Through Venture Forward, NVCA is committed to expanding opportunities for people of all backgrounds to thrive in the venture ecosystem in a welcoming and safe work environment. As part of this commitment, NVCA conducts on-going research on diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the venture ecosystem through the NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey.
The NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey was designed to capture critical data on the workforce at venture capital (VC) firms, develop a baseline understanding of demographics within the VC industry, and uncover the current state of diversity and inclusion (D&I) across the industry. The survey is intended to be an educational resource for venture capital firms to understand how to expand the diversity of their teams and portfolio companies.
About the NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey, Second Edition…
The NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey, second edition, is the latest installment of an ongoing survey series that assesses the state of talent management, with a special focus on D&I, in the U.S. VC industry. Results from the second edition were benchmarked against baseline findings from the first edition, which was originally conducted in 2016. The survey, conducted in 2018, requested firm demographic information (e.g., investment stage focus) and demographic information for each employee (e.g., gender and race). Additionally, the survey asked firms to provide information regarding firm talent management practices and diversity and inclusion programs.
Although there have been other assessments of diversity in the VC industry, this survey provides a unique perspective. Unlike other research efforts in this area, it gathers data from VC firms of all types and sizes, examines diversity for a variety of groups across all types of positions, and assesses firm talent management strategies.
The second edition of the survey collected information from 203 VC firms, representing an aggregate total of $149.4 billion in assets, on their talent management practices and on the demographics of more than 2,700 employees.
The NVCA-Delotte Human Capital Survey exists under Venture Forward, NVCA’s supporting 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Results From The 2018 Survey
This dashboard provides those results and allows you to explore:
- Who works in the VC industry
- Whether gender, ethnic, or age groups have differing experiences
- What firms are doing to enhance diversity and inclusion
Our findings indicate that firms have the power to change the diversity story. Click the launch button to see the dashboard and begin exploring.
In addition to the dashboard, NVCA and the Deloitte University Leadership Center for Inclusion developed a written report to dive deeper into the numbers and draw out key insights on what steps can be taken to create a more inclusive venture capital industry.
Highlights from the NVCA-Deloitte Human Capital Survey, second edition, with data collected in 2018:
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STRATEGIES AT VC FIRMS
VC firms with diversity & inclusion strategies have more gender diverse leadership
INVESTMENT PARTNERS AT VC FIRMS
Firms have seen some progress since 2016, but work remains to take full advantage of potential offered by a more diverse workforce
Results From The 2016 Survey
In the first edition of the NVCA–Deloitte Human Capital Survey conducted in 2016, NVCA and Deloitte set out to create a benchmark for diversity in the VC industry. This written report was developed to dive deeper into the numbers and draw out key insights on steps that can be taken to create a more inclusive industry.
