Alliance For Community Development Capital Connections Conference; #techdiversity

OAKLAND, Calif. - Feb. 8, 2016 - PRLog -- OAKLAND CA –– February 8, 2016 –– Women make up 59 percent of the overall population and 51 percent of the US labor force, yet receive only 8.3 percent of venture funding for women-led startups; funding for African-American founders has consistently stalled at 1 percent and Latinos, even with a much higher rate of entrepreneurship among the demographic overall, the jump into digital entrepreneurship is just taking hold, depressing potential gains. Oakland-based Alliance For Community Development (ACD) presents the 8th Annual Capital Connections Conference (http://capitalconnectionsconference.com)  (#CapCon16), with a focus on public and private partnering to improve #techdiversity participation in tech, ranging from employment training and opportunities to stimulating and increasing the numbers of minority digital entrepreneurs. The event, taking place Thursday, February 25th, offers a half day of speakers, panel discussions and features five minority finalists in a $10,000 high-stakes, judged “Pitch Sesh.”

ACD Executive Director Sami Nerenberg announced the confirmed 2016 speaker
and panel moderator lineup, including Rev. Jesse Jackson (http://fusion.net/story/112881/behind-the-rainbow-push-co...), Rainbow PUSH Coalition (http://www.rainbowpush.org); Jose Corona (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocorona), Director of Equity & Strategic Partnerships, Office of Mayor Libby Schaaf, City of Oakland; Heather Hiles, Founder, Pathbrite (https://pathbrite.com/#maker); Darrell Jones III, Business Development, Clef (https://getclef.com); Lisa Lee, Diversity Manager, Pandora; Kalimah Priforce, CEO Qeyno Labs (http://www.qeyno.com); Deldep Medina, Founder Avion Ventures (http://www.avionventures.com); Lisa Hagerman, Director of Programs, DBL Partners; Melanie Araujo, Founder Front and Center (http://www.frontandcenter.co); and Michael Gunning, ACD Chairman (http://alliancecd.org) and VP, Personal Insurance Federation of California (PIFC).

Nancy Hayes, managing director of Golden Seeds and Patrick Sagisi, associate, DBL Partners and Jason Towns (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasontowns), founder, Towns Group, are serving as judges for the “Pitch Sesh.” The top performing finalist will receive $10,000 cash, available through ACDs partnership with Rainbow PUSH Coalition, with the support of Facebook, in furtherance of their startup.

According to Ms. Nerenberg, the 2016 Capital Connections Conference is focusing much-needed attention on the issue of diversity in the technology sector of the economy, particularly access to capital for women, people of color and disabled veterans. “CapCon16 is leading the discussion and examining workable solutions in moving underrepresented populations into deal flow with the investor community. It requires understanding in the investor community of the challenges and barriers inherent for minorities in the deal flow process, and outreach programs to educate and mentor minority entrepreneurs as to how to successfully participate in the digital economy,” said Nerenberg.

For additional information, visit the website (http://capitalconnectionsconference.com) and/or contact the Alliance For Community Development, 510.999.6417.


ABOUT CAPITAL CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE

February 25^th marks the 8^th Annual Capital Connections Conference produced and presented by the Alliance For Community Development. The event features a roster of Bay Area and Oakland-based business, civic and community leaders and a high-stakes “Pitch Sesh,” where one of five semi-finalist tech entrepreneurs from teams led by minority and/or women, will be awarded a $10,000 purse from event partners and sponsors Rainbow PUSH and Facebook. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, is a featured guest speaker at this year’s event, which is focusing on developing an inclusive tech ecosystem, including better access to capital for underrepresented populations.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Alliance For Community Development, (ACD), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs including – but not limited to – women, people of color, and veterans.  Founded in 1999, ACD was an early mover in conceptualizing and developing the double bottom line venture capital fund model. ACD is producer and presenter of several initiatives including the annual Capital Connections Conference for Entrepreneurs (CapCon), which brings together entrepreneurs, business, and financial experts from all ages, gender and cultural backgrounds and Propel Program for Small Business Owners, a year-long, cohort-style mentoring program.