Growth Lab
StartOut Growth Lab is a startup accelerator that offers top-quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for companies.
111
graduated companies
$921M
in funding raised
4,311
new jobs
Who We Are
Since our founding, the 111 graduated companies have raised $921M in funding and created over 4,311 new jobs. Those numbers are a testament to the quality of entrepreneurs we accept and the extent of the resources we offer to them.
We are making a real impact promoting diversity within startup communities across the nation. StartOut Growth Lab (“SGL”) hosts a new virtual cohort of early-stage companies every six months. Think your company has what it takes?
Applications for Cohort 16 are now open. Apply by June 27th.
How To Apply
- Create an account with StartOut or login to your founder profile if you already have one
- Complete the Founder’s application if you haven't already
- Answer Growth Lab-specific questions: At the end of the application (Page 6), respond to the questions related to the Growth Lab Application.
- Submit your application: Click ‘submit’ on Page 7.
What We Offer
- A virtual community of LGBTQ+ founders who support and motivate one another.
- Mentoring from our entrepreneur-in-residence and direct access to StartOut Experts.
- Weekly digital lunch & learns with guest experts covering a broad range of topics presented by founders, experienced professionals, and investors.
- A graduation event at the end of your term to celebrate your successes with the StartOut community.
- Semi-annual in-person events to connect with present and future cohort members
What We Expect
- A commitment from your company’s founder(s) to participate in the entire 5-month program while working full time on your startup company.
- A spirit of collaboration, volunteerism, and joy in giving back to your peers and others who contribute to your success.
- Long hours and hard work to make the most of your tenure at SGL
- Mandatory attendance at monthly Lunch & Learn events.
- Participate in an in-person kick-off event in San Francisco
What Makes an Ideal Candidate
- Company or a subsidiary is registered in the US
- Product or service is established in the marketplace
- Business runway is 9+ months (not a requirement)
- Generating revenue
- High-growth companies with a path to scalability
Companies Not Suited for the Growth Lab
- Consulting services
- Cannabis-related, sex-tech, or firearm companies
- Brick-and-mortar businesses
- Pre-MVP
- Non-profit organizations
- A company where the founder is not working full-time in the business
Thank You to Our Growth Lab Sponsors
Cohort Companies
Program Founders
In 2017, StartOut Director, Andres Wydler, and law partner, Tom Gaynor, discussed the idea of combining the best practices of an accelerator program with the community-based model of StartOut. Scribbling their initial ideas on a napkin, they wanted to support LGBTQ+ founders in scaling their businesses through a cohort-based approach.
They brought their idea to Peter Sisson, a serial entrepreneur, who helped build out the GrowthLab’s very first curriculum. Tom’s law firm, DLA Piper, provided the space and equipment. Peter became StartOut’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) to manage the program. Together, they launched StartOut GrowthLab’s first cohort.
Tom Gaynor
Partner at DLA Piper
Andres Wydler
Former Executive Director of StartOut
Peter Sisson
StartOut Growth Lab Founding EIR
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.