WHERE LGBTQ+ STARTUPS TAKE FLIGHT
More than just an early-stage venture fund. A launchpad for generation-defining LGBTQ+ founded companies.
WE’RE OVERLOOKED, YET WE OUTPERFORM.
THE CHALLENGE
LGBTQ+ founders are systemically overlooked. Investors dismiss opportunities to invest in LGBTQ+ founded startups due to personal bias. “Friends and Family” rounds aren’t always an option once we come out to our close ones. The majority of VC funds with an impact focus don’t even mention LGBTQ+ as part of their strategy.
0.5%
Allocated to LGBTQ+ founders
75%
Conceal sexual orientation
+33%
Left job due to experiencing discrimination
Investing in LGBTQ+ founders taps into a high-performing, overlooked and determined population, and provides non-competitive access to strong growth prospects. And the data doesn’t lie: LGBTQ+ founders outperform.
THE OPPORTUNITY
144%
More patents
36%
More jobs
44%
More exits
OVERLOOKING LGBTQ+ FOUNDERS IS JUST POOR BUSINESS.
At Chasing Rainbows, we’re in the business of investing in ideas and people.
We’ve learned that the most successful founders— regardless of sexual orientation— are resilient, principled, courageous, and resourceful.
Coincidentally, these are common traits of LGBTQ+ founders, those who have built these strengths as a result of the discrimination and adversity they’ve experienced as members of the community.
If one thing is clear about the LGBTQ+ startup community it’s this: Our lived experience is our competitive advantage. Ignoring us is to ignore the most promising startups of tomorrow.
Chasing Rainbows is committed to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, tapping into their lived experiences, unique perspectives and innovative ideas to create a more diverse and inclusive business world.
OUR FOUNDERS SOLVE BIG PROBLEMS
LGBTQ+ startup founders are well-equipped to tackle the complex issues impacting the community most.
Chasing Rainbows is sector agnostic, though four pillars have emerged as focus areas:
HEALTHCARE
EDUCATION
FINANCIAL EQUITY & INCLUSION
SUSTAINABILITY
OUR FOUNDERS
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FULL's green technology repurposes idle spaces into sustainable areas with rooftop gardens, cutting energy consumption and emissions in buildings. FULL collaborates with businesses and governments, enhancing growth conditions and financing projects through cost savings.
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HelloWonder is an AI assistant created to enable children to safely search the internet, while providing parents with real-time monitoring capabilities and the option to set guardrails for their children to follow.
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BeStudious is an online tutoring platform for professional exams that uses AI to understand skills gaps, and builds a personalized curriculum.
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TômTex, known for creating biodegradable textiles from shrimp and mushrooms that emulate materials like leather, suede, latex, and vinyl, has broadened its market reach with the encouragement of Chasing Rainbows. Moving beyond small leather goods, TômTex has secured partnerships with leading auto and fashion brands such as Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Balenciaga, Reformation, and Nike.
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ForThem has developed an online community for transgender individuals, utilizing their chest binder product for AFAB (assigned female at birth) women as a cornerstone of their customer acquisition strategy to foster community.
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Innovare empowers education leaders to make data-driven decisions that positively impact students and communities.
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Tome’s AI and LLMs provide rapid contract summarization. Designed for legal services, VCs and entrepreneurs, Tome ensures that the contracts you sign match the deal you negotiated.
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Gosu Academy, an e-Sports coaching platform, has positioned itself as the premier coaching resource for collegiate eSports leagues. It is the official coaching partner of the Saudi Arabia eSports Federation and the 2024 International eSports World Cup.
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Former Google employees, GetGloby founders are experts in multicultural marketing. GetGloby’s GenAI translates Ads and marketing assets into 100+ languages, safely connecting businesses to audiences worldwide.
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CoralAI is an AI powered skincare marketplace that links consumers with experts and monitors product effectiveness. CoralAi recommendations specialize to evolving needs of transgender changes, pregnancy, adult acne, diabetes, cancer treatment, and menopause.
PARTNERS
Partners are a vital part of the Startup Ecosystem, and we are proud to offer preferential pricing from the following Chasing Rainbows ecosystem partners:
