Building Diverse Startups: The Impact of Plug In South LA in an Underserved Community
Derek Smith, the founder of Plug In South LA, grew up in southern Los Angeles and saw first-hand the frustration that stems from lack of economic development.
And it’s why Smith’s ultimate goal for Plug In South LA is to smooth the way for Black and brown entrepreneurs looking to build tech startups and need help and guidance.
“We really want to support those founders and entrepreneurs who can build businesses that can scale broadly,” Smith told TechCrunch.
Smith sees a bevy of underutilized talent in areas like South LA.
Vaughn Blake, a partner at Blue Bear Ventures, says he met Smith right after he launched Plug In South LA and was asked to participate on a panel during one of the early demo days.
