VC firms with all-male teams halved over past decade in UK, report shows

2026-04-08 · Source: Sifted · Field: Business & Management — Human Resources & Workforce Development, Corporate Strategy & Leadership · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

A new report from Diversity VC reveals that the share of UK venture capital firms with all-male investment teams has more than halved over the past decade, decreasing from 48% in 2017 to 21% in 2025. Overall, women now constitute 31% of VC investment teams, a significant rise from 18% eight years ago, indicating a broader industry shift. The "Diversity VC Standard," adopted by over 100 firms managing \$44bn, has driven a more than 10% increase in gender diversity and a doubling of Black representation at senior levels. Talent initiatives, such as the "Future VC" program, have also been highly successful, with 97% of participants securing full-time roles in the investment ecosystem. These findings suggest that structural changes are beginning to embed within the venture capital industry, creating more accessible pathways for diverse talent.

Key takeaway

UK VC firms with all-male investment teams have more than halved to 21% (from 48% in 2017), with women now comprising 31% of investment teams, up from 18%. The Diversity VC Standard, adopted by over 100 firms managing $44bn, drove a >10% increase in gender diversity and doubled Black representation at senior levels. This signals structural shifts creating accessible pathways into venture capital, offering a blueprint for improving diversity and talent pipelines across the investment ecosystem.

Topics

• Diversity VC
• Venture Capital
• Gender Diversity
• Ethnic Representation
• Diversity VC Standard

Best for: Executive, Investor, HR Professional

Related on AIssential

• Italy’s VC ecosystem matures into €10B engine — but structural gaps still hold it back — P101's "State of Italian VC" report reveals that Italy's venture capital ecosystem has matured into a €10 billion engine, with 14,000 innovative companies generating €10 billion in production value an…
• BKR Capital raises $14.5M (so far) to invest in Black founders — Canada's BKR Capital announced the first close of its Fund II at CA\$20 million (approximately \$14.5 million), moving closer to its CA\$50 million target of CA\$50 million.
• Ukrainian startups get UK market gateway as TechBridge accelerator returns for 2026 — The UK–Ukraine TechBridge has launched a new phase of its Investment Accelerator for 2026, aiming to provide 20 high-growth Ukrainian tech startups (Late Seed–Series A) with a structured pathway to ex…
• Impact 40/120 2026: Cohort Explorer — The "Impact 40/120 2026: Cohort Explorer" presents key statistics for a cohort of 120 laureates, who have collectively raised €7.4 billion.
• Crunchbase Data: The AI Boom Has Drastically Changed Who’s Funding The Hottest Companies In 2025 Vs. 2021 — Venture capital firms have reasserted dominance in large funding rounds, displacing private equity from its 2021 peak.
• The Rising Investors Behind The New Unicorn Class — In 2025, The Crunchbase Unicorn Board saw a 61% increase with 187 new companies, primarily fueled by the AI boom, indicating a strong year for venture capital.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Sifted.