Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – GwC is proud to announce the launch of its CreateDEI Legal Accelerator. The program aims to prepare founders to navigate the intricacies of starting and growing an early-stage company and raising venture capital. The accelerator will occur twice a year, with the first cohort starting on April 13, 2023.
CreateDEI is a 12-session legal accelerator designed for early-stage startups devoted to DEI and committed to attracting diverse talent and investors. GwC aims to level the playing field by equipping founders with the knowledge, confidence, and networks they need to navigate relevant ecosystems to raise capital. CreateDEI participants will learn the nuances of forming and managing a venture-backable company from investors at leading VC funds and accelerators, and the GwC team of attorneys who share nearly forty years of combined legal experience.
“From our seat at the table, we know that underrepresented founders raise less and are often asked to accept less than market terms due to the shortage of venture capital funds available to them. We hope to light the path for founders with knowledge and expanded networks,” says GwC co-founder, Terrence J.L. Reeves. According to Diversity VC, only about 1.87% of the $31 billion held by 200 venture capital funds has been allocated to startups with diverse leadership teams.
Participants will receive a legal services scholarship valued at $10,000, covering weekly legal sessions, attorney office hours, and other legal services. To close out the program, participants will have the opportunity to pitch to investors at CreateDEI Investor Day.
“With CreateDEI, talented founders gain more than competent legal counsel. We are inviting like-minded investors and ecosystem partners instead to impart their behind-the-scenes wisdom and time-tested strategies for high-growth success.”
CreateDEI is a continuation of GwC’s efforts to support inclusive innovation. The firm’s clients share similar values, with 46% being-women led startups and 74% having at least one underserved founder. “At GwC, diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount values deeply ingrained in our firm’s culture,” stated Brittany L. Bradshaw, co-founder of GwC. “Our attorneys are actively involved in the startup ecosystem, and we have launched the pioneering CreateDEI Legal Accelerator to provide founders with resources to strengthen their ventures.”
