Braze Opens Applications for 2026 Tech for an Equitable Future Cohort, Empowering the Next Generation of Founders

Braze (Nasdaq: BRZE), the leading customer engagement platform that empowers brands to Be Absolutely Engaging, today announced that applications are now open for the sixth cohort of its Tech for an Equitable Future product grant program. The program will offer 10 underrepresented founders and their companies with 12 months of free access to Braze technology and supporting resources to enable them to grow their business, worth tens of thousands of dollars in annualized product value and onboarding services for each company. Applications are being accepted for the program now through January 16th, 2026.

Since 2020, Tech for an Equitable Future has provided product grants and supporting services to more than 60 founders. By providing vital resources at an early stage of development, Braze is making it possible for growing businesses to expand their customer base, and in turn, give underrepresented founders a better chance of building sustainable success.

"Early-stage founders often face barriers like limited resources and funding that can distract from what matters most—growing their businesses,” said Rod McLeod, VP of Social Impact at Braze. “As we enter the sixth year of this program, Braze is proud to continue investing in initiatives that fuel entrepreneurship and strengthen the communities we serve.”

“The Tech for an Equitable Future program provided us with the tools we needed to bring our vision to life – cultivating a community rooted in shared love for Black-owned restaurants and businesses,” said Anthony Edwards, co-founder, CEO & CTO of EatOkra, an app that connects customers with Black-owned restaurants. “With access to the Braze platform, we were able to reach a broader audience and send our community to thousands of Black-owned restaurants across the nation in line with our company’s mission. Our ability to grow with this program is a true testament to Braze and how the company has created value for both of our businesses.”

Last year Braze launched its first Tech for an Equitable Future customer partnership with premium streaming service BET+. By contributing one-on-one mentorship to select companies, a branding masterclass, and free email advertising, BET+ has helped participating founders sharpen their storytelling and expand their reach. This year, Coursera has joined as Braze’s second customer partnership. Coursera will provide mentorship to select companies on how to use Braze, cross-channel sessions, and discounted access to more than 10,000 courses and professional certificates to upskill those selected companies. These collaborations demonstrate how Braze and its customer community can come together to remove barriers, provide real-world expertise, and create a more equitable path for underrepresented founders in tech.