StartOut and J.P. Morgan Announce Startups Selected to Join Growth Lab Accelerator
March 04 2024 - 9:05AM
Business Wire
LGBTQ+ founders gain access to peer network,
mentorship and business resources to support long-term growth
Today, StartOut and J.P. Morgan welcomed the newest cohort of
companies to the Growth Lab Accelerator. With less than one percent
of startup funding allocated toward LGBTQ+ founders in 2023, as
found by a recent StartOut study, this five-month program is
critical in providing resources and education to help entrepreneurs
grow and compete.
Seventy-four companies have participated in Growth Lab since
2016, raising more than $892 million in funding and creating
approximately 4,216 jobs. As co-lead sponsor of the program, J.P.
Morgan provides Growth Lab participants with access to the firm’s
network of global experts and resources.
“The founders in Cohort 13 are problem solvers, developing
unique products and solutions across a range of industries, from
technology and software to food and beverage,” said David
Barbee, Head of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, J.P. Morgan Commercial
Banking. “As they continue to scale, these companies will need
access to resources like capital and banking solutions, investors
and business advisors. We are proud to join forces with StartOut to
provide mentorship and access to our firmwide capabilities to help
them reach the next level.”
The companies selected to join Cohort 13 are:
- Ceemo.ai (Washington, D.C.): Generates custom visual identities
and marketing materials for startups.
- Gay Water (New York, NY): Offers mission-driven lifestyle
products that celebrate and empower the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Growbie (Boston, MA): Delivers career support for international
students in the United States.
- Hera Solutions, Inc. (Atlanta, GA): Supports delivery
companies’ operations with performance tracking, automated coaching
and vehicle management.
- Merify (Portland, OR): Empowers people managers through a
community-based skills assessment platform.
- Modica (Louisville, KY): Offers a superfood cocktail and
mocktail mix for consumers.
- PopViewers (New York, NY): Provides media consumers a platform
to react and engage with TV and movies.
- Rare Candy (New York, NY): Enables card collectors to trade
cards on a digital platform.
- Studious (New York, NY): Helps individuals study through an
AI-driven, gamified learning assistant.
“Each Growth Lab introduces us to an inspiring new cohort of
founders, bringing fresh ideas, breaking barriers and expanding our
vibrant, global StartOut community,” said Brian Richardson, CEO
of StartOut. “We’re delighted to continue this vital work with
J.P. Morgan and look forward to another exciting five-month
journey.”
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
Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the LGBTQ+
community at 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 JPMorgan Chase 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
$3.9 trillion in assets and $328 billion in stockholders’ equity as
of December 31, 2023. 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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304266348/en/
Media Contacts
JPMorgan Chase Elizabeth Connerat
elizabeth.connerat@chase.com
StartOut Jonathan Ochart
jochart@thepostcardagency.com
JP Morgan Chase (NYSE:JPM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
JP Morgan Chase (NYSE:JPM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024