Europe is a continent rich in diversity, from its multitude of languages and traditions to the countless ways people express who they are. It’s this patchwork of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives that fuels innovation, resilience, and cultural depth. Our differences don’t necessarily have to divide us, they have the power to make us stronger, more creative, and more connected.
As we enter June, Pride Month serves as both a celebration and a reminder. While progress has been made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, the journey is far from over. Discrimination, inequality, and lack of representation still impact millions across the continent. Pride is not just about parades and visibility, it’s a call to action, a chance to uplift voices that have long been silenced, and to recommit to building a fairer, more inclusive society.
In that spirit, we’ve put together a list of 10 impactful European startups and organisations that are working to make the world more inclusive for LGBTQ+ communities. From social platforms and travel apps to venture capital and accessibility tools, these ventures are placing community, visibility, and equity at the heart of what they do.
Wawsome: While it’s not specifically focused on the LGBTQ+ community, this Amsterdam-based web accessibility platform is on a mission to help businesses build inclusive online experiences. Whether it’s adjusting contrast, increasing text size, enabling screen reader compatibility, or ensuring keyboard navigation, Wawsome makes it easier for websites to be more accessible. With just a single line of code, sites can meet WCAG 2.1 and European Accessibility Act standards, making them usable for people with disabilities while improving the experience for all users.:
Beyond compliance, Wawsome views accessibility as a chance to broaden impact and build brand trust. Its AI-powered tools, such as accessibility monitoring, reporting, and customisable widgets, are designed for e-commerce sites, small businesses, and socially responsible organisations alike. With real-time adjustments and intuitive design, Wawsome helps companies do the right thing while staying ahead of legal requirements, embracing inclusivity not just as an obligation, but as a core value.
Podimo: Founded in Copenhagen in 2019, Podimo is a premium subscription platform offering original, ad-free podcasts and a growing catalogue of audiobooks. Currently available in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and beyond, the app blends international favourites with locally curated content, accessible via mobile or web.
They are strongly committed to inclusion and representation, with a clear effort to uplift LGBTQ+ voices. The platform hosts a number of queer-focused podcasts, including Sabor a queer, Nosotrxs, Maricoin, and Cazamariposas, providing a stage for diverse stories and lived experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. Through its content and collaborations, Podimo helps foster a more inclusive audio ecosystem where all listeners can feel represented and heard.
OutOfOffice.com: Based in Friedberg, Out Of Office is a full-service travel company with a mission to make tailor-made vacations inclusive for all, regardless of who you love or where you’re going. Specialising in bespoke itineraries, they combine deep global expertise with personal service to craft trips that are both exclusive and welcoming. From classic train journeys through Italy to sailing trips in the Maldives, each itinerary is curated with care, transparency, and flexibility.
Founded in 2016 with the LGBTQ+ community in mind, Out Of Office has become a global leader in inclusive luxury travel. Their team of LGBTQ+ travel experts understands the unique needs of queer travellers and ensures every journey is seamless and affirming. Whether it’s a honeymoon, group adventure, or cultural escape, Out Of Office helps travellers explore the world freely and with style.
Mattr.Social: Based in London, Mattr.Social is a dating app built for people who are tired of superficial swiping and are looking for more genuine, character-based connections. Designed to be inclusive from the start, the app is especially welcoming to neurodivergent individuals and those seeking a more accessible, honest way to meet others. It uses a personality-driven matching algorithm (not based on popularity or appearance), limits matches to just four per day, and features tools like mood tracking, an “Honesty Box,” and mental health breaks to support user wellbeing.
With verified profiles, safety-first design, and perks like discounts for date nights and wellness products, Mattr is creating a space where everyone can feel seen, respected, and supported. Whether you’re neurodivergent, neurotypical, or simply looking for something different, Mattr’s mission is to help users connect as their true selves, without judgment, pressure, or performative metrics. Founded in 2021, it’s quietly redefining what online dating can feel like.
Identity VC: Based in Berlin and Zurich, Identity VC is a venture capital firm backing early-stage startups led by LGBTQ+ founders or C-level executives. With investments ranging from €250K to €1.5 million, the fund supports companies from pre-seed to Series A across all sectors aligned with global megatrends. The team believes that diversity is a key driver of innovation and long-term business success, and is working to bring the LGBTQ+ community’s history of cultural transformation into wider startup ecosystems.
