🌈 Attend Our Newest Signature Event
Wednesday, June 4th | LinkedIn HQ
Thursday, June 5th | Werqwise San Francisco
Get ready to experience the future of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and innovation at StartOut Con 2025—a high-energy, game-changing two-day event that’s redefining what it means to disrupt industries and build a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Join us in San Francisco this Pride Month and connect with the founders, investors, and community members driving progress at the intersection of innovation and inclusion.
Whether you’re here to pitch your next big idea, connect with innovative thought partners, or leave inspired to build a more inclusive business world, StartOut Con is where you need to be.
We want StartOut Con to be accessible for all who wish to attend. If you would need a discounted ticket please email info@startout.org
Schedule and speakers subject to change.
StartOut Con Pricing
| Super Early Bird (by April 30th) | Regular (by June 4th) | |
| Regular Ticket | $49 | $69 |
| StartOut Member | $29 | $39 |
We want StartOut Con to be accessible for all who wish to attend. If you would need a discounted ticket please email info@startout.org
Schedule
*The schedule is subject to change. Check back here for the latest updates.
149 New Montgomery St 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Doors Open & Registration
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Welcome & Pastries
- 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM Ed Session Block 1
- 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM Ed Session Block 2
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch & Networking Break
- 2:40 PM - 3:30 PM Ed Session Block 3
- 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Closing Keynote
- 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM Additional Networking and Event Closes
222 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105
- 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Registration for Investors with Coffee & Pastries
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Investors Circle
- 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Registration for Founders
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Founder & Investor Matching
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM State of Venture Capital and Fundraising Panel
Day 1 Sessions
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Investor Circle
Investor Circle, StartOut’s first in-person event, just for investors. Investment professionals (angel investors, institutional investors, and emerging fund managers) will have the chance to meet each other, network, and gain insight from other industry experts.
At Investor Circle, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about StartOut’s Access to Capital program, meet the team, mingle with other investors, and engage in meaningful conversations that will drive a more inclusive investment ecosystem.
Category: Venture Capital and Investments
Audience: Investors Only
Please reach out to Danielle Wiggins for an invitation at danielle.wiggins@startout.org
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Founder & Investor Matching
Fast-paced, high-impact, and connection-driven—this is VC Speed Networking reimagined. Founders and investors will engage in curated conversations designed to spark relationships, surface opportunities, and build momentum. Whether you're looking to raise your next round or discover your next breakout investment, this event puts quality introductions front and center. No long pitches, no fluff, just real connections with real potential. If you're serious about building in or backing the future, this is the room you want to be in.
Spaces will be limited, please reach out to the Access to Capital Program Manager for more details. Contact: danielle.wiggins@startout.org
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - State of Venture Capital and Fundraising Panel
All eyes are on the state of the economy right now. If there is anything that remains true now more than ever, it is that we must remain resilient. Step into a candid conversation on the current state of venture capital and fundraising, told through the real success stories of founders and investors who’ve made it work. This dynamic panel brings together voices from both sides of the table to share firsthand insights, lessons learned, and what it takes to raise and deploy capital in today’s climate. Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about the evolving VC landscape, this session is open to all and built to inspire. Come for the real stories, leave with real perspective.
Category: Venture Capital, Wellness, and Fundraising
Audience: Open to all attendees
Day 2 Sessions
Ed Session Block 1
Defining Your Business Model | Are You a Startup or Cash Flow Business?
Not every business needs to be a startup—so what’s the best path for you? In this session, you'll learn how to identify the best path for your venture, whether it’s a VC-backed startup, a cashflow-driven small business, a nonprofit, or something in between. Gain clarity on your business model, funding needs, and growth trajectory so you can align your goals with the right strategy and resources.
Category: Business Modeling
Audience: Foundational
Boardroom Dominatrix Training
When women and minorities are in positions of power, incredible shifts happen. When respect is a standard and consent is honored in every interaction, human beings feel safe. A boardroom dominatrix is a person who balances an exchange of power with business acumen to create singular results—Strategically growing the company by garnering consent to technologically dominate. The result is an extraordinary increase in revenues, and an ensuing satisfaction throughout the company.
Category: Executive Skills Development
Audience: Advanced
Authenticity & Safety as an LGBTQ+ Business Owner
Being your authentic self in business shouldn’t come at the cost of safety or success. This candid panel dives into the legal challenges LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs—especially trans founders—face and how to protect your business while staying true to your identity. Understand the benefits and levels of risk associated with making DEIB-related choices in the current business climate, discover key resources, and leave with strategies to navigate your business success.
Category: Identity; Legal; Entrepreneurship
Audience: Foundational
Negotiating Your First Venture Deal
This workshop provides a comprehensive yet accessible overview of venture deal fundamentals, focusing on the structures, key terms, and market standards that define early-stage financing. It breaks down complex concepts like convertible debt, SAFEs, equity financing rounds, liquidation preferences, and anti-dilution protections, making them understandable for both founders and emerging investors. The module also introduces Tome, a platform co-founded by Dugal that simplifies legal documents using AI.
