Inclusive LGBTQ+ Policies Improve Economic Outcomes, New StartOut Report Finds

 

New data and policy insights reveal how multiple states could have created thousands of jobs and raised billions of dollars in additional funding if they passed non-discriminatory laws.

 

September 26, 2023 (SAN FRANCISCO) – Today, StartOut released the 2023 State of LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship Report, revealing how specific states and metropolitan areas could have achieved greater economic success if they implemented more inclusive LGBTQ+ public policies. 

Key public policy findings from the report reveal that between 2010 and 2020, there is very strong evidence that:

  • Texas could have created 121,000 additional jobs, and
  • Florida could have created 55,000 additional jobs

if policies like State Employee Benefits Coverage for Transition-Related Care were implemented.

  • Texas could recover $42B in funding,
  • Alabama could recover $10B in funding, and
  • Oklahoma could recover $10B in funding 

if policies like “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” Laws were repealed.

“Discrimination is harmful to people’s lives and local economies,” said Irene Tang, Director of Data and Insights at StartOut. “Previous studies have shown that areas with higher LGBTQ+ populations also have higher economic outcomes.”

“With the new report, we’ve taken this notion one-step forward by using a difference-in-differences analysis to provide evidence that anti-LGBTQ policies hurt their local economies,” Tang continued. “We analyzed 10 years of economic data, comparing states and metros that did and didn’t pass prejudicial policies to show that LGBTQ-exclusion policies harm entrepreneurship outcomes.”  

The 2023 State of LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship Report gathered data from a variety of sources, including the StartOut Index, Crunchbase, and Pitchbook, to identify insights about LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. StartOut analyzed data from 142,000 startup founders and 95,000 companies that have raised at least $250,000 in funding between 2000 to 2022 to develop the report. 

Highlights from the report show that: 

  • Only 0.5% of the $2.1 trillion in startup funding was raised by LGBTQ+ founders, while nationwide, 7.1% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+.
  • LGBTQ+ founders created 36% more jobs, 114% more patents, and 44% more exits, despite raising 16% less funding compared to the average founder.
  • Of the funding raised by LGBTQ+ founders, 85% was raised in only five metros with San Francisco raising six times more than New York City or Los Angeles and 12 times more than Denver, CO, or Austin, TX. 
  • The largest metros without any LGBTQ+ founders are Orlando, FL, Charlotte, NC, and Birmingham, AL, all of which are located in states without comprehensive non-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ people. 

“We’ve set out to measure not just the barriers and challenges facing these entrepreneurs, but the millions of jobs and thousands of life-changing inventions they are already creating across the U.S.,” said Dr. Vivienne Ming, inventor of the StartOut Index and Chair Emeritus of StartOut. “Even beyond those numbers, the StartOut Index maps the potential increase in jobs, innovation, and economic activity that come from passing state and local policies that celebrate how each of us add to our communities rather than how we conform.”

 

Methodology

The report includes insights from the StartOut Index, an interactive resource that provides data on the landscape of investment in the LGBTQ+ community. The new policy feature in the index reveals how public policies impact entrepreneurship and jobs created. This data offers unprecedented insights for government officials, nonprofits, and economic decision makers, helping them identify key policy changes that can promote or hinder LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and economic activity.

StartOut collected monthly entrepreneurial data from its own sources as well as Crunchbase and Pitchbook from 2000 onward.

To develop the StartOut Index’s policy feature, StartOut collected data for the years 2010 and 2020. Some data were aggregated through the decade for a cumulative value.  

To view the 2023 State of LGBTQ Entrepreneurship Report, please visit startout.org. To learn more about StartOut’s methodology, please visit startout.org/index/methodology/.

 

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 25,000 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. To learn more about StartOut, visit www.startout.org.

About Socos

Socos Labs was created by Dr. Vivienne Ming after a career founding companies and nonprofits to overcome challenges in education, the workforce and health. Socos Labs is a mad science incubator that explores messy human problems. Socos experiments with whole new visions of work, education, innovation and inclusive economies to inform more human-centered policy. To learn more about Socos, visit www.socos.org.


About StartOut’s Sponsors

This research was made possible by a grant from Comcast NBCUniversal.

