By definition, the entrepreneurship ecosystem is focused on tomorrow. This is why every year, StartOut honors a forward-looking leader who is helping redefine tomorrow for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with our Next Generation Award. 

These leaders embody catalysts for change in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. They embrace diversity, collaborate across borders, and harness technology to address global challenges. They are not bound by traditional hierarchies but instead prioritize transparency, empathy, and inclusivity in their leadership styles. 

This year, we will honor Johann Moonesinghe (he/him) of inKind as our 2023 Next Generation Award recipient.

Johann is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor with seed level investments in companies including Uber, Twilio and All Birds. He personally invested in 30 restaurants before founding and operating a restaurant incubator from 2015-2020 to help chefs run their businesses. 

“Johann isn’t just an entrepreneur and investor, he is redefining both entrepreneurship and investing for the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said StartOut CEO Brian Richardson. “He enjoyed his own personal success as a founder, but is now using that experience to change the system. Johann is making sure LGBTQ+ founders and others have a real chance to create their own success. That’s leadership that transcends generations.”

As CEO/co-founder of inKind, he combines his finance experience, restaurant expertise, and passion for food. Under Johann’s leadership, inKind has funded over 1,000 restaurants with 450,000 users. inKind co-founder and Johann’s younger brother, Rajan Moonesinghe, was killed in November 2022. This tragic event has caused Johann to double down on the purpose of inKind – to help restaurant owners be financially sustainable. 

Earlier in the year, inKind committed to fund $250mm to independent restaurants, 75% of whom are minority, female, LGBT or veteran owned. Along with inKind funding, inKind provides technology, partnerships, and other support to ensure that the restaurants are successful.

For more information on the 12th StartOut Awards and our 2023 awardees, visit our website.

Are you interested in attending in person? Purchase tickets for October 12th here!

Being an advocate involves speaking up for those who can’t, challenging injustice, and working tirelessly to advance the rights, well-being, and interests of others. Advocates come from diverse backgrounds and fields, all united by their commitment to making the world better when others try and stand in their way.

Simply put, being an advocate takes guts.

This October, StartOut will present the 2023 Advocate Award to Fran Dunaway (she/her) and Naomi Gonzalez (she/her).

Fran and Naomi are the co-founders of TomboyX, a Seattle-based gender-neutral underwear and apparel brand launched in 2013. The brand started as a passion project to create the perfect button-up shirt before pivoting to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women. 

“Fran and Naomi have made a real difference in the lives of queer people,” said CEO Brian Richardson. “They saw an industry that was limited, so they changed it. They created TomboyX, and today queer people can find clothes and underwear made with us in mind, helping us all feel more confident, affirmed and whole.”

Fran and Naomi are driven by a belief that brands can be a force for positive change, and their messaging promotes a human agenda to inspire conversations about gender, confidence, acceptance, and inclusion. 

In 2021, TomboyX solidified the brand’s commitment to sustainability and community by becoming B Corp certified and completed the process for changing their corporate status from C Corp to Benefit Corp. TomboyX was one of EY’s Winning Women in 2017, was on Inc 5000 Fastest growing businesses list for 4 consecutive years and in 2019, Fran was named as one of Forbes’ 50 over 50. The duo still maintains partial ownership in the company but have a C suite running the day-to-day business in their stead.

For more information on the 12th StartOut Awards and our 2023 awardees, visit our website.

Are you interested in attending in person? Purchase tickets for October 12th here!

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress and advancement in our rapidly changing world. It represents the creative spark that drives individuals, organizations, and societies to develop novel ideas, products, processes, and solutions to address challenges and improve the human experience. Whether through breakthrough technologies, inventive business models, or imaginative artistic expressions, innovators can reshape industries, enhance efficiency, and enrich our lives. 

This year, the 2023 StartOut Innovator Award will be presented to Riana Lynn (she/her).

Riana is an Austin-based neo-scientist, creative entrepreneur, AI-patent holder, and technologist that is focused on bringing better data to the world’s biggest food and supply chain problems. She leads the fast-growing software startup Journey Foods. The company is backed by top VCs in North America, Europe, and Asia. Riana has served as a top consultant and VC to Fortune 500 food and CPG companies. She’s currently an angel investor, creative director, and former Google Entrepreneur in Residence. Riana also enjoys growing fruit trees, writing film scripts, and exploring culinary and architectural heritage sites around the world.

“Riana Lynn is the definition of both innovator and entrepreneur – she identifies a problem before anyone else and works actively to create a new solution,” said CEO Brian Richardson. “Her success not only has made our food systems and world better, but also serves as an inspiration to LGBTQ+ founders, women founders and BIPOC founders nationwide.”

Riana has been featured in Forbes, MIT 35 under 35, and serves as World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer. In addition to her work as an entrepreneur, Riana Lynn is also a sought-after speaker and educator and has taught at institutions like Stanford University and Harvard University. She is a vocal advocate for the importance of diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship. She has worked to inspire and support young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in technology and innovation. 

For more information on the 12th StartOut Awards and our 2023 awardees, visit our website.

Are you interested in attending in person? Purchase tickets for October 12th here!

August 24, 2023 – As LGBTQ+ organizations, investors, founders, and advocates, we proudly stand with Fearless Fund and share their commitment to equity, inclusivity, and empowerment. We know well the ways in which chronic underinvestment, bias, limited access to networks, and the lack of meaningful representation can limit success.  

This misplaced lawsuit underscores the very real challenges and entrenched injustices that so many face every day when pursuing strength, stability, and success. We support Fearless Fund in their essential work toward an entrepreneurship ecosystem – and society – that ensures opportunities for everyone to thrive.   

