April 19, 2023
Upstream 2023: The future-proof festival
Rotterdam, April 19, 2023 - Network festival Upstream brings together international changemakers in the Rotterdam metropolitan region again this year. Sustainable growth for startups and scale-ups is central, with a special focus on diversity and inclusion. Research shows that startups with a diverse team are more likely to grow and innovate. Ruben Brave, entrepreneur and CEO of Entelligence, will lead a roundtable discussion on this topic during the festival. He encourages participants to develop new ideas and initiatives with a focus on inclusivity and innovation. The festival aims to promote a digital, carbon neutral, circular and inclusive economy.
Photo: Upstream Festival 2022
As diverse as the world
Upstream aims to spark debate and inspire action. Why aren't there more diverse teams and startups in the region? Lars Crama, Private Lead at Up!Rotterdam: "With our growing tech ecosystem, it is imperative to make diversity and inclusion a priority. In the region, there are fewer female CEOs than CEOs named Jeroen or Sander - so we clearly have a long way to go. By embracing diversity and creating a more inclusive environment, we simultaneously increase the potential for innovation and creativity. And we ensure that all voices are heard and represented. Upstream invites changemakers to come together and build a tech ecosystem that is as diverse as the world we live in."
Includes enterprise ecosystem
Ruben Brave, Dutch Internet pioneer and founder of Dutch New Narrative Lab1, leads the roundtable discussion, "An inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem is a better ecosystem. Existing levels of diversity and inclusion lead to higher healthcare costs and even economic damage. That means lost opportunities for the Netherlands. It is scientifically proven that innovation and creativity are driven by diversity and inclusion, which in turn leads to better outcomes. It also helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and is expected to create hundreds of new businesses and tens of thousands of new jobs2." Stefaan De Vreese, co-founder of the Benelux LGBTIQ Business Chamber, invites LGBTIQ entrepreneurs to the meetup during Upstream: "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is not just something to check off on a CSR report. It is a business strategy that creates real value. Supplier diversity is the next phase and is about harnessing the power of diversity even more broadly for business success."
Inspiring companies
The Rotterdam region is home to inspiring companies with an eye for a more diverse workforce. For example, Equalture is committed to recruitment without judgment thanks to data and gamification. Charlotte Melkert is one of the founders: "The labor market has never been so overstretched; there are expected to be 95 million fewer workers by 2050. At the same time, digital innovations are creating millions of new jobs, creating a huge gap between available and required skills. And as Gen Z and Millennials no longer accept a lack of diversity, equality and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity is essential." Nelson T. Ajulo, CEO of social-impact HR firm Zarttech, adds: "Humanity is like a colorfully woven tapestry, in which each thread represents a distinct culture, perspective or experience. Weaving these threads creates a beautiful and vibrant mosaic. Proof of the power of unity in diversity."
Roundtable discussion details
Topic: "How to increase diversity and inclusion in startup teams?
Date and time: Talent Tuesday, May 23 at 4 p.m.
Location: Poppodium Annabel, Schiestraat 20, Rotterdam
Tickets: LINK
About Upstream
Upstream is the annual festival for international changemakers committed to the transition to a digital, carbon-neutral, circular and inclusive new economy. Here, entrepreneurs, investors and businesses share, connect and create meaningful innovations that drive sustainable growth. This year's event takes place May 23-25 with 2,000+ attendees, 70+ exhibitors and 40+ curated events. Poppodium Annabel in downtown Rotterdam is the heart of the festival, with offerings ranging from speeches and panel discussions to workshops, hackathons and networking events. Over three days, startups, scale-ups and students can network, learn about the latest innovations and learn from leading industry experts and thought leaders. See also upstreamfestival.com.
