At Teamforce AI, we believe that the future of work starts by amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines. That’s why we’re excited to share that we were selected to be part of the inaugural DRIVE cohort at Plug and Play, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators.
DRIVE—standing for Diversity, Respect, Inclusion, Visibility, and Equity—is Plug and Play’s dedicated initiative to support historically underrepresented founders. Unlike traditional accelerator programs, DRIVE takes no equity, requires no payment to participate, and provides non-dilutive grants to founders in the program.
Being selected for this initiative isn’t just an honor—it’s a validation of our mission to empower frontline and deskless workers by connecting their insights to real business outcomes.
What is the DRIVE Initiative?
Launched in November 2022, DRIVE was built to bridge the funding and resource gap that diverse founders often face. Silicon Valley is home to 60% of venture funding, yet the percentage that reaches underrepresented founders remains disproportionately low.
Plug and Play, recognizing this disparity, launched DRIVE to:
- Provide non-dilutive capital to help startups scale
- Introduce startups to enterprise partners committed to diversity and innovation
- Offer mentorship, strategy, and legal support tailored to early-stage founders
Led by Dominique Reese, Head of DE&I at Plug and Play, the program goes beyond a typical accelerator—it’s a movement to shift the entire corporate innovation ecosystem toward inclusion.
Learn more about Plug and Play’s DRIVE program here.
Why Teamforce AI Was Chosen
At Teamforce AI, we help organizations connect with and listen to their frontline workforce—a segment that is often overlooked despite being critical to business success.
Our selection into DRIVE recognizes that amplifying frontline voices isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for building a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
As part of the program, we:
- Received a non-dilutive grant to accelerate our impact
- Gained access to enterprise partners looking to enhance their DE&I initiatives
- Joined a network of like-minded founders committed to driving systemic change
The Bigger Picture: DE&I as a Business Imperative
In a recent Frontline Advantage podcast episode, Dominique Reese shared insights on how DE&I must move beyond checkboxes and become a business strategy. One of the key takeaways? Companies that genuinely invest in diverse founders and inclusive innovation will gain a competitive edge in talent acquisition, customer alignment, and long-term sustainability.
Teamforce AI is proud to be at the forefront of this movement.
What’s Next?
Being part of the first-ever DRIVE cohort is just the beginning. We’ll continue leveraging this opportunity to:
- Expand our network of enterprise partners looking to engage their frontline workforce
- Advocate for better workplace listening strategies that drive real business impact
- Champion diversity in tech—not just in words, but through action
If you’re a corporate leader looking to improve DE&I, or a startup founder interested in Plug and Play’s programs, we’d love to connect. Let’s build a future where every worker’s voice is heard.
💬 Let’s talk. Reach out to us or Plug and Play to learn more.