Wasim Ahmad and Mohit Jolly elected Board of Directors co-chairs 

March 1, 2023 – StartOut, the national nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, today announced Brian Richardson as their new Chief Executive Officer.  With professional experiences spanning the non-profit, tech and public sectors, Brian will begin his new role on March 6. He will succeed Andres Wydler, who is stepping down after more than seven years, where he transformed StartOut from a small start-up into a national non-profit organization empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Under Andres’ leadership, StartOut connected over 40,000 members and through its founder programs directly supported 1,500 LGBTQ+ companies, helping raise $1.3 billion in funding and contributing more than $5.5 billion in economic value.

“I could not be more thrilled with our selection for StartOut’s next CEO,” said Chris Young, outgoing Chair of the StartOut Board of Directors and CEO Search Committee Chair. “Brian will bring his track record of success to build on StartOut’s legacy, ensuring even more LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have the resources and access they need to turn their visions into reality.”

Brian most recently served as Director of Lambda Legal’s Midwest Region, leading the LGBTQ legal defense group’s work in ten states. While at Lambda Legal, he led the organization’s national strategic planning process and oversaw a record expansion of fundraising, staffing and programming across the Midwest. Brian previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Policy and Communications Manager at Google, National Spokesperson at the Democratic National Committee and as a teacher with Teach for America. Brian graduated from the University of Chicago and earned his MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.

“In order for LGBTQ+ people to be fully equal in our society, we must have full economic opportunity,” Brian said upon his appointment. “StartOut provides real opportunities for our community members to gain the access and resources necessary to realize our dreams. By providing economic opportunity for individuals – especially for those of us most often left out – we are building lasting economic justice for the entire LGBTQ+ community.”

Chris Young, outgoing chair of the board is terming out after eight years of engaging and effective leadership. Signature programs launched under Andres and Chris’s tenure include the Growth Lab accelerator, the Investor Portal, a national mentorship program and the StartOut Index, analyzing the impact of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs on the economy. Today, StartOut boasts more than 25,000 active members.

“Leading StartOut to success had been a tremendous honor. With a great team, dedicated board and countless volunteers, we have exponentially grown our impact,” Andres said. “I am confident that under Brian’s leadership the StartOut team will “10x” their impact again and scale our LGBTQ+ entrepreneur community to a point where economic justice is irreversible.”

In addition to the CEO appointment, the StartOut Board of Directors elected a new slate of officers including incoming co-chairs Mohit Jolly and Wasim Ahmad. Mohit is a seasoned executive with experience in corporate strategy, marketing and operations. He currently serves as the Senior Director for Google’s Global Ads Marketing Division. Wasim is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder with more than 20 years of experience in a variety of startups, and currently focuses on product at Vault12.

“I have seen firsthand how under-represented groups tend to have limited access to capital, mentorship and opportunities,” Mohit said. “StartOut’s work is even more important in this current environment where tech innovations like AI have the potential to either improve outcomes for under-represented groups or perpetuate the biases that exist in our society. That better future starts with StartOut, ensuring diverse entrepreneurs get equitable access and have a fair shot at building companies.”

“It is tough for LGBTQ+ founders to access capital, especially when starting out,” said Wasim. “Under Brian’s leadership, StartOut will grow its ability to educate founders and investors and open doors to capital, helping LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs create lasting economic impact in the world.”

“Chris Young has done a tremendous job as a Board Chair for StartOut,” Mohit added. “Over his two terms, he’s helped improve governance and recruited a diverse board to better represents the LGBTQ+ community that StartOut strives to serve.”

Visit our Team Page for a full list of current Board Members.

“We are proud to lead a Board of Directors that reflects the sheer dynamism, high impact and broad diversity of the LGBTQ+ entrepreneur community,” Mohit and Wasim continued. “We know that working together with our excellent new CEO and the talented StartOut staff, we can accelerate the impact StartOut is already having.”

“Over the last several years, I’ve watched StartOut grow and thrive, helping LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs grow and thrive,” Chris concluded. “With Brian, Wasim and Mohit at the helm – and exciting projects like the StartOut Index, Growth Lab and expanded program options – I know StartOut will continue to open the door for even more LGBTQ+ founders to make our world a better place for us all.”

Brian will begin his new role on March 6. To learn more about StartOut or to make a contribution to assist in their efforts, visit www.startout.org.

ABOUT STARTOUT
Founded in 2009, StartOut, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the largest national organization to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with over 25K members nationwide. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future. StartOut helps aspiring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs start new companies; supports current entrepreneurs as they grow and expand their existing businesses; and engages successful entrepreneurs as role models and mentors, on its online portal and through targeted events nationwide.

StartOut is the leading nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Our mission is to increase the number, diversity, and impact of LGBTQ+ founders and amplify their stories to drive the economic empowerment of the community.

We love connecting with mission-aligned leaders looking to amplify StartOut’s impact through shared networks, collaborating on events, and celebrating LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial success. By becoming a StartOut Programming Board member, you will be joining in our efforts to provide support to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs so that they can grow.

This leadership community serves our founders by creating and organizing local, virtual, and signature community events. These events help provide free educational resources, networking with industry experts, investor connections, and much more!

Applications are open to the LGBTQ+ community and our Allies.

Local Programming Boards
These are in-person communities across the United States hosting 4 events per year for their local founder community.

Virtual Programming Boards
These are virtual communities hosting 6-8 events per year for Investors, Founders seeking Access to Capital, Early Stage Founders, and Growth Stage Founders.

Signature Programming Boards
These are four boards building annual, marquee events for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship like the StartOut Equity Summit, Demo Day, and the StartOut Awards.

You can learn more about our Programming Boards here.