Start Out- for LGBTQ Entrepreneurs with Host Catherine Gray Ep. 431

On this episode of the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray welcomes Irene Tang, Director of Data and Insights at StartOut, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Irene brings a wealth of experience from her past roles at Google and CBS Interactive, now using her expertise to advance data-driven initiatives that highlight the unique challenges and successes of LGBTQ+ founders. Based in Houston, Texas, Irene is a passionate advocate for creating opportunities and visibility for underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly in communities where support systems may be limited.

Catherine and Irene discuss StartOut’s groundbreaking research, which revealed that LGBTQ+ founders receive just 0.5% of startup funding, despite making up approximately 7-10% of the population. They explore the impact of StartOut’s initiatives, including mentorship programs, investor introductions, and their Growth Lab accelerator, which has helped founders scale their businesses and secure significant funding. Irene shares inspiring success stories, such as Avocademy, a UX/UI education platform that dramatically increased its revenue after joining the accelerator, and Carbon Reform, a startup revolutionizing air purification that has raised over $5 million. This episode sheds light on the importance of financial inclusion and the role of LGBTQ+ investors in fostering innovation.

https://www.startout.org/

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