Chicago:Blend’s Post

Help Out in Tech U ⚡️ power up another 1,000 LGBTQ+ mentees! Out in Tech is seeking $100,000 in support of the next generation of LGBTQ+ tech leaders. In 2023 alone, a quarter-million tech employees were laid off, disproportionately affecting folks from underestimated groups, many of whom only recently succeeded in breaking into tech. When companies downsize, it isn't just those jobs -- entire communities are affected. Out in Tech's youth mentorship program pairs queer, non-binary, and trans students with LGBTQ+ tech leaders for eight weeks of professional learning, both technical and career skills. If you believe in equity, inclusion, racial justice, and building LGBTQ+ wealth, we ask that you consider making a donation today! https://hubs.li/Q02cHs4J0 #outintech #donatetoday #supportlgbtqyouth #representationmatters #youthmentorship #lgbtqtech

Help Out in Tech U ⚡️ power up another 1,000 LGBTQ+ mentees! Out in Tech is seeking $100,000 in support of the next generation of LGBTQ+ tech leaders. In 2023 alone, a quarter-million tech employees were laid off, disproportionately affecting folks from underestimated groups, many of whom only recently succeeded in breaking into tech. When companies downsize, it isn't just those jobs -- entire communities are affected. Out in Tech's youth mentorship program pairs queer, non-binary, and trans students with LGBTQ+ tech leaders for eight weeks of professional learning, both technical and career skills. If you believe in equity, inclusion, racial justice, and building LGBTQ+ wealth, we ask that you consider making a donation today! https://hubs.li/Q02bGppZ0 #outintech #donatetoday #supportlgbtqyouth #representationmatters #youthmentorship #lgbtqtech

This is a note to say thank you to everyone who has connected recently. SimpleInsight is on a mission to ensure that underrepresented founders, build scaleable and robust businesses and attract the funding they deserve to grow. Some of the connections we've made and conversations we've had over the last 4 months have been amazing. There are so many female, black and LGBTQ+ founders that need support in terms of attracting funding and planning for the future, especially at a time when funding from the tech ecosystem seems to be difficult with some VCs just looking to support their current portfolio. This is yet another reason not to fund underrepresented founders, but it doesn't matter, because underrepresented founders will find alternative sources of funding support. The angel investor community is a great step in the right direction, especially if you find a group of people who understand what you're going through as an underrepresented founder and can identify with your product or service. So to all the underrepresented founders out there, keep going and to founders we are yet to meet, we can't wait to hear your story. #underrepresentedfounders #femalefounders #blackfounders #LGBTQ+founders

This is a note to say thank you to everyone who has connected recently. SimpleInsight is on a mission to ensure that underrepresented founders, build scaleable and robust businesses and attract the funding they deserve to grow. Some of the connections we've made and conversations we've had over the last 4 months have been amazing. There are so many female, black and LGBTQ+ founders that need support in terms of attracting funding and planning for the future, especially at a time when funding from the tech ecosystem seems to be difficult with some VCs just looking to support their current portfolio. This is yet another reason not to fund underrepresented founders, but it doesn't matter, because underrepresented founders will find alternative sources of funding support. The angel investor community is a great step in the right direction, especially if you find a group of people who understand what you're going through as an underrepresented founder and can identify with your product or service. So to all the underrepresented founders out there, keep going and to founders we are yet to meet, we can't wait to hear your story. #underrepresentedfounders #femalefounders #blackfounders #LGBTQ+founders 

