Start Proud. All Rights Reserved 2025.

What Start Proud. All Rights Reserved 2025. does

Start Proud is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2007 (originally as Out On Bay Street by five MBA students in Toronto) that connects 2SLGBTQIA+ students and professionals with inclusive employers and career development resources. Headquartered in Toronto and operating as a fully volunteer-led entity with 60+ volunteers, it delivers its mission through four core programs: the annual Out on Bay Street (OOBS) conference, the Leaders to Be Proud Of (L2BPO) Awards Gala, the Mentorship Program providing 1-on-1 career guidance, and the Leadership Incubator for emerging leaders. The organization serves approximately 1,500 national members and partners with 100+ organizations across Canada, including lead sponsors TD Bank Group, Deloitte, and Fasken, with additional primary and secondary tier partners spanning financial services, professional services, legal, technology, consumer goods, and government.

Name

Start Proud. All Rights Reserved 2025.

Legal name

Start Proud

Website

https://startproud.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Start Proud is a Canadian non-profit founded in 2007 that connects 2SLGBTQIA+ students and professionals through conferences, mentorship, awards, and career-focused programs. Operating with 60+ volunteers, it partners with 100+ Canadian employers and serves 1,500+ national members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development & Community Networking Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Leadership, Character Education & Values Development (EDAMAIAG)

Keywords

• LGBTQ professional networking
• Career mentorship programs
• Diversity inclusion conferences
• Professional development events
• Talent pipeline partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership arrangements with employers and corporations to support programs and events. Lead sponsors like TD, presenting sponsors like Deloitte and Fasken.
2. Event Registration Fees: Ticket sales for annual conferences and awards gala. Student tickets at $50, professional tickets at $150.
3. Partnership Tiers: Multiple partnership tiers enabling organizations to engage with 2SLGBTQIA+ talent pipeline and build professional networks amongst 1,500+ national members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Start Proud operates a portfolio of professional development programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and professionals in Canada, anchored by its flagship annual Out on Bay Street conference and the Leaders to Be Proud Of Awards Gala. The organization also runs a 1-on-1 Mentorship Program pairing participants with senior professionals, and a Leadership Incubator program for emerging leaders. Programs are delivered through in-person events, career fairs, and an online registration portal, funded primarily through corporate partnerships and event ticket sales.

Product overview

Start Proud provides a suite of professional development programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and early-career professionals in Canada. The core offerings include the Out on Bay Street (OOBS) annual flagship conference, the Leaders to Be Proud Of awards gala, the Mentorship Program for 1-on-1 career guidance, and the Leadership Incubator for emerging leaders. Programs are delivered through virtual portal platforms and in-person events, with partner organization engagement throughout.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Out on Bay Street (OOBS): Annual flagship conference of Start Proud, Canada's premier 2SLGBTQIA+ professional conference connecting students and young professionals with inclusive employers.
• Leaders to Be Proud Of (L2BPO)
• Mentorship Program
• Leadership Incubator

Products and services

• Out on Bay Street (OOBS) Conference Start Proud's flagship annual conference connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ students, recent grads, and young professionals with inclusive employers. Features case competitions, career fair, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities over two days.
• Leaders to Be Proud Of Awards Gala Annual awards gala celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals making an impact across Canada. Features multiple award categories recognizing excellence in various professional sectors, presented in partnership with TD, Deloitte, and Fasken.
• Mentorship Program 1-on-1 career guidance program connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals with senior professionals for personalized career advice and professional development.
• Leadership Incubator Intensive leadership development program for emerging 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders, providing advanced skills and guidance for career advancement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ employers connect with 2SLGBTQIA+ talent at each annual OOBS conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and secondary.

