Creating a media ecosystem that is diverse and inclusive makes strategic sense for all stakeholders, nurturing meaningful media experiences to effectively engage people. Yet there is historic under investment in the industry in Black and Minority-owned businesses. According to a report from Google, in the UK start-up founders do not have equal access to funding. In 2020, less than 0.25% of venture capital funding went to Black-led startups in the UK and only 38 Black founders received venture capital funding in the last 10 years. In the US, it’s the same picture. Start-ups with at least one Black founder received 1.9% of deal counts and 1.2% of overall venture dollars invested in the U.S. so far this year, report Crunchbase. “The rising tide lifts all the boats,” says Gerald Appau-Bonsu, founder of Havas Boost, who joins host Ben Downing, Global Managing Director, Ethical Media & Strategic Partnerships, Havas Media Group in the studio to share how his lived experience was the genesis for Havas Boost, a new program supporting businesses from under-represented communities. This passionate conversation explores the role of Havas Boost to help provide investment and meaningful support to emerging media start-ups to bring about effective change to the media ecosystem. Check out creative hub Making Numbers, Transleee’s Social Currency album and Guap magazine cited by Gerald in his conversation with Ben. ENJOY!  We’d love to hear your thoughts about all things meaningful media. Drop us a line! podcast@havasmg.com.    Like, share, subscribe and connect with us on our socials!    ⭐ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HavasMediaGroup/    ⭐ Instagram: havas_media_group    ⭐ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/havas-media    ⭐ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HavasMediaGroup    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.