Adrian Abrams
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61fda686b5655d6220840f64/62166f965f930167cc44c252_appdrop.jpeg)
There is no “right” way to be a successful Black entrepreneur, but Adrian Abrams has seen plenty struggle with the technological aspects of bringing an app idea to fruition. So he founded Appdrop, a no-code software company. Adrian believes representation demystifies the Black entrepreneurial experience, just like Appdrop demystifies app creation.
Talk to us about the experience of being Black men starting a tech startup like App Drop, why is representation in the tech space so important?
The reason why representation is so important is because it demystifies an experience that we’re not known for having. When we see examples of Black men creating impactful tech solutions, it makes this hard road much more palatable. It gives us a chance to dive into others’ backgrounds and see where they overlap with ours, and in some cases creates a pathway for powerful mentorship opportunities made possible by these unifying shared experiences.
What have you learned through witnessing the legacy of Black entrepreneurs who have come before you in your industry?
We have learned that there is no ‘right’ way to build an awesome tech company. Whether it’s funding (VC vs. Bootstrapping), community engagement, or anything else, Black entrepreneurs cannot be put in a box and have taken so many unique pathways that result in the same end: really dope companies built by Black entrepreneurs.
We know that you have been working with mentors like Melissa Bradley, founder of 1863, since your days at Georgetown, how has mentorship impacted your abilities as an entrepreneur?
Again, this goes back to the representation piece. To know we’ve got a Black entrepreneur, from the same school we attended, in our corner armed with much more life experience and perspective, positively impacted our experience. We know that when we ask for guidance, this is someone who already knows the unique challenges we face and we take that into account.
Where do you draw inspiration for Appdrop?
We draw inspiration from a variety of places! The biggest place we draw inspiration from is folks that come to us saying they’ve been sitting on an app idea for a very long time and are looking to take the next step. We have been in that position several times and know firsthand how defeating it is. So for us to be able to play a role in helping others avoid that is like a dream come true and keeps us inspired.