GENDEX July recap: Diversity, Innovation, and More 🌞
Hey there,
I hope you're enjoying a lovely summer! 🌞 I’ve just returned to sunny Berlin after three weeks in the UK with family.
Speaking of the UK, Labour's recent election win brings hope for better funding and improved access to overseas talent for the tech sector. 🇬🇧 I'm curious to see how it all plays out.
At GENDEX, we've been busy gathering data to close gaps and boost access to diverse talent in the innovation ecosystem. Thanks to everyone who’s completed the survey—if you haven’t yet, and you’re a deep tech founder based in Europe, your input would be invaluable.
Let's dive in our July recap. 💃🏾
— Sophie Webber, Communications Lead at Founderland for GENDEX
What happens when diverse leaders drive innovation? 👀
At The Next Web in Amsterdam last month we interviewed founders to find out. Turns out diversity isn’t just a buzzword— it's a game changer. 📽 Watch it here.
Thank you for the video Tim Foresta, and your time Shaila Sahai, Sharan Bal, Nicolette Lazarus, Miriam Mertens, Hugo Hemmem, and Helen Pink. 🤝
We asked our community what does DEI mean to you?
Thank you to Bianca Ambrosini, Alexandra Kammer, Stephanie von Behr, and Yolanda Rother for your insights. 💜
GENDEX’s mission and why DEI matters in innovation 🌟
Today, I’m excited to share a conversation with my GENDEX colleague Martina Longo, a research manager at IDC. Martina, responsible for data collection at GENDEX, discusses the project's importance and the link between diversity and ROI.
Why is GENDEX important?
We talk a lot about how diversity is good for business, so much so that people sometimes get annoyed with the topic. GENDEX goes beyond the usual statements. Our goal is to show, with both data and qualitative insights from successful founders and investors, how diversity can truly benefit the European innovation ecosystem.
How can we better prove that DEI leads to a stronger ROI for investors?
I'd like to paraphrase a statement from an investor I recently interviewed for GENDEX. Diversity is like modern portfolio theory: having "all the same" in your portfolio isn't smart and won't lead to success. Investors should seek outliers from different backgrounds to outperform. It’s rational and strategic.
What are you most excited about with GENDEX?
I'm driven by the opportunity to make a real difference. Our pilot project aims to identify gaps in the startup ecosystem and make it more diverse, inclusive, and competitive. While analysts may not save lives, we can help transform Europe's innovation landscape by enhancing diversity in talent pools, fundraising journeys, and overall company performance.
Share one thing you want readers to know about the importance of DEI for organisations.
DEI is not just about creating a feel-good atmosphere. It’s about building resilient, innovative organisations. Diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives, leading to better decision-making, problem-solving, and ultimately, better financial performance. Step out of your comfort zone with us!
Are you or do you know a deep tech woman founder? We want to interview you! 🤝
Despite women-led startups generating more than twice the revenue per dollar invested, 82% of startup investment in Europe goes to all-male teams. Alarmingly, taxpayer money disproportionately supports white male founders through institutional investors.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is committed to changing this, and so are we. To drive this change, we need your input.
💜 Deep tech, Series A and beyond, women founders—get in touch.
📰 Articles and resources
🦄 UK Period tracking app Flo Health raises record $200m, becoming Europe’s first femtech unicorn – despite being founded and led by men. 🤯
🇪🇺 EU’s Bold Five-Year Plan: More money for AI and biotech startups. 🚀
🎉 EIF turns 30: Celebrating bold moves, diverse support, and a brighter future for Europe's SMEs. ✨
🎥 Catch our latest YouTube video on how diversity fuels innovation and success.
🌟We’re featured in this article on how VCs can combat similarity bias: practical steps for fostering diversity.
🤖 Where are the women in AI? Exploring the gender gap in the booming GenAI sector and its implications for future businesses. 🧠
📢 Check out our recent post for a quick summary and a roundup of what’s happening in deep tech, diversity, and VC. 🌍
Keep in touch 💌
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