With their initiative #startupdiversity, Bitkom and the Startup-Verband are advocating for greater diversity and the visibility of female founders.
The initiative aims to oblige venture capital firms (VCs) in the future to make their investments more transparent when it comes to startups with female founders. This transparency requirement would also obligate VCs to report once a year on the distribution within their portfolio companies. The share of female founders in German startups has been stuck at around 16% for years and needs to continue rising. The initiators emphasize that this is not an end in itself, but a mandate of scientific and social reason. Studies prove that startups with women on the team generate significantly more revenue as well as a higher return on investment.
The initiators have already been able to win over many additional supporters for their important endeavor. Organizations such as the Advisory Council for the Young Digital Economy, SEND e.V., the KI-Bundesverband, as well as numerous individuals — all are committed to removing barriers in the startup ecosystem for women and increasing diversity.
The detailed article with all the important information, as well as the website for the #startupdiversity initiative, are definitely worth a look!