Here’s how you can support underrepresented founders by listening to podcasts

First Founders, the Delaware-based startup accelerator that focuses on underrepresented founders, is using its “Innovation Included” podcast for good — more so than usual.

The new bite-sized episodes include three-minute startup pitches from 27 startups with founders from all over the country. It’s all for the Podcast Pitch Competition, a Delaware Prosperity Partnership-sponsored virtual pitch contest with $10,000 in cash prizes.

The competition in in line with First Founders’ mission, said founder Garry Johnson III.

“The vision for First Founders was always to create accessible startup programming that founders could benefit from regardless of their geographic location,” Johnson told Technical.ly. “Our accelerator cohort that kicked off last February did have a hybrid model that transitioned to 100% virtual when the pandemic hit in March. All of our future programming will be accessible virtually, even if we do incorporate an in-person component.”

Four Delaware-based teams are participating: GetPotluck, Better Puzzles LLC, Wilminvest and Backyard Gig. (Spot GetPotluck and Backyard Gig on the 2021 RealLIST Startups.)

In episodes that span five to 10 minutes, founders answer these questions:

• Who are you and why do you do what you do?
• What’s your three-minute startup pitch?
• What does “inclusive innovation” mean to you? How can our community support you?
  

From now through Friday, Feb. 5, at 11:59 p.m., each listen of a pitch competition episode counts as a community vote for the startup. There is also a panel of judges that will help select winners. After the initial pitch period, the top five startups with the most listens and top five selected by the judges will advance to pitch live at the finals on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

To participate and support these underrepresented founders, all you have to do is listen to the podcast episodes. And if you find startups you want to help push through to the finals, you can replay the episodes to log additional votes.

Click on the name of the founder to go to their episode; descriptions are provided and lightly edited:

Shannon Leon
VPack for Women is a subscription-box service that’s transforming the personal stigma and shame often associated with urinary and vaginal health.

Suryanuj Gupta and Shahroze Ali
Backyard Gig is a two-sided marketplace that allows local households and small businesses the ability to outsource their everyday tasks to skilled and local college students in their area.

Danielle Allen
Si · La · Bul is akin to TikTok for language learning.

Amika Adams I
Latrenae’ Collection is an online store for eco-friendly handbags for heels.

Irma Mesa
Cafecito is a platform for curated one-on-one coffee breaks for solo at home workers and team members to match, meet and share knowledge.

Justine Parker
JusRédor Collection is an athleisure clothing brand based on sustainable bamboo fibers.

Oluwasanmi Ariyo
Wavlength is a platform that leverages the social equity of designers on social media to generate new leads and convert additional clients.

Ashley Joyner
Cinched Collections is an ecommerce apparel line designed with curvy Black and brown women in mind.

Jasmine C. Green
MARZ Enterprise is a modeling agency that reimagines beauty by opening conversations with businesses on tokenism, ageism, sizeism, and systemic racism in advertising and marketing.

Jessica Longo
Novello Restoration is a digital concierge that simplifies wardrobe repair for young professionals.

Evan Leaphart
Kiddie Kredit is the first step in a financially free future, creating a responsible path to an individual’s first credit card.

Luis Oquendo 
Brothers of Color is a biweekly mindset, growth and brotherhood podcast.

Karthy Chandra
Goalden Hour is a life management tool that helps people make more time for their goals and good habits.

Jewell Singletary
Gratitude Griot LLC is a business providing mindfulness services that focus on alleviating chronic stress and pain using yoga meditation and therapeutic arts.

Tenlie Mourning
Dendwell is akin to Hypebeast for vintage furniture and home decor.

Moises Velazquez
Better Puzzles LLC partners with professional artists to create unique puzzles.

Melanie Akwule
MINWO Inc. uses smart matching technology to connect VC firms and incubators to Black founders communities.

Abu Kamara & Hope Vega
GetPotluck is a grocery delivery startup that partners with local ethnic grocers to deliver culture through food.

April Roy
femPAQ Inc. takes the oops out of unexpected periods.

Joel Amin
Wilminvest is a social impact real estate investment firm.

Taiye O. & Lola O.
The T.L. Hospitality Group is a community for the cultural connoisseur.

Deirdre Horan
Dri is a line of durable, fashionable and environmentally sustainable umbrellas made from upcycled ocean bound plastic.

Joshua Kim
The Cubby is an online marketplace for student creators.

Alikiah Barclay
ReRent monetizes underused housing.

Pamela Garza
Bbeauty is a social media marketplace app for the beauty community that empowers micro creators and small brands.

Christian Essimbe & Erica Lockett
One Way Tour Life provides luxury travel services such as planning and concierge.

Kenneth Burnett
LitterHero allows citizens to report trash, litter, needles, potholes and graffiti via app.