10 Black-Owned Tech Companies Making Waves In 2023

The struggle for racial equity in America and worldwide is fought on a number of different battlefields, and one of them is technology. Access to capital and resources has traditionally been more difficult for founders of color, but even with those obstacles, Black-owned tech companies have found space to thrive. Here are 10 examples of businesses founded and owned by people of color that are poised to do even greater things this year.

Gro Intelligence

Applying AI to filter and understand massive data sets is one of the hottest areas in tech right now, and New York-based Gro Intelligence(Opens in a new window) is putting that technology to good use in fighting food insecurity and climate change. Growing up in Ethiopia during the famine years of the 1980s affected founder Sara Menker deeply, and in 2014, she started Gro to provide data and models to a wide variety of clients to help them plan for climate emergencies. Aggregating trillions of points of information from a vast variety of sources, the company is deeply integrated in a number of public and private initiatives to future-proof the world against a changing ecosystem.

Reach Industries

What’s cooler than robots? Not much, if you ask me. Nigerian-born Silas Adekunle developed MekaMon, a gaming robot that allows players to control the devices in both augmented reality and digital space. The device is so clever that Adekunle’s company Reach signed distribution deals with both Apple and Amazon. Adekunle left the entertainment robotics industry in 2019 but pivoted with his new company, Reach Industries, to create Lumi(Opens in a new window), a device that uses augmented reality, computer vision, and AI to help scientists capture data and ensure that their experiments are reproducible.

Lisnr

Convenience is one of the strongest selling points in technology, and firms are always looking for more ways to speed up and smooth out processes. Cincinnati-based startup Lisnr(Opens in a new window) has raised over $10 million for its SmartTones communication protocol, which it believes could change the way devices speak to one another. Instead of using radio frequency waves such as Bluetooth, SmartTones uses ordinary speakers and microphones to emit and pick up inaudible sound waves that can be used as carrier tones for all kinds of information. The technology requires no custom hardware, and big names like Intel Capital are already investing.

The Labz

The music industry has changed in seismic ways since the dawn of the internet, as traditional labels and artists scramble to adapt to file sharing and streaming. The era of mashups, remixes, and collaborations is here, and making sure artists are fairly compensated for their work can be a nightmare. That’s the problem Atlanta-based startup The Labz(Opens in a new window) is looking to solve. Founder Farah Allen describes her platform as “Squarespace for interactive experiences,” giving creatives a no-code way to release music, collaborate with each other, and monetize their work while tracking contributions to ensure equitable payouts. It’s an ambitious company that is looking to make big steps in the metaverse age.

PopCom

Automation is a major player in the tech world, as traditional jobs are replaced by robots and machines. PopCom(Opens in a new window), founded in 2017 by CEO Dawn Dickson, aims to revolutionize the future of retail by creating a point-of-sale platform that does a lot more than accept payments for merchandise. PopCom developed vending machines that feature in a wide variety of advanced metrics: These devices anonymously monitor sentiment, behavior, traffic, and more. Advanced biometrics also allow identity and age verification for regulated goods. It’s a pretty amazing update to self-checkout.

Inpathy

There’s no denying the toxic effect that social media can have on our psyches, but does it have to be that way? Detroit-based startup Inpathy(Opens in a new window) wants to pioneer a new approach to the way we interact in the digital world, based on real emotions and authentic connection. Instead of text, Inpathy posts are made with audio and video and connected to a mood scale that lets users attach emotional context to their content. Connections are always bidirectional, removing the potential for parasocial (one-sided) relationships that are common on other platforms. The company also has a hardline moderation policy, immediately removing toxic users. With Twitter on the decline, there’s definitely space for people doing social differently in 2023.

PlayVS

The esports phenomenon has transformed how people think about video games, and Generation Z is the first to grow up in a world where “pro gamer” is an attainable career. For young people who want to get started early, PlayVS (Opens in a new window)partners with high schools and colleges to develop teams and players for franchises including Rocket League, Madden, and Super Smash Bros. The online platform allows coaches to set up teams and match with others in their conference, and the company is now valued at over $400 million.

Calendly

Human lives are busier than ever, and Calendly(Opens in a new window) is already one of the best ways to keep yourself on track. Founded in 2013 by salesman Tope Awotona, who was becoming frustrated with the hassle of scheduling sales calls, it offers a platform that automates external meetings, letting participants select time slots and integrating with their preferred calendar of choice. The company has grown like wildfire, buoyed by a free version, which incentivizes users to sign up because it’s so easy and then leverages larger organizations into a more full-featured paid product. In 2021, Calendly was valued at $3 billion, so it’s definitely on top of the world right now and still has room to grow.

Flutterwave

Fintech has been one of the prime movers for growth around the world, and San Francisco-based Flutterwave(Opens in a new window) is a key operator in Africa. Founded in 2016 by a trio of Nigerian entrepreneurs, the company provides payment infrastructure in eleven countries. In 2021, it raised a $170 million Series C funding round and was valued at $1 billion, which vaulted Flutterwave into the “unicorn” category. The company also adapted brilliantly to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a digital retail platform for small businesses that they could use for free to sell goods while their physical locations were closed. Over 20,000 companies participated in that program.

Pindrop

In an increasingly connected world, authentication is vital. But customers are drowning in a sea of passwords and multi-factor authentication codes. Atlanta-based fraud-prevention company Pindrop is looking to disrupt that system with its proprietary voiceprint-detecting software, which lets you unlock your account through speech. Working with dozens of major banks, insurers, and financial institutions, the company has stopped over $2 billion in fraud since launching in 2011. It still has a lot of room to grow, as its technology has applications throughout the customer service world.