BET+ and Braze to Provide 1:1 Mentorship Guidance in Branding, Email Advertising, and Engagement Strategies to Select Companies through First-ever Partnership

In 2023, startups founded by Black entrepreneurs in the US received less than 0.5% of venture funding, and woman-founded startups just 2.2%. To help address this imbalance, Braze, a leading customer engagement platform, has developed Tech for an Equitable Future, a product grant program. The initiative is designed to help underrepresented founders accelerate their company’s growth with the use of Braze technology, increasing their chances at securing future VC funding.

The innovative initiative selects 20 startups from APAC, EMEA, and North America with founders from underrepresented backgrounds—including Black and women entrepreneurs. These businesses will receive 12 months of free access to Braze technology, as well as a range of supporting resources aimed at driving business growth and scalability. Each company will benefit from a dedicated Customer Success Manager, Braze certifications, and access to the powerful Braze customer engagement platform, which helps businesses create personalized, data-driven interactions with their customers. Today, Braze provides a total of 31 early-stage startups—including 16 women-founded businesses—with free or discounted access to its comprehensive platform. That’s more than $900,000 worth of product donated so far this year.

For 2025, Tech for an Equitable Future has expanded its offerings with a first-ever partnership with BET+. The premium streamer, known for its commitment to Black culture and creators, will offer select participants valuable resources, including 1:1 mentorship, access to a branding masterclass, and free email advertising opportunities. As a specialty streamer with thousands of weekly subscriber touch points, BET+ is also a best-in-class model for early-stage businesses looking to establish strong engagement strategies and leverage the Braze platform to drive retention and acquisition.

Why Equity Matters to Braze

Braze’s commitment to equity is more than just a program—it’s a core value. The Tech for an Equitable Future initiative is part of a broader social impact strategy that focuses on fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Braze holds the philosophy that DEI has to be built into business processes in order to have lasting and meaningful impact. This commitment to inclusion has paid off in powerful ways for the company as a whole.

The company is proudly certified as a Great Place to Work® in the U.S., the UK, and Singapore; is ranked #3 on Great Place to Work® UK’s 2024 Best Large Workplaces; and #7 on Fortune’s 2024 Best Small & Medium Workplaces in New York. In 2024, Braze was also featured in Built In’s 2024 Best Places to Work; in U.S. News Best Technology Companies to Work For; and in Great Place to Work® Best Small & Medium Workplaces in Europe. With more than 1,500 employees globally, Braze is growing across key functions, including engineering, sales, and support. The global team operates out of its headquarters in New York City; offices in Austin, Berlin, Chicago, Jakarta, London, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo; and in remote work locations across the world.

Eligibility and Program Benefits

To qualify for the Tech for an Equitable Future product grant program, companies must fit the following criteria:

Companies with founders from underrepresented groups, including those with Black and women founders in APAC, EMEA, and North America
Bootstrapped business or less than $30M in venture funding
Under 100 employees
Compatible SDK and appropriate Engineering/Marketing resources

Applications for Tech for an Equitable Future’s fifth cohort are now open through Jan. 17, 2025.

Stop by the Braze booth at AfroTech (Booth #1220) to chat more or apply for a job at Braze now!

Tech for an Equitable Future

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