Key Takeaways:
Certification can open doors to corporate contracts.
NGLCC’s LGBTBE certification lets qualified businesses compete for contracts with major corporate partners and get listed in a searchable supplier database.
Community is one of the most powerful resources available.
Organizations like StartOut, Out Professionals, and Lesbians Who Tech offer mentorship, investor access, networking events, and accelerator programs tailored specifically to LGBTQ+ founders.
Dedicated funding networks exist for LGBTQ+ founders.
Pipeline Angels backs women, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming founders at the pre-seed and seed stages; Gaingels co-invests alongside venture capital funds across all stages.
LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are starting businesses at a record pace. Our own 2025 survey found that about 10% of entrepreneurs who started businesses in 2024 identified as LGBTQ+, a 50% increase from 2023. But access to capital hasn’t kept up—according to JPMorgan, LGBTQ+ founders only received about 0.5% of startup funding dollars between 2000 and 2022.
Every business needs help to get started, and finding a supportive community can be the key that helps minority business owners thrive. For any LGBTQ+ entrepreneur looking to start a business (or find resources to help run one), these communities offer focused support that uplifts underrepresented founders.
1. The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
Description: The NGLCC is a great first stop. It’s a US-based organization with resources, trainings, and meetups for aspiring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. It was founded in 2002 by Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell to empower the community economically.
Who it’s good for: It’s a perfect start for LGBTQ+ business owners in the US looking to expand their businesses and get certified—or aspiring to exhibit their companies at conferences and meetups organized by the NGLCC.
What it offers:
LGBTBE (LGBT Business Enterprise) Certification: Certified LGBTBEs can compete for contracts with NGLCC’s corporate partners and get listed in a database those partners search. Certification doesn’t guarantee work, but it does give you a seat at the table.
GSMECC Certification: The Global Small and Medium Enterprise Certification Council (GSMECC) Certification is a standardized certification designed to verify independently owned small and medium-sized businesses. It helps connect certified SMEs with corporations and other institutions looking to expand their supplier networks.
Here are the criteria your business needs to meet for LGBTBE certification:
At least 51% owned by one or more individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
Ownership must be unconditional and not subject to override provisions that effectively give control to a non-LGBT owner.
Ownership interest must be real and continuous, not a nominal or temporary transfer created to qualify.
Owners must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
2. StartOut
Description: StartOut is a national nonprofit that helps LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses. Founded in 2009, it has built a community of thousands of founders, mentors, and investors.
Who it’s good for: LGBTQ+ founders and allied entrepreneurs, especially those building high-growth startups who want mentorship, investor access, and a peer network.
What it offers:
Founder membership and mentoring: Members can take advantage of StartOut’s mentorship program for a six-month period focused on their goals. Membership also includes expert sessions on topics like fundraising and legal, and access to StartOut’s investor network. Founders are generally invited to become giving members ($125/year), and free 12-month memberships are available for entrepreneurs who are historically underrepresented or underserved.
Growth Lab: A six-month startup accelerator for LGBTQ+-founded companies, run with J.P. Morgan, that offers mentoring, education, and networking.
Events: StartOut Awards, a celebration of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship, and Demo Days, a pitch event for LGBTQ+ founders.
3. Out Professionals (OP)
Description: Out Professionals is a nonprofit networking organization for LGBTQ+ professionals and allies. Founded in 1983 in New York, it has expanded in recent years with chapters in cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego.
Who it’s good for: LGBTQ+ professionals and allies across industries who want to build relationships, find clients and collaborators, and grow their careers or businesses through in-person and virtual events.
What it offers:
Networking events: Mixers, panels, and seminars in cities with active chapters. Supporting members get free attendance at networking events in any chapter city.
Professional development: Webinars, workshops, and industry panels aimed at career growth.
4. Lesbians Who Tech + Allies
Description: Lesbians Who Tech + Allies is a global community for queer women, non-binary people, trans people, and allies in tech.
