Startup Runway, an Atlanta nonprofit connecting investors to top startups led by underrepresented founders, just named a new Executive Director.
Nwanyinma Dike, who describes herself as an “engineer turned strategist,” has the organization’s top spot previously held by Mecca Tartt.
While Dike started her career in corporate, she is no stranger to the local startup scene.
After working at Merck commercializing vaccines, she found herself drawn to the procurement side of business. That move helped her catch the “business bug,” so she went to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for her MBA before going into management consulting, a path she described as “the equivalent to a residency after medical school.”
In 2021 she founded UltraViolet Insights, a business consulting firm for startups and SMB (small and mid-sized businesses). This last spring she joined ATDC, Georgia’ business accelerator, as the Georgia AIM Startup Catalyst. The grant-funded role designed to help the state transition to automation in manufacturing.
GETTING ON THE RUNWAY
Joining Startup Runway is a natural extension of Dike’s work in the Atlanta startup ecosystem.
“When I’m coaching startups at ATDC, the things that are constantly coming up as issues for founders is getting connections, getting customers, and getting cash,” she told Hypepotamus. “There is so much synergy between the work I’m doing at Startup Runway and the work that I’m already doing.”
She said joining Startup Runway happened through a bit of “serendipity,” as she connected with Board Chair and Founder Lisa Calhoun at a past Startup Runway event.
Started in 2016 by Calhoun, Startup Runway looks to change the narrative around how underrepresented founders get in front of investors.
To date, 200 companies have participated in Startup Runway and the organization has given out over $400k in non-dilutive grants to winners. The organization has also helped founders secure $80 million in VC funding over the years.
“The work that Startup Runway does in this ecosystem is truly unique. And so wanting to be a part of pushing them forward. was really exciting,” Dike added.
Just as the startups who end up pitching on their stage, Dike said that Startup Runway is always looking for ways to iterate and improve. She said that includes looking at how AI can not only improve the screening process, but also assist a greater number of startups get feedback from Startup Runway’s largely volunteer-based crew.
