Incubators, accelerators and new VC funding options are helping to make the Chicago tech startup scene more diverse, business leaders say.

One example: Spool founder and CEO Catherine Merritt was part of 1871’s inaugural cohort, which was focused on providing resources for female tech entrepreneurs.

“There weren’t a whole lot of female founders at that time, and what I’ve seen is that there has been a real growth and surge of making sure that there is a better presence of under-represented founders and making sure they have access and resources,” Merritt said.

Spool has grown 684% in the last three years and was named No. 42 by Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies. That success led Merritt to  a venture funding arm for the company.

“The lack of investment that goes to female BIPOC- and LGBTQ-founded companies, it's really not a surprise because when you look at the lack of representation from an investor and a VC standpoint. It's almost parallel,” Merritt said. “My hope and intention is to have a seat and to have a megaphone at the table and to be able to help to shift the dynamic. I really believe that if there can be more access for women and under-represented folks to sit at the table as an investor, then that's where real change can happen because that really impacts where and how the investment is deployed.”

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