Final report on Gender & Diversity Index

As part of the scope, the report aims to identify gaps in gender diversity and inclusion in the European innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, specifically in deep tech areas of interest for the European Innovation Council. The themes analysed range from talent pool availability to access to capital, intellectual property (IP) ownership, representation in the workplace and overall business performance. Gender representation in investment firms is also within scope. The data relates to indicators selected in D3.2 Validated Gender & Diversity Index Scorecard, which provided a framework for measuring the flow of women from the early stages of the tech founder funnel through to the initial public o ering stage.

This framework has been validated by a group of 12 renowned experts, including policy-makers, investors, corporate leaders and EIC board members. Gender diversity is not just a matter of social equity but a critical driver of innovation within the European ecosystem. A lack of diverse perspectives, including those of women, stifles creativity, limits market understanding and shrinks the available talent pool, ultimately hindering economic growth. Quantitative data (e.g., on the representation of women in STEM fields, leadership positions and patent applications) are essential to understand the scope of the challenge, identify areas for intervention and track the impact of implemented policies. The indicators and metrics presented in this report provide a baseline against which to measure progress and highlight persistent gaps. The report o ers key conclusions drawn from an analysis of the index; it also provides actionable insights and recommendations for key stakeholders across the European innovation ecosystem, from investors to policy-makers.