As we step into Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating, commemorating, and giving visibility to the LGBTQ+ community, it is important to recognise the powerful agents of change within Europe’s dynamic startup ecosystem. As we have emphasised in previous articles, there is still much progress to be made regarding inclusivity within the entrepreneurial sphere.
On that note, we have curated a list of 10 innovative startups that are emerging as beacons of progress, by creating innovative solutions for the community and fostering inclusivity. These fast-growing startups are actively shaping a more inclusive world, one where individuals can be their authentic selves without fear. They stand as inspiring examples within Europe’s vibrant startup space, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community every day. Let’s dive into it!
Rally: Headquartered in Barcelona, is the first-ever global social community dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals engaged in sports and fitness activities. The platform welcomes a wide array of participants, including professional athletes, casual hikers, Olympic medalists, passionate gym enthusiasts, local team organisers, virtual fitness instructors, and anyone seeking meaningful connections within the community. Rally’s primary aim is to provide a space where all these individuals can come together, engage, and foster interactions. The community was established in 2023.
Helsa: headquartered in London and established in 2019, is a platform designed specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals facing mental health challenges. With a team of experts who possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, Helsa offers a comprehensive range of resources. The platform provides research, training, and support aimed at enhancing mental health and overall well-being within the LGBTQ+ community. Helsa’s research initiatives focus on areas such as sexual and gender minority identity formation, stress management, health promotion, and resilience building. Through training workshops, Helsa endeavours to raise awareness, combat stigma, and provide education on the specific challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, Helsa offers a variety of well-being tools, mental health content, and a directory of LGBTQ+ specialised partner therapists.
Mattr.Social: London-based and established in 2021, this unique dating startup distinguishes itself from others by prioritising inclusivity and providing a platform where individuals can authentically express themselves. In particular, the company focuses on supporting neurodiverse individuals and those seeking an inclusive space for connection. By incorporating accessibility features, the platform strives to create a more accommodating environment for all users. Unlike conventional dating apps, this startup avoids manipulating the algorithm based on vanity scores, ensuring that every user receives equal exposure to potential matches. Furthermore, the company places significant emphasis on raising awareness and offering educational resources to promote a deeper understanding of diverse experiences within the dating landscape.
XOXO app: London-based dating app established in 2021, stands out with its distinctive approach centred around personality-based connections. The platform offers a safe and inclusive space where individuals of diverse backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and appearances can find meaningful connections. XOXO introduces a fresh perspective on dating by incorporating soft gamification features such as quizzes and badges. Through its innovative approach, the fast-growing app aims to redefine the dating experience, envisioning a future free from societal labels and stigmas that can often hinder authentic connections.
Kama: London-based superbrand for sex, love, and intimacy, envisions a future where inclusivity is at the core. The platform’s well-being focus centers on the importance of pleasure as a fundamental aspect of overall health and happiness. Kama embraces individuals of all genders, races, and sexual orientations, providing a safe and welcoming space for exploration and empowerment. With a comprehensive sexual wellness self-discovery guide and a mission to challenge cultural taboos, Kama strives to foster a diverse and engaged community that caters to everyone’s needs. Founded in 207, the brand has successfully secured over €3 million to support its mission.
Babaiola: headquartered in Rome, is a vibrant travel community exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of LGBT individuals. The platform offers a comprehensive space where users can plan and organize gay-friendly holidays, connect with like-minded travelers, and access up-to-date information on LGBT events and trends. With an extensive database of information, Babaiola creates detailed city profiles, matching user preferences with suitable destinations. Since its establishment in 2017, the company has successfully raised over €110k, enabling them to further enhance and expand their services for the LGBTQ+ travel community.
LVNDR Health: Headquartered in London, is a groundbreaking digital platform that aims to transform sexual healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals by offering convenient remote access to specialised services. The platform provides tailored solutions such as virtual consultations, testing, medication, and support, all designed to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. With a focus on empowerment, LVNDR strives to enable users to take control of their sexual well-being. Since its establishment in 2020, the innovative startup has successfully raised over €2 million in funding, allowing them to continue expanding their services and making a positive impact in the field of LGBTQ+ sexual healthcare.
GenderGP: Based in London, GenderGp is a trailblazing online clinic at the forefront of transgender healthcare. The clinic offers a wide range of comprehensive health and well-being services tailored to transgender individuals of all ages. With an expert team of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, counsellors, therapists, and psychologists, GenderGP provides confidential advice, hormone therapy, counselling, and ongoing support. With a profound mission to transform transgender healthcare, GenderGP has established itself as a global leader in the field, serving over 7,000 members across 40 countries. By joining their compassionate and impactful business, individuals can contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of the transgender and non-binary community. GenderGP was founded in 2016 and continues to make significant strides in advancing transgender healthcare.
gloxy: Dublin-based gloxy is an LGBTQ+ social and dating app dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive community for its members. Whether individuals are seeking love, casual encounters, or fun dates, Gloxy enables instant connections with nearby users. The app keeps users informed and engaged through its g-log, providing updates and facilitating the discovery of new matches. With a paramount focus on safeguarding personal data, Gloxy cultivates a high-trust culture, ensuring privacy and security for its users. The platform also aims to promote LGBTQ+ culture on a global scale, utilizing its informative G-Blog to share relevant insights and perspectives. Founded in 2022, Gloxy is committed to providing a welcoming and empowering space for the LGBTQ+ community to connect and thrive.
myGwork: Headquartered in London, my Gwork stands as one of the largest global platforms dedicated to the LGBTQ+ business community. Its core objective is to foster inclusivity in workplaces worldwide. The platform offers a diverse range of services to individuals and partner organisations, including job opportunities, training programs, mentoring, employer branding, and community events, all geared towards creating more inclusive work environments. With a commitment to accessibility, myGwork provides free membership for individuals, ensuring broad participation. Corporate members, on the other hand, gain access to tailored services designed to support their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In addition to its ongoing efforts, myGwork organises notable annual events such as WorkFair and WorkPride, while also recently launching the myGwork Academy to provide LGBTQ+ training. Since 2014 its founding year, myGwork has successfully raised €3 million, further fuelling its mission to promote inclusivity and empower the LGBTQ+ business community.
By the way: If you’re a corporate or investor looking for exciting startups in a specific market for a potential investment or acquisition, check out our Startup Sourcing Service!
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2023/06/10-european-startups-driving-inclusivity-and-visibility-for-the-lgbtq-community/
