Upstream, the international networking festival for sustainable growth, connects changemakers encouraging growth founded on diversity and inclusion. During the event, serial entrepreneur, and CEO of Entelligence, Ruben Brave, will lead the roundtable to further explore how to improve these important features in the Dutch startup ecosystem. Upstream is located in the heart of it all; the festival takes place in the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area, aiming at creation of a digital, carbon neutral, circular, inclusive economy.

Start the debate

Upstream is aiming to start the debate on why there are not more diverse teams and startups in the region. The festival wants to inspire action. Lars Crama, Private Lead at Up!Rotterdam, explains: “As our tech ecosystem continues to grow and thrive, it is imperative that we prioritise diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our industry. The fact that we have more CEOs named 'Jeroen' or 'Sander' than female CEOs among the top 150 scaleups in our Metropolitan region is a clear indication that we have a long way to go. By embracing diversity and creating a more inclusive environment, we not only increase the potential for innovation and creativity but also ensure that all voices are heard and represented. With Upstream we invite changemakers to come together and build a tech ecosystem that is truly reflective of the diverse world we live in."

Inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem

Ruben Brave, Dutch Internet pioneer, Founder of Dutch New Narrative Lab and host of the expert roundtable: "An inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem is a better ecosystem. The current levels of diversity and inclusion results in higher healthcare costs for companies and also economic damage including opportunity loss for the Netherlands. It is scientifically proven that through diversity and inclusion, innovation and creativity are initiated and lead to – double-digit – higher business results. Focus on gender and cultural diversity, supports the Netherlands in attaining its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and is projected to lead to hundreds of new companies and ten thousand new jobs.”

"Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is not just a checkbox on a CSR report," adds Stefaan De Vreese, Co-Founder of the Benelux LGBTIQ Business Chamber. "It's a business strategy that drives real value. Supplier Diversity is the next phase of DE&I, and it's about harnessing the power of diversity to fuel business success.” He invites LGBTIQ business owners to join their meetup during Upstream.

Founders standing up for a diverse workforce

Rotterdam's ecosystem is home to many inspiring companies contributing to a more diverse workforce. Among them are Equalture and Zarttech. Equalture is a company shaping the world of unbiased hiring for SMEs through data and gamification. Charlotte Melkert is one of its founders: “The labour and recruitment market has never been more stressed, heading toward 95 million fewer people in the workforce by 2050. At the same time, digital innovations create millions of new jobs, causing an enormous gap in available and required skills. And since Gen Zs and Millennials no longer accept a lack of diversity, equality, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities has become absolutely critical.”

Nelson T. Ajulo, CEO of social impact-driven HR company Zarttech, adds: “The tapestry of humanity is like a richly woven, colourful fabric, with each strand representing a unique culture, perspective, and experience. When we embrace and intertwine our threads, we create a resilient and vibrant mosaic, a testament to the power of unity in diversity.”

Expert roundtable details

Subject: How to increase diversity and inclusion in startup teams?

Date and time: Talent Tuesday, May 23 at 4pm

Location: Poppodium Annabel, Schiestraat 20, Rotterdam

Tickets: LINK