GREENTOP GIFTS SELECTED SELECTED FOR GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS BLACK FOUNDERS FUND
GREENTOP GIFTS SELECTED SELECTED FOR GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS BLACK FOUNDERS FUND
Jacquelyn Rodgers, is one of 50 founders selected for Google for Startups program focused on high potential startups from Black entrepreneurs based in the U.S
(Atlanta, GA) -- September 21, 2021 -- Greentop Gifts, an inclusive giftwrap and apparel company, today announced it was selected to join the second cohort of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, a $10 million initiative designed for Black founders, who are building great companies yet are often locked out of access to the funding that is critical to their success.
Last year, Google for Startups gave 76 Black-led startups up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, helping them keep their doors open, pay their employees, and focus on building their businesses. With this second $5 million investment in the U.S. Black Founders Fund, 50 more founders across the United States will receive $100,000 in non-dilutive capital, meaning founders do not give up any ownership in their company in exchange for funding. The fund also includes technical support from tools and teams across Google, including as much as $120,000 in donated search Ads from Google.org and up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits. Last year, founders who received awards went on to raise more than $50M in capital and 80% of recipients used the funding to create jobs.
Greentop Gifts, widely known for holiday and celebratory products - including their signature characters The Celebration Crew and Clarence Claus - is one of a select few high potential startups that the Google for Startups team has selected for this year’s nationwide cohort.
“After participating in The Google for Startups Founders Academy program we have been able to use the training provided to aid in growing our business,” says Jacquelyn Rodgers, founder, Greentop Gifts. “This support, community and mentors from Google for Startups has been critical. The money from the Black Founders Fund will be used to invest in future innovations, expand our team and increase our marketing efforts to reach new customers.”
“The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund embodies our mission of helping underrepresented founders grow their businesses. We are excited to continue the fund and contribute funding to Black founders, with no strings attached. Black founders currently receive less than 1 percent of total VC funding,” says Jewel Burks Solomon, Head of Google for Startups US. “We heard loud and clear from the 2020 fund recipients that Google for Startups and Goodie Nation have been crucial to their success not only through funding, but through community, mentorship, network connections and technical expertise.”
“Our advisors will be working with the founders to discuss business pain points, offer introductions to customers and investors and provide regular therapy sessions and forums to support recipients emotionally and professionally,” says Joey Womack, CEO of Goodie Nation.
ABOUT GREENTOP GIFTS
Atlanta-based and Black-owned, Greentop Gifts is a family-run, woman-owned business known for its multicultural celebration decor, apparel, gifts and gifting supplies. The brand’s Celebration Crew and Clarence Claus characters have quickly cemented Greentop Gift’s place in African American and families of color households who look for representation during birthday and holiday moments. Founded in 2016 after founder and CEO Jacquelyn Rodgers couldn’t find wrapping paper that featured a Black Santa, since its launch, Greentop Gifts has received notable media attention from numerous outlets, including Essence, UK Daily Mail, Blavity and People.
ABOUT GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS
Google for Startups works to level the playing field for startup founders and communities to succeed by bringing the best of Google’s products, connections, and best practices to startups. Paired with a deep commitment to create diverse startup communities, many of our offerings are designed specifically to provide underrepresented founders with access to resources and opportunities. We support startups everywhere to build something better. Because when startups succeed, we all succeed.