If you’d like to contribute as a data partner, financial sponsor, researcher, or project contributor, you can reach StartOut at info@startout.org.

 

Media Contact
Jonathan Ochart
jochart@thepostcardagency.com

 

inKind’s Johann Moonesinghe to Receive the 2023 Next Generation Award

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!

TomboyX’s Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez to Receive the 2023 Advocate Award

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!

Journey Foods’ Riana Lynn to Receive with the 2023 Innovator Award

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!

StartOut and J.P. Morgan Unveil 12th Cohort of LGBTQ+ Owned Companies to Participate in Growth Lab Accelerator

Five-month program provides entrepreneurs with access to tools and resources needed for long-term success

NEW YORK — Today, StartOut and J.P. Morgan welcomed the newest cohort of ten innovative companies to the StartOut Growth Lab Accelerator. The five-month long program provides LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with networking, mentorship and education to support business growth and ensure equitable access to the resources and tools needed to compete in today’s business world.

Since 2017, sixty-six early-stage companies have participated in Growth Lab, raising more than $763 million in funding and creating more than 3,650 new jobs. The incoming cohort of companies encompasses a wide range of industries from sustainability to tech and healthcare, and spans across the United States, Canada and Mexico. As the co-lead sponsor of Growth Lab, J.P. Morgan provides the cohort with access to the firm’s network of global experts and resources.

“I am always struck by the level of innovation, determination and leadership that Growth Lab entrepreneurs bring to the table and can’t wait to see all that Cohort 12 will accomplish,” said David Barbee, Head of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. “These businesses are key players in our economy, creating jobs and developing unique products and services to support local communities. We are energized and excited to kick off this new cohort.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 12 are:

  • Applied Bioplastics (Austin, TX): Supplies economically sustainable plant-based plastic alternatives for a variety of items across household, automotive, appliance, electronic and outdoor equipment industries.
  • Hadley (West Hollywood, CA): Allows individuals to contribute to others’ 529 education savings accounts via an all-in-one app.
  • INSID3RS (Los Angeles, CA): Offers an all-access decentralized ticketing platform for immersive audience engagement.
  • JOBGRAZE (Tampa, FL): Provides a healthcare staffing marketplace and hiring platform for nurses and physicians in the U.S. and overseas.
  • Mazzy Health (Dallas, TX): Provides a mental health platform for teens and young adults, including teletherapy, academic coaching, parent updates, and live and on-demand events and resources.
  • Moss Amigos (San Jose, CA): Cultivates uniquely designed moss plants, accessible to any consumer, with or without a green thumb.
  • Motivo Scar Care (Long Branch, NJ): Creates inclusive, performance proof and water-resistant scar tape and topicals to heal and fade scars.
  • Orgmatch (Vancouver, Canada): Matches funders and non-profits with the goal of increasing the speed and equity of accessing and deploying funding in the nonprofit sector.
  • SARELLY SARELLY (Mexico City, Mexico): Provides an environment to help Hispanic Gen Z shoppers and trendsetters access luxury products and services.
  • WRKiiT (Oakland, CA): Aims to empower fitness instructors by providing a supportive platform for self-development, business growth and community building.

“While each company in Cohort 12 is tackling a unique challenge, they all share a common passion for breaking barriers and supporting wellness and equity in their communities,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “We are excited to once again work with the team at J.P. Morgan to provide mentorship and guidance to our entrepreneurs. We are honored to play a role in their exciting business journeys.”

To learn more about the StartOut Growth Lab, including details on the application process for the next cohort, visit: startout.org/growth-lab

For more information on the financial solutions available to guide business growth, visit: jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking

Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community at jpmorganchase.com/lgbtq

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 21K 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. For more information, please visit www.startout.org.

About JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $3.9 trillion in assets and $313 billion in stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts

JPMorgan Chase
Elizabeth Connerat
elizabeth.connerat@chase.com

StartOut
Jonathan Ochart
jochart@thepostcardagency.com

A Joint Statement from LGBTQ+ Organizations on the Lawsuit Against Fearless Fund

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.   

