April 2, 2025 – StartOut, the national nonprofit championing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, announces its new slate of officers on the Board of Directors, signaling a continuance of strong governance and continued growth for the organization.

April 16, 2025 – StartOut, in collaboration with the Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, is proud to announce the release of a pivotal new report Diminished Diversity in Entrepreneurial Pipelines. This report highlights barriers faced by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, with a special focus on underrepresented racial and gender groups within the LGBTQ+ community.

“This research marks a significant milestone in our efforts to study and understand the existence of the ‘leaky pipeline’, a phenomenon where underrepresented groups are disproportionately lost at various stages of entrepreneurial journeys,” said Irene Tang, co-author of the report and Director of Data and Insights at StartOut.

Key Insights from the Report:

• Although representation at the initial exposure phase is very diverse, StartOut observed sharp declines in representation at the accelerator acceptance phase, a vital stage of the entrepreneurial pipeline.
• African American / Black founders comprised of 16.6% of initial participants but make up only 4.9% of the accelerator stage
• Female founders comprised of 41.3% of initial participants but make up only 27.2% of the accelerator stage
• Non-binary founders comprised of 9.7% of registered founders but make up only 2.5% of the accelerator stage

“As a longtime researcher of diversity in entrepreneurship, I find the StartOut and Eidos research results discouraging. If StartOut, with its dedicated diversity programs, experiences this leakage, it’s likely much worse for LGBTQ and racially diverse founders in less attentive organizations. This highlights the need for data collection to identify systemic bias and track our progress, holding us accountable,” said Waverly Deutsch, startup mentor and retired entrepreneurship professor at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. “Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s vital for innovation and economic success.”

The report also provides targeted recommendations to improve diversity within accelerator programs:

• Enhanced Outreach & Recruitment
  • Focus on especially underrepresented founders like women, gender non-conforming, and racial/ethnic minorities in marketing, recruitment, and tailored programming, such as having leaders and influencers in their respective groups to advertise programs and events.
• Tailored Support Programs
  • Offer customized workshops and mentorship programs that address the unique needs of minority founders, such as specialized training to overcome systemic barriers
• Equitable Funding Opportunities
  • Create funding initiatives targeting underrepresented groups, such as scholarships and pitch events that target minority founders.
• Intersectional Data Collection
  • Expand data collection to capture race, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors to understand how these influence entrepreneurial journeys.
  • Ensure staff has representation and competency training to prevent bias.
  • Hold focus groups with underrepresented members to understand barriers and how to overcome them.

“While analyzing the impact of our programs, we observed a concerning decline in the participation of especially underrepresented founders as they progressed through our programs and services. This led to a collaboration between StartOut departments to analyze new strategies and approaches to enhance our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all our founder members,” said Tarik Perkins, co-author of the report and Chief Programs Officer at StartOut. 

“LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are essential in shaping the future of our communities, building the businesses and services that foster long-term wellbeing. However, many face significant barriers, particularly those who belong to racial, gender, and sexual minority groups. Our collaboration with StartOut underscores the critical need for equitable support for all LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of supporting StartOut’s commitment to addressing the leaky pipeline for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. By identifying and addressing these gaps, StartOut can ensure their programs are both inclusive and evidence-based, paving the way for every entrepreneur to thrive,” said Eidos in a statement on the significance of this research. 

Explore the Findings & Sponsorship
To download the report summary or to explore the full report, “Diminished Diversity in Entrepreneurial Pipelines” visit startout.org/insights.

StartOut’s research was sponsored by Tawani Foundation. For further questions, or to contribute as a sponsor, contact info@startout.org.

About Eidos
The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania engages leaders from community, academic, civic, and business spheres to co-create innovative solutions that ensure impact for LGBTQ+ communities. We take an action-oriented, world-class evidence-based approach to further the sustained well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. 

March 25, 2025 – StartOut, the leading nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, is excited to introduce StartOut Con, a new signature event launching this June 4th and 5th during Pride Month. Designed to connect LGBTQ+ founders with investors and industry leaders, StartOut Con will provide the resources, connections, and insights needed to build and scale impactful ventures.

