Resources For LGBTQ-Owned Businesses

According to the The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning (LGBTQ) owned businesses are a thriving force in this country, forming more than 1.4 million businesses operating today. In the past ten years or so, everything from nonprofits to digital hubs have developed to serve this community from almost every possible business and networking angle.  All you have to do is start your search today to find the right resources for LGBTQ businesses resource for you.

Resources For Funding

If you want to own a lasting business, you’ll need capital to make it grow. This section provides links to LGBT friendly funding opportunities. For more funding leads, please visit our “ALL WOMEN” section.

Accion

Provides small business loans and support for underrepresented small business owners, including minority women, veterans, and other groups. https://www.accion.org/

Pipeline Angels Funding

If you have a socially responsible business model, Pipeline is a great start. Business owners can pitch to a network of women investors through pitch summits which happen several times throughout the year in various locations. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit, headed by a cis or transgender woman, have an environmental or social mission, and must be within the U.S. http://pipelineangels.com/

Reaching Out MBA

This organization provides national scholarship opportunities and a leadership development resource for LGBT MBA students. http://www.reachingoutmba.org/

The Small Business Administration LGBT Outreach Initiative

In conjunction with a  recent partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Administration has been hosting events that help connect LGBT entrepreneurs with funding opportunities. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/lgbt-owned-businesses

Resources for Training

Learn the skills you need to launch and grow a successful business. The organizations below offer entrepreneurial training and development  for LGBT business owners.  

National Chamber of Commerce for Gay and Lesbians

With outposts all around the country, this organization is known as a great first stop for resources, training, and meetups for the LGBT community throughout the United States.  https://nglcc.org/

Echelon Magazine

A comprehensive resource on LGBT finance, economic development, and workplace advocacy. It has especially strong information on corporate diversity, education, and employment. http://echelonmagazine.blogspot.com/

Gay Market News

The site serves as a great portal for market updates and networking opportunities. http://www.gaymarketnews.com/

Start Out

A nonprofit organization that supports business leaders of every stripe, this organization provides an excellent menu of options and programs. They have chapters in at least six cities and feature business success stories on their site, along with national and local awards ceremonies and rare one-on-one mentorship and support for lesbian entrepreneurs. http://startout.org/

The San Francisco LGBT Resource Center

Located right in the heart of Market Street commerce, the center offers one-on-one counseling, access to micro-loans, and several levels of workshops that address hard-to-find access to capital. http://bit.ly/1VKiwLD

Resources For Networking

Networking is an amazing avenue for growth, connecting vendors with like-minded business owners and new opportunities. So go ahead and start connecting!

The Lesbian Business Community

This unique business directory for the LGBT community is highly optimized to provide online exposure for business owners and connect lesbian-owned and LGBT-friendly business owners with new customers. As a platform to connect, network and partner with like-minded businesses, all businesses listed are either lesbian-owned or owned by LGBT-friendly entrepreneurs. http://www.lesbianbusinesscommunity.com/

The Golden Gate Business Association

Members gather to learn everything from web design and tech support to financial planning, and events boosting local businesses are held in the San Francisco area at least once every two weeks. http://www.ggba.com/

Out Professionals

A directory of out gay and lesbian entrepreneurs and corporate professionals that meet regularly to network and share resources. http://www.outprofessionals.org/

Lesbians Who Tech

A national organization that creates community, support, and visibility for lesbians with startups or startup aspirations, they host events and a yearly summit.  http://lesbianswhotech.org/

Small Business Resources

This site lists an online directory of LGBT-supportive organizations. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/lgbt-owned-businesses