Diversity increases
success and returns.
Diversity increases
success and returns.
If you’re a startup founder or CEO, or a startup investor, take The Startup Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and build better companies and a more inclusive world.
If you’re a startup founder or CEO, or a startup investor, take The Startup Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and build better companies and a more inclusive world.
Why pledge?
Diversity and inclusion is better for business, increases investment returns, lowers volatility, drives innovation and flat out outperforms.
What am I pledging?
1. The Walker Rule in interviewing…
The Walker Rule in interviewing co-founders and the startup’s CEO, senior team, management, staff, board of directors, advisors and investors (more…)
2. Workforce diversity transparency…
Workforce diversity transparency and public self-reporting of diversity metrics (more…)
3. Commitment to inclusive workforce…
Commitment to inclusive workforce, workplace and marketplace culture, policies and practices (more…)
4. Commitment to pay equality…
Commitment to pay equality including equity grants (more…)
5. Unconscious bias awareness…
Unconscious-bias awareness and training throughout the organization (more…)
6. A formal discrimination and harassment policy…
Create a formal discrimination and harassment policy and a process for anonymous reporting of workplace issues related to discrimination and harassment (more…)
7. Public commitment to the pledge…
Public commitment to the pledge (more…)
1. The Walker Rule in interviewing…
The Walker Rule in interviewing of the fund’s founding team, investment professionals, venture partners, entrepreneurs-in-residence, advisors, staff and any other categories of people associated with the investment fund (more…)
2. Workforce and portfolio diversity and transparency…
Transparency and public self-reporting of firm and portfolio diversity metrics (more…)
3. Commitment to inclusive workforce…
Commitment to inclusive workforce, workplace and marketplace culture, policies and practices (more…)
4. Commitment to pay equality…
Commitment to pay equality including equity grants (more…)
5. Unconscious bias awareness…
Unconscious-bias awareness and training throughout the organization (more…)
6. A formal discrimination and harassment policy…
Create a formal discrimination and harassment policy and a process for anonymous reporting of workplace issues related to discrimination and harassment (more…)
7. Public commitment to the pledge…
Public commitment to the pledge (more…)
8. Taking a self-defined percentage of pitch meetings……
Taking a self-defined percentage of pitch meetings, starting at 10%, from underrepresented founders and CEOs — including women, people of color and people who identify as LGBTQ. (more…)
9. Committing to mentoring…
Committing to mentoring underrepresented founders and CEOs, including women, people of color and people who identify as LGBTQ. (more…)
10. Encouraging portfolio companies…
Encouraging portfolio companies and their boards to take The Startup Diversity and Inclusion Pledge by including something similar to this language in all term sheets. (more…)
Our firm has taken The Startup Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and we encourage the founding team and company management to learn about the pledge and consider taking it, as well
Stay Up To Date on the Diversity Pledge.