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Easy read — 4 sections

Founding as a Queer Person

Opportunities, rights and community

Studies show that the traditional labor market is not the safest place for queer people. That makes it all the more important that self-employment can offer a safer and more self-determined alternative. As a queer founder, you are not alone: an estimated 15 percent of founders in Germany are queer — and the community, networks, and funding options available to you are growing.

March 2, 2026

Contents

Strength through Diversity and Community

Studies show that the traditional labor market is not the safest place for queer people [1]. That makes it all the more important that self-employment offers a safe alternative. The community provides support for you as a queer founder: In Germany, an estimated 15 percent of founders are queer [2]. And there are more and more offerings from the community for the community, e.g. [3], a venture capitalist that only finances queer-led companies.

How to Strengthen Yourself Against Structural Barriers

Queer founders sometimes unfortunately experience discrimination in funding or networks – for example in grant applications, advisory structures, or in accessing clients. [4] Companies that carry diversity in their DNA – including LGBTQIA+ founders – are on average more innovative and resilient. This strength lies in an inclusive corporate culture that promotes creativity, authenticity, and diversity. [5] [6] An important answer: Empowerment through queer-sensitive counseling and communities that provide space and safety.

Community and Queer Solidarity as an Advantage

A strong community can open up opportunities for you:

"My network is so strong partly because I'm gay" says Marc Funk (founder of Frontnow). He sees his queerness as a decisive advantage: It allows him to meet people without inhibitions who would otherwise never talk to him. It opens doors and creates contacts. Ecomio founder Katharina Riederer agrees: "Through my coming out, I haven't lost anything so far, but rather gained" Riederer hopes that more well-known founders will publicly identify as queer, also for the role model function. [2]

Larger networks (e.g. [7]) and local association work as well as regional community offerings (e.g. queer regulars' tables, meet-ups Transident e.V. [8]) can strengthen your network and promote solidarity. This also works across industries! Below you'll find contact points for founders and non-founders.

Targeted Support Offerings

The following offerings provide important support:

  • PrOut@Work-Foundation – Advocates for equal opportunities, publishes guides and promotes queer networks in companies. [9]
  • Queerbeet – The VGSD (Association of Founders and Self-Employed in Germany) offers networking with queer and supportive founders. [10]
  • LSVD+ – Verband Queere Vielfalt e. V. – Largest organization of the queer community in Germany with nationally active state associations. [11]
  • Hannchen-Mehrzweck-Stiftung (HMS) – Funds non-profit queer projects with grants between 500 € and 5,000 €. [12]
  • Dissens e. V. – Offers a comprehensive overview of contact points, especially in Berlin. [13]

Contact Points at a Glance

Organisation / InitiativeOffering / Benefit
LSVD+ – Verband Queere VielfaltCounseling, lobbying, network among Germany's largest queer NGOs LSVD+ [11]
PrOut@Work-FoundationPublications, guides, promotion of queer networks in the workplace PrOut@Work [9]
Hannchen-Mehrzweck-Stiftung (HMS)Grants for queer non-profit initiatives, including trans projects HMS [12]
QueerbeetNetworking with queer and supportive founders Queerbeet [10]
QueerberatenDirectory of contact points for anti-discrimination work queerberaten.de [14]
Dissens e. V. / InterventionenOverview of regional queer contact points, workshops, education interventionen.dissens.de [13]

1. Building Perspective and Anchoring in Community

  • Join queer networks, e.g. Queer@YPOG, ALICE, VGSD Queer Advisory Board – this gives you access to mentoring, exchange, and expertise [4].
  • Be aware: Queer founders are often innovation drivers (approx. 18% share), but they more frequently encounter barriers in funding and consulting [4].
  • Use offerings like the PrOut@Work-Foundation for networking, workshops, and visibility in workplaces PrOut@Work [9]

2. Using Funding and Financing

  • Research specifically for queer funding programs and foundations:
  • Bundesstiftung Magnus Hirschfeld (BMH) funds queer projects with up to several hundred thousand euros BMH [15]
  • Hannchen-Mehrzweck-Stiftung (HMS) awards non-profit grants (approx. 500–5,000 €), including for trans initiatives via the Waltraud-Schiffels-Fonds HMS [16]
  • In Berlin, the LSBTI Inclusion Fund through the Senate Administration supports projects for visibility, inclusion, and empowerment [17].
  • In Lower Saxony, your queer project can receive up to 5,000 € through the Queeres Netzwerk Niedersachsen (QNN) [18].
  • Look for impact investors or diversity-oriented VCs like encourageventures, Impact Factory, Identity VC or Chasing Rainbows VC [4].
  • Crowdfunding (e.g. Betterplace, Kickstarter) can be a creative funding source, especially for community-based ideas [4].

3. Developing Business and Funding Plans

  • Incorporate your values into your business plan or project concept: Mission and potential added value for the queer community.
  • Choose suitable application formats:
  • Are you in Berlin? Consider LSBTI funds or local foundations (e.g. Münchner Regenbogen-Stiftung) [19].
  • For science-related startups, it's worth looking at the EXIST scholarship including child supplements (if applicable) [20].

4. Visibility and Networking

  • Use platforms & events – e.g. ToGathering or Deep Dive from PrOut@Work – for exchange with queer professionals and companies PrOut@Work [21]
  • Present your project locally – for example at queer neighborhood events, CSD, or in queer cultural formats.
  • Build your marketing on authenticity and community connection – e.g. in social media, blogs, or via community content.
  • Stay connected with the community – Feedback, cooperations, and visibility promote sustainability.

Sources

  1. [1]Verband Queere Vielfalt – Arbeitsplatz Offenheit Und Diskriminierung
  2. [2]Wirtschaftswoche – Lgbtq In Der Gruenderszene
  3. [3]Identity – Website
  4. [4]Verband der Gründer und Slebstständigen VGSD – Queere Selbststaendige Und Gruender
  5. [5]McKinsey – Presse
  6. [6]PwC – Neue Studie Zu Diversity
  7. [7]CSD Deutschland e.V. – Der Verein
  8. [8]Transident e.V. – Website
  9. [9]PrOut@Work – Website
  10. [10]Queerbeet – Website
  11. [11]LSVD+ – Website
  12. [12]HMS – Website
  13. [13]Interventionen.dissens.de – Organisationen Anlaufstellen
  14. [14]Queerberaten.de – Website
  15. [15]BMH – Website
  16. [16]HMS – Website
  17. [17]Berlin.de – Projektfoerderung
  18. [18]Qnn.de – Foerderung
  19. [19]Queeres Netzwerk – Foerdermoeglichkeiten
  20. [20]Gain Network – Gruenden
  21. [21]PrOut@Work – Website

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