Access to financial services shouldn’t be a daily battle, but for millions of low-income Americans, it is. In an award-winning episode of “B The Way Forward”, Brenda Darden Wilkerson and Jimmy Chen, CEO and founder of Propel, discuss how Jimmy’s team is helping people on food stamps manage their benefits with dignity. His work is a call for tech entrepreneurs and investors to build solutions that serve everyone—not just the privileged few. 

For 40 million Americans on food stamps, managing SNAP benefits shouldn’t be a labyrinth of 1-800 numbers and clunky government websites. Yet, this daily frustration adds to the financial strain on families already stretched thin. But what if tech could finally cut through the red tape? 

In “B The Way Forward”, Jimmy joins Brenda to share how Propel is making real change—empowering underserved communities to manage their benefits with dignity and control. Chen’s mission: create tech that lifts people up and strengthens their financial health. 

Creating Tech That Solves Real Problems 

The spark behind Propel ignited from a powerful question: why don’t food stamp recipients have access to the same conveniences as banking customers? Before Propel, families on SNAP faced the frustration of calling 1-800 numbers just to check their EBT balances—adding unnecessary stress to their already challenging financial lives. Jimmy Chen recognized this gap as a chance to create meaningful change. 

“I asked, ‘Why do you have to call a number for your EBT balance? If you have a bank account, you likely have a free app for that. Why not for the 40 million people using EBT?’ We never got a satisfactory answer, so we created one,” Chen recalls. 

With that question at the forefront, Chen and his team launched Propel’s app, formerly known as Providers. This finance app enables users to check EBT balances, track transactions, and access resources like job listings and financial tips. For the 5 million families using it today, Propel has become a lifeline that restores control and security in managing benefits for daily survival. 

By addressing this need, Propel is reshaping the way families interact with food assistance, giving them a streamlined experience. 

Building with Respect: Designing Tech for the Underserved 

At the core of the Propel mission is respect. Traditional government systems often strip away the dignity of those they aim to help with complex processes and faulty technology. Jimmy Chen and his team are determined to change that. “I think the way that we’ve always thought about this is building with someone as opposed to for someone,” Chen explains. “Building for someone, while you might have great intentions, makes you more prone to assumptions that aren’t true.” 

Propel’s app empowers users with budgeting tools, personalized tips, and essential resources, fostering autonomy and dignity for families sidelined by conventional systems. Chen emphasizes that respect must extend to the Propel team. With over 85% of their users identifying as women, he insists on a workforce that reflects those they serve: “If we think about how you construct a company that can build a product that is actually useful to that person, fundamentally, we need people who reflect the demographics of the people we’re trying to serve,” Chen says. 

By prioritizing diversity, Propel shapes its offerings based on real experiences. With over 50% of its staff being women, Propel cultivates an environment where underrepresented voices lead the way. This philosophy aligns with the mission of AnitaB.org: to drive diversity and inclusion in tech and build a future where technology creators reflect the diverse societies they serve. 

Rewriting Venture Capital for the Underserved 

Propel is a direct challenge to the traditional venture capital models that often ignore underserved communities. Too often, tech investors fund products that cater to middle- or upper-class needs, leaving a treasure trove of innovations for low-income families untapped and unaddressed. 

Chen explains this disconnect clearly: “That’s just a major blind spot in the venture capital industry — that there are problems venture capitalists, from a demographic standpoint, are less likely to have personally experienced or understand. But it doesn’t mean that companies solving those problems aren’t valid or can’t be financially successful in the long term.” 

Despite facing these biases, Propel has raised over $80 million in venture capital, securing support from high-profile investors like tennis star Serena Williams and NBA player Kevin Durant. Chen underscores that Propel’s success hinges on aligning with investors who share their social mission—those who recognize that building tech for underserved populations can yield impressive financial returns alongside social impact. 

By breaking away from outdated venture capital norms, Propel is proving that solutions for low-income families can be both meaningful and profitable, paving the way for future entrepreneurs driven by similar missions. 

Closing Thoughts: Propel’s Potential for Positive Change 

Propel exemplifies the possibilities that emerge when we challenge traditional tech accessibility models and collaborate with the communities we serve. But Jimmy Chen’s vision reaches beyond the app; it’s about fundamentally rethinking our approach to technology and social impact. 

Not everyone may be a tech entrepreneur, but each of us has a vital role to play. Whether it’s leveraging our skills to design impactful solutions or engaging in conversations that promote inclusion, there are countless ways to contribute. By supporting initiatives like Propel’s, we can help forge a future where technology not only empowers but also uplifts those who need it most.

For more on Propel, check out:   

TikTok: @thepropelapp 

Instagram: @thepropel.app 

LinkedIn: @propel-inc | @jimmychen1

For more conversations with change-makers who are revolutionizing the tech space, check out the “B the Way Forward” podcast, available on the AnitaB.org YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts.