Program · Scout Program
Gaingels Scout Program
Gaingels Scout Program is Gaingels' scout program offering community-driven deal sourcing for LGBTQIA+ founders and underrepresented investors.
- Application state
- Accepting
Overview
What Gaingels Scout Program offers
What Gaingels Scout Program is
The Gaingels Scout Program is Gaingels' community-driven deal sourcing initiative aimed at increasing diversity in venture capital. It enables qualified members of the Gaingels community to identify and refer investment opportunities. By leveraging the collective intelligence and networks of its community, which includes founders, investors, and operators, the program formalizes the process of sourcing promising startups for investment consideration by the fund.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Scout Program
- Host organization
- Gaingels
- Last reviewed
- June 24, 2026
What Scout program means
A scout program is a structured venture-capital program that recruits external people to help a fund discover, refer, evaluate, or sometimes invest in early-stage startups.
Open the glossary entryTerms and economics
Published program terms
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Unknown
Compensation and economics
Scout members may receive carry or other incentive structures based on the deals they refer, with specifics varying by deal.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
The Gaingels Scout Program aims to increase diversity in venture capital by empowering community members to identify and refer promising startups for investment. It leverages the networks and insights of its diverse community to enhance deal sourcing and create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the industry.
Eligibility
Active Gaingels community members, LGBTQIA+ founders and entrepreneurs, underrepresented investors and operators, and ecosystem participants aligned with Gaingels' mission.
Selection approach
Eligibility typically includes active Gaingels community members, LGBTQIA+ founders and entrepreneurs, underrepresented investors and operators, and ecosystem participants aligned with Gaingels' mission. Participants should apply for program membership through Gaingels' official website.
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Series B · Series C · Growth Equity
- Regions
- Global
- Audience
- Investors · Scouts · Founders · Operators
- Geographic eligibility
- Global
- Career stage
- Mid Career · Senior · Executive
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- Hybrid
- Main location
- New York, New York, United States
- Engagement
- Part Time
Delivery model
The program operates remotely, allowing participants to engage from various locations.
Participation expectations
The program requires a part-time commitment from participants, who engage in deal sourcing and referrals.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Accepting
- Admissions
- Rolling
- Application materials
- Written Statement · Interview
Published timeline
Membership onboarding is continuous and follows a simple four‑step path: Submit application form (Day 0). KYC review and background checks (Days 1‑3). Video call with membership team (Days 3‑5). Acceptance and platform access (within 7 days).
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Participants in the Scout Program can democratize deal sourcing, leverage diverse perspectives for better deal identification, create career development opportunities, and build stronger connections within the venture ecosystem.
Outcomes and track record
What the public record shows
Historical activity and reported outcomes provide context, not a guarantee of future results.
Reported outcomes
Since joining Gaingels, many members have co‑invested in breakout companies. The syndicate entered Databricks’ Series F at a $28 billion valuation, MasterClass’s growth round that preceded its unicorn milestone, and Grove Collaborative ahead of its NYSE listing. Portfolio companies credit Gaingels with board‑level diversity support—over 65 independent directors have been placed via the Board Access Program—while founders highlight the network’s customer and talent referrals as value beyond capital. The group’s inclusive cap‑table model has inspired similar syndicates worldwide and demonstrated that impact‑driven investing can still deliver top‑quartile returns.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
Gaingels Scout Program is published in Upseed as a scout program program hosted by Gaingels. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
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
June 24, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.