Tech Nation has announced that 35 tech start-ups with Black, South Asian, East Asian or Arab founders have been accepted into its programme for underrepresented founders.

Libra 2.0 is the second version of the six-month government-backed programme, which was created to address racial diversity challenges in UK tech.

Last year, Extend Ventures reported that between 2009 and 2019, three quarters of venture capital investment went to all-white founding teams, while under a quarter - 23 per cent - went to multi-racial founding teams, and just 0.24 per cent went to all-Black founding teams.

The first Libra programme focussed on improving the Black founder experience, while the second version will focus on companies with at least one ethnic minority founder with lived experience of little or no access to capital, networking and commercial opportunities.

“After the success of the inaugural Libra programme last year, I’m delighted to welcome a new cohort of inspiring companies to the table,” said Abi Mohamed, Libra programme lead, Tech Nation. “These companies are working across a wide range of sectors - from finance and ecommerce to education and healthcare - but what they have in common is enormous potential and drive, and the right to be given equal opportunities to grow and scale.

“I can’t wait to help another pool of inspiring underrepresented founders break through the glass ceiling and achieve the success they deserve.”

The companies accepted into the latest programme are working across a range of sectors, including: finance; healthcare; clean technology; education; and HR.

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