Business Forum • 10 June, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Women account for just over one in five (21%) investment professionals in private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) funds operating in Romania, according to a new report from Level 20 CEE-Romania and the Romanian Private Equity Association (ROPEA).
The report further highlights that only 12% of senior investment professionals are women (11 out of 90).
In comparison to the European average of 24% women in investment teams and 14% in leadership roles, Romania's 21% places it in the mid-range among European countries, ahead of the Netherlands (15%) but behind France (31%).
A significant finding is that 47% of firms in the industry have all-male investment teams, a figure considerably higher than the European average of 26% in 2024. The report identifies two key structural barriers to retaining and promoting women: work-life balance and flexibility, and a lack of mentorship and sponsorship.
Miruna Popa, Chair of Level 20 CEE - Romania, said: "Diversity in private equity is not just about fairness—it is a competitive advantage. Studies show that diverse teams make better decisions, have stronger governance, and create long-term value. The first steps toward progress are recognition and accountability, and this report marks an essential milestone towards a more inclusive and high-performing industry."
While PE shows stronger female representation in leadership (16%) compared to VC (9%), the trend reverses at middle management, with women holding 56% of roles in VC firms versus 30% in PE.