With a growing body of research indicating female-run fintechs and start-ups generate a better return than those run by men, local venture capital outfit AirTree Ventures has implemented a comprehensive program of initiatives to support diversity across the business.
Eleven members of the 21-strong team are women and four of the 11-member investment committee are women.
Principal Jackie Vullinghs explains the business focuses on supporting diversity not just in the business but also in its portfolio companies, as well as through the start-up ecosystem more broadly. “We see it as our responsibility to make a difference in all these areas.”
Vullinghs says the business makes a concerted effort to promote job vacancies to groups that are underrepresented in society and also uses a blind assessment hiring process to try to reduce unconscious bias. “Eleven of our last 12 hires are from under-represented groups.”
Alister Coleman, founder of…