“In these challenging times, we need StartOut Con as the best place to celebrate and amplify  LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial success,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “This in-person extravaganza  will equip individual founders with the tools and networks they need  while also connecting  our community, so we can grow and thrive together.”

A Platform for Growth and Innovation
StartOut Con will feature a dynamic mix of breakout sessions, main-stage discussions, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and innovation. The event will bring together:

• Entrepreneurs – Early-stage founders, small business owners, and scaling disruptors seeking growth.
• Investors – Purpose-driven funders looking to support the next wave of innovation.
• Industry Leaders – Experts shaping the future of business, technology, and equity.
• Ecosystem Builders & Advocates – Allies and changemakers working toward sustainable progress.

With a focus on action and impact, StartOut Con will serve as a catalyst for new opportunities, ensuring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed.

More details, including speakers and session topics, will be announced soon. For updates and registration information, visit startout.org/events/startout-con/.

The Growth Lab Accelerator has helped over 100 companies, with more than 4,300 jobs supported since its launch in 2017

March 4, 2025 — StartOut, the largest nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, today announced the latest cohort of startups accepted into the Growth Lab Accelerator, a five-month program that facilitates critical opportunities for growth and development tailored to LGBTQ+ founders.

StartOut’s flagship program provides the group of founders with access to funding, educational resources, mentorship and networking prospects.The Growth Lab has helped 102 companies grow since inception in 2017, culminating in a total of 4,311 jobs supported and more than $909 million fundraised across the program’s lifetime.

“Each startup selected for Cohort 15 is leading equitable solutions that tackle distinct challenges, and we are excited to see several leveraging innovative technologies such as AI to further advance their mission,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “We look forward to serving as partners with each company and their respective founders to create lasting impact and promote growth.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 15 include: 

• Buildstash (San Francisco, CA): Services app and game developers with cutting-edge management tools to help automate and store build-to-release workflows.

• Conscious Gear (Tempe, AZ): Offers innovative, size-inclusive outerwear and outdoor gear designed to support a range of body types.

• Eclipse Scheduling, LLC (New York, NY): Hosts a service management platform to help organizations operate language and accessibility services more efficiently.

• Gotham Industries (Burbank, CA): Archives, digitizes and restores film content using celluloid-based processes to enhance long-term media preservation.

• mayk (Los Angeles, CA): Provides a virtual AI music studio for music creators with the goal of increasing accessibility and democratizing creative outlets.

• Neru Health (Boston, MA): Hosts an AI sleep therapy platform to automate, streamline and improve patient care for chronic sleep disorders.

• Optodex (Salt Lake City, UT): Designs ergonomic contact lens care systems to transform the insertion, removal and storage of soft contact lenses.

• Prompta AI (Toronto, ON): Harnesses advanced AI, natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) technology to power business data and analytics platforms.

• ZooTools (San Francisco, CA): Provides an AI-powered email marketing platform to support business growth by improving user acquisition, engagement and retention.

The program is co-sponsored by J.P. Morgan and McDermott Will & Emery. To learn more about the StartOut Growth Lab, including details on the application process for the next cohort, visit: startout.org/growth-lab

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 28K 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.

Media Contact
StartOut
Christa Kilday
christa.kilday@startout.org

January 22, 2025 – StartOut, the national nonprofit championing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, announced the election of four new Board members: Riana Lynn, Serena Poon, Jason Scott and Lorenzo Thione. Elected unanimously, this historic cohort represents the largest and most diverse group of new board members.

“StartOut will be stronger thanks to Riana, Serena, Jason, and Lorenzo,” said Mohit Jolly, StartOut Board Chair. “Their knowledge, networks, and leadership will enable us to propel even more LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs forward, creating new economic opportunities for us all.”

