MARCH 3, 2026, 9:00 AM ET: StartOut today announced the newest cohort of high-potential startups joining its Growth Lab Accelerator. Over the next five months, these founders will work closely with mentors, tap into targeted resources, and participate in hands-on programming designed to help them strengthen operations, refine strategy, and accelerate growth.

Since its launch in 2017, the Growth Lab has graduated over 119 companies, supporting more than 4,536 jobs and raising over $933 million in funding.

The companies joining Cohort 17 include tech startups focused on industries from education to AI. 

The companies comprising Cohort 17 include:

• Avatar Buddy (Miami): a human‑centric AI Solutions company that turns each organization’s own policies, processes, and institutional knowledge into function‑specific AI “Buddies” that feel like trusted teammates, not tools. 
• Eddii, Inc. (New York): a multi-state endocrinology telehealth platform focused on diabetes, metabolic, and cardio-renal care. 
• Learningly AI (Chicago): an all-in-one AI study tool for college students that replaces the 5–10 scattered tools students juggle daily. 
• MOST AI (New York): a patent-pending decision engine that diagnoses non-obvious growth opportunities for consumer brands and prescribes the exact tests needed to unlock breakthrough growth — often within 90 days.
• PlumCheck (Brooklyn): an API-based service enables consumer platforms to display verified health badges without accessing or storing underlying medical records.
• ReviewTailor (Atlanta): helps professionals track, reflect on, and showcase their career growth with simple, actionable tools. 
• Revision Learning (New York): helps students and professionals turn meaningful experiences into cohesive, high-impact stories for college admissions, careers, and beyond. 

“Our Growth Lab companies come into the program with a clear sense of purpose,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “Cohort 17 brings new startups with real momentum. Through Growth Lab, they’ll gain the connections and community to grow faster—and StartOut is proud to support this group of founders in this stage of their entrepreneurial journey.”

Founders who are accepted into Growth Lab have the opportunity to access networking, educational resources, and mentorship. The program is sponsored by J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. 

“We’re excited to welcome the latest cohort of founders to the Growth Lab. From AI to edtech to telehealth, these founders are driving meaningful innovation, and we’re proud to support their journeys by providing access to educational resources, networking, and opportunities to access capital,” said David Barbee, J.P. Morgan’s Head of Transaction Development for Global Banking and Head of LGBTQ+ Initiatives for Commercial Banking.

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 expand economic opportunity for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with over 24K active community members nationwide. Its mission is to increase opportunity and success for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. StartOut helps aspiring 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.