Stella Foundation’s Post

🏳️🌈 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

Reflecting on my first three weeks working at a fund dedicated to fostering diversity... Although identity.vc I Backing LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs is just over a year old, it has already achieved significant milestones in the venture space. One of the key advantages of working in a small, emerging fund is the hands-on experience—having direct conversations with founders, contributing to investment decisions, and shaping internal strategies, all while building a strong and supportive community. Speaking of community, I had the privilege of helping organize the Queer Female Founder Dinner, a wonderful collaboration between SHE/THEY – Queer start-up founders club and identity.vc. Congrats to Mari Luukkainen, Tinush aka Tina Weise, and Jil Landtau (Froembling) for bringing this event to life. 🚀 Here are my 3 cents on it: 1. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲: The bonds formed in these spaces are crucial for building networks that fuel both personal and professional growth 👉 they've been instrumental in helping me build a new community in Berlin, hit me up if you're also in Berlin/Paris and want to connect. 2. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Seeing so many accomplished queer female* founders and future leaders in one room reinforced how important representation is in our industry 👉 I don't need to list all the studies highlighting the lack of representation of women in the VC and startup ecosystem—one number says it all: just 3% of funding in the EU goes to female-only teams, according to Sifted (https://lnkd.in/eSir-ttb). That statistic speaks volumes. 3. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: These dinners don’t just offer support—they spark collaboration and innovation, strengthening the entire ecosystem 👉 Ties to my last point, we need to connect with each other to create network and therefore fundraising opportunities. 💸💸💸

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

I made 469 mistakes this week. That's how many cold outreaches I sent to investors instead of leveraging the power of social connections. Hi, I’m Cannelle, co-founder Vibes LGBTQ 🏳️🌈 In just 15 months, we’ve: • 65K+ users in France • Hosted 2K+ events organised by our community • Achieved 3K DAU / 15K MAU with $60K ARR • Secured 57% day-30 retention (79% for event-goers) We’re raising €300K to scale internationally—€150K is already secured. This is your chance to join us during our demo week (Dec 9–13) and be part of the future of LGBTQ+ connections. 💡 Not an investor? Support us by tagging an angel investor who might be interested or commenting below to help spread the word—it means the world to us! ⏳ Opportunities like this don’t wait. Let’s connect! #Entrepreneurship #Impact #Startup #LGBT

📚💼 Pop Quiz Time! How long does it take to establish business credit? (Hint: It’s never too early to start!) 🎉 Whether you're building your entrepreneurial dreams or strengthening your business foundation, taking those first steps toward solid business credit is essential. 🌟 For our LGBTQ+ and minority communities, establishing business credit isn’t just about financial growth—it’s about empowerment. 🏳️🌈🤝 Having a strong credit profile opens doors to resources, funding, and opportunities that ensure your business thrives, even in challenging times. It’s more than numbers; it’s about creating resilience, building generational wealth, and proving that every dream is valid and achievable. 💪✨ 🌈💡 Let’s break barriers and build thriving businesses together. Ready to take the first step? Explore resources, tools, and insights to kick-start your journey here: https://lnkd.in/gceUzfDq 🚀 Tag a friend who needs to hear this or share how you’re taking charge of your credit journey below!👇 #BusinessCredit #LGBTQEntrepreneurs #MinorityBusinessOwners #BuildWealth #EmpowerCommunities

🚨🚨🚨 5 Ways to Build a Community Around Your Small Business Reports are in: Americans will spend more to support local retailers! Research from online wholesale marketplace Faire has shown that consumers prioritize supporting local businesses and are willing to travel further and spend more for unique experiences. Here’s how to lean into this “love for local” trend at your business through community outreach, unique events, and more. Learn More https://lnkd.in/geJRSTYi #businessdevelopment #governmentcontracting #smallbusinesses #businessowners #founders #nonprofits #entrepreneurs #sbe #dbe #mbe #wbe #lbe #mwbe #wosb #edwosb #veteranowned #womanowned #supplierdiversity #minorityowned #wealth #lgbtq #smallbusinessresources #small biz #grants #startups #disabledowned #funding

