Only a few weeks after announcing its plan to review diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, Google has made notable changes to its Google for Startups Founders Fund webpage. Specifically, the company is now using the past tense to describe all its fund programs for underrepresented founders, indicating a significant shift in its approach.

According to the internet archives, this change occurred after December, and currently, the site indicates that there are no available fund programs. This development raises questions about the future of such initiatives.

Launched in 2020, the Google Startup Founders Fund aimed to provide financial grants, mentorship, and product support to startups with underrepresented founders, including women and individuals of African and Latino descent. The program claimed to have provided over $50 million in support to more than 600 founders, offering not only capital but also mentorship and product support, such as credits to Google Cloud.

However, the grant landscape, particularly for programs targeting minorities, has undergone significant changes since 2020. Tech founders and investors have expressed uncertainty about the fate of grant programs like the Google Startups Founders Fund, given the intense political and legal challenges faced by initiatives labeled as “DEI.”

The programs now listed as “past” funds on the site include the Women’s Founders Fund, Latino Founders Fund, Ukraine Support Fund, Black Founders Fund U.S., and Black Founders Fund Brazil. Furthermore, the site states that there are currently no grant programs available in any region, although programs that train founders on Google’s AI products and U.S. accelerators for startups in specific industries (energy and climate) are still accepting applications.

The status of these programs remains unclear, with uncertainty surrounding which have formally ended, been suspended, or are undergoing restructuring. Google’s response to inquiries about their status was vague, implying a shift in focus away from underrepresented founders and toward AI startups.

A spokesperson stated, “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 will share more specifics at a later date.”

Google backs away from other language

TechCrunch observed additional changes in the language used on the program’s web pages, indicating a broader shift in Google’s approach to diversity and inclusion initiatives.

In December, the site specifically mentioned that the grants “provided more than $50 million to support underrepresented founders.” However, the word “underrepresented” has since been removed from the current webpage. An archived page from January 21 reveals that Google previously described the program’s purpose as providing “financial support for underrepresented communities” and helping “underrepresented and at-risk founders build and grow their businesses.”

Currently, Google describes the program as providing “financial support for innovators” and hands-on support “to help founders build and grow their businesses.” This change in language suggests a deliberate effort to distance the company from explicit commitments to underrepresented groups.

Google did not respond to requests for comment regarding the language change on the site. This shift comes as Google and other tech giants, such as Meta and Amazon, have begun adjusting their DEI wording and activities in response to pressure from the Trump administration to roll back such programs.

Google announced earlier this month that it would no longer have diversity targets and removed mention of DEI in its annual 10-K filing. Reuters reported that companies publicly distancing themselves from DEI initiatives have, in some cases, continued to support them privately, highlighting the delicate balance businesses face in navigating these issues.

U.S. grant programs targeted toward specific segments of underrepresented communities have faced challenges for some time. Fearless Fund, for example, had to settle a lawsuit over its grant program for Black Women founders and shut down the program in September. PayPal is currently being sued for its grant commitment to Black and Latino founders over allegations of racial discrimination.