• TD Bank GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead sponsor of Leaders to Be Proud Of Awards Gala and presenting partner of the Evening Gala at OOBS 2026. Supports 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion strategy and hosts opening bell at TSX.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Professional Excellence Awards at L2BPO and presenting partner for career growth sessions at OOBS 2026. Supports DEIA services.
• FaskencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Leading Executive Ally Award and partner for cross-cultural engagement programming (Drag and Dim Sum workshop).
• RBCprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Pride ERG initiatives, family building panel, and AI/ML product management engagement. Strong supporter of 2SLGBTQIA+ programming.
• BMOprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for marketing panels, allyship sessions, and high finance discussions. Supports Pride ERG and community engagement.
• CPP InvestmentsprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for mock interviews and high finance panel. Supports mentorship networking and EDI initiatives.
• PwCsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner supporting diversity and equality initiatives. Participated in TSX opening bell ceremony.
• EYsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for allyship programming and accessibility initiatives. Supports inclusive workplace initiatives.
• Bennett JonessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal partner supporting Pride initiatives and participated in TSX opening bell ceremony.
• MercerprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for career conversations, case competitions, and fireside chat sessions. Supports workforce strategy initiatives.
• P&GprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for marketing case competition. Supports consumer goods industry engagement.
• ScotiabanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for identity disclosure sessions and finance industry panels. Supports campus recruitment programs.
• CIBCsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for professional development and career advancement programming.
• MarshsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for Marsh McLennan Professionals Reception at OOBS 2026, connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals.
• Compass GroupprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for cocktail reception, chosen community panel, and multiple programming tracks. Supports Pride Alliance initiatives.
• NestlesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for marketing industry panel discussions.
• DaviessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for law industry panel and student programs. Supports legal professional development.
• BlakessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for OOBS Drag Brunch cultural programming.
• McCarthy TetraultsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for healthcare policy and innovation panel discussions.
• RBC Capital MarketssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for family building, legacy, and financial planning panel.
• Mackenzie InvestmentssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for AI, risk, and inclusion case study workshop.
• OslersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for invisible disabilities and queerness conversation.
• Amazon CanadasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for mentorship networking sessions.
• BCGsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for consulting industry panel discussions.
• CPA OntariosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for accounting industry panel.
• University Pension PlansecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for queer and trans professionals storytelling session.
• QueerTechsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for AI leadership and inclusion programming.
• Konrad GroupsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational partner providing executive leadership (EVP of Operations).
• Dignity Network CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer organization nominating Global Advocate Award recipient.
• Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ LawyerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer organization nominating Canadian Advocate Award recipient.
• Pride at Work CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer organization nominating Pride Network Leader of the Year recipient.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Workplace Pride: Dutch foundation supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces across Europe, with multinational corporate partnerships. Comparable in employer-focused 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace programming but operates primarily in EMEA rather than North America.
• Stonewall: UK-based LGBTQ+ rights charity with corporate diversity programs, training, and benchmarking. Comparable as a leading national 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion organization but serving a different geography (UK) than Start Proud's Canadian focus.

Direct peers

• Pride at Work Canada: Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion organization that partners with Start Proud on awards and ERG initiatives. Directly comparable as a Canadian-focused non-profit advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals in the workplace.
• Out for Undergrad: U.S. non-profit running conferences that connect LGBTQ+ undergraduate students with employers and industry leaders. Comparable in target audience (LGBTQ+ students) and conference-driven professional development model.
• Reaching Out MBA: U.S.-based non-profit connecting LGBTQ+ MBA students with inclusive employers through conferences and mentorship. Highly comparable in mission (LGBTQ+ business-student professional development) and event-driven model, though U.S.-focused.
• Dignity Network Canada: National network of Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and a partner organization for Start Proud's Global Advocate Award. Comparable as a federated Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy organization supporting workplace inclusion.
• QueerTech: Canadian non-profit advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in technology and a partner organization for Start Proud's AI and inclusion programming. Comparable as a Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ professional network targeting a specific industry vertical.
• Out Leadership: Global LGBTQ+ business advisory and talent platform connecting LGBTQ+ leaders with Fortune 500 companies. Comparable in bridging 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals with corporate sponsors/partners, though operates more as a paid advisory.
• Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers: Canadian professional association for 2SLGBTQIA+ legal professionals and partner organization for Start Proud's Canadian Advocate Award. Comparable as a profession-specific 2SLGBTQIA+ network with similar member-development mission.

Broad incumbents

• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): U.S. national chamber of commerce for LGBTQ+ businesses, offering certification, networking, and corporate supplier diversity programs. Comparable as a large-scale 2SLGBTQIA+ business organization, though focused on business owners rather than professionals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@outonbaystreet
• Facebookfacebook.com/startproud
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startproud
• Instagraminstagram.com/start_proud/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Start Proud. All Rights Reserved 2025.