The Romanian startup ecosystem is a vibrant and evolving space. Yet, as with many entrepreneurial landscapes, the question of diversity has been a pressing one. In 2022, StepFWD took the initiative to delve deep into understanding the nuances of diversity within this ecosystem. The results? Both enlightening and a call to action.
The Spectrum of Diversity: Diversity is not just about gender. It encompasses age, nationality, neurodiversity, race & ethnicity, sexual orientation, and even personality types. The Romanian startup ecosystem, in its modernizing force, has shown promising signs of embracing this broad spectrum. But there’s still a long way to go.
The Business Case for Diversity: It’s not just about ticking boxes. Diverse teams have proven to perform better, raise more money, and bring a flood of fresh and novel ideas. The formula is simple: the more varied the ingredients, the more spectacular the result. And nature, in all its wisdom, has always favored diversity.
Challenges and Discrimination: The report’s findings were clear – discrimination is a real issue. 42% of women respondents reported facing discrimination, primarily due to gender. For men, nationality was a significant factor. It’s a stark reminder that, while we’ve made progress, there’s still much work to be done.
The Road Ahead: The future looks promising. Newer startups are showing increased diversity, and there’s a growing recognition of the immense growth potential that diversity brings. But to truly harness this potential, it’s crucial to address systemic imbalances, promote a coherent narrative about diversity, and ensure that the ecosystem is inclusive and safe for all.
The StepFWD 2022 Diversity Report is a pioneering step in the right direction. It’s a call to action for all stakeholders in the Romanian startup ecosystem to come together, celebrate diversity, and ensure that every entrepreneur, regardless of their background, has an equal shot at success. In 2023 StepFWD will reiterate the initiative of this report. Stay tuned! Also applications are open until 8th of October for StepFWD Together, our equity free accelerator program for early stage startups from diverse teams. Have a look on our website for more information!