Originally published by Lily Wolfson, Tech Nexus Connect
Since its founding in 2016, Gray Matter has been on a mission to transform the landscape of Black entrepreneurship by equipping young people with the skills, networks and resources they need to launch and sustain their own businesses. At the helm of this initiative is founder and CEO Britney Robbins, whose personal experience with entrepreneurship shaped her vision for the organization.
Robbins, who grew up in Quincy, Illinois, was raised in a household where entrepreneurship was the norm. Both of her parents ran businesses but struggled to scale them into sustainable enterprises. This firsthand exposure to the barriers of business ownership, particularly for Black entrepreneurs, became a driving force in Robbins’ career. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she eventually landed in the startup world.
Her experience at a venture studio, where business ideas were cultivated and turned into full-scale organizations with strong financial backing, contrasted starkly with what she had witnessed growing up. Recognizing the gaps in resources and support available to young Black entrepreneurs, she created Gray Matter Experience to provide education, mentorship and funding to students eager to explore business ownership.
The Role of TeamWorking in Gray Matter’s Growth
In 2021, Gray Matter moved into TeamWorking by TechNexus, a coworking space in Chicago created by TechNexus Venture Collaborative. The decision to set up shop there was an easy one for Robbins.
The move had a tangible impact on the organization's ability to grow and operate efficiently, she said.
"Just having the actual space for us to operate in was paramount," Robbins said. "We had our mailing address as my home. We had all of our stuff in storage. And so it really just gave us a centralized location to actually run a business."
The ability to host meetings, welcome funders for site visits and conduct programs in a dedicated space increased Gray Matter’s credibility and stability. Since moving in, the organization has expanded from a two-person team to a full-time staff of six, while also tripling its student waitlist.
The networking opportunities at TeamWorking have also been instrumental in Gray Matter’s success, Robbins said.
"Just last week, we had a team staff meeting, and there was an event for women CEO founders,” Robbins said. “I was able to see so many folks I had not seen in a while and had not run into."
Through these connections, Gray Matter has sourced guest speakers, internship hosts and program partners that have directly benefited their students.
A Million-Dollar Milestone and Looking Ahead
As of February 28, 2024, Gray Matter Experience hit a significant milestone, having raised $1 million in funding in the past year. This milestone comes just in time for their impending 10-year anniversary, solidifying their impact and setting the stage for future expansion.
"Our goal is to stand steadfast in our mission and continue to impact the communities and the people that we support," Robbins said.
With a growing alumni base, a dedicated team and an eye toward national expansion, Gray Matter continues to be a driving force in fostering underrepresented youth entrepreneurship. Robbins remains committed to ensuring that young Black entrepreneurs not only have a pathway into business ownership but also the tools and resources to thrive.
To learn more about our programs created for young leaders and visionaries visit our Program page www.graymatterexperience.com/programs
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