StartOut and J.P. Morgan Announce New Cohort of LGBTQ+ Owned Startups For Growth Lab Accelerator

The Growth Lab has helped 93 companies grow since launching in 2017, helping support a total of more than 4,200 jobs

The Growth Lab Accelerator, a joint project between StartOut and J.P. Morgan, today announced the newest selection of startups added to the program. The five-month program provides founders with critical access to resources for funding, networking, education and mentorship to promote long-term growth and more equitable access to opportunities within the current business climate.

The Growth Lab has helped 93 companies grow since launching in 2017, helping support a total of 4,216+ jobs and raising more than $892 million in fundraising across the program’s lifetime. As the co-lead sponsor of the program, J.P. Morgan grants Growth Lab participants with access to the firm’s global network of experts and resources.

“The entrepreneurs of Cohort 14 are driving innovation across a variety of industries, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges different communities and customers face, and creating effective solutions needed to address them,” said David Barbee, Managing Director, Head of Business Development for Capital and Advisory Solutions and Head of LGBTQ+ initiatives for J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. “We are proud to provide services and resources from the firm to help these leaders scale and achieve long-term success.”

The companies selected to join Cohort 14 include:

• ADEii Health (Los Angeles, CA): Provides resources for behavioral health and mental wellness treatment to school districts, higher education institutions, community health organizations and healthcare providers.
• Delve Deep Learning (Washington, DC): Develops AI technologies to aid intelligence gathering within the public affairs sector.
• Gritty in Pink (Los Angeles, CA): Hosts a digital platform to spotlight female talent and bolster hiring across the music industry.
• Paldara Pharmaceuticals (Stillwater, OK): Offers innovative drug delivery technology to treat up to 99% of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
• Shimmer (San Francisco, CA): Empowers individuals with ADHD by providing life coaching and mental wellness services.
• The Builder Market (Los Angeles, CA): Connects more than 2 million construction and home services professionals via a powerful and proprietary new social media platform.
• The Rave (Mexico City, MX): Hosts a digital tool integrated into e-commerce websites to provide customers with real cash rewards upon purchases.
• Tripiamo (New York, NY): Provides international travelers with professional, locally-verified online guides for driving abroad.
• Voda (London, UK): Services the LGBTQ+ community with mental health resources to support with gender and identity-specific topics.

“Each company in this cohort is united by a shared commitment to promoting equity, enhancing wellness and fostering innovation within their community and at the global level,” said Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut. “We are excited to reach our 5th year in partnership with J.P. Morgan and look forward to another successful cohort of entrepreneurs.”

To learn more about the StartOut Growth Lab, including details on the application process for the next cohort, visit: startout.org/growth-lab

For more information on the financial solutions available to guide business growth, visit: jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking and to learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, visit jpmorganchase.com/lgbtq

About StartOut

Founded in 2009, StartOut, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the largest national organization to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with over 28K members nationwide. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future. StartOut helps aspiring LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs start new companies; supports current entrepreneurs as they grow and expand their existing businesses; and engages successful entrepreneurs as role models and mentors, on its online portal and through targeted events nationwide. For more information, please visit www.startout.org.

About JPMorganChase:

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America ("U.S."), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $4.1 trillion in assets and $341 billion in stockholders' equity as of June 30, 2024. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

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