 

Brian Richardson Named StartOut CEO

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 and J.P. Morgan Welcome New Cohort of LGBTQ+ Owned Companies to Growth Lab Accelerator

Program provides founders with six months of mentorship and training to support growth

January 18, 2023 (NEW YORK)  — Today, StartOut and J.P. Morgan welcomed a new cohort of ten high-performing companies to the Growth Lab accelerator, a six-month program that helps LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs grow their businesses through networking, mentorship, and education.

Now in its sixth year and eleventh cohort, Growth Lab has helped 65 early-stage companies raise more than $763 million in funding and create more than 3,650 new jobs across the United States. This incoming cohort of businesses brings together innovators from across the U.S. and Australia, specializing in fields ranging from healthcare and climate to fashion and education.

J.P. Morgan serves as the co-lead sponsor of Growth Lab, providing expert mentors and educational materials to support participating companies. Additionally, J.P. Morgan is making the newly launched Capital Connect, a digital platform that directly connects founders and investors, available to eligible cohort members.

“We are proud to continue our work with StartOut as we work to accelerate the growth of LGBTQ+ owned businesses nationwide,” said David Barbee, Head of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “Growth Lab offers a unique opportunity for collaboration and community building, and we look forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative thinking Cohort 11 will contribute to this unique community of entrepreneurs.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 11 are:

  • A Leading Role (Los Angeles, CA): On a mission to create the most iconic and beautifully designed dress-up and costume brand in the world
  • CROOW (Tampa, FL): Built a collaboration platform on software that leverages workflows and efficiencies to streamline video production and change the way that studio-quality video is produced
  • Developmate, Inc. (San Antonio, TX): Simplifies site selection for real estate developers by combining data and analytics onto one easy-to-use mapping software.
  • Detexian (San Diego, CA): Helps modern workplaces to reduce SaaS spend and risk by empowering IT to be trusted advisors of business teams.
  • Dyllen’s College Essay Advice (Los Angeles, CA): Empowers students to discover their sense of self and effectively communicate their personal values, experiences, and potential in well-crafted college admission essays.
  • Ecotone Renewables (Pittsburgh, PA): Building the tools to make sustainable food and agriculture systems accessible to local communities
  • FULL (Middletown, DE): Gives individuals the tools to feed themselves in health-first, tech-enabled community gardens on rooftops and lawns globally
  • Mate Fertility (Los Angeles, CA): Solving fertility access issues in the U.S. through its solution-based focus on equality of access and care.
  • Netfolios (Sydney, Australia): Provides in-depth climate analytics tools and data to help the global investment community manage and report climate impacts. Netfolios supports financial institutions in assessing climate-related risks and opportunities, and reducing their financed emissions to reach net zero.
  • Tinkery (Sydney, Australia): Makes prototyping kits that encourage learners to creatively apply STEM principles and build devices that tackle personal and global challenges

“In partnership with our co-sponsor, J.P. Morgan, we are thrilled to kick-off Cohort 11 with this impressive group of innovators,” said Andres Wydler, Executive Director, StartOut. “The companies who have graduated from the Growth Lab continue to have a substantial impact on their communities. We can’t wait to help accelerate the growth of this next group of passionate entrepreneurs!”

To learn more about the StartOut Growth Lab, including details on the application process for the next cohort, visit: startout.org/growth-lab

For more information on the financial solutions available to guide business growth, visit: jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking

Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community at jpmorganchase.com/lgbtq

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. For more information, please visit www.startout.org.

About JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $3.7 trillion in assets and $292 billion in stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2022. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Calling all Leaders: We want YOU to join us in supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs!

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.

StartOut and J.P. Morgan Welcome 10th Growth Lab Accelerator Cohort

Six-month virtual program provides LGBTQ+ businesses with mentorship, networking, and resources to drive sustainable growth

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, StartOut and J.P. Morgan announced the ten companies selected to participate in the StartOut Growth Lab accelerator program. StartOut, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, launched Growth Lab in 2017 with five participating businesses. Since then, the program has helped 56 early-stage companies raise more than $756 million in funding and create nearly 3,650 new jobs, and counting. As the Steel-level Supporting Partner of StartOut and co-lead sponsor of Growth Lab, J.P. Morgan is proud to help launch Cohort 10 and continue to empower LGBTQ+ business owners nationwide.

“LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs represent one of the most innovative and rapidly growing segments of our nation’s business community, and J.P. Morgan is proud to expand its support for StartOut in its mission to accelerate that growth,” said David Barbee, who leads JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking’s LGBTQ+ initiatives. “We are excited to welcome Cohort 10 to the Growth Lab and know that their growth will catalyze solutions to some of the most pressing issues of the day, from the green economy to enhanced healthcare services and beyond.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 10 are:

  • Carbon Reform (Newark, DE): A manufacturer of modular carbon capture devices for commercial building ventilation systems that improve indoor air quality for occupants, create energy savings for building owners, and directly capture and permanently sequesters tons of CO2 annually
  • CreatorUp Inc. (Los Angeles, CA): A global video production company that allows clients to instantly purchase custom content from more than 700 video solutions
  • Global Policy Leadership Academy (West Hollywood, CA): An EdTech start-up that prepares professionals and civic leaders to advance solutions to societal challenges through the development of shared knowledge, best practices, and collaboration
  • Glyphic Biotechnologies (New York, NY/Berkeley, CA): A biotech startup developing a first-of-its-kind, next-generation protein sequencer to transform the underlying engine of biomedical discovery to move beyond the decades-old technologies based on mass spectrometry and ELISAs
  • Hydrus.ai (San Francisco, CA): A software company spearheading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) operating systems for enterprise
  • Innovare (Chicago, IL): An application to empower education leaders to use data strategically to positively impact students and communities
  • Reya Health (London, Ontario): A digital platform for personalized contraceptive counseling
  • SmartSuite Tech (Portland, OR): A productivity software company solving challenges in the business presentation industry to modernize speaking notes, workflow and presentation capabilities
  • StayFi (New York, NY): The global leader in WiFi Marketing & Management services for short-term rentals
  • Wise Assistant (Atlanta, GA): An all-in-one platform to help creators get their businesses off the ground with easy-to-use marketing and business tools

“In partnership with our co-sponsor, J.P. Morgan, we are thrilled to kick-off Cohort 10 with this impressive group of innovators,” said Andres Wydler, Executive Director, StartOut. “The companies who have graduated from the Growth Lab continue to have a substantial impact on their communities. We can’t wait to help accelerate the growth of this next group of passionate entrepreneurs!”

Continued Partnership

J.P. Morgan’s co-sponsorship of the Growth Lab is an expansion of the firm’s ongoing relationship with StartOut and a part of its broader commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

In 2019, JPMorgan Chase sponsored StartOut’s Pride Economic Inclusion Index (SPEII), as part of the firm’s $150 million Small Business Forward initiative to invest in underserved entrepreneurs. In 2021, the firm’s Office of LGBT+ Affairs, which advances equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees, customers, business partners and communities, announced an additional $500,000 commitment to expand the SPEII, which now provides near real-time, data-driven insights into the US entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition to the Growth Lab and SPEII, J.P. Morgan provides mentorship for StartOut businesses and co-sponsors the Annual Equality Summit.

“I am proud to further advance our support for StartOut, one of our strategic non-profit partners,” says Brad Baumoel, global head of the Office of LGBT+ Affairs. “Through this expanded partnership, we plan to elevate and create true equity for the next generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.”

To learn more about the StartOut Growth Lab, including details on the application process for the next cohort, visit: startout.org/growth-lab.

For more information on the financial solutions available to guide business growth, visit: jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking.

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 21K 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. For more information, please visit www.startout.org.

About JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $4.0 trillion and operations worldwide. Through its Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, Corporate Client Banking & Specialized Industries and Commercial Real Estate businesses, Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to midsize businesses and large corporations as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. Clients are supported through every stage of growth with specialized industry expertise and tailored financial solutions including credit and financing, treasury and payment services, international banking, advisory services and more. Information about JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is available at www.jpmorganchase.com/commercial.

Contacts

Media Contacts

JPMorgan Chase
Elizabeth Connerat
elizabeth.connerat@chase.com

StartOut
Jonathan Ochart
jochart@thepostcardagency.com