A new report has revealed significant gender imbalances across the EU’s tech ecosystem, from education to executive positions. The GENDEX index, funded by the European Innovation Council, found that women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, with only 42% of graduates in 2022 being women.
The imbalance is particularly evident in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, where just 24% of graduates are women.
However, this discrepancy leads to fewer women founders in deep tech startups, with only one in five European tech companies being led by women over the past decade.
Women’s representation in academia is also limited, comprising just 31% of researchers and scientists in deep tech. Furthermore, only 24% of patent applications are submitted by women.
The report suggests that a narrowing funnel of opportunities negatively impacts the entire tech sector, as talented women are lost along the way. Men continue to dominate leadership positions, with women holding only about 30% of roles in European companies.
The gender gap is most evident at the board level, particularly in male-founded companies.
The study also highlighted the challenges female entrepreneurs face in securing funding. Female-led teams receive just 1% of venture capital funding, and when they do secure investments, they often face less favourable terms and longer waits compared to male-led teams.
The report recommends that investors require gender diversity reporting before providing funding and prioritise women-led companies to address these disparities.
Additionally, experts argue that structural changes are necessary to create a more balanced and effective tech ecosystem, pointing out that gender diversity can lead to better results for companies and the industry as a whole.
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