For some of us, change presents a challenge and the goal can be finding our way back to the status quo. For others, change is an opportunity to find a better way to accomplish something. We are lucky to live in a state that is full of innovators, those who aren’t afraid to look a challenge in the face and find new solutions.

We’re highlighting some of the innovative Black tech founders in Indiana who are making an impact in our state and across the US. These founders are innovative, strategic, and entrepreneurial; they are driven by purpose and excited by what they’re doing. 

Let’s take a closer look at their achievements, what challenges they’re solving, and how we can all better support Black-owned businesses. 

Darye Henry, AfterSchool HQ

Darye Henry founded AfterSchool HQ with a mission to connect students with engaging programs that ignite their passions by enabling schools to partner with great afterschool program providers in their communities. Darye was also a nominee for the 2021 Rising Entrepreneur Mira Award.

Tell us about your business and the challenges you’re trying to solve. 

AfterSchool HQ focuses on improving the overall after-school program ecosystem. We believe that students (like myself) can find their purpose through enrichment programs such as entrepreneurship, coding, photography, film, etc. Our goal is to increase the availability of these programs, and make it easy for parents to find and sign up. Our technology creates a marketplace to enable schools to partner with providers to increase educational opportunities for students.

The new year brings new opportunities. What’s on the horizon for your business?

We are doing big things in Central Indiana (soon to be announced), but we are focused on bringing more schools on the platform and continuing to increase our impact. 2021 was an incredible growth year for us, and we’re looking to continue and accelerate that growth in 2022.

In your opinion, what are the most important things happening in tech right now? 

Obviously, Web3, Blockchain, and NFTs are the big thing in tech right now, but I tend to judge tech as how it helps the most vulnerable in our society. I still believe the promise of technology to lift everyone and that remains the most important thing happening in tech.

What’s a quote you live by?

The mantra I live by is my own: Care deeply, Take it personal, Change the world.

Nick Turner, DeliverEnd

Nick Turner created DeliverEnd to revolutionize Facebook marketplace delivery services, making online marketplace purchases safe and more convenient. DeliverEnd was a 2021 Community Impact Mira Award nominee.

Tell us about your business and the challenges you’re trying to solve. 

We have the opportunity to keep businesses, friends, family, and loved ones safe! DeliverEnd creates a blanket of safety for businesses and consumers. We provide a solution where marketplace users on Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and even small businesses can schedule deliveries and be confident in the timeliness and safety of the delivery for all constituents. Our efforts keep customers safe and businesses growing and thriving with little to no overhead.

The new year brings new opportunities. What’s on the horizon for your business?

We have closed some major partnerships which we will announce in the next few weeks that are rolling out in Q1 of this year. We are growing to a national presence and have brought a lot of attention to the tech scene here in Indianapolis.

In your opinion, what are the most important things happening in tech right now? 

The most important thing happening in tech right now is continuous problem solving and innovation.

What’s a quote you live by?

Mark 9:23 “What do you mean ‘if I can?'”, Jesus asked, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Darrian Mikell, Qualifi

Darrian Mikell co-founded Qualifi with his brother Devyn (learn more about him below!) in order to remove burdens from talent leaders so they are free to do what they do best: take care of their people. Darrian is nominated for the Rising Entrepreneur Mira Award this year.

Tell us about your business and the challenges you’re trying to solve. 

Qualifi is the structured, blind, and fastest automated phone interview platform. Using our tool, high-volume recruiters can record audio questions, invite hundreds of candidates, and get responses within the hour. 

The new year brings new opportunities. What’s on the horizon for your business?

We’re excited to really grow our business with goals to 10x our ARR. We plan to change the landscape of recruitment technology as we improve our unique product – adding more advanced capabilities and features. To get there, we’re going to need great people…we plan to double our team over the course of this year.

In your opinion, what are the most important things happening in tech right now? 

The most important things happening in tech right now are future of work considerations (e.g., remote work, reshuffling of labor, gig economy, no-code movement, crypto, and sustainability.

What’s a quote you live by?