Each incoming director brings significant experience and connections in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Riana Lynn, a serial entrepreneur and innovator, has been recognized as a thought leader in food technology and venture capital. Serena Poon has built a career in startup banking, advising pre-series to Series B founders in the clean tech sector. Jason Scott, a seasoned venture capitalist and startup ecosystem builder, has led initiatives to support diverse founders and foster innovation through early-stage investments. Lorenzo Thione helped found StartOut as an entrepreneur, and continues to advocate for inclusion in both business and the arts, and is a leader in investment, AI, and storytelling to champion underrepresented voices.

“This is a transformative moment for StartOut,” said CEO Brian Richardson. “Welcoming the largest cohort of new board members in our history underscores the richness of talent within the LGBTQ+ community. Their diverse geographies, lived experiences, and professional expertise reflect the strength of the StartOut ecosystem and will guide us as we continue to create more opportunities for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.”

As StartOut continues to expand its programs and initiatives, the organization remains committed to building a more inclusive economy by elevating LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs across industries and regions. The new directors join at an integral time, as the Board of Directors is working on a new strategic vision for the organization, having recently surveyed members nationwide on their needs and opportunities. 

Riana Lynn

Riana Lynn, a former StartOut mentor based in Atlanta, is a trailblazing entrepreneur and AI consultant dedicated to revolutionizing the global food system. As the founder and CEO of Journey Foods, Riana leads innovative, data-driven solutions to tackle critical nutrition and supply chain challenges, with a focus on sustainability and accessibility. Her pioneering work in AI data patents for generative recipes and her role as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer underscore her commitment to shaping a fairer, more efficient food industry. 

Serena Poon

Serena Poon serves as Senior Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank in San Francisco, where she works with early-stage to Series B companies in the clean tech sector. Beyond her banking career, Serena co-founded Prism, a network supporting queer founders in tech and life sciences. Her dedication to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and her leadership roles in community organizations like Progressive Asian American Christians (PAAC) highlight her commitment to fostering inclusive environments.

Jason Scott

Jason Scott, Founding General Partner at Five Two Five, brings a global perspective to early-stage venture investing. His previous roles include leading startup developer ecosystems at Google and founding initiatives like the Black Angel Group and Net Zero Angels. Jason’s extensive experience in supporting diverse startup communities is a testament to his passion for nurturing innovation across different sectors. Jason is currently based in New York City.

Lorenzo Thione

Lorenzo Thione, a StartOut co-founder and Managing Director at Gaingels, returns to the board after a one-year hiatus. Lorenzo’s multifaceted career spans entrepreneurship, investment, AI advocacy, and Broadway production. Currently residing in Chicago, his work with Gaingels and his dedication to underrepresented founders and inclusive storytelling reflect his unwavering support for diversity in both business and the arts.

The Growth Lab has helped 93 companies grow since launching in 2017, helping support a total of more than 4,200 jobs.

September 9, 2024 — The Growth Lab Accelerator, a joint project between StartOut and J.P. Morgan, today announced the newest selection of startups added to the program. The five-month program provides founders with critical access to resources for funding, networking, education and mentorship to promote long-term growth and more equitable access to opportunities within the current business climate.

The Growth Lab has helped 93 companies grow since launching in 2017, helping support a total of 4,216+ jobs and raising more than $892 million in fundraising across the program’s lifetime. As the co-lead sponsor of the program, J.P. Morgan grants Growth Lab participants with access to the firm’s global network of experts and resources.

