TechCrunch calls Austin a city of “unicorns and tech giants,” referring to the boom in capital that the city has witnessed in recent years. But in addition to the increasing presence of venture capital firms and angel investors in Austin, there’s also been an increase in local funds that focus exclusively on Black, Hispanic, and female founders.

While access to capital is crucial to the success of a small business, so is access to the tools necessary to grow and scale. Minority founders often lack equitable access to the resources they need to run their business, which is where Justworks’ Just Thrive program comes in.

What is Just Thrive?

The Just Thrive program was started with the mission to create more equitable access to the basic business infrastructure that companies need to get up and running. Racism and bias are still very real obstacles, which is why Justworks is committed to leveling the playing field and supporting others in that effort. Small businesses and nonprofits have an especially important role to play in how we all enact change and create equity. Through the Just Thrive program, Justworks hopes to confront and dismantle obstacles for minority entrepreneurs.

In addition to providing credit toward Justworks fees, Just Thrive members can also access resources for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) around getting certified as an MWBE and ways of accessing capital. Additionally, Just Thrive members can submit their interest in becoming a member of Justworks’ MWBE Directory, a high-visibility resource among the Justworks community that features businesses founded by entrepreneurs of a marginalized identity.

How Can Justworks Help?

While there’s immense value in accessing MWBE-specific resources through Just Thrive, what really makes this program stand out is the inclusion of credit to use Justworks’ platform and services to help grow your business. This offering includes things like payroll management, HR tolls and support, and navigating compliance as you grow and expand.

Justworks also knows that recruiting and retaining employees with top-tier benefits is crucial for successfully scaling a business. That’s why, as a customer of Justworks, your team will gain access to a variety of nationwide health insurance plans from top providers. Justworks also enables smaller businesses to offer their teams wellness perks like access to TalkSpace and OneMedical. In addition to quality health insurance benefits, Justworks provides 401(k) plans, HSAs, FSAs, fitness memberships, and 24/7 customer support.

With Justworks taking care of the nitty-gritty of running a business, you can focus on building your business. Not only can the tools and resources offered by Just Thrive help set up your company for success, but a service credit to help offset Justworks admin fees can allow you to tap into all of the services that Justworks provides.

How Do I Apply for Just Thrive?

If your business is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on eradicating racism, or has at least 50% ownership by someone who is a member of an underrepresented group, then your business is eligible for the Just Thrive program. You can learn more about the requirements and apply for the program here — simply scroll to the bottom of the page for the application.

By helping increase access to founder resources and tools, Justworks allows small business owners to focus on what’s most important — growing their business. Find out more about Justworks at https://www.justworks.com/.