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Techpoint’s first grant to attract minorities to the industry goes to Video Game Palooza

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The tech industry has grown into a trillion-dollar market in the United States and has been a driving force in the nation’s economy. As researchers forecast a 6% annual increase in tech jobs over the next decade, the sector stands to remain a strong contributor to the country’s labor force.

However, the industry continues to struggle with a diversified workforce. In Indiana, where nearly 184,000 tech jobs are held, black or African American workers only represent 7% of those positions.

Recognizing the need to make Indiana’s tech sector more inclusive, some of the funding from the African American Quality of Life Initiative (AAQLI), a $100 million grant from the Lily Endowment to the National Urban League, is being used for an apprenticeship program. Administered on the state level by the Indianapolis Urban League and African American Coalition of Indianapolis, the $300,000 grant funds a two-year program (2025-2026) to provide tech skills and opportunities to low-income black and brown men and women in the state.

“Beyond its benefits to individuals, diversity in the tech workforce is imperative for business. Indiana companies need more talent with high-tech skills and digital fluency. And companies with diverse teams are proven more creative and perform better financially,” said Dennis Trinkle, Senior Vice President, Talent, Strategy & Partnerships, for TechPoint, a growth accelerator for the tech industry. TechPoint, along with community development organization InnoPower and Sagamore Institute, a think-tank for innovative solutions, administers funding from the grant on a local level.

“AAQLI helps companies build more inclusive environments, creating a tech ecosystem that is not only fairer but also more competitive in attracting top talent,” Trinkle continued. “By opening doors for underrepresented groups, AAQLI ensures that the industry benefits from a broad range of talents, making the tech sector more resilient and future-ready.”

The first small business recipient of the apprenticeship initiative in Indiana is Video Game Palooza, a nonprofit that promotes gaming to connect individuals with careers and certifications in the tech field. The organization received a grant of $18,000 to hire three apprentices, who will then be considered for full-time employment. The apprentices will be trained by coaches from Video Game Palooza’s Hope Training Academy through the nonprofit’s Mission41K initiative, which seeks to add 41,000 new tech employees in Indiana by 2030.

Rick Barretto, president and cofounder of the Hope Training Academy, said the grant is an opportunity to engage minorities leading to a more diverse workforce by bringing fresh talent to an industry that thrives on innovation. It is forward movement in creating sustainable change for individuals and the industry as a whole.

“Opportunities like this grant support our mission by creating tangible, life-changing results. Every apprentice who completes our program is another step toward closing the tech talent gap while creating generational change in their own communities,” Barretto said. “By showing the tech sector that talent exists in places they might not typically look, we aim to be at the forefront of creating a more inclusive, innovative future for Indiana.”

Apprentices for the program are recruited and need no prior tech experience. Barretto said it is a perfect opportunity to fill tech positions with those often overlooked by traditional hiring pipelines, particularly from underrepresented black and brown communities in the state.

For Indiana, building a more diverse workforce in the tech industry is pivotal to the state's economic growth and global competitiveness, Trinkle added, especially as the tech sector, more specifically the advancements being made in artificial intelligence, continues to charge ahead as one of the fastest-growing areas in Indiana. As that momentum builds, so does the need for digital skills and talent. The benefits of diversity, he said, also go well beyond the tech industry itself.

“These are cross-sector needs. Non-tech companies especially struggle to attract those with tech skills and diverse backgrounds,” said Trinkle. “When the tech workforce reflects the diversity of the community, it helps reduce income disparities, promotes social mobility, and creates role models for future generations. This, in turn, fosters a more inclusive economy and contributes to the overall quality of life in the state. With a more diverse tech workforce, Indiana can attract and retain talent from various backgrounds, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits businesses, communities, and the broader economy.”