​The LGBTQ+ Founders & Funders Group will be holding its inaugural meeting on September 17th, 2024. Join us for networking from 5pm-6pm. The event will run from 6pm-7:30pm, and will be followed by our usual afterparty. Light dinner and beverages will be served. Free parking.

​The group's objectives are to accelerate the success of scalable startups that are led by LGBTQ+ founders in the Puget Sound region, through a combination of events and resources. The monthly meetings (held every 3rd Wednesday of the month) are of course an enormous networking opportunity for founders to meet other founders, but also angel and venture capital investors who want to support their business aspirations. In partnership with Venture Mechanics, members can also access a vast network of mentors, workshops, startup bootcamps, incubator and coworking options, and access to equity and non-dilutive funding sources.

Joining us for a fireside chat with our very own Jamar Montgomery, we are excited to welcome Ben Stokes!

​Keynote Speaker: Ben Stokes

​Ben Stokes (he/him/Ben) is the Founding Partner of Chasing Rainbows and a prolific leader in changing the funding landscape for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. He has been internationally recognized for his LGBTQ+ advocacy work and his commitment to changing the VC funding landscape.

​In 2024, Ben hosted and attended LGBTQ+ round-tables within UK Parliament House and the White House, was a mainstage speaker at SXSW, and headlined IIF by I3 in London, and a panellist for the NYSE. He was named one of 100 American Dreamers by the Milken Institute. On top of this, Chasing Rainbows was named one of Fast Company’s Top Impact Funds of 2024, and was named on Impact Assets IA50 list. In 2023, Ben was named 40 under 40 Rising Stars of Venture by the Venture Capital Journal, and named 40 under 40 LGBTQ+ Pride Leaders by Business Equality Magazine. In 2022, Alumni Spotlight named him in the Top 100 Investors and was recognized by the NVCA as one of the Top LGBTQ+ Investors Making an Impact. In addition to this, in 2021, Ben spoke at the UN General Assembly on Living with Purpose, has been a guest speaker for the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Centre, British Government and gave the Graduation Address for his Alma Alter after being awarded Young Alumni of the Year 2021 for the University of Tasmania. 

​On top of his work at Chasing Rainbows, Ben sits on a number of NFP boards, including the Victory Institute and StartOut. Prior to founding Chasing Rainbows, Ben previously founded SocialTable, a social platform used on every continent, which he exited in 2021. Using his own experience as an LGBTQ+ founder of color, he has been an active angel investor and advisor, and his portfolio includes numerous exits and multiple markups for invested companies, and has been featured on a number of international podcasts and speaking platforms.

​The fireside chat interview will be followed by 5-minute pitches from three of our LGBTQ+ founders: Josh Green from Deadlift Studios, Anthony Hanses from Mixtails, and Victoria White from Terris.

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​To join the group or subscribe to our newsletter, please sign up here. 

​If you have an interest in sponsoring this organization click here for more information. 

​Learn more about all the Diversity Groups & Venture Mechanics.