Who it’s good for: Founders, engineers, and leaders in tech, especially LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people looking for community, visibility, and connections. It’s more tech-focused than the other organizations on this list.
What it offers:
Annual LWTSUMMIT: A conference with speakers, networking, and a leadership program.
Training and education: Tailored to tech and business leaders, these offerings keep business leaders up to date on current trends.
Mentoring and community: LWT also runs a mentoring program and a leadership program.
5. The Lesbian Business Community (LBC)
Description: The LBC is an online directory of lesbian-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses in the US. It helps these businesses build visibility and helps consumers find them.
Who it’s good for: Lesbian-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses that want to be found by customers who prioritize shopping with community-aligned businesses.
What it offers:
Business directory: Listings with detailed profiles where business owners can tell their stories. Free listings are available to US-based businesses, with paid tiers that offer more visibility.
Search by category and location: Customers and partners can find businesses by category, location, and business name.
Resources: Articles on entrepreneurship, marketing, and networking.
Funding opportunities for LGBTQ+ business owners
Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for LGBTQ+ founders. These funding resources are designed to help close that gap.
1. Pipeline Angels
Description: Pipeline Angels, founded in 2011 and acquired by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in 2023, is an angel investing network that increases funding for women, nonbinary, two-spirit, agender, and gender-nonconforming founders.
Who it’s good for: Early-stage founders who are women, trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming and raising pre-seed or seed funding.
What it offers:
Pitch Summit: Founders apply to pitch to Pipeline Angels’ investors. Investments are typically pre-seed and seed, often through SAFEs or convertible debt.
Investor network: Members have invested in 120+ companies.
Angel training: Its Angels-in-the-Making program trains new investors, which also helps grow the pool of investors backing diverse founders.
2. Gaingels
Description: Gaingels is a venture syndicate that co-invests alongside lead venture capital funds. Since its founding in 2014, it has backed both LGBTQ-owned businesses and underrepresented founders.
Who it’s good for: Founders raising institutional venture rounds who want investors committed to building inclusive teams. Founders usually reach Gaingels through referrals or VC leads.
What it offers:
Capital: It invests across sectors and stages, from pre-seed to pre-IPO, and reports deploying more than $1 billion across 2,600+ investment rounds.
Support beyond funding: Help with business development, recruiting, and board and advisory board recruitment.
Network: Access to a community of 5,000+ members and a jobs board for portfolio companies.
You can also get free, local support from the US Small Business Administration, which supports Small Business Development Centers that offer no-cost counseling and training for business owners.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, the right community, capital, and support can help you build a business that thrives.
FAQs
What is LGBTBE certification, and how do you get it?
LGBTBE certification is the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) designation for businesses at least 51% owned by LGBTQ+ individuals who are US citizens or permanent residents. You apply through NGLCC, usually after joining a local affiliate chamber, and complete a site visit. Certified businesses can compete for contracts with NGLCC’s corporate partners.
Can allies or non-LGBTQ+ founders join these communities?
It depends on the group. StartOut and Lesbians Who Tech + Allies welcome allies, and Out Professionals includes allies. NGLCC certification requires at least 51% LGBTQ+ ownership, and some funding programs have their own eligibility rules. Check each group’s membership criteria.
What funding options exist besides angel investors and venture capital?
Options include SBA-backed loans and microloans, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), small business grants, crowdfunding, and bootstrapping with revenue. These can suit businesses that don’t fit the venture model.
Is it worth paying for membership in a business community?
It depends on what you need: mentorship, contracts, investors or customers. Many groups have free or low-cost tiers, as the body notes for StartOut, Out Professionals and LBC, so start there before paying.
What do I need to do to start a business as an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?
The basic steps are the same for any founder: write a business plan, choose a legal structure, get an EIN, open a business bank account, and set up payroll. Communities like these can help with mentorship and introductions along the way.
Quick note: This is not to be taken as tax, legal, benefits, financial, or HR advice. Since rules and regulations change over time and can vary by location, consult a lawyer or HR expert for specific guidance.
