterprises, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Rock Health as a former Rock Health Innovation Fellow, Columbia University Tamer Fund for Social Enterprises, and UCSF as a former Rosenman Rise Health Innovator. Jaki is a mother of three boys, has traveled to 30+ countries, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Founder of Dory Consulting Danielle is passionate about working with brilliant and innovative teams. She helps transformational leaders unlock solutions and scalable roadmaps that evolve and achieve their vision. With a diverse background spanning industries and functions around the globe, Danielle excels in delivering impactful programs, transformations, and strategies.

Her expertise includes developing intuitive roadmaps, program anchors, and effective strategy plans that drive results, growth, and strong governance. In her consultancy, Dory Consulting, Danielle focuses on empowering businesses and startups through strategic consulting and coaching.

Danielle served as a VP of strategy for several years, guiding and coaching leaders across industries through people, growth, product, program, change management, and other strategic priority initiatives. Danielle holds a degree in English and Culture from Davidson College, is a Gartner Internal Communications Black Belt professional, and a certified coach. She actively contributes to her community through volunteering and mentoring.

Danielle is also a board member and communications co-chair for the Davidson College Black Alumni Network. Danielle's ability to drive meaningful change and empower teams stems from her commitment to navigating complex challenges with intention, rigor, and agility.

CTO, Startup Tech Advisor, creator of TechSpeak and Co-founder of Wellbeing Inc Nelly Yusupova is a CTO, with over 18 years of experience, leading companies to technical excellence. She is a start-up tech advisor, outsourced CTO, and the creator of TechSpeak for Entrepreneurs.

Nelly is on a mission to help entrepreneurs minimize technology mistakes and through her online masterclass TechSpeak for Entrepreneurs, she provides the roadmap to successfully manage technology teams and projects, even if you are not technical or know how to code. Nelly was included in Fast Company’s, “League of Extraordinary Women”, and has been at the forefront of the women’ s movement online since 1999.

She was also named Wall Street Journal’s “Woman on the IT Fast Track”. Nelly is a speaker and presenter for many organizations and major industries events including: Women’s Enterprise Center, Founder Institute, Saas Academy, Black is Tech, GSV Bootcamp, WeWork Labs, TechDay, FastTrac NewVentures, Womens’ Venture Summit, Small Business Summit and has been featured in INC Magazine, NBC Today Show, Fast Company Magazine, NewsDay.

com, O’Reilly, SmartMoney, SmallBiz, TechRepublic, Women’s Radio. CFO at TLay Healthcare Services Inc. As a CFO, Corporate Finance and Strategy Executive, Ugochi provides financial leadership, operational excellence, and portfolio management that yield profitable returns for start-ups, family-owned businesses to multi-billion-dollar global organizations across aerospace, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Her career began with United Technologies Corporation (UTC) - now Raytheon Technologies (RTX), where she worked in USA, Norway, and Switzerland, most notably managing a $5B P&L and playing a key role in commissioning at the time, the 2 nd largest acquisition in UTC history of $1B+.

As an influencer and catalyst for meaningful change, she is often parachuted to national and international locations to solve complex challenges, lead turnarounds, and take calculated risks, with fiduciary accountability and transparency. After 12 years with UTC, she went on to serve as Group CFO at Candel Company Ltd, an agriculture firm in Nigeria.

And while in Nigeria, she co-founded an agro-drone company – where her company garnered support from GE, Airbus, and many others, including being featured on CNN African Voices. She came back to the US to be the Chief Finance & Strategy Officer at her family business, a home healthcare company – TLay Healthcare Services where she is also a board member.

Ugochi is enthusiastic about the progress of Africa as a result she became co-owner of Ovico Art gallery in St. Augustine, Florida featuring exclusive African Contemporary masterpieces. She sits on the board of her family foundation SOMTO and on the advisory board of Florida University’s School of Nursing.

She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida University, a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Supply Chain Management from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA, from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Director at Goulston & Storrs Kristen Ferris is a corporate attorney with a wealth of experience representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital transactions, as well as handling general corporate representation of a variety of operating companies.

Kristen's clients turn to her as their trusted advisor and primary contact for her deep experience on both the buy and sell-side of large M&A and financial transactions. She has led deals in a broad range of industries including technology, life sciences, energy, consumer retail, and automotive. Her work encompasses a company’s entire lifecycle – including formation, financing, growth, and exit.

She thrives on helping clients accomplish their strategic corporate growth strategies and business development goals. Prior to joining Goulston & Storrs, Kristen was a partner at an Am Law 100 law firm where she was active on the pro bono committee. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and industry insight with the business and financial community, making her a sought-after speaker and thought leader.

She is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the National Association for Corporate Directors. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys golfing, skiing, and running. She participates in Ragnar trail and road relay races and most recently completed the 2024 Boston Marathon with the Cathleen Stone (f/k/a Thompson Island) Outward Bound Team, which you can learn more about here.

She is an accomplished violist, having performed at Carnegie Hall, in chamber orchestras, and more recently, with her daughter. She enjoys traveling and new adventures with her family.

𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭.

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧.

Elayne has been a speaker at the 𝐔𝐍, 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧’𝐬, 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐬, Inbound, 𝐍𝐘𝐔, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 and 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, and she has 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟎+ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 for tens of thousands of attendees in the U.S., Spain, South Africa, Morocco and globally online.

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 – "𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 "𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐭: How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support and Remember that Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone" – was published by HarperCollins Leadership in 2021. Her popular podcast -- "𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐲" -- has more than one million downloads, and Elayne has interviewed more than 500 diverse women leaders.

In 2020, Elayne was named a “Founder of Change” by 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 for her innovation as an entrepreneur. Corporate Development at Shopify Sabrina leads Corporate Development at Shopify, searching for best-in-class organizations to accelerate the future of commerce through acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances.

Prior to Shopify, she worked on a range of financial transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and IPOs within Goldman Sach's Investment Banking practice. Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Honours Investment Management from McGill University, with a semester at ICADE Business School in Madrid. Sabrina immigrated from Venezuela to Canada at a young age and is passionate about empowering female and latin entrepreneurs.

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v=KrowhhP0e-E&t=2s" data-max-height="" data-max-width=""> Who is the program open to? The program is open to founders based in the United States or its territories. Companies with a strong tech component that are pre-revenue and just about to go to market should apply.

We do not accept idea-stage companies for this program; but if you are at the idea stage and have not yet launched, please consider our START program. If your company is already generating revenue, please consider our BREAKTHROUGH or Do You Fellowship programs. Where does the program take place?

The virtual nature of BIG allows applicants from anywhere to apply to the program and participate in the workshops and office hours via Zoom. We encourage qualifying women founders from all across the United States and its territories to apply to this program. Once the program ends, does digitalundivided fund my company?

This program is a pre-accelerator program, and we do not offer funding. However, we will prepare you to take on funding, apply to the nation’s top accelerator programs, and, most importantly, find a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, who will support you the entire way there. Get early access to upcoming cohorts by signing up to our BIG Waitlist!