Rise Up San Francisco is a special networking reception that raises funds to empower LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship. Given the challenging times for queer business, NOW is the time to Rise Up and show your support!

Join high-impact founders, investors, and professionals in the innovation economy for meaningful conversations, a hosted bar, elevated hors d’oeuvres, and guest speakers to update you on the state of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship, the LGBTQ+ movement, and what you can do to help.

Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut
Kate Kendell, CEO of the Gill Foundation
Sid Espinosa, (Host) Head of Social Impact at GitHub & former Mayor of Palo Alto

All proceeds benefit StartOut, the leading national nonprofit championing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. LGBTQ+ founders receive less than 0.5% of venture funding. That's not a gap—it's a crisis. StartOut exists to level the playing field. The innovation economy needs the perspectives only our community brings. LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are redefining what success looks like.

Now is the time to Rise Up for change to ensure we have the capital, networks, and platform to lead.

Notes for Attendees

Address provided after RSVP
Space is limited to 100; We sold out last year!
Please note that guests are asked to remove shoes. Wear your favorite socks to compete for prizes!
We will have a silent auction with items announced soon

This event is generously supported by the Gill Foundation.

Co-Chairs

Sayan Gomel
Chris Luquetta-Fish

Host Committee

Cody Dapper
Ryan MacCarigan
Pavlo Marchuk
Serena Poon
Fredo Silva
Damian Wille
Gordon Wilson
Andres Wydler

StartOut was built by and for entrepreneurs who don't fit the traditional mold. We're reserving a few tickets for emerging entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds. Please reach out to info@startout.org.

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Speaker Bios:

Brian Richardson is a national thought leader and strategist who drives bold change at the intersection of business and equality. CEO of StartOut since 2023, Brian has led the organization through a strategic evolution, launching StartOut Con, the destination conference for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and investors, and Spark Lab, the world's first incubator designed for LGBTQ+ founders. A long-time leader in communications, policy and movement strategy, Brian previously held leadership roles at Lambda Legal, helping shape the organization's long-term strategy during a moment of profound shifts in the federal judiciary, as well as at Google, the Democratic National Committee and in the U.S. Senate. He began his career as a public school teacher and earned degrees from the University of Chicago and UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. In addition to his role at StartOut, he teaches at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and serves as a Commisioner on the Illinois Torture and Relief Commission. He lives in Chicago with his son.

Kate Kendell is CEO of the Gill Foundation, one of the nation’s leading funders of efforts to secure full equality for LGBTQ people. Before leading the foundation, Kate served for 22 years as executive director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR). Following her departure from NCLR in 2018, she served as interim chief legal officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center and as the first chief of staff at The California Endowment. Kate received her J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law in 1988. After a few years practicing corporate law, she became the first staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. In 1994 she joined NCLR as legal director and was named executive director two years later. Today in her role at the Gill Foundation, Kate continues her work building inclusive organizations and fighting for justice for multiple communities—mixing strategic acumen and pragmatism.

StartOut Rise Up

A special networking reception for high-impact professionals to raise funds for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship