Build the Damn Thing By Kathryn Finney – Book Summary
How to Start a Successful Business If You’re Not a Rich White Guy Introduction: About the Authors and the Book
Kathryn Finney
Kathryn Finney: Building Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurial Equity
Kathryn Finney is an entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder dedicated to expanding opportunity for underrepresented founders. As the founder of digitalundivided and author of Build the Damn Thing, she has catalyzed data-driven programs and capital access for Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs across the United States.
A Yale-trained epidemiologist turned tech leader, Finney created research such as the ProjectDiane reports, quantifying gaps in venture funding and driving policy and investor attention to systemic inequities. Through accelerators, fellowships, and advocacy, she has helped thousands of founders gain skills, networks, and investment.
Finney’s work blends rigorous analysis with pragmatic playbooks for company-building, emphasizing revenue models, team design, and founder well-being. Her legacy is an expanding pipeline of diverse innovators shaping a more equitable economy.