Startout Growth Lab
ActiveVenture Capital
Updated: ·
Financial History
Total Raised
N/A
Valuation
N/A
Leadership Team
Key people at Startout Growth Lab.
Key people at Startout Growth Lab.
Key people at Startout Growth Lab.
StartOut Growth Lab is a startup accelerator dedicated to supporting early-stage companies founded or cofounded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Its mission is to provide mentoring, education, networking, and access to capital to help these startups scale and succeed. The program focuses on fostering diversity and economic empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community by accelerating high-growth, scalable businesses across various sectors. Since its inception, Growth Lab has supported over 93 companies that have collectively raised nearly $900 million in funding and created more than 4,200 jobs, demonstrating significant impact on the startup ecosystem[1][3][4].
Founded in 2017 as a collaboration between StartOut (the largest nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs), DLA Piper law firm, and serial entrepreneur Peter Sisson, Growth Lab was designed to combine accelerator best practices with a community-based model. Key founders include Andres Wydler (former StartOut Executive Director), Tom Gaynor (DLA Piper partner), and Peter Sisson (first Entrepreneur-in-Residence). The program has evolved to run virtual cohorts every six months, providing tailored support such as legal mentoring, education, and capital access to LGBTQ+ founders nationwide[1][2].
Growth Lab rides the rising trend of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in entrepreneurship and venture capital. As awareness grows about the economic and social benefits of supporting underrepresented founders, Growth Lab’s timing is crucial. It leverages increasing investor interest in diverse startups and societal momentum toward equitable opportunity. By empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, it helps diversify innovation pipelines, fosters inclusive economic growth, and challenges traditional funding disparities. The program also strengthens the broader ecosystem by connecting founders to capital, expertise, and networks that might otherwise be inaccessible[1][3][4].
Looking ahead, StartOut Growth Lab is poised to expand its influence by scaling cohorts, deepening partnerships, and continuing to refine its tailored support for LGBTQ+ founders. Trends such as increased corporate DEI commitments, growing venture capital interest in diverse founders, and digital accelerator models will shape its trajectory. As the program matures, it may also influence broader policy and investment norms around inclusion in entrepreneurship. Growth Lab’s ongoing success will likely contribute to a more equitable startup ecosystem where LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have equal access to resources and opportunities to lead innovation and economic growth[1][3][4].
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2019 | Circle Content | $50K Seed | — | — |
| Feb 1, 2017 | The Proper Bunny | $200K Seed | — | — |
