Google removes ‘underrepresented’ language from its grant website

Just weeks after Google said it would review its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, the Google for Startups Founders Fund web page is peppered with changes. Most notably Google is now using past tense to describe all of its fund programs for underrepresented founders. 

This is a change that took place after December, according to the internet archives. And the site currently says that there are zero fund programs available. 

Google’s Startup Founders Fund launched in 2020 to provide monetary grants, mentorship, and product support for startups with underrepresented founders, including women and those from African and Latino descent.

The site says it has given more than $50 million in support to more than 600 founders. Aside from capital, founders received mentorship and product support, such as credits to Google Cloud.

But the grant landscape — especially regarding programs that targeted minorities — has changed greatly since 2020. Some tech founders and investors that TechCrunch spoke to wondered what would happen to grant programs, such as Google Startups Founders Fund, amid the fierce political and legal attacks on any program labeled “DEI.”

The programs listed as “past” funds on this site now include the Women’s Founders Fund, Latino Founders Fund, Ukraine Support Fund, Black Founders Fund U.S., and Black Founders Fund Brazil.

Additionally, the site says “zero” grant programs are currently available in any region, although programs that train founders on its AI products and U.S. accelerators for startups in certain industries (energy and climate) are accepting applications.

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It’s unclear which of these programs have formally ended, been suspended, or are being restructured in other ways. Google’s response when asked about their status was vague but implied a focus shift away from underrepresented founders and toward AI startups.

“We have not yet opened applications in the U.S. for Google for Startups Funds in 2025. Google for Startups is supporting all past cohorts of Founders Funds in our alumni community. In 2025, we’ll invest in AI-focused startups in the U.S. and we will share more specifics at a later date,” a spokesperson said.

Google backs away from other language

TechCrunch observed other changes in the language of this program’s web pages. 

In December the site specifically stated that the grants “provided more than $50 million to support underrepresented founders,” whereas today, the word “underrepresented” has been removed. 

An archived page from January 21, shows Google used to describe the program’s purpose as “financial support for underrepresented communities” and “to help underrepresented and at-risk founders build and grow their businesses.” 

Currently, Google says the program provides “financial support for innovators,” and hands-on support “to help founders build and grow their businesses.” 

Google did not respond to our request for comment about the language change on the site.

In the past month, Google and other tech giants, like Meta and Amazon, started adjusting their DEI wording and activities as the Trump administration puts pressure on the public and private sector to roll back such programs. Google announced earlier this month it would no longer have diversity targets and also removed mention of DEI in its annual 10-K filing. 

Reuters reported this week that companies that have publicly distanced themselves from DEI have done the opposite in private, revealing the delicate balance businesses are facing today as they seek to avoid DEI legal challenges. 

At the same time, U.S. grant programs targeted toward specific segments of underrepresented communities have been under attack for a while. Fearless Fund famously had to settle a lawsuit over its grant program for Black Women founders and shut down the program in September. PayPal is also currently being sued for its grant commitment to Black and Latino founders over allegations that it discriminates against other races.