StartOut - Building and Supporting Gay and Lesbian Entrepreneurship

StartOut University is our educational programming series for entrepreneurs. Over the course of a year, we offer a host of useful and informative programs for LGBT entrepreneurs that are relevant to people at various stages of their business.

StartOut attendees have indicated strong demand for events that help them to build and grow their business; StartOut’s educational programs are designed to help LGBT entrepreneurs with some of the most basic issues facing any business owner. Examples of programming include the following seminars:

- Elements of a great business plan

- Building a website for your business

- Finding early-stage funding for your start-up venture

- How to approach venture capitalists (The art of the pitch)

- Legal aspects of the corporate and equity structures of start-ups

- Utilizing social networking to market and increase awareness of your business

- How to find and hire people to work for your business

- The art of negotiating on behalf of your business

- Valuation of your business

- Positioning your business for a sale

The programs at StartOut University will be taught by subject matter professionals who are experts in their various fields. Programs may be given by a single individual, or may be given by a panel of experts to provide a diversity of perspectives on the subject matter.

These seminars will also provide an opportunity for participants to network with panelists and other seminar participants. Attendee lists from each seminar will be distributed to the group so that participants can maintain contact with one another.