Looking back 10 or more years, it was very difficult in the USA to get support to start a company if you were LGBTQ+. It is still difficult in many places around the world and in parts of the USA. Many individuals and organizations are working hard to improve access and funding for LGBTQ+ individuals and also other under-represented communities.
We hope to impact the worldwide startup ecosystems to be more supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and also other under-represented communities. This is a first step. Let us know about additional resources and how we can help.
Apply to become a GSV StartUp|connect Ambassador: Seeking talented professionals to write about the StartUps, Organizations and Tools that support StartUps. Build Connections Locally and Around the World. Help foster Entrepreneurship and Inclusion locally and globally.
Inc Magazine : Are Gay People Better Entrepreneurs?
“It’s rare to find an openly gay CEO of a large company. But there seem to be social and logistical reasons openly gay people excel at building their own businesses.”
STARTOUT Pride Economic Impact Index ™
“This portal will help you, municipalities, investors, ecosystem builders, grantors, and other decision makers, make informed decisions based on the latest data, rather than assumptions, for you to reap the benefits of your support of minority entrepreneurs. “ – Socos Labs and StartOut
NGLCC Global is the international division of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. It is a network comprised of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) Chambers of Commerce and Business Networks all over the world. It is devoted to promoting economic empowerment as well as inclusive economic growth for LGBTI people and LGBTI-owned businesses. As a network, it builds on the strengths of each partner and shares best practices, while also developing a more thorough understanding of the challenges that LGBTI people and business owners face.
- Australia –Gay and Lesbian Organization of Business and Enterprise (GLOBE)
- Brazil – Câmara de Comércio e Turismo LGBT do Brasil
- Canada – Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
- Central & Eastern Europe – East Meets West
- Colombia – Cámara de Comerciantes LGBT de Colombia (CCLGBTco)
- Costa Rica – Cámara de Comercio Diversa Costa Rica (CCDCR)
- Dominican Republic – Cámara de Comercio LGBT de la República Dominicana (CCLGBTRD)
- Ecuador – Cámara LGBT de Comercio Ecuador
- India – RWS: India’s Diverse Chamber of Commerce
- Italy – Italian GLBT Business Chamber
- Jamaica – Jamaican Association of Diverse Businesses
- Mexico – Federación Mexicana de Empresarios LGBT (FME-LGBT)
- Scandinavia – Scandinavian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (SGLCC)
- South Africa – PLUS
- Uruguay – Cámara de Comercio & Negocios LGBT de Uruguay (CCNLGBTU)
MRIF’s vision is to contribute to a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people can achieve their full potential in life and have equal access to employment, training, education, financial services, healthcare, housing, places of faith, and public places and services.
Micro Rainbow launches a pioneering publication, “LGBT Entrepreneurship: case studies of socioeconomic empowerment in Rio de Janeiro
The Global Networking Hub and Job board For LGBT+ Professionals & Graduates
StartOut’s mission is to increase the number, diversity, and impact of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and amplify their stories to drive the economic empowerment of the community.
Meet LGBTQ entrepreneurs in your community with StartOut Rising. Built on the MeetUp platform and driven by exceptional community leaders, StartOut Rising brings online community and networking events to thousands more members across the US and the Globe
With 46,730 members, OUTBÜRO is LinkedIn’s largest LGBTQ+ Community. OutBüro on LinkedIn welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT), queer, intersex and questioning professionals and entrepreneurs, along with friends, allies, recruiters and diversity professionals seeking to connect, network and communicate to advance their careers.
Accelerators
StartOut Growth Lab is a startup accelerator that offers top quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for young companies that happen to be founded or co-founded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
Backstage Accelerator is a 3-month program designed to give founders the support they need to reach their next critical milestone. Founders will work with a team of experienced, passionate facilitators and will grow through mentorship, investment capital, and access to resources + networks. Backstage Accelerator supports underrepresented founders in local programs around the world.
“Startup52X is focused on grooming extraordinary startup founders to launch highly successful and profitable ventures. We especially like teams that have at least ONE founder from underrepresented communities in tech. These include people of color, women, entrepreneurs who are – veterans, with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ, etc. We hope to increase diversity in startup and tech spaces while launching outstanding ventures.”
Investors
In the past LGBTQ+ Founders faced much difficulty in raising investment funds. That is still true in too many places. However, these investment groups are seeking investment opportunities in LGBTQ+ Sector /StartUps
Angel Investors with self-identified interest in investing in LGBTQ+ related StartUps
500 Startups will invest $1M total in 10 LGBT-backed startups (or about $100K each). Backers of the 500 LGBT syndicate will invest additional capital in these companies as well.
A partnership of diverse and active investors, entrepreneurs and leaders promoting equity crowdfunding to increase access to capital for diverse entrepreneurs
LGBT Capital is principally focussed on the LGBT Consumer segment as a credible investment sector and to demonstrate the business case for advancements in LGBT equality and inclusion globally.
At Backstage Capital, we invest in companies led by underestimated founders, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ founders. We’ve invested in 150+ companies so far, and our support goes beyond investment
Pipeline Angels is changing the face of angel investing and creating capital for trans women, cis women, nonbinary, two-spirit, agender, and gender-nonconforming founders.
Gaingels seeks top investment returns by co-investing with the best venture capital firms, and seeks to influence social change through business by investing in the best companies with LGBT+ leadership. Gaingels also selectively invests in category-leading growth stage companies where we can help add C-suite LGBT+ talent.
Unconventional Ventures is a Nordic early-stage investment firm that invest in: 1) Scalable impact tech 2) at the Pre-seed/seed stage, 3) Founded by under-represented founders: women, LGBTQ, POC 4) Targeting global market opportunities
Got a Creative LGBTQ+ Project, Get it Funded on Kickstarter
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