Ruben Brave keynote at iBuilt event: Diversity powers innovation
Brave's research underscores the economic implications of diversity, showing diverse teams significantly outperform non-diverse teams.
Published on March 30, 2025
iBuilt Jury members Alina Totti, Policy Advisor at Provincie Noord-Brabant, Jemy Pauwels, Investment Director at Demcon investment, Nicola D, Diversity & Transformation Leader, Mirko Benischke, Associate Professor at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, joined by organizer Joseph Zekry.
Bart, co-founder of Media52 and Professor of Journalism oversees IO+, events, and Laio. A journalist at heart, he keeps writing as many stories as possible.
Ruben Brave will be the keynote speaker at this Thursday's iBuilt Common Ground of Innovation Awards event. A true pioneer in internet, tech, and media, Ruben Brave is an investor, serial entrepreneur, and thought leader with a deep passion for innovation, digital sovereignty, and inclusive entrepreneurship. With a background spanning technology, media, and policy research, he is shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the Netherlands and beyond.
As Founder of the Dutch New Narrative Lab (DNNL) and President of Internet Society Netherlands, Ruben is at the forefront of diversity, ethics, and responsible digital transformation. His research, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, explores the economic value of diversity in startups, scale-ups, and corporate ventures.
Discrimination hinders innovation
As a prelude to the event, we dive into Ruben Brave's study into the Dutch startup scene. In his research, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ruben Brave uncovered widespread discrimination in the startup world. His research shows that discrimination hinders innovation and wastes human capital. Diverse teams, however, outperform their homogeneous counterparts. Interestingly, teams with varied ethnic backgrounds yield nearly 40% better financial results. Brave's Dutch New Narrative Lab aims to combat exclusion and foster entrepreneurial opportunities for underrepresented groups. As conventional startup ecosystems evolve, this study sparks a conversation on how embracing diversity not only brings ethical balance but also significantly boosts innovation and growth. His findings challenge traditional entrepreneurial images, spotlighting inclusion as pivotal for sustainable success in technology-driven sectors.
Most of the Dutch fastest growing sustain growth, yet more diversity is needed
The Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) recently presented its annual report on the top 250 fastest-growing companies in the Netherlands.
Addressing inequality
Ruben Brave's research, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, sheds light on the pervasive discrimination within the startup ecosystem in the Netherlands. His findings are alarming, revealing that exclusion and discrimination are not merely isolated incidents but widespread issues impacting underrepresented groups. These individuals often find themselves at the periphery of entrepreneurial activities, resulting in a significant waste of human capital. Brave's research underscores the economic implications of diversity, as it conclusively shows that diverse teams significantly outperform non-diverse teams in financial outcomes, with a striking contrast seen in their ability to raise funding and generate profits.
The Dutch New Narrative Lab
The Dutch New Narrative Lab (DNNL) emerges as a pivotal institution aimed at transforming the startup landscape by promoting diversity and inclusion. Founded by Brave, the DNNL seeks to create an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but cultivated as sources of innovation and growth. With initiatives such as the Launchpad Track 2024, the lab aims to empower underrepresented groups, including women, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and neurodiverse people, to engage in entrepreneurial ventures, thereby bridging the gap between potential and opportunity. Collaborating with institutions like VU Amsterdam further strengthens its mission and leverages academic associations to foster a supportive startup ecosystem.
Impact of diverse teams
Brave's findings iterate a compelling narrative where diversity transforms into a strategic advantage in the business sphere. Teams that embrace ethnic diversity achieve financial results up to 40% better than their less diverse counterparts. Meanwhile, maintaining a balanced gender ratio also adds a significant boost, improving financial performance by nearly 20%. Diverse leadership translates into varied perspectives and better decision-making: vital elements for a startup's adaptability in competitive industries. Successful examples like Mitiga Solutions, which boasts 44% female workforce participation, illustrate the practical benefits of diversity. These results challenge the traditional image of entrepreneurs and assert the importance of inclusiveness in building robust, innovative enterprises.
The Common Ground for Innovation Awards aim to honor diversity and international leadership
iBUILT, the International Business & Innovation Leaders in Tech, is a community for expat leaders and entrepreneurs to develop their careers and grow their companies.
Challenges
Despite the promising developments driven by Brave's research and DNNL's initiatives, challenges remain. Diversity can lead to friction, especially in environments resistant to change. However, Brave argues that such friction is necessary for generating innovative ideas: "Without friction, no shine", he declares. The DNNL plans to counteract these challenges through inclusive procurement practices, visibility campaigns for minority entrepreneurs, and innovation competitions that create new role models. By fostering an inclusive environment, the lab envisages a startup culture that values diversity as a strength rather than a statutory obligation.
Reshaping the Competitive Startup Landscape
The implications of Brave's research extend beyond social justice into economic territory, positing that startups might unlock new dimensions of innovation and growth by embracing diversity. Firms with diverse leadership already demonstrate higher employee engagement rates, crucial for sustaining innovative environments. For instance, the 4YFN25 event reveals that companies underscoring diversity achieve 84% employee engagement, significantly overshadowing their less inclusive counterparts. As these findings suggest, cultivating an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem is not merely beneficial but essential for maintaining a competitive edge in today’s global market.
Finalists for the awards
Here are the finalists for each category:
Promising Tech Innovation
These organizations are redefining what's possible in the world of technology:
- Avoxt, represented by Ton Rademaker
- Incooling, represented by Rudie Verweij and Helena Samodurova.
- Kameleon Solar, represented by Büşra Yılmaz
Visionary Leader
These leaders have demonstrated exceptional foresight and determination in driving positive international change:
- Bonna Newman, CEO at Lightyear and Board Member at ASOM - Alliance for Solar Mobility
- Helen Kardan, Director of Science and Technology, Unit High Tech Industry at TNO
- Helena Samodurova, Co-founder & Executive at Incooling
Social Innovator
These individuals or organizations are transforming communities and making a lasting, global social impact:
- Cheryl Boyd, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Dispatches Europe, Core Team Member at Fe+male Tech Heroes
- Kavitha Varathan, Founder and CEO at Expat Spouses Initiative
- René Paré, Program Director at Maker Days Eindhoven
The ceremony is on 3rd April 2025, at the Royal Philips Auditorium at High Tech Campus Eindhoven 34. The event starts at 17:00, and tickets are still available for purchase.