College students across the state who are underrepresented in the tech industry applied to become an intern. In this year’s cohort, 63% are women, 13% are nonbinary or gender nonconforming, 81% are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, 56% are eligible for the college PELL grant, and 44% are part of the LGBTQ+ community. These interns are getting formal training, mentorship, and network-building opportunities, on top of their paid internship, to make Michigan’s startup ecosystem more accessible and more successful.

Company partners are Michigan-based startups and tech companies that are working to enhance company culture, strengthen their DEI-focused policies and procedures, and build a more representative talent pipeline. Companies participate in DEI-centered workshops and are offered 1-1 consultation with a DEI expert.

This program could not be possible without the support of our program sponsors, Bank of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw Community College. Our collaborators consist of an advisory team of education, talent, and DEI experts who helped design the program and evaluate student applications.