SAP Hudson Yards hosts the Largest Gathering of Black Venture Capitalists

NEW YORK - Sept. 22, 2017 - PRLog -- ·    Speakers include Troy Carter (CEO, Atom Factory), Aaron Holiday (Managing Entrepreneurial Officer, Cornell Tech), Michael Carter (Co-Head & Managing Director of Technology Investing Banking at RBC Capital Markets). Former Booz Allen EVP, Reginald Van Lee, will co-chair event.

·     "Lightning Talk" luncheon on November 3rd with 15 venture capitalists. Deal-making breakfast on November 4th; special guests at both events.

·     The 8^th Annual Culture Shifting Weekend is produced by Andrea Hoffman, CEO of Culture Shift Labs, which advises companies, senior leaders, and philanthropists on growth and innovation through inclusion.

New York, NY – September 22, 2017 – Andrea Hoffman, strategist, dealmaker and authority on inclusion-driven revenue growth and innovation, stated, "We're pleased to produce this important gathering of Black venture capitalists. Given the current political climate and challenges to the American ideal of equality, this convening is timely and actionable. Most companies, foundations, fund of funds, and individual investors aren't aware of the vast number of venture capitalists, so the New York Culture Shifting Weekend is a way to provide an unprecedented opportunity for all parties to make deals."

Forbes' 2017 Midas List of the world's 100 "smartest" venture capitalists includes no Black men or women. According to the National Venture Capitalist Association, African-Americans are approximately 1.5% of all venture capitalists, so why don't companies and investors know Blacks VCs? Ms. Hoffman answers that question on November 3^rd and 4^th.

Ms. Hoffman is well known across the country including in Silicon Valley, where she expanded her practice in 2014. Her database of over 4,000 prominent subject matter experts is a regarded source of deals, corporate development support, board and c-suite diversity candidates.venture capitalists invest other people's money. They raise that money by offering investors a chance to take part in a fund that is then used to buy shares in a private company. venture capitalists invest other people's money. They raise that money by offering investors a chance to take part in a fund that is then used to buy shares in a private company. venture capitalists invest other people's money. They raise that money by offering investors a chance to take part in a fund that is then used to buy shares in a private company.  Companies are also using her database to help close the racial gap in technology and to aid the Fortune 500's to realize diversity and inclusion aims. Ms. Hoffman points out, companies and investors need to be deliberate about fixing what Silicon Valley calls "the 2% problem." In order to do so they need to expand their circles of influence."

Danny Allen, VP, Diversity and Inclusion, SAP, states "SAP understands the importance of matching talent with opportunity for women and other underrepresented minority groups, and depends on diverse perspectives and experiences to fuel innovation. We are honored to host Culture Shifting Weekend in New York City, as it will bring together accomplished leaders in tech and venture capital."

ABOUT CULTURE SHIFT LABS (CSL)

CSL is a strategy and implementation services firm that advises companies, senior leaders, cities and philanthropists on growth and innovation through inclusion. CSL utilizes an integrated, results-oriented approach combining Consulting Connections and Convenings to improve business outcomes, http://www.cultureshiftlabs.com/

ABOUT CULTURE SHIFTING WEEKENDS (CSW)

The annual bi-coastal Weekends focus on technology, innovation and social impact. CSW is the only event of its kind to convene 300+ accomplished Black tech executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and business decision makers to collaborate and deal-make.

https://www.cultureshiftingweekends.com/

ABOUT ANDREA HOFFMAN

Ms. Hoffman is an advisor, dealmaker, strategist, speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of Culture Shift Labs. Leveraging more than 20 years of strategy, business development and advisory experience, she consults with senior leaders and C-suite executives across industry on finding new growth opportunities. Her firm helps clients to see how business, technology and demographic shifts are related, and how leveraging them to improve business and societal impact are possible and profitable.