The DEI Backlash in VC: Why I’m More Fired Up Than Ever
In the face of growing backlash against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of unlock VC, is more determined than ever to push for progress in venture capital. From major companies like Google and Meta scaling back their DEI commitments to dismissive claims that the work is “done,” the narrative around inclusion is shifting — and not in a good way. But Winwood argues that the data paints a very different picture: real gaps remain, especially for women in VC, and pretending otherwise only sets the industry back.
Despite the challenges, there’s proof that change is happening — and working. In 2024 alone, 33 women in Winwood’s community made Partner or higher, and 20 all-women-led funds are now active in Europe. These milestones are about more than just representation — they’re driving stronger performance and smarter investing. Winwood points out that VC is a business built on spotting outliers and backing innovation, and diverse teams are simply better equipped to do that.
She also debunks the most common anti-DEI arguments. The idea that diversity leads to “preferential treatment” ignores the reality that VC has always operated through closed networks and insider access. DEI doesn’t undermine merit — it creates access for talented people who’ve been historically excluded. And claims that “we’ve already solved this” fall apart when only 2% of venture funding goes to all-women teams and just 0.34% to Black women founders in the US.
Source: https://www.eu.vc/p/the-dei-backlash-in-vc-why-im-more?utm_source=publication-search