Founded in 2023, Identity VC offers hands-on support from a team of investors who understand the unique challenges LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs face. They’ve also launched the first pan-European study on LGBTQ+ startup founders, gathering insights from over 500 founders across 20+ countries. Alongside funding, Identity VC runs the League of Unicorns, a growing community space where queer founders and investors can connect, collaborate, and access opportunities, without needing a warm intro.
diversidays: Based in Paris, Diversidays was founded to address the lack of diversity in digital and tech professions across France and beyond. The organisation supports job seekers and entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds, including women, people with disabilities, individuals from underprivileged neighbourhoods and rural areas, and those facing discrimination due to age, origin, or sexual orientation. Its mission is to make the tech world more accessible and inclusive, using digital tools as a springboard for career growth and social mobility.
Since 2017, Diversidays has supported over 13,000 people and helped accelerate 500 entrepreneurs across ten regions of France. Through initiatives like DéClics Numériques and the Leadership Program, it offers training, mentoring, visibility, and connections to a broader network of opportunities. The organisation also works closely with public institutions and private partners to create tools that promote representation and share success stories, contributing to a more open and diverse digital economy.
Compete Proud: Sports and queerness haven’t always gone hand in hand. For many LGBTQ+ athletes, the playing field has long been a place of silence, fear, or invisibility. Compete Proud is here to change that. Based in Madrid and founded by Spanish Olympian Javier Raya, the platform is a bold voice for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in sports—supporting athletes at every level, from grassroots competitions to the Olympic Games. Backed by the IOC Young Leaders programme, Compete Proud offers safe spaces, shares empowering athlete stories, and delivers workshops, webinars and consultancy that tackle everything from coming out journeys to inclusive sponsorship and leadership development.
The project is led by a team that deeply understands what it means to be out, visible and proud in sport: Olympic Gold Medalist Matthew Mitcham focuses on education and diversity; Nikki Symmons, a former international hockey player and early LGBTQ+ advocate in Ireland, leads athlete engagement; and Gema Hassen-Bey, a Paralympic fencing pioneer, brings a powerful voice on inclusion and accessibility. Together, they make Compete Proud more than a platform—it’s a movement to make sport safer, more visible, and truly inclusive for everyone who competes with pride. Founded in 2022, it’s already leaving a lasting mark on the global sports community.
Collective: Based in London, Collective is a new kind of social platform built by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike traditional dating or social media apps, Collective is focused on fostering meaningful connections—whether romantic, platonic, creative or professional. It offers a safe, ad-free space for queer people to find new friends, travel buddies, event partners, and more. The app is built around interests rather than likes or followers, encouraging offline meetups and real-world interactions in a healthier, less performative online space.
Founded in 2023 by queer technologist Callum, Collective is a direct response to the growing loneliness and fragmentation within the LGBTQ+ community—a problem exacerbated by mainstream platforms and the decline of physical queer spaces. Collective gives priority to trans, non-binary, and queer women, offering a space where all identities are uplifted. With an emphasis on belonging, authenticity, and solidarity, the app is positioning itself as a queer super-app—a digital neighbourhood bar for everything from conversation and creativity to emotional support and community building.
BE DIVERSE: Based in Madrid, BE DIVERSE is a Diversity & Inclusion consultancy offering strategic guidance and customised programmes that foster inclusive, equitable, and diverse work environments. Initially focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion, the firm has evolved into a trusted network of consultants with expertise in areas such as inclusive leadership, cultural awareness, unconscious bias, and trans inclusion. Their services include D&I strategy consulting, policy development aligned with local and EU regulations, leadership training, cultural transformation initiatives, and employer branding to enhance internal and external communication.
BE DIVERSE follows a structured, data-driven methodology built around internal diagnostics, tailored strategy design, and KPI-based implementation. With over 10 years of expertise, 40+ clients, and a 95% satisfaction rate, their work has earned them partnerships with major global brands like IBM, Netflix, and UNICC. Founded in 2021, BE DIVERSE continues to drive meaningful organisational change across Spain and Europe.
Babaiola: Based in Sassari, Italy, Babaiola is the first social travel platform dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Available as a mobile app, it helps users discover gay-friendly hotels, clubs, and events while connecting with over 35,000 registered members. With more than 20,000 listed accommodations and over 1,000 LGBTQ+ events, users can interact in real time, find travel companions, and explore curated city profiles created from daily data aggregation across over 200 LGBTQ+ websites.
Built on values of inclusivity, respect, safety, and responsible innovation, Babaiola was founded in 2017 to foster and become a welcoming space for diverse identities and experiences. It supports its mission through daily podcasts, transparent communication, and active promotion of social sustainability.
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/2025/06/the-power-of-community-10-ventures-building-a-more-inclusive-europe/
