Dealflow | July 3, 2019

MassChallenge brings gender balance to Texas’ startup scene

Roodgally Senatus
ImpactAlpha Editor

Roodgally Senatus

ImpactAlpha, July 3The new cohort in MassChallenge’s Texas accelerator has achieved a rare distinction for the tech industry: gender balance. More than half of the 74 startups in the latest group have a female founder. “We’re trying to make sure that female entrepreneurs are represented,” MassChallenge Texas’ Mike Millard told ImpactAlpha.

Among the women-led startups at the Austin-based hub of the global “zero equity” accelerator network are San Diego-based Aliro, an online service that helps immigrants apply for U.S. citizenship, and Austin-based Guide Change, which helps older adults and their family members communicate better about finances.

Founders will compete for up to $500,000 in cash prizes. Last year’s 84 startups have raised over $30 million, generated $20 million in revenue, and created 524 jobs.

Next stop: Houston. “Houston is a great city,” says Millard. “It’s welcoming, it’s hungry and it’s ready for entrepreneurship.”