Its no secret that European tech has a gender equity problem.
Mendominatethe leadership of most companies in the sector.
Women foundersstruggleto raise VC money, and theres a starkpay gapbetween male and female workers.
This gender imbalance is especially glaring in the STEM-dominated world of deep tech.
Securing funding remains a challenge, with women-led firms taking six months longer to sign their first term sheet.
Over the past decade, women-led companies raised 1.8 times less capital than those led by men.
Even those that get funded often face less favourable terms.
European deep tech gender inequity limits diversity of thought and stifles innovation.
Its also pouring hundreds of billions of euros in potential revenue down the drain.
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The deep tech gender imbalance reflects broader societal gender issues.
There is no quick fix addressing it requires systemic change across education, investment, and workplace culture.
However, GENDEX makes four key recommendations to remedy the problem.
First, investors should demand that companies report on gender diversity before deploying capital.
Second, more funding should be allocated to women-led teams, which havebeen shownto deliver better outcomes.
Third, better legal and funding support is needed for women to secure IP rights.
Finally, government co-investment should require gender-balanced portfolios to ensure accountability in public funding.
This years TNW Conference features aWomen in Tech ticket.
The pass provides 50% off access to the event, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
