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Gaingels

Program

Syndicate

Discover how to join
Gaingels
including requirements, application process, and compensation and explore other programs to join!

Overview

Gaingels Membership is the syndicate’s core program for accredited investors and allied supporters who want to back high‑growth startups while advancing diversity in venture capital. Members receive curated access to SPV‑structured investments that range from seed to pre‑IPO, with allocations sourced through partnerships with leading VC funds and referrals from the 4 600‑strong community.  

Beyond deal flow, the program delivers weekly newsletters, founder AMA sessions and focus‑group calls where seasoned angels dissect live opportunities.   A parallel Social Membership lets non‑accredited allies join events and learning series, widening the movement’s reach.  

Since 2019, members have deployed more than $900 million across 2 600 rounds, helping build a portfolio that now includes 70‑plus unicorns such as Databricks, MasterClass and Grove Collaborative.    Participants also tap Gaingels’ Board Access and Venture Inclusion initiatives, which match diverse executives to portfolio boards and provide DEI toolkits for founders.

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Investment Focus

Gaingels is a venture investment syndicate in service of the LGBT+ community and its allies, investing in companies with LGBT+ founders and C-suite leaders at all stages of growth, as well as in more established companies resolved on building more inclusive teams, with a global portfolio of 130+ companies and $70M in deployed investment capital todate.  The Gaingels network also actively supports its portfolio in identifying and recruiting diverse talent to their C-suite and board leadership teams and fosters a vibrant global community of industry leaders, investors, operators, and entrepreneurs who share a common goal for positive social change through business and successful investments.

Admissions

Prospective investors complete a 5‑to‑10‑minute online form, after which Gaingels conducts KYC and identity checks. Qualified applicants schedule a 30‑minute call with the membership team to discuss goals, risk tolerance and community expectations. Decisions follow within one week.   Applicants must self‑certify as SEC‑defined accredited investors to access deal information; non‑accredited individuals may join as Social Members for events and educational content only. The program operates year‑round with no cohort limits, and new members gain platform access immediately upon acceptance.  

Price

Gaingels charges no joining or annual dues.   Members only incur costs when they opt into an SPV, covering their pro rata share of the administrative fee plus the invested principal. The organisation recommends—but does not mandate—deploying at least $10 000 per year to build a diversified portfolio.  

Application Advice

Compensation

Each investment is made through a special‑purpose vehicle that charges a one‑time administrative fee (currently about $8 000, shared pro rata) and a 20 percent carried‑interest waterfall on returns.   Gaingels principals invest personal capital alongside the syndicate, fully aligning incentives. There are no performance fees or carry on membership itself, and investors retain discretion over whether to participate in any given deal.  

Overview

Timeline

Membership onboarding is continuous and follows a simple four‑step path:

  1. Submit application form (Day 0).  
  2. KYC review and background checks (Days 1‑3).  
  3. Video call with membership team (Days 3‑5).  
  4. Acceptance and platform access (within 7 days).  

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