November Community Newsletter

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

Gratitude is a simple yet immensely powerful practice to transform our lives. When we show appreciation and acknowledge the kindness of others, it strengthens the bonds we share.

Gratitude reminds us that even in challenging times, we can still be thankful. This November, we celebrate the heritage of Indigenous People and raise awareness on trans innovation, leadership, and excellence.

LGBT+ VC debuted on International Day of Transgender Visibility and was co-founded by Tiana, the first Black transfeminine venture capitalist in the industry. 

We fundamentally believe integrating trans rights and venture capital will shift our society. We have convened powerful stories never heard before. Talks have included Threshold Partner, Heidi Roizen parenting a trans daughter and VP Marketing of Folx, Hayley sharing stories about her husband’s gender affirming care during Tech Week. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Our youth and college fellowships have empowered trans youth from Day One. We’re incredibly grateful to those who’ve given to this work, and you can make a difference too. 

With gratitude,

Jackson Block, Co-Chief Executive Officer

UPCOMING LGBT+ VC EVENTS 🎟️

• LGBT+ VC SFBA | Investor + Platform Happy Hour (11/2) 🍻 - ​​​Come join LGBT+ VC for an exclusive VC & VC Platform-only happy hour where you'll meet other LGBTQ+ and ally investors and VC platform professionals. By-invitation only.

• LGBT+ VC LA | LP-GP Dinner with Advaita Capital (11/14) 🍽️ - ​A private dinner for select fund managers, family offices, and asset allocators. By-invitation only.

• LGBT+ VC NY | Hauser & Wirth - Private Gallery Tour (11/14) 🖼️ - ​Join LGBT+ VC for a private gallery tour of Hauser & Wirth. Hauser & Wirth is a world-renowned contemporary and modern art gallery. ​A small group will journey to a local bar afterwards for drinks and lite bites.

Interested in sponsoring upcoming or future events? Email [email protected] to let us know.

_{Fall 2023 College Fellow Sam Goldberg, LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors founder Fabrice Houdart, LGBT+ VC Co-CEO Jackson Block at the Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony this October.}

LGBT VC COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP 🎓📚

Applications for the Spring 2024 LGBT+ VC College Fellowship are now open! The LGBT+VC College Fellowship is a three-month program for college students interested in learning more about the venture capital industry.

Students have the opportunity to network with business executives, venture investors, and tech entrepreneurs; learn the fundamentals of venture capital; and conduct research on the innovation economy.

Their projects support queer venture capital™, members of the LGBTQ venture capital ecosystem, and the broader private market and investment landscape.

WELCOME, OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL  ⚖️

The LGBT+ VC Legal Advisory Council is a special coalition of the United State's brightest legal minds and practitioners who provide counsel to the nonprofit on educating LGBTQ and ally funds, founders, and employees on law, regulations, and policy matters. 

Here are our founding members to-date.

• Anthony Pascua Jr., Dentons (Washington, D.C.)

• Benjamin Vaughan, Ph.D., Foley Hoag (Boston, MA)

• Natasha Hsieh, Silicon Legal Strategy (San Francisco, CA)

• Sarah F. Chambless, Fenwick & West LLP (Los Angeles, CA)

• Fitzann Reid, Engine No. 1 (San Francisco, CA)

Interested in joining the Legal Advisory Council? Email [email protected]

Three Programs & Two Perks for PortCo’s ✨

• Slauson & Co.'s Friends & Family is our flagship accelerator, geared toward helping early-stage entrepreneurs strengthen their business, attract investment, and build a network with other founders living a similar experience. Final Deadline: November 5th @ 11:59pm PST

• Company Ventures Boost offers a New York Founder Fellowship program for first-time tech founders. The 4-month program helps founders grow their network of investors and advisors to build their venture-scalable businesses and prepare them for fundraising. Final Deadline: December 5th

• Antler Residency - They look for founders with a proven track record of execution, who are fiercely ambitious, who possess an intense bias towards execution, and who are innately driven to change the world. Their eight-week Residency is offered in-person in Austin, Boulder, or New York City. If you're looking to find a co-founder, validate your business idea, and launch a startup, this is for you. Applications are open now for Spring 2024.

• LGBT+ VC’s network has an exclusive offer to six months of complimentary Zendesk Suite and Zendesk Sales CRM. Redeem the perk.

• Justworks makes it easier for founders and their teams to grow the business. With their intuitive platform, you and your employees can work fearlessly. Enjoy premier support.

Community Partner Events 🤝

• AWS Startups is hosting its inaugural Women's Demo Week, a week-long global event focused on helping women-led startups connect with investors. AWS Women's Demo Week will host pitching events for women-led startups in 18 cities across the globe from November 6 to 10, 2023. If you are interested in attending, please register in a city near you.

• Zendesk <> Pilot Pitchdeck Teardown: Our partner Zendesk is hosting a Pitch Deck Teardown Night on November 15th, in partnership with Pilot. Submit your deck here.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we accept gifts via online donations, stock transfers, bequests, matching gifts, and planned giving. Please donate via the link below or contact [email protected] for more details about corporate gifts.