Perkins Coie Launches PC Edge Program to Support Black and Latinx Founders and Entrepreneurs

New initiative aims to provide coaching, mentoring, and an educational program, as well as greater access to capital

SEATTLE (January 19, 2023)—Perkins Coie is pleased to announce the launch of PC Edge, a new initiative expressly established to help Black and Latinx founders and entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses. The new initiative aims to provide coaching, mentoring, and an educational program, as well as enhanced access to capital.

Perkins Coie is committed to creating improved opportunities for Black and Latinx founders and entrepreneurs who have been previously underrepresented in the startup industry through the PC Edge program. The program will also provide startup and investor guidance and services, and help identify relevant sources of capital. It will also provide networking opportunities with investors. The PC Edge program will be supported by the firm's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice.

"The data show that Black and Latinx entrepreneurs have historically lacked equal access to capital, and it widely acknowledged that these entrepreneurs have faced more challenges to both launch and build their businesses," said Troy Foster, the firmwide co-chair of Perkins Coie's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice. "We designed the PC Edge program to help address these historical inequities and support business innovations in the ecosystem."

PC Edge will also offer in-person classes and workshops for entrepreneur and founder cohorts. Eligible entities must have a Black or Latinx founder, C-suite member, or director, have a technology focus, and be based in the United States.

"Perkins Coie is committed to improving diversity and inclusion within the legal industry and equally committed to improving equality of opportunity for Black and Latinx founders and entrepreneurs," said Genhi Givings Bailey, Perkins Coie's chief diversity & inclusion officer. "Access to capital, coaching, mentoring, and introductions to investors can be critical to developing a startup, and the PC Edge program is specifically structured to help Black and Latinx founders succeed."

The program consists of two levels. Level One will include a curated library of content featuring Perkins Coie lawyers discussing a variety of topics critical to startups. Level Two, the second part of the program, is a cohort made up of eight to ten entrepreneurs who will connect with lawyers in person and online for advanced education, individual coaching, and targeted networking.

For more information, visit the PC Edge website here.