Community Pledge

The Boyd Innovation Center is an inclusive destination where forward-thinking individuals and innovators of all races, genders, ethnicities, educational attainment, and experiences can come together to develop groundbreaking ideas that change the world.

We believe that great founders build great companies, that great companies build great communities, and that great communities support all innovators. Through our words and actions, the #GrowCola startup community will inspire and support high growth, high tech founders along their entire entrepreneurial journey and create an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship in the Columbia metro region at the Boyd Innovation Center.

To support my community, I pledge that:

● I will put the needs of the founders first and make decisions based on what would be best for a founder and their company.

● I will intentionally engage in positive collaboration among all ecosystem actors, and act from a place of abundance rather than engaging in a zero-sum-game. 

● I will nurture community projects with the aim of building a thriving startup community. 

● I will help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders.

● I will adopt a #givefirst mentality and give my time and network without an expectation of receiving anything in return.

● I will elevate underrepresented voices to leadership roles.  

● I will do what I say I am going to do. 

● I will connect individuals asking for help with my network, when possible, with as little curation or filters as reasonable.

● I reject the idea of gatekeepers and will work to ensure everyone in the community is treated as an equal with equitable access to resources and opportunity. 

● I will publicly support this pledge and encourage others in the community to do so as well.