Companies to Watch - June 13, 2019

Five New York LGBT-founded Companies to Watch

June 13, 2019 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Five New York LGBT-founded Companies to Watch

Happy Pride! New Yorkers and people from around the globe are descending upon the city for World Pride, and our community is excited to spend the month celebrating the diverse and welcoming place we call home.This year also marks 50 years since the Stonewall riots. The Stonewall National Monument is the country’s first national LGBTQ+ monument, and it’s is receiving the augmented reality treatment thanks to Google’s Stonewall Forever web exhibit and app. In a greater commitment to inclusivity, Lyft now allows passengers to choose their own pronouns in the app, and it’s providing stipend to support drivers’ name change and other legal fees. Airbnb is connecting the history of 50 years of Pride with a NYC pop-up space with events benefiting local LGBTQ+ nonprofits, and Warby Parker’s new Haskell Prism collection is celebrating Pride with frames across the entire color spectrum that give back to queer advocacy organizations. With efforts like these, alongside the year-round work of groups like Gaingels and Out in Tech, New York is more positioned than ever to support the next generation of LGBTQ+ founders. The New York tech community’s strength is its diversity, and we’re honored to celebrate that — this month and all year long.In honor of Pride Month, we’re honored to profile five companies led by LGBTQ+ founders. Get a preview of their work below, and read the whole post here. 

ReverCare

What does your company do?ReverCare co-founder and CEO Kiyan Rajabi: ReverCare connects families caring for elderly loved ones to elder care professionals: gerontological social workers, elder law attorneys, aging-in-place specialists, etc. These professionals not only help with the logistics of elder care planning, but they also lend an understanding ear to the often stressed and confused family caregivers.Favorite way to celebrate Pride?KR: Everyday! Pride is about being yourself and acknowledging all those have done before you so you can do so freely. 

MikMak

What does your company do?MikMak founder and CEO Rachel Tipograh: MikMak is the eCommerce platform for brands that sell at eRetailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora and Ulta. We help brands lift their eRetail sales, build and own their shopper audiences, and optimize their media and creative towards conversion.Favorite way to celebrate Pride?RT: My favorite way to celebrate Pride is with my crew of amazing women. 

YayPay

What does your company do?YayPay co-founder and CEO Anthony Venus: YayPay is an Accounts Receivables Management software and payments business. We are “Intelligent AR for smarter finance teams”. YayPay gives your team more time, more insight, and more control over customer relationships. The software eliminates repetitive tasks with smart workflows and provides accurate predictions with smart analytics.Favorite way to celebrate Pride?AV: We will definitely go out and watch the parade. We have tickets to one of the dance parties, but I cannot guarantee that I’ll actually make it. I might very well be in bed my then. In fact, I’d bet on that. 

Andie

What does your company do?Andie founder and CEO Melanie Travis: Andie is the leading digitally native swimwear brand for women!Favorite way to celebrate Pride?MT: Queer Soup Night, a Brooklyn-born queer party with soup at its center! 

What does your company do?Bokksu founder and CEO Danny Taing: Bokksu’s mission is to deliver gourmet cultural experiences through authentic storytelling. We directly partner with local snack makers across Japan and deliver both their snacks and their stories to people everywhere. This helps sustain and empower local communities while spreading their traditional craft, culture, and history to the world.Favorite way to celebrate Pride?DT: Hosting a BBQ at my home with friends visiting from all over the world! 

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