Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Investing in Minority Entrepreneurs
Comcast Ventures’ innovative $20 million Catalyst Fund is designed to create opportunities for minority entrepreneurs to build their business with Comcast’s support. Since 2011, in partnership with Philadelphia-based DreamIt Ventures, Comcast Ventures sponsored the DreamIt Access Program, designed to offer seed funding — up to $35,000 — to minority-owned start-up companies. The program is application- based, and selected DreamIt companies for the Philadelphia or New York programs receive intensive coaching and mentorship; a collaborative workspace; and access to exclusive opportunities to engage with leading entrepreneurs, business executives, and service providers. The program’s capstone for all tracks in Philadelphia and New York is the opportunity to pitch to a room full of investors at Demo Day.
Since 2011, Comcast Ventures has sponsored 20 minority-led technology start-ups for participation in the DreamIt Access Program and will support up to 20 additional companies through 2015.
"DreamIt and Comcast Ventures have worked together to develop a platform for launching high-potential start-ups with minority founders. It is exciting to see this partnership continue with a multiyear commitment. Gaining access to critical information, start-up leaders, top-notch mentorship, and a network of entrepreneurial peers is the foundation of DreamIt Access, and it continues to be a driver of the success of the DreamIt Access companies," said William Crowder, Managing Director of DreamIt Access and Venture Advisor for the Catalyst Fund.
