Maya Dharampal-Hornby

5 days ago | sifted.eu | Maya Dharampal-Hornby |Martin Coulter

More than a third of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) founders hide their sexuality from investors, according to a new survey published by Berlin-based Identity.VC. LGBTQ+ founders have historically faced difficulty accessing capital compared to their peers, with investors accused of discrimination and bias against LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

1 month ago | sifted.eu | Maya Dharampal-Hornby |Miriam Partington

Most women working in European startups are satisfied with their jobs, according to newly published survey data. While women account for 42% of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) students in Europe, that number drops closer to 30% in the workplace. In recent weeks, different studies have shown serious declines in the number of women entrepreneurs in Britain and a widening gender pay gap in Germany.

1 month ago | sifted.eu | Maya Dharampal-Hornby |Freya Pratty

Across the last six months, German startup Zolar has cut its workforce from nearly 400 people to just under 50. The company, founded in 2016, set out to provide solar panels to consumers — and raised $241m from VCs including Partech, AENU and Energy Impact Partners to do so. But faced with tanking demand, Zolar has pivoted from its original proposition and is now selling software to other solar panel installers.