StartOut Innovation Table

StartOut
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StartOut Innovation Table is on a mission to amplify the stories of LGBTQ+ founders shaping a more equitable future. Harnessing the power of storytelling, we connect, learn, and inspire, advocating that everyone deserves a seat at the table. Our podcast showcases diverse founders and leaders sharing their unique journeys across industries. From the discovery phase to team building and overcoming adversity with grace, these stories illustrate the transformative power of empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

  1. 06/26/2025

    Ivan Hsiao talks building Trans Health HQ and winning StartOut Demo Day

    This episode features Ivan Hsiao, MPH (any pronouns), the Founder and CEO of Trans Health HQ, a digital health platform that improves the health of the transgender and gender-expansive community through education, care navigation, and systemic reform of healthcare institutions. Ivan also teaches the graduate seminar on transgender health at Harvard University, where they are an academic researcher.   Trans Health HQ has captured attention and accolades at places like Harvard University, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, and StartOut’s Demo Day, where they took home the first place and crowd favorite prizes. Leading from a place of courage and strategy, Ivan is building a sustainable and community-led solution to address trans health equity in the face of 900+ anti-trans bills. Ivan shares how their background in life sciences and healthcare management consulting, DEI corporate strategy, and venture-backed entrepreneurship equipped them to lead Trans Health HQ, and reflects on the lengths they have gone to create community, find champions and seize every opportunity to build a brighter future for historically marginalized groups. Curious about how Ivan is creating win-win situations for key healthcare stakeholders, so that people of all genders can access dignified, affirming healthcare?

    50 min

  2. 05/04/2025

    Kat Gabrielle talks Money, Power, and Respect

    Today’s episode features the powerhouse that is Kat Gabrielle— a dynamic voice in the social impact space and someone who truly shows up for founders. Kat is the Founder of The Well Work, Chief Community Impact Officer at MyCofounder.Ai, and a serial social impact entrepreneur with a legacy of building mission-driven ventures. She's also our Mentor in Residence for the Spark Lab Incubator, and serves as StartOut’s go-to expert on Non-Dilutive Funding and Founder Growth. Founders know Kat for her bold insights, her real-talk mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to building inclusive, sustainable businesses. This conversation was led by Allison Wright, Director of Education at StartOut, whose leadership is shaping how LGBTQ founders access knowledge, mentorship, and community. Check out Kat's website for The Well Work referenced in the episode which has incredible resources including the Funding Database which is relevant for so many founders.

    57 min

  3. 03/27/2025

    Justin Ayars talks serial entrepreneurship and founding EqualityMD

    Justin Ayars is a former history teacher at a British military boarding school and former healthcare trial lawyer turned 15-year serial entrepreneur and award-winning healthtech founder. He has the mind of a philosopher, heart of a poet, and spirit of a starship captain. At all times, curiosity remains his true North Star. Justin is the Founder & CEO of a revolutionary new LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare company called EqualityMD. EqualityMD’s LGBTQ+ inclusive telehealth & prescription fulfillment platform connects patients with culturally competent providers nationwide accounting for each patient's unique needs and intersectional identities. For $79/month, members enjoy 36 virtual visits per year (12 primary care, 12 urgent care, 12 mental health) AND have access to 1,000+ medications (including PrEP) that we fill and mail to you for FREE! We proudly serve all LGBTQ+ adults and our wonderful straight allies in all 50 states (both insured and uninsured), as well as small businesses and nonprofits. No premiums. No deductibles. No copays. No BS. Just affordable, affirming care on YOUR terms. EqualityMD’s telehealth and prescription fulfillment platform is a safe digital space where patients can have secure telehealth sessions with culturally competent providers, get their prescriptions filled and delivered for FREE, and feel empowered to become the superheroes of their own healthcare stories.

    29 min

  4. 01/30/2025

    Building a Bold Brand: Dapper Boi's Journey of Authenticity

    Tune into the Season 2 premiere of StartOut Innovation Table as Caroline sits down with Vicky and Charisse Pasche, the dynamic co-founders of Dapper Boi. This innovative clothing company is breaking down barriers in the fashion industry by creating gender-neutral clothing designed to fit all bodies. Vicky and Charisse share their inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery, from overcoming personal challenges to navigating the high stakes world of startups. Hear the incredible story of their Shark Tank appearance, where they bravely defied the Sharks' advice and achieved remarkable success despite the odds. Instagram: @dapperboi and @meet_the_pasches  Tiktok: @dapperboisquad  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeetThePasches

    30 min

  5. 09/26/2024

    StartOut Awards Sneak Peek with Vivienne Ming

    Our 13th Annual StartOut Awards is right around the corner! Check out our special episode with Vivienne Ming, recipient of our 2024 Trailblazer Award and Co-founder of Socos Labs. Join us on October 10 in NYC as we honor Vivienne along with our LGBTQ+ entrepreneur community.  About Vivienne Ming: Vivienne Ming, theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, author, and mother of two, is featured frequently for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, and the New York Times. Her AI inventions have launched a dozen companies and nonprofits with a focus on human potential: education, workforce, and health. A self-described "professional mad scientist", Vivienne founded The Human Trust to fight some of the world's most pressing problems, and she travels the world sharing the stories of these astonishing projects.  In her free time, Vivienne works to design AI systems to help treat her son’s diabetes, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers, and reunite orphan refugees with extended family members. She sits on the boards of numerous companies and nonprofits, including UC Berkeley's Neurotech Collider Hub and RFK Human Rights. LinkedIn About the 13th Annual StartOut Awards Get your ticket & join us in NYC on October 10th!⁠ The StartOut Awards is the premier celebration of the nation’s LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial community. Our signature event recognizes outstanding LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs across industries. By recognizing and honoring business leaders for outstanding representation of the LGBTQ+ community, the StartOut Awards bring further visibility and prominence to the dynamic, innovative, and exceptionally diverse field of LGBTQ+ community members fueling the American entrepreneurial spirit.  Join us on October 10th in NYC as we honor Vivienne Ming (Trailblazer Award) along with Perrin Quarshie (Next Generation Award), Tristan Schukraft (Leadership Award), & Fearless Fund (Advocate Award). Follow Startout on Instagram ⁠@startoutcommunity⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Innovation Table Host: Caroline Rotenstreich

    25 min

  6. 06/06/2024

    Pride Month Special Episode! Equity Summit Sneak Peek with Tracy Chan

    Tracy Chan, CEO of Splash, joins us for this special #PrideMonth episode to give you a sneak peek of our 5th Annual Equity Summit coming up on June 20th!  About Tracy Chan Tracy Chan began his career as a product manager at YouTube and has led creator-focused product and development at Spotify, Twitch, and SoundCloud. Now, he is the CEO of Splash, the world’s most advanced music company specializing in AI-based tools and games for music creation and performance.  He has been named to Billboard Indie Power Players (2023), Billboard’s Movers and Shakers list (2023), Billboard Power List (2022), Fast Company's Inaugural 'Creator 25' List (2022), and Rolling Stone’s Future 25 (2020). LinkedIn About the StartOut Equity Summit Register for virtual attendance or join our in-person waitlist Delve into crucial conversations surrounding intersectionality within the queer community, address the systemic inequities faced by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and celebrate the achievements of StartOut entrepreneurs. This event is free and open to all and will be streaming live from the LinkedIn offices in San Francisco.  Follow Startout on Instagram @startoutcommunity and LinkedIn. Innovation Table Host: Caroline Rotenstreich

    13 min

  7. 03/26/2024

    Jonathan Mentor on His Scientific Approach to Growing Revenue for Underrepresented Startups

    Jonathan Mentor is the founder and CEO of Successment, a revenue growth partner for startups that empowers disadvantaged tech entrepreneurs. We discuss the various methodical processes Jonathan has created in order to help founders “go slow to grow fast,” enabling them to execute and achieve measurable success for their ventures.  Checkout Jonathan’s website here: jonathanjmentor.co

    28 min

  8. 03/19/2024

    Dylan Lew’s Reflections on Growth Lab and the Power of Authenticity in Business

    Dylan Lew is the co-founder and CEO of Ecotone Renewables, a company tackling the problem of food waste with creativity and efficiency. We discuss Dylan’s time in the StartOut Growth Lab and how the unique experience served as catalyst for many of his core learnings as a founder, including the importance of bringing one’s identity to the table. Find out more about Dylan and Ecotone Renewables: www.ecotonerenewables.com On social media: @ecotonerenew The StartOut Growth Lab is a startup accelerator that offers top quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for companies that happen to be founded or cofounded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Find out more about the StartOut Growth Lab: www.startout.org/growth-lab/

    20 min
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About

StartOut Innovation Table is on a mission to amplify the stories of LGBTQ+ founders shaping a more equitable future. Harnessing the power of storytelling, we connect, learn, and inspire, advocating that everyone deserves a seat at the table. Our podcast showcases diverse founders and leaders sharing their unique journeys across industries. From the discovery phase to team building and overcoming adversity with grace, these stories illustrate the transformative power of empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

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