Category: Fundraising
Audience: Foundational
Ed Session Block 2
Do I Need to Raise Venture Capital?
Venture capital isn't the right path for every business. This no-fluff session unpacks what it really means to raise a VC round, the common pitfalls founders make, and how to know if you’re truly ready. Get a step-by-step checklist and alternative funding options so you can make the smartest choice for your business.
Category: Fundraising
Audience: Foundational
Building AI Leadership Muscle
When a leader is asked, or tasked, to lead AI in their company, the journey often starts with overcoming deep organizational resistance. This session explores what makes AI leadership uniquely challenging, from the speed and scale of change to the complexity of cross-functional stakeholders. Learn how to build your AI leadership muscle and discover the kind of executive support technical leaders truly need, hint: it’s about EQ.
Category: Technology
Audience: Advanced
The State of Trans Entrepreneurship
Trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming founders face unique obstacles, but also incredible opportunities. This session explores the specific challenges trans entrepreneurs encounter, highlights the innovative power of trans businesses, and showcases trans-specific resources to build more thriving companies. Whether you’re a trans founder or an ally, this is your chance to be part of a movement that builds lasting change.
Category: Identity; Allyship; Legal
Audience: Foundational
Go-to-Market Mastery: Your Blueprint for Launching Successfully
A strong Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy is essential for turning your product or service into a market success. This hands-on workshop will teach you the key components of a GTM strategy, including defining your target market, crafting compelling messaging, setting pricing, and developing sales and distribution strategies.
Category: Marketing
Audience: Foundational
Ed Session Block 3
Non-Dilutive Funding in 2025: Grants, Loans & Beyond
So, you’ve determined that external funding is key to scaling your business—but how do you secure capital without giving up equity? This session will focus exclusively on non-dilutive funding, exploring options like grants, venture debt, crowdfunding, and more. Often overlooked, non-dilutive funding is a powerful tool for fueling growth while maintaining full ownership. Join us to gain clarity on your funding options and leave with a roadmap to secure capital on your terms.
Category: Fundraising
Audience: Foundational
Perfecting Your Pitch: Storytelling and Decks That Deliver
Your pitch is more than slides—it's the story that brings your vision to life and helps differentiate your solution. Learn how to craft a pitch that inspires investors and customers alike, combining the art of storytelling with the science of impactful deck design. Discover how to articulate your value, create visually compelling presentations, and inspire action, whether you're in a pitch meeting, on stage, or at a networking event.
Category: Fundraising; Pitch Decks
Audience: Foundational
Small Business Success Strategies
Running a small business comes with unique challenges—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. This session delivers expert insights, actionable strategies, and access to national and local resources designed to help small businesses thrive. Learn the must-know tips to scale, sustain, and succeed as an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur with support of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Category: Small Business; Entrepreneurship
Audience: Foundational
The Wellbeing Blueprint: Thriving as an LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur
Building a business demands energy, focus, and resilience—and your wellbeing is the foundation for all of it. In this workshop, successful founders share their top strategies and daily habits for staying at their best, including tips on sleep, exercise, nutrition, and staying connected to their support networks. Leave with a personalized blueprint for balancing ambition with self-care so you can sustain your success without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Category: Wellness & Identity
Audience: Foundational
Meet Our Speakers
Beatrice Stonebanks (she/her)
Boardroom Dominatrix
Chris Dowell (he/him)
Swiftwater Horizon
Ivan Hsaio (he/she/
they)
TransHealth HQ
Shweta Agrawal
Boston New Technology
Patrick Driscoll (he/him)
Gaingels
Chris Dowell (he/him)
GV
Eric Goldman (he/him)
AGA/Goldman Coaching
Skye King (she/her)
Geode Lifeworks
What is StartOut Con
StartOut Con is a movement with a bold mission: To equip LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to break barriers and scale their visions into impactful ventures. From intimate breakout sessions to bold main-stage discussions, the convention is designed to foster the kind of environment where ideas spark, connections flourish, and solutions emerge.
At StartOut Con, every voice matters. This isn’t about sitting on the sidelines; it’s about collaborating, challenging norms, and creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ founders and allies to thrive together.
Who Will Be There
🚀 Visionary Entrepreneurs: From early-stage founders and small business owners to scaling disruptors, connect with like-minded individuals in the LGBTQ+ community
🤝 Investors with Purpose: Discover the market disruptors of tomorrow and align your portfolio with your values.
💡 Industry Thought Leaders: Listen to keynote speeches and panels from the pioneers shaping innovation and equity.
🌎 Ecosystem Builders & Advocates: Forge partnerships with allies and experts determined to create sustainable change.
Join StartOut
Since 2009, StartOut has built a community of 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.