10 trans and non-binary entrepreneurs making waves in business

In celebration of International Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), we highlight some of the influential trans and non-binary entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders making waves in their industries.

While the landscape of entrepreneurship of corporate leadership has slowly been diversifying, the journey towards inclusion and representation remains incomplete. The fact is, the bulk of funding from venture capital still goes to a cohort of mainly straight and white men.

A study from Proud Ventures found that 75 per cent of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and founders have hidden their identity during some phase of the investing process. This stark data point proves that visibility in the start up ecosystem isn’t just symbolic, but also essential for fostering a culture of acceptance, equal opportunity and innovation.

Trans, non-binary and other gender-diverse people are vastly underrepresented in leadership roles and within entrepreneurship.

Through highlighting the achievements and accomplishments of a handful of trans and non-binary entrepreneurs, the goal is to inspire, empower and advocate for a future where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, has the opportunity to innovate, lead and chase their dreams.

Tate Smith

As the founder and director of Tate Smith Consulting, Smith is an award-winning speaker and activist dedicated to debunking the myths about the trans community. While working as a legal secretary and a fraught coming out experience at an employer, Smith began to speak to his experiences as a trans man navigating the corporate world.

With his new consultancy, Smith hopes to provide businesses with the tools to support trans people through inclusive policies like gender-affirming care and tackling the stigmas around men’s mental health and trans people going through the menopause.