Silicon Valley Bank and Colorintech partner to create greater diversity and inclusion within the UK innovation economy

London, 22, September 2021: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the bank of the world's most innovative companies and their investors, today announced it has become a proud partner to Colorintech, the non-profit organisation focused on making Europe the most inclusive tech hub in the world. The partnership between SVB and Colorintech will see SVB become a key sponsor across its programmes supporting underrepresented founders within the tech and innovation ecosystem, helping to increase their probability of success and expand their knowledge base.

The partnership highlights SVB's commitment and investment into the Colorintech platform to promote and drive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the European Ecosystem.

As part of the partnership, SVB will provide tailored banking and financial services to early-stage founders within the Colorintech community. Colorintech founders will also benefit from access to SVB's own experts as well as its vast network of investors, founder CEOs, and professional services experts to support their growth journey.

SVB will leverage the Colorintech community of tech and innovation talent as part of its hiring strategy across EMEA. This will help drive a more diverse SVB workforce and broader innovation ecosystem, by encouraging clients to use the community as part of their own talent programmes.

Ashleigh Ainsley, Colorintech co-foundersaid, "We're excited to build an enduring partnership with Silicon Valley Bank. For decades SVB has played a pivotal role in supporting some of the most successful businesses to reach true scale and we are delighted to bring that level of support closer to founders in the UK. Through content, innovative activations, and our Rise program, we're confident that more entrepreneurs than ever will get greater access to a partner in Silicon Valley Bank that is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through their products, services, and people. We're enthused to share more about our joint work at Black Tech Fest and use that platform to highlight how our joint work can further empower our community.

Erin Platts, Head of EMEA and President of Silicon Valley Bank UK Branchsaid, "We're delighted to now be a partner to Colorintech, as we both share a collective vision of making Europe the most diverse innovation hub in the world. We have long admired the organization established by Ashleigh and Dion and believe Silicon Valley Bank's investment from a resource and financial stance will help grow the community to the next level."

Platts added, "Through a combination of banking services, mentoring, events, and educational content, SVB is committed to supporting underrepresented founders from the Colorintech community, starting with our support for Black Tech Fest in October. Our team is excited to be able to share its sector expertise to further support the pipeline of innovative companies that typically get overlooked."

About Colorintech
Colorintech was established in 2016 with the mission to make Europe the most inclusive tech hub in the world. For the past 5 years, Colorintech has run programs, events, and initiatives with some of the boldest innovators in the technology ecosystem to drive inclusion for entrepreneurs, career starters, and working professionals. Find out more about our work at colorintech.org

About Silicon Valley Bank
For nearly 40 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative businesses and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centres around the world. With commercial and international banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. Learn more at svb.com/uk.

Silicon Valley Bank is registered in England and Wales at Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1BR, UK under No. FC029579. Silicon Valley Bank is authorised and regulated by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and the United States Federal Reserve Bank; authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority with number 577295; and subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request. © 2021 SVB Financial Group. All rights reserved. SVB, SVB FINANCIAL GROUP, SILICON VALLEY BANK, MAKE NEXT HAPPEN NOW and the chevron device are trademarks of SVB Financial Group, used under license.

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