LGBTQ Venture Capitalists and Startup Advisors
For LGBTQ entrepreneurs, being out themselves has certain consequences. Research shows that they face greater obstacles than their straight counterparts by adversely affecting their ability to line up suppliers, customers, hire employees, and so on. Thus, it is more challenging for them to get funding for their ventures. However, being out conveys a certain honesty and integrity being applied to the venture that is appreciated by funders. It also means that location of the venture is important to success for an LGBTQ entrepreneur, and more LGBTQ ventures are founded in supportive areas such as Boston, California, New York, or Washington.
For an LGBTQ entreprenuer, having a relationship with an LGBTQ venture capitalist or startup advisor can make a big difference in the process of starting up their business. Trust is an important ingredient in the success of the relationship between the entrepreneur and the funder, and this translates into success for the venture. The relationship between the two parties is very close.
Having a pool of LGBTQ venture capitalists and startup advisors available to the LGBTQ community can translate into more startup activity by the LGBTQ community. In their absence, a young LGBTQ person might forego their innovative startup idea for a more secure job at a company that accepts, or even celebrates, their identity.
Canada
- Mark S. Bonham, Bonham & Co. Inc.
- Lia Grimanis, Social Venture Partners
France
- Vincent Viollain, My French Startup
Germany
- Alice Weidel, Goldman Sachs
Great Britain
- Wanda Goldwag, Smedvig Venture Capital
United States
- Cyan Banister, Long Journey Ventures
- David Blumberg, Blumberg Capital
- David Bohnett, Baroda Ventures
- Tom Coates
- Patrick Chung, New Enterprise Associates
- Amy Errett, Maveron
- Casey Gerald
- Arlan Hamilton, Backstage Capital
- Chris Hughes, General Catalyst Partners
- Thomas McAfee
- Keith Rabois, Khosla Ventures
- Gary Stewart, Wayra Open Future UK, Telefónica
- Peter Thiel, Clarium Capital Management
- Brian Vahaly
See Also
- LGBTQ Chief Executive Officers of Business Enterprises
- LGBTQ Chief Information/Technology Officers
- Union Leaders Who Identify as LGBTQ
- LGBTQ Economists
- Noteworthy LGBTQ Individuals in the Accounting Profession
- Human Resource Professionals Who Are LGBTQ
- Marketing Professionals Who Identify as LGBTQ
- Prominent LGBTQ Philanthropists and Donors
- LGBTQ Billionaires
