Spotlight: Q&A with CDW's Kojo Mensah-Bonsu III
Kojo Mensah-Bonsu III is the Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at CDW.
Q: How does CDW currently work with startup founders?
CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. As of last quarter our Net Sales was over $20 Billion.
With our vertically aligned approach, CDW brings specialized capabilities, expertise, solutions and services to help our customers achieve their technology and business goals. We are taking that same approach as the only Tech VAR that has a value-added program for startups. This means that we have exclusive discount offers, non-dilutive capital options, a quarterly pitch event and some free services for early-stage companies.
Our account managers understand the typical startup growth milestones and we work with companies from MVP through hyperscale, helping them right-size and future-proof their tech stacks on both the operations and production sides of the business.
Q: What inspired CDW to partner with Chicago:Blend?
CDW aspires to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into everything that we do, and we acknowledge that not everyone has the same access to capital, networks, technology and know-how to be a successful entrepreneur. We partnered with Chicago:Blend to learn startup and VC DEI best practices, to expand and give access to our networks and to collaborate on making our DEI initiatives effective for years to come.
Q: What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to CDW?
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a fundamental component of the “CDW Way,” our core values statement. We are moving with purpose toward a destination where these values become a lived reality — where belonging is an everyday experience for all coworkers and future candidates.
Belonging is a basic human need. When coworkers freely and respectfully bring their authentic selves and unique perspectives to work, we all become better — better collaborators, bolder innovators and stronger drivers of business results. CDW is committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion where everyone feels that they belong.
Q: As we work to advance DEI in Chicago's venture capital and startup ecosystem, what are you most excited about?
We are most excited about seeing diverse-led startups have a real opportunity to create change within the industry and in their communities. We know that diversity ignites innovation and can’t wait to see the new levels that come from these businesses once they are financially supported in the ways that they need to run effectively. We’re also excited to see the new collaborations that will come from networking and look forward to creating collaborations of our own.