“The entrepreneurs of Cohort 14 are driving innovation across a variety of industries, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges different communities and customers face, and creating effective solutions needed to address them,” said David Barbee, Managing Director, Head of Business
Development for Capital and Advisory Solutions and Head of LGBTQ+ initiatives for J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. “We are proud to provide services and resources from the firm to help these leaders scale and achieve long-term success.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 14 include:
• ADEii Health (Los Angeles, CA): Provides resources for behavioral health and mental wellness treatment to school districts, higher education institutions, community health organizations and healthcare providers.
• Delve Deep Learning (Washington, DC): Develops AI technologies to aid intelligence gathering within the public affairs sector.
• Gritty in Pink (Los Angeles, CA): Hosts a digital platform to spotlight female talent and bolster hiring across the music industry.
• Paldara Pharmaceuticals (Stillwater, OK): Offers innovative drug delivery technology to treat up to 99% of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
• Shimmer (San Francisco, CA): Empowers individuals with ADHD by providing life coaching and mental wellness services.
• The Builder Market (Los Angeles, CA): Connects more than 2 million construction and home services professionals via a powerful and proprietary new social media platform.
• The Rave (Mexico City, MX): Hosts a digital tool integrated into e-commerce websites to provide customers with real cash rewards upon purchases.
• Tripiamo (New York, NY): Provides international travelers with professional, locally-verified online guides for driving abroad.
• Voda (London, UK): Services the LGBTQ+ community with mental health resources to support with gender and identity-specific topics.

“Each company in this cohort is united by a shared commitment to promoting equity, enhancing wellness and fostering innovation within their community and at the global level,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “We are excited to reach our 5th year in partnership with J.P. Morgan and look forward to another successful cohort of 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 and to learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, visit 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 28K 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 JPMorganChase
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 $4.1 trillion in assets and $341 billion in stockholders’; equity as of June 30, 2024. 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

Media Contacts
StartOut
Christa Kilday
christa.kilday@startout.org

JPMorganChase
Marguerite Ward
marguerite.ward@chase.com

August 14, 2024 — StartOut is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sean E. Mickens to its Board of Directors. Sean is the Associate Vice President of External Affairs at Comcast, where he leads the government affairs and public policy team’s external engagement with civil rights, LGBTQIA+, and consumer interest organizations on digital equity, broadband deployment and access, technology, and telecommunications policies.

“We are incredibly honored to have Sean Mickens join our board,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “Sean’s expertise and his dedication to fostering inclusivity and equity align perfectly with our mission to empower LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to expand our impact. Furthermore, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Comcast Foundation have been invaluable partners to StartOut over the years, providing critical support for initiatives such as the StartOut GrowthLab, the StartOut Index, and The StartOut Awards. ”

With an extensive background in tech policy and public affairs, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the StartOut board. Before his tenure at Comcast, Sean was a Public Policy Manager at Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook), where he managed strategic outreach, partnerships, and engagement with progressive and civil rights think tanks. His experience advising nonprofits and philanthropies on public policy research, strategic planning, and issue advocacy further underscores his commitment to driving meaningful change in the tech sector and beyond.

Sean has a long history of advocating for marginalized communities, and his work has often focused on the intersectionality of various identities within the LGBTQ+ community. 

“Supporting marginalized communities is not just about addressing individual challenges, but about recognizing the interconnectedness of our experiences,” said Sean. “The LGBTQ+ community embodies this intersectionality, and I am excited to contribute to StartOut’s mission of uplifting and empowering these voices.”

Sean studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science as a Luard-Morse scholar and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Howard University. His expertise, combined with his passion for advancing digital equity and technology policy, will be invaluable as StartOut continues to champion diversity and innovation in the entrepreneurial space.

Learn more about the programs Comcast has supported at StartOut Growth Lab and StartOut Index. 

July 17, 2024 – StartOut, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, is excited to announce the addition of Herman Flowers as the new Program Associate for Access to Capital. Additionally, three team members have been promoted in recognition of their outstanding contributions: Tarik Perkins to Chief Program Officer, Allison Wright to Director of Education, and Christa Kilday to Senior Marketing Manager.

Herman Flowers (he/him)
Herman Flowers joins StartOut with a wealth of experience in talent acquisition, customer success, program management, and operations. He was one of the early team members at Automately, a recruiting services company later acquired by venture capital firm, Sequoia Capital, where he played a pivotal role in transforming their services to help early-stage founders streamline their hiring processes effectively. Based in San Francisco, Herman will focus on connecting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with the capital they need to thrive. His dedication and expertise will undoubtedly make a significant impact on our mission.

