LOS ANGELES — Nov. 20, 2025 — This year, Plug In Ventures is celebrating a
decade of accelerating innovation, empowering diverse founders, and driving economic
growth in South Los Angeles. Founded in 2015, the venture accelerator has become a
leading force in expanding access to entrepreneurship and venture capital for Black,
Latinx, and underrepresented founders.
To mark its milestone 10th anniversary, Plug In Ventures will host a special Year-End
Summit and Dinner on December 5, 2025 in South Los Angeles, gathering founders,
investors, community leaders, and ecosystem partners to reflect on its impact and share
its vision for the next decade.
Leading up to the Summit, Plug In Ventures kicked off its anniversary celebrations with
the Founders Summit & Showcase on September 24 in Los Angeles. The dynamic
gathering featured live pitches, networking, and conversations with current and past
founders, investors, and partners—all spotlighting the accelerator’s unique role in
shaping LA’s startup ecosystem and closing the venture-capital gap for entrepreneurs of
color.
Since launching from its base in South LA, Plug In Ventures has supported more than
1,000 startups across industries including health tech, fintech, climate, gaming, and
media. Its alumni are creating jobs, building wealth, and reinvesting in communities
historically excluded from tech’s growth.
CEO Derek Smith — recently named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 list
of the city’s most influential leaders — has been widely recognized for his commitment
to advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and building a world-class innovation hub
outside traditional tech corridors.
“Ten years ago, we set out to prove that brilliance isn’t bound by zip code,” said Derek
Smith, Founder and CEO of Plug In Ventures. “What began as a small experiment in
South LA has grown into a movement of builders, creators, and leaders redefining who
gets to participate in innovation. Our journey is a reminder that equity and excellence
can —and must — coexist.”
The upcoming Year-End Summit will highlight the founders, investors, and civic partners
who have propelled Plug In’s mission forward. It will also serve as a moment of
reflection and recommitment—honoring a decade of progress while charting a bold
course for the years ahead.
Plug In Ventures’ alumni illustrate how intentional investment and mentorship can
transform entrepreneurial trajectories. Kameale Terry, Co-Founder and CEO of
ChargerHelp!, is building climate-tech solutions to ensure reliable EV charging in every
community; Ade Adesanya, Co-Founder and President of Moving Analytics (Movn
Health), is expanding access to virtual cardiac care nationwide; and Anthony Kelani,
CEO of DNABLOCK, is helping creators tell their stories through AI-driven 3D avatars.
“Plug In Ventures helped us build the business model that propelled us to more than
$1.2 million in revenue,” said Kwamane Liddell, CEO of ThriveLink. “The community, the
knowledge, and the support has been transformative.”
“Plug In Ventures opened doors at a critical stage for WePair Health, connecting us to
funding, mentorship, and a network that believed Community Health Workers and
Doulas are essential to transforming healthcare,” said Lauren Vivian, Cofounder & CEO
of WePair Health. “Their ecosystem made our growth possible.”
As Plug In Ventures looks ahead, it plans to deepen its support for underrepresented
founders, expand access to capital through a new fund, and strengthen partnerships
with corporations, investors, and institutions committed to inclusive innovation.
“This anniversary is not a finish line —it’s a launch pad,” said Smith. “Over the next
decade, our focus is on scaling impact without losing our roots — continuing to prove
that transformative innovation can emerge from every corner of the country.”
For more information about Plug In Ventures and its 10th Anniversary Summit, please
visit www.pluginventures.co.
About Plug In Ventures
Plug In Ventures is a Los Angeles-based accelerator and innovation platform dedicated
to advancing diverse founders and building inclusive ecosystems. Since 2015, it has
supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs through mentorship, capital access, and
community engagement. By reimagining what tech growth looks like beyond traditional
hubs, Plug In Ventures continues to drive generational impact and economic opportunity
from South LA to the world.