Founders Program

Our programs help founder members accelerate their growth, no matter what stage, which changes their worlds in the process.

Founder Resources

StartOut runs programs that connect LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with mentors, experts, investors, and peer founders. Our suite of programs and resources offer LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs a way to grow and scale their business.

Community

Join 3,000+ like-minded entrepreneurs worldwide. Connect with peer founders, investors, and business professionals to accelerate your growth. It’s through these connections that we empower you to grow your business.

The NetworQ

Browse the largest online directory for LGBTQ+ business people to connect with one another

The Forum

Connect with other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in your area or around the world

Events

Attend in-person and digital networking and educational events

Perks

Access perks and discounts (HR, IT/dev software & services, etc.)

Skills Development

We connect the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with diverse and accomplished industry professionals and mentors. They are dedicated to helping your business grow.

Mentorship

Get matched with one of our 200+ mentors and work with them over a 6-month period on your core goals.

Expert Office Hours

Book a session with experts on a variety of topics, including fundraising, marketing, legal, HR, PR, and more.

Access To Capital

We developed a powerful online portal that connects founders with accredited investors, and developed our own accelerator program specifically designed to help your business gain traction, backing and confidence.

Investor Portal

Join a community of 500+ investors looking for their next investment

Growth Lab

Apply for the only LGBTQ+ accelerator program

Insights

To encourage allies and organizations to support our community, we are delivering the quantitative case why support not only matters, but benefits society at large.

StartOut Index

Interact and glean insights into how LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs impact the economy

Signature Events

Attend annual events to support the LGBTQ+ community and underserved founders in general

Empowerment Initiatives & Scholarships

While all of our program costs are offset by generous sponsors and donors, founders who are interested in participating in our founder programs are generally invited to become giving members ($125/ year). However, we want to support entrepreneurs for whom becoming a giving member may be inaccessible. We are proud to offer free 12-month memberships to our founder programs for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who have been historically underrepresented, underserved, and underestimated within our community. 

Please complete the Founder Application for consideration.

Tis the Season of Giving

Thanks to a challenge grant from the family of Peter Sisson, every gift made will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Donate today and have your gift DOUBLED!

 

The NetworQ

Browse the largest online directory for LGBTQ+ business people to connect with one another. Sign in to the member portal or submit your founder application today and start networking.

The Forum

Connect with other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in your area or around the world. You can get answers, promote your business, share expertise and help grow the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial community. Login to the member portal or submit your founder application today to access The Forum.

Events

Our events take place both in person and online and focus on key topics that pertain to the entrepreneurial journey such as Fundraising, Marketing, Access to Capital, Accelerators, and more.

Perks

Access 100+ perks and discounts (HR, IT/dev software & services, etc.) on BuiltFirst. You’ll need to sign up for a free account with BuiltFirst to gain access. Available only to Founder members.

Mentorship

Get matched with one of our 200+ mentors and work with them over a 6-month period on your core goals. Login to the member portal or submit your founder application today to get matched.

Expert Office Hours

Book a session with experts on a variety of topics, including fundraising, marketing, legal, HR, PR, and more. Login to the member portal or submit your founder application today and book your next session.

Investor Portal

Join a community of 500+ investors looking for their next investment. We make sure investors looking for deal flow opportunities do not miss growth LGBTQ+ startups. Login to the member portal or submit your founder application and create your profile today.

Growth Lab

StartOut Growth Lab is a 6-month-long startup accelerator that offers top-quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for companies that happen to be founded or co-founded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

StartOut Index

The StartOut Index empowers investors, researchers, government administrators, and people interested in supporting high-growth entrepreneurs with data to understand the landscape of investment in LGBTQ entrepreneurs.

Signature Events

Each year we host 3 Signature Events. Designed to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and educate our members and the community on issues impacting LGBTQ+ founders.