🏳️🌈 Calling all trailblazers in the world of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and investment! 🚀 🌟 Are you a visionary founder driving change in your industry? 🌈 Are you a passionate funder eager to support LGBTQ+ ventures? 💼 Do you believe in the power of diversity and inclusion to shape the future of business? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then mark your calendars and get ready to join us for an event like no other! 🗓️✨ At May 28th in 42workspace Rotterdam, we're bringing together the brightest minds and the boldest ideas in the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether you're an established investor looking for the next big opportunity or an up-and-coming founder seeking mentorship and funding, this is the place to be. Here's what you can expect: 1️⃣ Hear from industry leaders who are breaking barriers and paving the way for LGBTQ+ representation in business. 2️⃣ Engage in thought-provoking conversations on topics ranging from access to capital to building inclusive workplaces. 3️⃣ Connect with fellow queer funders and founders, forge valuable partnerships, and expand your professional network. But Queer Funders & Founders isn't just about business—it's about community. It's about celebrating our shared successes, supporting each other through challenges, and building a more inclusive future, one investment at a time. 🚀 Ready to be a part of something extraordinary? Sign up now to reserve your spot and join us in shaping the future of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and investment! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-hnYCWJ Organized by Sabine Schoorl MBA 🏳️🌈 + LUMO Labs, the impact driven tech investor. #LGBTQ+ #Entrepreneurship #Investment #DiversityandInclusion #QueerBusiness #Innovation #Networking #CommunityBuilding #ChangeMakers

Did you know that only 0.5% of venture capital in the United States goes to LGBT founders, despite the fact that LGBT people make up 7% of the population and as entrepreneurs create 36% more jobs than the average, are 44% more likely to exit and do all of this with an average of 16% less funding? Do you think this is a problem? Me too.  I am grateful to be a founding member of Venture Out Partnership. This is a group of LGBTQ+ professionals dedicated to promoting opportunity, visibility and support for the VC community, and providing resources and tools for a more equitable ecosystem. As head of our media and visibility committee, we have been working to gain support at the highest levels, and due to some amazing hard work from committee members like Patrick Driscoll, Our team of 25 will be headed to the White House this June to meet with President Biden and discuss how we can increase equity, visibility, and access for LGBT founders.  I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to be a change maker and to represent HubSpot For Startups and Venture Out at the White House. #startups #whitehouse #lgbt #lgbtfounders #equity #pridemonth

If you're an LGBTQIA+ founder, you NEED to apply to StartOut Growth Lab. As a current cohort fellow, I can tell you it has been a transformative experience surrounded by the best people imaginable. Not only the staff, volunteers, and mentors at StartOut, but also getting to know the other queer founders in the cohort. We're only halfway through and already the deliverables have been priceless. Don't hesitate! You lose nothing by applying and have absolutely everything to gain. #accelerator #startups #founderresources #startupsupport #applicationsopen #lgbtqiafounders #underrepresentedfounders

A heartfelt congratulations to #VCI Fellows Ben Stokes and Patrick Driscoll for their first close for Chasing Rainbows! 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿 With less than 1% of #vcfunding going to #LGBTQ+ -founded companies, the investments Chasing Rainbows is doing is vitally important. We're proud to see Ben and Patrick close gaps in access to capital for LGBTQ+ founders and look forward to cheering them on as they continue to rise and generate alpha for their investors! #emergingmanagers #dei #diversityandinclusion #venturecapital #alternateinvestments #esg #fundmanagers #impactinvesting

#Opportunity 👉🏾 Applications are open again for the #McKinseyInNYC program, which is dedicated to supporting underrepresented founders at fast-growing series A to C startups in #NewYork. 📅 Deadline is April 15, 2024 👉🏾 Apply: https://lnkd.in/es8cHVmy *The program takes an expansive view of the underrepresented community to include socio-economic, first-generation college, first-generation immigrant, LGBTQ+, women, and other backgrounds that have faced adversity in the startup community #Entrepreneurship #underrepresented #startups

In 2023, Morgan Stanley Institute released a survey on Opportunities and Demand for Investing in LGBTQ+ Equity & Inclusion: – 0.5% of venture capital in the United States is raised by LGBTQ+ startup founders. – 67% of Gen Z investors want investment products and strategies that advance LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of the development of society. And I like the dynamics where it's going. The power of acceptance is growing, the number of products for LGBTQ+ audiences is growing, and the investor's interest is growing. We still need to find a lot of solutions on how to serve the LGBTQ+ community, and I believe the % of venture capital raised will get x5 higher in the next few years.