I have been mulling over how best to use my voice now that I have formalized my ongoing role as a certified Focal Point coach to Entrepreneurs, Owners, and Leaders, and as the owner of my own sole proprietorship. Today, I applied for membership in the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce . As I did the usual online form-filling, the following thoughts occurred to me (with emoji's, of course!): 🌈 We should ALL be Celebrating LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs! 🌟 I want to shine a light on the contributions LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs make to our economy and society. These trailblazers not only drive innovation but also inspire others through our resilience and creativity. 💪 Representation Matters: LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs bring diverse perspectives that enrich the business landscape. Our unique experiences foster innovation and inclusivity, leading to products and services that resonate with a broader audience. 🌍 Community Impact: Like women and BI-POC business owners, LGBTQ+ business owners often prioritize giving back to their communities, creating safe spaces, and advocating for equity. Our work can not only transform the marketplace but also foster social justice. 🤝 Support and Allyship: As we celebrate the community's achievements, please commit to supporting LGBTQ+ businesses. Every action counts! Join me in recognizing and uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs throughout our Commonwealth and nationally. Together, we can build a more inclusive and vibrant business community! In the face of so much societal division, has never been more important to come together than today.🌟 #LGBTQ #Entrepreneurship #DiversityAndInclusion #SupportSmallBusiness #Community

Over the years, I’ve heard advice from several experts that I should not share my personal or political views in public, or I risk alienating 50% of my prospective clients. That never made sense to me. Why would I want to work with anyone who was diametrically opposed to my identity, beliefs, and values? I bucked that advice and have not shied away from sharing who I am, what I believe, or the values I hold dear. Have I lost client opportunities? I’m sure I have, but I’ve also attracted the kind of people and organizations that I love working with because we have shared values. **Who am I?** I'm an openly queer trans man married to a cis pan woman raising two loving humans. I care about how we're harming our environment, donate to fight food insecurity, invest in LGBTQ+ legal strategies, stand with Black and brown folx, and believe women. I'm always going to vote blue. Still here? Awesome!! COMMENT BELOW to send me some love to balance out the inevitable backlash I’ll receive from sharing this far and wide. --------------------------- Happy Pride! I'm a multi-passionate entrepreneur, which means there are several ways I offer value: ✓ producing virtual events, ✓ hosting virtual socials and book launch events, ✓ training virtual speakers, ✓ providing strategy for engaging in-person events, ✓ emceeing, ✓ business coach, ✓ book launch strategist, ✓ and much more... I'm committed to supporting mission-driven organizations and helping striving and thriving six-figure entrepreneurs. Robbie Samuels LLC is a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise. Reach out to schedule a chat! (And yes! That is Ayanna Pressley with me and my family at Boston Pride in 2019. I was fortunate to get to know her before she became a member of The Squad.) #PrideMonth #Entrepreneurship #LGBT #Transgender #LoveIsLove

"It’s still hard when you’re pitching across the table to people that just see the world very differently." StartOut’s 2023 State of LGBTQ Entrepreneurship Report found: ▪ Only 0.5% of the $2.1T in startup funding was raised by LGBTQ+ founders while nationwide 7.1% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+. ▪LGBTQ+ founders created 36% more jobs, 114% more patents, and 44% more exits, despite raising 16% less funding compared to the average founder. ▪Of the funding raised by LGBTQ+ founders, 85% was raised in only 5 metros with San Francisco raising 6 times more than NYC or LA and 12 times more than Denver or Austin. ▪The largest metros without any LGBTQ+ founders are Orlando (FL), Charlotte (NC), and Birmingham (AL), all of which are located in states without comprehensive non-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ people. https://lnkd.in/eics3hph #founders #vc #investing #pride

The first unicorn founded by a LGBTQ+ woman in Greece 🦄 🇬🇷 This is my vision for Blissinner. How? All humans were born with this innate deep desire to “Know Thyself”, as Socrates said. What we do? We help solve this universal, divine, human challenge. We help people awaken & increase the planetary consciousness. If you feel a calling, I’m looking for strategic angel investors & VCs to join me on this journey. Let’s impact millions of souls worldwide. Let’s bring this vision to life together. #consciousness #enlightenment #awakening #angelinvesting #consciousstartups #consciousentrepreneurs #globalimpact