If God is for us, who can be against us.

Devyn Mikell, Qualifi

Devyn Mikell co-founded Qualifi with his brother Darrian when they both saw challenges in the job funnel. They worked together to create a solution and are incredibly people-focused. Qualifi is nominated for multiple Mira awards this year, including Tech Product of the Year, Exceptional Employer Award, and Talent Impact Award.

Tell us about your business and the challenges you’re trying to solve. 

We’re changing recruiters’ lives by removing weeks worth of admin tasks from their plate, freeing them up to connect with more candidates faster, and doing so while enabling fairness and equity.

The new year brings new opportunities. What’s on the horizon for your business?

We’re extremely excited about a few things: we’re adding 30+ Integrations with Applicant Tracking Systems to our platform; we’re kicking off a few Data Science driven product initiatives; and, most importantly, we have some amazing customers that are helping us shape the future of recruiting.

In your opinion, what are the most important things happening in tech right now? 

Tech is beginning to diversify (happy to be at the forefront of that!). We’re seeing more people from overlooked backgrounds becoming aware of the opportunities within tech. More importantly, we’re starting to see those in a position to give opportunities to recognize all the talent they’ve been missing out on!

What’s a quote you live by?

Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself.

TJ Wright, Whelhaus Co.

TJ Wright founded Whelhaus Co to be a social enterprise that connects real-world data, science-driven methodologies, and intersectional use cases to improve people and communities. Whelhaus places people, synergy, and social capital at the cornerstone of their work and provides strategic consulting.  

Tell us about your business and the challenges you’re trying to solve. 

In a nutshell, we help firms build healthy workplace ecosystems that support their people, their work, and most importantly help improve the quality of work-life balance within their company.

As a group of people-centered practitioners who understand that processes are performed by people, we believe that even the most seemingly intractable problems are solvable and that those who are directly affected by them hold the key to solving them.

We offer consulting, facilitation, and training in four major areas:

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
  • People Operations
  • Talent Optimization
  • Social Impact & Responsibility

The new year brings new opportunities. What’s on the horizon for your business?

We’re very excited to be rolling out individual consulting & coaching for early career to mid-career professionals in Q3 2023 and several newly designed community programs.

In your opinion, what are the most important things happening in tech right now? 

The much-needed shift in focus and importance of the employee experience; namely diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What’s a quote you live by?

Time doesn’t change nations, people do.

The Best Ways to Support Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses

Practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion requires more than lip service. We wanted to ask each of these Black founders for insight on the best ways to support Black entrepreneurs and businesses. 

Darye: Network is the primary limiting factor. Introductions and connections to not only capital but other players in their current industry are very meaningful.

Nick: Give us a chance. Use our services, buy our products, and help with getting the message out about both. Growing revenue and exposure will assist in capital raising and positioning economically. There are many hurdles entrepreneurs face daily, but there are honestly many more that black entrepreneurs must face. When it comes to capital raising VCs not just giving black entrepreneurs an opportunity for investment, but actually investing in them and guiding them through their entrepreneurial journey. We can accomplish great things when we work together and help each other. The main thing the pandemic showed us is how badly we need each other.

Darrian: Lip service doesn’t help; put your money where your mouth is. Invest your dollars as an investor or a customer. Another key way is to help us build with your talents or help us find the talent we need to build.

Devyn: This is simple to me. Don’t view investing in black companies as charity or support. View it for what it really is – your competitive advantage!

TJ: Black entrepreneurs need access to social capital, supportive communal (support) systems, and more equity in the access to fiscal capital opportunities.

Kelli Jones, co-founder of the Be Nimble Foundation and Sixty8 Capital, was a source for this story. When asked about recommendations for ways to support, her answer was simple and clear: “Capital should be the first and last answer.” 

We know we haven’t captured all of the great Black tech founders and leaders in our state. If you have suggestions for others entrepreneurs to highlight, please let us know by filling out this simplified story form. The best way for us to continue to highlight people and organizations who are doing great things in our state is to hear from our community!