International Women's Day: Private capital’s role in creating gender equality

On March 8, International Women's Day marks not just a day, but a continued effort to both celebrate and support the role of women everywhere, in all sectors of work. Inclusion is the driving force behind this significant day, and the European private equity and venture capital industry supports the need to #InspireInclusion.

In celebrating International Women's Day, we’re casting a spotlight on transformative initiatives supported by venture capital and private equity across Europe. We recognise, as an industry, the work done, ongoing and still to do to ensure gender equality is not a moving target, but an objective that must be achieved

ESG KPI Report: Managing what you measure

This week, we published the second edition of its Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Key Performance Indicator report, highlighting a significant increase in engagement among European private equity managers, greater focus on combatting climate change, and higher numbers of women in all roles.

The publication entitled ‘ESG KPI Report: Managing what you measure’ surveys private equity and venture capital firms in Europe to show how managers and the portfolio companies they back are working for a more sustainable, inclusive and fairer Europe. The report features 2022 data on 1,057 firms (covering 66% of all capital under management in Europe in 2022), a 60% increase on the prior year. It encompasses 2,216 funds and 6,531 portfolio companies, underlining the central importance of ESG transparency to a large number of European GPs.

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of a stronger, more sustainable, and more successful private equity and venture capital industry for the long term. Our research explores female employment and board representation at portfolio companies across the continent and throughout core investment sectors.

Find the (member only) report here, and click here to access the ‘social chapter’ directly

The VC Factor: Gender lens edition

On 23 October 2023, we have published The VC factor: Gender lens edition, the latest report in a continued collaboration with the European Investment Fund (EIF), mapping the VC landscape in Europe and tracking the participation of women at VC funds and start-ups.

The VC factor combines Invest Europe’s extensive industry data and analysis with that of Europe’s largest venture capital investor to provide deep insights into the European VC ecosystem. Reflecting the exceptional growth experienced by European venture capital over the past decade, the research delves deeper than ever into what makes the industry tick.

Find the related press release here

Celebrating Women in Private Investment: Invest Europe 40th anniversary cocktail (November 2023)

As Europe stands at a pivotal moment concerning investment and fundraising for European companies, Invest Europe was proud to host this event on 29 November 2023 to celebrate the many women who have helped champion diversity in the investments sector.

Invest Europe greatly values diversity, and this event was an opportunity to celebrate women in investment, while also discussing the important work that still needs to be done. Nadia Calviño, Spain’s First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Economy and Digitalization, along with Isabel Benjumea, MEP, Member of the European Parliament's ECON Committee delivered opening remarks.

The event also included a presentation of VC Factor – Gender Lens edition, our report in collaboration with the European Investment Fund (EIF). See more on the report below.

Find more information on the event here, and on social media

Leader Interviews (2023/ongoing)

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Invest Europe in 2023, we asked former Chairs and members to share their insights on the past, present and future of the private equity and venture capital industry in Europe.

We’re proud that almost half of all interviewees are women: explore what they had to say

Invest Europe x BBC StoryWorks: ‘A Different Angle’ film series

Storytelling that matters is part of the ‘A Different Angle’ film series, exploring the role of private equity and venture capital in European society. This unique film series, presented by Invest Europe, the world’s largest association of private capital providers, and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, brings to screen the human stories at the heart of the businesses that are driving change and fuelling growth through private capital.

The star of this film, Muriel Bourgeois from Barcelona, Spain, has a venture capital-backed digital publishing company called Mi Cuento. With over 40 different story adventures to choose from, this business specialises in making children the hero of their own tale. Kids go online, choose their story, and tailor it using both the digital feature choices from the Mi Cuento platform as well as their own editorial changes. Mi Cuento develops a wide catalogue of books with inclusive and accessible content for children with disabilities (autism, deafness & dyspraxia).

Private Equity News

‘Out of focus: DEI slips down the agenda in new PE/VC ranking - New ranking reveals top 10 PE and VC firms in DEI index’

While research shows that the average diversity, equity and inclusion score has risen this year, the DEI push is sliding down the agenda within some of the world’s leading private equity firms.

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Official website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com

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