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Key people at StartOut.
StartOut was founded in 2009 by Lorenzo Thione (Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus) and Joe DiPasquale (Co-Founder).
StartOut is a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of programs, resources, mentorship, and community support, along with facilitating access to capital. This integrated approach is designed to accelerate the development and economic impact of businesses led by LGBTQ+ founders, fostering innovation and job creation.
The organization was co-founded in 2009 by Darren Spedale, Bryan Janeczko, Joe DiPasquale, and Lorenzo Thione. Their foundational insight stemmed from the recognition of systemic barriers and a desire to champion LGBTQ+ equality by directly supporting the entrepreneurial endeavors of the community. This collective effort aimed to create a more inclusive landscape for business development.
StartOut serves a diverse community of LGBTQ+ and allied founders across various industries. Its overarching mission is to drive the economic empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that all entrepreneurs, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have equitable opportunities and resources to build successful ventures, thereby shaping a more inclusive economic future.
StartOut is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing opportunity and success for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs by providing resources, community, and connections to help build high-growth, scalable businesses. It serves LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs who aim to grow rapidly, reach broad markets, and attract investment. StartOut offers tailored programs including mentorship, access to capital through an investor portal, and an accelerator designed to help founders gain traction and confidence. Since its founding, it has built a community of over 28,000 members and supports more than 700 founders annually, contributing to innovation, wealth generation, and economic equity within the startup ecosystem[1][2][3][4].
Founded in 2009, StartOut emerged to address the lack of equitable access to entrepreneurial resources for LGBTQ+ founders. The organization was built by leaders committed to creating a level playing field for all entrepreneurs regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Early traction came from building a strong community and identifying impactful programs that support high-growth ventures. Over time, StartOut has evolved to focus on scaling proven programs nationwide and deepening its impact by connecting founders with investors, mentors, and peers[2][3].
StartOut rides the growing trend of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in entrepreneurship and venture capital. The timing is critical as more investors and corporations recognize the value of supporting underrepresented founders to drive innovation and economic growth. By focusing on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, StartOut addresses systemic barriers and helps diversify the startup ecosystem. Its work influences broader market forces by demonstrating the economic benefits of inclusive entrepreneurship and by providing a scalable model for community-driven support and capital access[1][2][5].
Looking ahead, StartOut is poised to expand its national impact by scaling successful programs and deepening investor partnerships. Trends such as increased focus on DEI in venture funding and the rise of community-based accelerators will shape its journey. StartOut’s influence is likely to grow as it continues to prove that supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs not only fosters innovation but also contributes to broader economic equity and wealth creation. This positions StartOut as a critical catalyst for change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, reinforcing its mission to create a level playing field for all founders[2][4].
StartOut was founded in 2009 by Lorenzo Thione (Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus) and Joe DiPasquale (Co-Founder).
Key people at StartOut.
