Organization · Community
StartOut
StartOut is a nonprofit organization that empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to build high-growth businesses. It operates nationally, hosting events and programs in major cities across the United States.
Overview
What StartOut does
What StartOut is
StartOut is a nonprofit organization that empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to build high-growth businesses. It operates nationally, hosting events and programs in major cities across the United States.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2009
- Approximate age
- About 17 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 1, 2026
Official channels
Find StartOut elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
StartOut as a community
Community overview
StartOut is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009, based in the United States. It focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and community connections to help them build scalable businesses.
Community focus
StartOut invests in LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to create high-growth, scalable businesses. The organization provides programs and resources aimed at helping these entrepreneurs grow rapidly, reach broad markets, and attract outside investment.
Member value
Members gain access to mentorship, community connections, and resources tailored to help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses effectively.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 1,829
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- accelerator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
StartOut hosts numerous events throughout the year, including StartOut Con, a signature event designed to connect LGBTQ+ founders with investors and industry leaders, and Demo Day, a pitch competition for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs showcasing innovative startups.
Notable members
Notable companies that have participated in StartOut's programs include those in various sectors, particularly technology and education.
Capability profile
StartOut as an event host
Event focus
StartOut invests in LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to create high-growth, scalable businesses. The organization provides programs and resources aimed at helping these entrepreneurs grow rapidly, reach broad markets, and attract outside investment.
Format narrative
StartOut hosts numerous events throughout the year, including networking opportunities and educational sessions designed to connect LGBTQ+ founders with investors and industry leaders.
Participant value
Attendees gain access to valuable resources, mentorship, and connections that can help them build scalable businesses and attract investment.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- summit, demo-day, and pitch-night
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include industry leaders and successful LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs participating in StartOut's events.
Past editions
StartOut has supported over 1,829 companies and facilitated the raising of approximately $1.58 billion in funding, contributing to an estimated $5.8 billion in economic value.
Common questions
What to know about StartOut
Upseed classifies StartOut under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 1, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.