Open Letter: The 3 Percent Club

[Commentary] Dear Mr. John Doerr and Dr. Beth Seidenberg, I am writing in response to the coverage of the Ellen Pao trial and to your recent letter and blog post. As a female founder, I am writing to share three recommendations with you which, if implemented, may dramatically and immediately start to improve diversity for the technology startup world. I respectfully recommend that you consider the following:

First, expect that talented women and other disfavored minorities will know no one who can introduce them to you. Therefore, dedicate at least 20 percent of your deal flow (i.e., in-person pitches) to women and other such minorities who cold pitch your firm.

Second, eliminate your adherence to “pattern recognition.” Mr. Doerr, exclaiming that “very clearly male nerds who had no social or sex lives and who were dropouts of Harvard or Stanford … were likely to succeed as some of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs. … When I see that pattern coming in … it’s very easy to decide to invest,” precludes advancing diversity.

Third, put subject-matter experts and inventors on equal footing with engineers for founder and co-founder status.

In today’s world, as a female founder, I have about a 3 percent chance of receiving venture capital funding. So, I must become a member of “The 3 Percent Club.” Mr. Doerr, you have the power to accelerate diversity in the technology startup world for the benefit of humanity. Will you exercise it?

[Beth Ann Wright is the Founder and CEO of Opusomni]