VentureLabs is collaborating with national industry and academic partners to develop a digital tool to help organizations develop policies and practices that increase diversity and inclusion strategies.

The Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT) App is being created by VentureLabs together with Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Diversity Institute and Magnet, and SalesChoice Inc. As a first-of-its-kind resource, the DAT App will support organizations as they build workplaces that attract and retain diverse talent.

“As a top B.C. business accelerator supporting science, technology and innovation-based companies, we are excited to develop and pilot the DAT App within our VentureLabs community,” said Lesley Esford, SFU VentureLabs’ executive director. “By increasing the accessibility of diversity data assessment and resources to organizations of all sizes, it will allow them to build create and implement an EDI strategy from the beginning.”

Once developed, the app will be piloted with members of the Digital Supercluster and other sectoral councils and chambers of commerce in Canada, to reach small-to-medium businesses (SMEs) across the country.

The project has a total investment of $1.4 million, with $900,000 invested by partners and $500,000 co-invested through the Supercluster’s Talent and Capacity program. More information on the Diversity Assessment Tool can be found here.

Read the full story on SFU News.