St. Paul Reporter

Three Twin Cities startups have been awarded $200,000 from Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, a foundation that awards Black business owners, startup founders and job seekers.

The three startups awarded funds by Google are the St. Paul-based Civic Eagle, and Minneapolis-based Watch the Yard and Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, SBC.

The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund is a part of the company's racial equity initiatives. The awards are non-dilutive, meaning funds will be provided from Google with no exchange of equity or ownership. The companies will also receive Google technology resources and other assets of the Google for Startups program.

Civic Eagle uses technology to educate voters by making political and legislative information more accessible. People on its team have experience in lobbying, policy analysis and government affairs.

Watch the Yard is a media company that has become, since its founding in 2014, a leading destination for Black news and culture. Their platform attracts more than one million users every month.

Black Women's Wealth Alliance works to increase the economic status of the Black community through strategic and impactful wealth building. It is the first Black-woman-owned specific public benefit corporation.

“It’s important for Google to take big steps like this to support Black entrepreneurs, it’s a necessary starting place that is intentional and one that comes with the committed financial resources and wrap around support through it’s partnered networks who are also cultural business leaders which greatly matters,” Kenya McKnight-Ahad, founder and president of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, said in a statement, according to Twin Cities Pioneer Press. “I’m excited, especially in these times of uncertainty, the world will be what we make it and I’m here to do my part.”