Tarik Perkins (he/him) – Chief Program Officer
Tarik Perkins, with nearly three decades of professional experience, has been promoted to Chief Program Officer. Residing in upstate New York, Tarik’s extensive background in food manufacturing, international development, and organizational development, along with his expertise in people management, program design, and fundraising, has been invaluable to StartOut. He has a proven track record, having tripled revenues at his family’s food manufacturing plant in Jamaica and overseen impactful programs at Cuso International.

“I am eager to improve the impact and quality of StartOut’s programs, to ensure that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have the resources and support they need to succeed,” said Tarik Perkins. “I look forward to continuing our work to create a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Allison Wright (she/her) – Director of Education
Allison “Al” Wright, with over 15 years of experience in digital program development, learning design, and instructional design has been promoted to Director of Education. Al’s innovative strategies and leveraging of new technologies have elevated the learning experience for many. Located in Portland, Oregon, she will spearhead StartOut’s education strategy, integrating best practices in learning design, mentorship, and digital programming to enhance the knowledge and skills of LGBTQ+ startup founders.

Christa Kilday (she/her) – Senior Marketing Manager
Christa Kilday, a marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in the non-profit sector, has been promoted to Senior Marketing Manager. Since joining StartOut during the onset of the pandemic Christa has revitalized StartOut’s marketing efforts through a rebrand, new website, and expanded storytelling. Based in Colorado, Christa’s expertise in marketing strategy and brand awareness will continue to drive StartOut’s mission forward when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ founders.

“These appointments reflect the exceptional talent and dedication within our team,” said StartOut CEO Brian Richardson. “With Herman joining us and the well-deserved promotions of Tarik, Al, and Christa, we are poised to make even greater strides in supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and building a more equitable business environment.”

Diversity VC, ​All Raise, ​2Gether-International, ​BLCK VC, ​Somos VC, ​StartOut and Vets in Tech Release Whitepaper to Standardize Demographic Data Collection

May 8, 2024 – StartOut, the leading national nonprofit committed to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, announced the election of founder Charlotte Hamilton (she/her) and attorney Miguel A. Lopez (he/him) to its board of directors.

“Charlotte and Miguel each bring deep knowledge, hard skills and a track record of success to the StartOut Board of Directors,” said StartOut’s CEO, Brian Richardson.  “They also bring their individual lived experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community – experiences that will help guide StartOut, as we work to empower entrepreneurs across the nation.”

Charlotte Hamilton

Born and raised in Alaska, Charlotte is a lifelong entrepreneur who has co-founded and led five hard technology startups and currently serves as the CEO of N5 Solar. To date, she has raised over $24 million in venture capital and already enjoyed one exit. Charlotte was also a member of the inaugural edition of The Gaingels 100 that honored 100 leading LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs after she publicly identified herself as a transgender woman in 2021.

“Being a diverse founder running a hard tech start-up, I understand firsthand the challenges and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial journey,” remarks Charlotte Hamilton. “Joining StartOut’s board is an honor, and I am excited to leverage my experiences in the startup space to help the next generation of LGBTQ+ founders succeed.”

Charlotte currently resides in Syracuse, New York. Her work has been featured in the WSJ, The Independent, CleanTechnica, USA Today, and other publications.

Miguel A. Lopez

Miguel is a partner at Littler Mendelson, a full-service employment firm. He has extensive experience working with clients in the software, sciences, and healthcare sectors, among others, and has a special interest in startup and gig-economy businesses. Miguel is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Columbia University.

“Joining StartOut’s board aligns perfectly with my mission to drive economic empowerment within our community,” says Miguel Lopez. “As a gay man and first-generation American, I know that it takes a special type of effort to forge a career outside the traditional legacy networks. I want to ensure every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has a real chance to enjoy real success.”

Miguel’s leadership extends beyond his legal practice through his service as Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Trade Secrets Committee and contributes to LGBTQ+ advocacy through the New York State Bar Association. He lives in New York City.

Charlotte and Miguel were each elected to two-year terms, effective immediately.