Gaingels

Gaingels is a unique venture capital organization that combines an investor network with a dedicated fund, founded in 2015 by Lorenzo Thione and others to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and diverse founders. The organization operates as both a syndicate of individual investors and a formal venture fund, creating one of the largest networks of LGBTQ+ and allied investors in the venture capital ecosystem. Led by managing partners including David Beatty, Gaingels focuses on early-stage investments across consumer, fintech, digital health, and enterprise software sectors. The firm's approach emphasizes not just financial returns but also social impact, backing companies that promote diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices, company culture, and customer base. Gaingels has invested in over 100 companies and has become a significant force in promoting diversity in the startup ecosystem. What makes Gaingels distinctive is its dual mission of generating strong financial returns while advancing LGBTQ+ representation and broader diversity in entrepreneurship, creating a community-driven investment model that provides both capital and network support to underrepresented founders.