AUSTIN, Texas - For some, working in the tech industry can be tough.
"I doubt that there's a woman out there that doesn't have a story or two about unequal treatment," said Monica Landers, co-founder and CEO of AUTHORS.me.
It isn't just women who feel they're being treated unfairly. Researchers with the Kapor Center for Social Impact and Harris Poll found minorities are also citing unfair treatment as their main reason for leaving the tech industry. It's a national issue that some in Austin are trying to get in front of.
"We're focused on women and ethnically diverse tech founders," said Ashley Jennings, co-founder and CMO of DivInc.
DivInc helps grow minority and women-led companies by putting them through a 12-week program.
"They are targeting such a huge problem that we're having in tech and entrepreneurship of 93 percent of all venture capital going towards white males," said Sophie Kwok, founder of Love Intently and a DivInc cohort member.
DivInc connects founders with mentors, investors and resources. Participants say the program has given them confidence.
"I had this mentor sit me down and say 'Sophie, I think you view your triple minority status as a downfall, but I want you to know that it's actually your greatest strength,'" said Kwok.
DivInc is proud of the progress made so far.
"Even here in the Capital Factory, just with us coming in we've seen an increase in the number of minority founders in the space as we slowly recruit," said Jennings.
"It's not that we don't need white males. It's just that we need diversity if we're going to create meaningful products and services for everyone," said Kwok.
At the end of the day, diversity is good business.