Announces initiative to increase diversity in tech
NEW YORK, August 4, 2020 — Carrick Capital Partners (“Carrick”), an investment firm focused on software and software-enabled businesses, yesterday closed its acquisition of Flatiron School (“Flatiron”), a global institution that trains students in 21st-century skills like software engineering, data science and UX/UI design. The news follows Flatiron’s announcement of the John Stanley Ford Fellowship, an initiative designed to address a lack of diversity in the technology industry.
“We’re excited to have Carrick in our corner as we embark on this next chapter,” said Adam Enbar, Flatiron co-founder and CEO. “Our goal at Flatiron is to do whatever we can to fix a broken and expensive educational system that doesn’t always prepare students with the skills they need for successful careers. As we work to redefine what higher education means, and what it can do to lift up a generation of underserved students, it’s important we acknowledge the shortcomings of education in tech, an industry that’s still made up of only 7% Black professionals.”
Named for the first Black software engineer in America, the John Stanley Ford Fellowship supports Black tech professional advancement by partnering with companies that offer apprenticeships and sponsorships. Ford was hired by IBM in 1946 and developed its first commercial business computer while coaching other African-Americans to get hired there. He’s remembered for his career-long fight for equity in the technology industry.
“We’re proud of our investment in the future of technology education at Flatiron School,” said Jim Madden, Carrick’s co-founder and managing director. “Diversity in tech starts with increasing access to, and benefit from, skills training, networking and corporate hiring. We know the John Stanley Ford Fellowship is one step forward along a much-needed path toward change in the industry.”
Initial hiring partners for the Fellowship include IBM, Citi, Justworks and fuboTV. The full list of companies, and more information about the John Stanley Ford Fellowship, is available here.
About Carrick Capital Partners
Headquartered in San Francisco and Newport Beach, Carrick Capital Partners is a growth-oriented investment firm that utilizes ABV (Approach to Building Value) to operationally scale fast-growing, software and software-enabled businesses. Carrick adds value by taking a concentrated approach and dedicating significant resources post-investment. Leveraging decades of experience, Carrick helps scale great companies that deliver excellent returns for investors, stimulating economic growth and positively impacting the industry landscape. Working directly with CEOs and entrepreneurs, Carrick fulfills a vital need for investment capital and growth expertise. For more information, please visit www.carrickcapitalpartners.com.
