Inclusive Economy | September 6, 2018 Arlan Hamilton’s Backstage Capital launches accelerator for diverse startup founders

Backstage’s approach of launching funds followed by an accelerator is the reverse of what often happens with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders. “We’ve attempted to be the scout for diverse founders of these [top] accelerators. After seeing 3,000-plus companies [apply for funding], I felt we were ready to do it ourselves,” Backstage founder Arlan Hamilton told FastCompany. On Twitter, competition has begun to be the fourth city to get the accelerator. “So here’s the thing,” tweeted Sherrell Dorsey, journalist and founder of the media venture The Plug and Charlotte’s BLKTECH Interactive tech hub, “Charlotte is the best city for @ArlanWasHere @Backstage_Cap accelerator. No debate.” Cincinnati fired back. “With all due respect, Cincinnati is #1 and there’s no debate,” tweeted Mortar’s Derrick Braziel‏. “Does Charlotte have @hill7org? @weareMORTAR? @StartupCincy @cintrifuse?”