An Austin group focused on diversity in the technology industry is launching this month what it calls a “pre-accelerator.”

DivInc, co-founded by former Dell Inc. executive Preston James, plans to operate a 12-week program for under-represented tech founders at the Galvanize Inc. co-working space downtown. The first group in the program is scheduled to start Sept. 19 and include eight startups and nine founders, according to a DivInc statement.

The founders will be connected to a network of mentors, serial entrepreneurs, domain experts and investors to help turn their ideas into viable businesses.

James, who is also the CEO of Ascension International LLC, held several positions at Dell before his final one as managing director of its global center for entrepreneurs, according to his online profile.

The news comes six weeks after an Austin firm recruiting females and other under-represented groups for technology companies closed after a year of business. RecruitHer LLC, which launched in mid-2015, disclosed in a July blog posting that it shuttered operations.

The company was launched by co-founders Ashley Doyal and Gina Helfrich after completing the six-week Austin+SocialGood Accelerator program.

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Christopher Calnan covers technology, finance and clean energy for the Austin Business Journal. Subscribe to the Energy Inc. newsletter