New Group Aims To Address D&I in Investment Firms

By Minita Shah-Mara | Vice President Organization Effectiveness and Global Diversity & Inclusion at Biogen
Dec 15, 2020 12:45 PM ET

Introducing BIIG!

Only 2.6% of total VC funding in 2020 went to Black and Latinx founders and funding for female founders hit its lowest quarterly total in three years. Let that sink in: less than 3% of total VC funding went to Black and Latinx founders (in a country where over 30% of the US population is Black and/or Latinx). Black Lives Matters brought to the forefront inequities in society, which impacts startups.

BIIG aims to address diversity and inclusion in investment firms and portfolio companies, specifically focused on the life sciences industry. The coalition includes Liftstream, New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA), Third Rock Ventures, BioDirector, and Biogen, mobilizing leaders with a range of industry perspectives including R&D, commercialization, human capital, venture investing and corporate governance.

By shining the spotlight on this unsustainable gap, the industry – already known for innovation – will broaden our understanding of the market and uncover even more ingenuity and opportunities to discover and develop potentially life-changing therapies...for all.

If you are a member of the life sciences VC community, and motivated by this mission please join our effort to make a bigger impact.

Please join us www.bioinclusion.org