ABSTRACT
Although increasingly more pressing in today’s business world, startups have been slow to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a strategic priority. Startups that get DEI right can expect to outperform their homogenous and non-inclusive competitors through bigger financial returns, greater innovation, healthier workplace cultures, and the attraction and retention of top talent. This chapter offers startup leaders and applied researchers’ guidance and tools for taking more data-driven approach to DEI. After explaining the benefits to startups that invest in DEI from the onset, the authors provide construct clarity for how common DEI variables should be operationalized and measured. Ethical considerations when collecting DEI data are discussed, as well as quantitative (numbers-based) and qualitative (text-based) data collection methods used in practice yet rooted in science. The chapter concludes with two case studies, providing real-life examples of using data to build and sustain more diverse, equitable, and inclusive startup ecosystems.
