THE EVENT

Startup Grind Grand Rapids is honored to host an amazing panel of leaders: Ariana Waller, Alvin Hills IV, Ian K Washington, and Angel Barreto-Cruz for a frank discussion about the intersection of tech, talent, and equity as we work to build the teams, companies, and neighborhoods of the next normal. 

• Ariana is the Founder of Wallway Technologies and the host of the acclaimed Women In Tech with Ariana Podcast. 
• Alvin works in the Office of Equity and Engagement of The City of Grand Rapids and is also the Co-founder of The Midwest Tech Project.
• Angel Barreto-Cruz is the Founder of the Loop Coding Center.
• Ian K Washington is the Director of Admissions for Grand Circus.

THE TOPIC

As early as February 2020, as firms started to shed employees from their roles, the discussion among the HR and Talent Acquisition/Recruiting industry started to talk about how to smartly downsize. For the forward-thinking, it was an opportunity to make sure the shifting needs of companies were best served by those teams and staffs that remained. It was also clear that the skills necessary to build companies and products are different than those that are required to pivot, scale different offerings, and keep up with declining or increased demand.

In March 2020, some firms laid off up to 70% of their staffs as demand plummeted and runway of cash on hand shortened by the day. Others faced wild increases in business.

Now as the April 2020 books are closed, the stark reality is hitting us:

• 50%+ of our startups won't make it as they aren't relevant anymore, or simply don't have the runway
• 75%+ of our small and medium-sized businesses won't make it as they're already on thin margins and the prospect of making it on decreased traffic and sales of up to 90% is unrealistic

So what's next? 

Economists tell us to expect:

• Innovation
• Pivots to remain relevant
• Further unemployment
• Deflation
• Degentrification
• Drastic changes to higher education
  
• Rebuilt supply chains that are shorter and hyper-local

What does that mean?

Perhaps the "great pause" as some call it, or the "great reset" as others call it, or even the "great global leveler" as even others are calling it, is really the "great opportunity".

As we rebuild, it's not just what and where, but with who?

And now that distributed teams will reign as never before, how do we capitalize on this great opportunity?

THE AGENDA

• 6PM EST - Panel discussion
• 7PM EST - Breakout Rooms for networking

THE FORMAT

This event will be hosted on Zoom.

Upon your RSVP, you'll receive your Zoom link to join the event.

If there are any updates to the Zoom location, be on the lookout for an email on the day of the event.