We will not rest until every founder can thrive on a level playing field.

28K

people we've connected

1,829

supported companies

$1.58B

in funding raised

$5.8B

in economic value

Who We Serve

At StartOut, our mission is to increase opportunity and success for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

Our core programs are focused on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and allies looking to build high-growth, scalable businesses—companies with the potential to grow rapidly, reach broad markets, and attract outside investment. Whether you’re already scaling, actively working toward growth or just getting started, StartOut offers the resources, community and connections to help you accelerate your impact.

What is a Scalable Business?

A scalable business is designed to grow revenue significantly and sustainably, while maintaining or only moderately increasing operational costs and effort.

These businesses may:

Expand beyond local markets
Attract outside investment (angel, VC, crowdfunding, etc.)
Aim for acquisition, IPO, or large-scale impact
Be registered legally as a C-corp, ideally in Delaware
Issue equity or stock options to employees and investors

Examples include:

A SaaS company with recurring revenue
A Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brand automating production and scaling through e-commerce
A brick-and-mortar business expanding via a franchising or licensing model
A service or consultancy business transitioning into a digital marketplace

Scalability isn’t about your starting point—it’s about your vision and how you’re building toward growth.

How do I know if my business is scalable?

Scalability means your business can grow revenue significantly without a matching increase in costs or resources. In other words, it’s built to expand efficiently. Not every business is designed to scale—and that’s okay—but if you’re aiming for high growth, these are the key ways to evaluate your model. Ask yourself:

Can I increase sales without increasing my time or team size proportionally?
Is there a large (or growing) market for what I offer?
Can parts of my operations be automated or digitized?
Does my business model attract investment or offer strong margins?

If your answer to the above is “yes”, your business is probably scalable and you can fill out a Founder application to get started.

View our FAQ page to determine if your company is scalable or not.

“I don’t remember who introduced me to StartOut, but I remember feeling like I finally found an entrepreneurial home where I could belong, and that would embrace all of me. I wouldn’t need to pretend that I am a woman or part of the LGBT community. You can bring your entire self to the table without explaining anything. StartOut fills a void, a space that is missing in the accelerator and VC world.”

“I checked out StartOut’s mentor program and instantly felt drawn to the sense of community among LGBTQ+ founders and business owners. After attending a few virtual events and meeting members in the Bay Area, I knew that StartOut would be a lifelong connector.”

"I think it’s really easy as an underrepresented founder to get lost in the fog. We have to fall back on the communities that support us. Whether it’s a local one or a national one like StartOut, having a group that you can trust and be your authentic self with is crucial."

Founder Resources

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

Growth Lab

Apply for the only accelerator designed with LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in mind.

Mentorship

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

Investor Portal

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

The NetworQ

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

Perks

Access perks and discounts (HR, IT/dev software & services, etc.) Available only to Founder members.

Expert Office Hours

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

The Forum

Connect with LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, investors and others in your area or around the world.

Events

Attend in-person and digital networking and educational events .

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 entrepreneurs who need additional support. We want to ensure that all founders can inspire generations to come. This is one step of many in leveling the playing field and moving toward economic empowerment.

12-month scholarships for Latinx/Hispanic founders
12-month scholarships for Women/Non-Binary founders
12-month scholarships for Black founders
12-month scholarships for founders aged 45+
Scholarships for DEI Founders

Disclaimer

Please complete the Founder Application for consideration. To apply to the Founder Program, complete the application at community.startout.org. At the end of the application, you will be able to select the scholarship you would like to be considered for.

Scholarship Sponsors

Join StartOut

Since 2009, StartOut has built a community of over 28,000 members. Every year, we provide support to over 700 individual founders. We connect them to expertise, peers, community, and capital. This powerful combination of financial support, skills development, and community contributes to helping fuel innovation, wealth generation and equal access to economic opportunity. Join our growing community today.