Press
Welcome to StartOut’s pressroom! Here you’ll find clips of StartOut in the news as well as our press releases and media materials. For media inquiries please contact Bryan Janezcko at info@startout.org
December 8, 2010 Press Release ( PDF) : StartOut Celebrates an Incredible First Year of SuccessOrganization Created to Foster Entrepreneurship in the LGBT Community Reflects on Major Accomplishments and Looks Ahead to More Growth in 2011
New York, NY (PRWEB) — StartOut , a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and developing entrepreneurship in the LGBT community, is kicking off its second year and looking ahead to even faster growth and expansion into new geographies. “In just one year, we took StartOut from an idea into a national organization with over 2,500 participants from coast to coast”, said Darren Spedale, a Director and founder of StartOut. “In that time we’ve attracted some of the greatest LGBT names in the entrepreneurial community to participate in our events and our organization, including venture capitalists such as Patrick Chung and Amy Errett, and celebrated entrepreneurs such as Mitchell Gold and Chip Conley. All-in-all we’ve learned a great deal about how we can help entrepreneurs start, grow and expand successful companies. 2011 will be focused on growing existing programs and starting new chapters in areas we aren’t currently located in.”
StartOut members benefit from a variety of programs that are designed to support entrepreneurs at any stage of their business. Programs address a broad variety of entrepreneurial issues and bring together resources needed to succeed. StartOut also helps the LGBT community by building equality through promoting the economic empowerment of the LGBT community, and combating discrimination by promoting the visibility of successful LGBT entrepreneurs, among other activities.
One program that has been very successful is the StartOut Salon. Traditionally, the “Salon” in 17th and 18th Century Europe was an opportunity for the educated class to get together at the home of an enlightened host and to share ideas in a social setting. The StartOut Salon format is small-dinner events of approximately 15-20 people with a passion for entrepreneurship, coming together to share their ideas, interests and knowledge. They are held either at a restaurant or at the home of an “enlightened host”. StartOut has already seen many entrepreneur success stories from the organization’s events. “I first attended StartOut Salons last year,” said Brian Backus, Founder and CEO of Kidlandia . “I met an investor who then participated in our seed round of funding. Through the salons I’ve also made helpful connections, which have led to important partnerships for the company.”
StartOut Milestones in 2010
• Held more than 20 local events in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Built an initial membership base of over 2,500 entrepreneurs and investors
• Rang the Opening Bell on the NYSE on June 7, 2010
• Introduced new programs such as its Major Speaker Series and StartOut University
• Built a Board of Directors and Advisory Board with leaders in the entrepreneurial community
June 7, 2010- StartOut Rings the Opening Bell at NYSE
In honor of the gay pride month, StartOut founders Darren Spedale, Bryan Janeczko, Joe DiPasquale, Terry Allen Rouman, Kim Frank, Robert Clauser, Peter Hopkins and Chip Conley ring the Opening Bell, joined by members of the NYSE Euronext U.S. Diversity Council and the NYX PRIDE Employee Resource Group. Watch the video here
June 7, 2010- StartOut’s co-founder Darren Spedale speaks to CNBC’s Scott Wapner about how the current job market is influencing the growing trend of entreprenuers. Watch the video here
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June 7, 2010- StartOut Rings NY Stock Exchange Opening Bell for Pride Month
Jennifer Vanasco, editor in chief of 365Gay at LogoOnline.com sat down with StartOut’s co-founder Bryan Janezcko on the day of StartOut’s “Opening Bell Ceremony” to talk about the value of StartOut to the LGBT and entrepreneurial community. Read the article here
May 19, 2010- The New York Times: “Building a Network of Gay Entrepreneurs”
The NYT profiles StartOut; Jessica Bruder interviews StartOut Board of Advisors: Chip Conley and Patrick Chung as well as StartOut Board of Directors: Darren Spedale and Gabe Zichermann.Read the article here