Meet our partner: Deloitte
Why is Deloitte back supporting WVC:E?
Why is Deloitte back supporting WVC:E?
When WVC:E calls, we say yes!
We’ve been involved as a sponsor since the summit’s inaugural year and we’re as inspired and energised today as we were in 2022. We’re passionate about supporting diversity within the VC ecosystem, driving positive change and using Deloitte’s platform to shine a light on female
entrepreneurship. We also happen to love working with VCs, entrepreneurs and VC backed companies. While Deloitte is perhaps best known as one of the ‘Big Four’ global professional service firms, many aren’t aware that we’re also a global leader within the startup and venture ecosystem. We’re highly engaged with founders and investors, helping each one to plug into the other. It’s our mission to change perceptions of the ‘Green Dot’ as just a corporate for corporates.
What has Deloitte been doing since the last WVC:E Summit to support diversity?
Similar to WVC:E, we’ve been busy this past year! Just last month, we were thrilled to have WVC:E’s very own Sophie Winwood as a guest on Deloitte’s Green Room podcast to chat to UK TMT leader Jodi Birkett about how to close the funding gap. The episode shone a light on:
- What the funding gap is and why it exists
- An insight into why the funding gap needs to close and the benefits
- Sophie’s experience as both an investor and a founder
- How we can create more opportunities for founders and less blockers
Episode 70: How to close the funding gap. Listen to the podcast here or watch it on YouTube.
We’re also very proud to bring back the Fast 50 Women in Leadership Award this year, after two brilliant years of highlighting some fantastic businesses. The annual UK Technology Fast 50 ranking has been recognising the fastest growing and most innovative tech businesses in the country for 27 years but historically they were almost all founded by men. This award gives us an opportunity to celebrate incredible women-founded and women-led companies. You can read about last year’s overall winner Diginius.
What are you most excited about this year?
We’re so pumped to be back for 2024! The summit has built an incredible reputation of bringing together top VCs from across the globe and we’re so excited to just be back in the room. The energy and commitment to diverse discussions on topics ranging from fundraising, exit strategies, board dynamics and the state of diversity in VC is something we’re once again eagerly anticipating. It’s no secret that it’s been a challenging 18 months for the industry and the current market reset has indeed put a premium on resilience — both in startups and venture firms. We’re looking forward to hearing from experts about how to navigate today’s choppy waters and recovering from setbacks. But we’re also ready to hear some good news and learn more about what’s up and coming that we should be excited about!
We’re also really looking forward to this year’s breakout rooms and activity-based sessions, the focus on wellness and wellbeing. I know the agenda hasn’t launched yet so no spoilers. OK maybe a little one. We’re excited for spin and we’ve also heard rumours of wine tasting…
How can Deloitte support the VC and startup ecosystem moving forward?
As a trusted connector and advisor, Deloitte supports startups and scaleups throughout their growth journey; from corporate structuring, to raising funds to protecting IP, maximising R&D tax credits, expanding internationally, and setting up incentive share schemes to attract top talent. We know that rapid growth comes with increased complexity, risk and opportunity — and we can help them navigate those challenges. We’re also deeply embedded within VC and PE firms, creating value for both founders and investors alike. This year needs to be all about returning value to investors and our team is poised to support founders and management teams on their exit strategies — be that a trade sale, IPO or exit via PE. You can never start planning your exit early enough, regardless of which path you take, and we’re here to help and advise investors and founders alike throughout the entire exit journey. Our Startup Ventures team supports innovation and growth through collaboration, helping startups sell into our own client base. Also, our Emerging Growth Companies practice supports high growth companies from seed to scale to exit. We’ve worked with over 60% of the UK’s current unicorns and, with a global network spanning over 150 countries and territories, we can help wherever you’re based.
What’s the best way for people to get in touch?
We’d love to connect with any founders and investors who may need our support to unlock their — or their portco’s — growth potential. Or anyone who just fancies a confidential chat about whatever challenges you may be facing — please get in touch!
Kariel Parian links up our global organisation with the businesses we serve — so if you’re not sure where to start, reach out at kparian@deloitte.co.uk.
Can’t wait to meet you all in Paris!
To find out more about becoming a WVC:E partner, email us over at hello@wvce.tech.
The WVC:E Summit 2024 is an event dedicated to promoting the inclusion, integration, and empowerment of women in venture capital. It is set to take place in Paris in October 2024. You can get tickets here.
