Earlier this month, Global Drinks Intel announced the winners of its inaugural ESG Awards. Here’s a look at why the winners won.
Diversity/Gender Inclusion Achievement – Distill Ventures
“From its investments in entrepreneurs from under-represented communities to the shaping of its internal team – with a 60:40 male-to-female split under the auspices of a female CEO – Distill Ventures is leading the charge to break down barriers in beverage alcohol.”
Over the last ten years, Distill Ventures has enabled almost 40 investments totalling GBP275m in start-ups “at the leading edge of emerging drinks trends” – with under-representation a key tenet of its approach. The company’s ‘Pre-Accelerator Programme’, which launched in 2021, has received around 400 applications, with nearly 50% of applicants identifying as women, 50% as Black/African/Caribbean, 17% as Latinx, 16% as having Asian heritage and 11% as LGBTQIA+.
“We are exceptionally proud of the fact that we have invested over GBP8m in entrepreneurs from under-represented communities around the world through our Pre-Accelerator – this funding has gone to 19 founders and their 16 drinks brands.”
Internally, meanwhile, Distill Ventures has introduced an education programme focused on unconscious bias and other inclusion barriers to create a more inclusive working environment. The firm also has a target of attaining a 50/50 employee split between those who identify as male or female.
“Our team is currently a 60/40 split [male to female] and as an organisation, we are proud to have a successful female CEO, Heidi Dillon, who has who led the creation of the Pre-Accelerator. Under Heidi’s leadership, DV has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion and diversity.”
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