London – September 8, 2022 – Cooley is collaborating with Libra, Tech Nation’s growth program for underrepresented tech business founders, is in its second year since the initiative was established. At Libra, Cooley and TechNation are promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and racial justice in the UK tech sector.
Launched in September 2021, Libra is the first program of its kind in the UK for tech startup leadership teams with at least one black, South Asian, East Asian or Arab founder. Libra’s second cohort includes 35 companies, most of which have yet to raise their seed, pre-seed or initial funding rounds. As part of the partnership, Cooley provides practical guidance to the firms in securing institutional investments.
Chris Coulter, a partner at Cooley in London and a member of the firm’s diversity committee, said: “We were impressed by the first business cohort for underrepresented founders in Libra’s inaugural program and are thrilled that the second cohort is set to launch this month.” . “The quality of ideas and level of entrepreneurship we have seen is a testament to the significant contribution of the UK’s leading minority founders. We are proud to participate in these startup journeys and support Libra’s ongoing mission.
Over six months, the 35 group companies will receive more than 60 hours of additional support as they benefit from mentoring by world-leading coaches on key growth challenges – from fundraising to international expansion.
Abi Mohammed, head of Libra at TechNation, said: “Your advice to our Libra members in obtaining institutional funding has been invaluable to them and we look forward to the support the organization will provide to the program’s next cohort of startups,” said Abi Mohammed, head of Libra at TechNation. “Promoting equity/inclusion and diversity is at the core of Cooley’s DNA and we are thrilled by the company’s continued and deep support of Libra.”
Libra’s first program included two black-founded startup companies (edtech firm Framework and HRtech company Intelligence) raised seed funding in the first few months after joining, and six companies (Boxx, Compare ethics, Jacob, Framework, hand And My own) a grant from Google’s Black Founders Fund for Startups.
DEI is embedded in Cooley’s culture, and the organization is committed to maintaining a diverse workplace that respects and values diversity. His Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan It sets specific objectives, measures, and actions to define and fulfill the organization’s promise to challenge racial injustice and address its harmful effects.
Cooley’s commitment to DEI extends to active and creative partnerships with clients and local and national minority law firms, diversity pipeline projects, law school diversity programs and community outreach. Some of Cooley’s ecosystem partnerships include UK-based non-profits Difference V.CPromotes diversity in a venture capital context through networking, recruiting and analysis; Black V.Ca non-profit organization that connects and empowers black venture capitalists; And In G.S. Start an entrepreneurial teamA six-week program for Black and Latinx founders, part of Goldman Sachs’ $1 billion diversity investment strategy.
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