LGBTQ+ networking platform raises funds from leading investor club

A recruitment and networking platform for LGBTQ+ people is tapping a prominent network of high net-worth investors to fund its international expansion.

Sky News understands that myGwork, which counts GlaxoSmithKline, Pearson and the accountancy firm EY among its clients, will announce this week that its has raised more than £1.5m in a funding round led by 24Haymarket.

MyGwork operates as a business community for LGBTQ+ employees, as well as major employers, at a time of growing scrutiny of diversity and inclusion policies in the workplace.

Based in London, myGwork has offices in Madrid and Florida, and also works with companies such as BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager.

It was founded by brothers Adrien, chief marketing officer, and Pierre Gaubert, its chief executive, in 2015.

The company offers recruitment and online training services, as well as networking events and a range of corporate partnerships.

“Despite the global pandemic, we have been able to continue along an accelerated growth trajectory by being flexible, and pivoting our offering to meet changing customer needs and adapt to the challenging global operating environment,” the Gaubert brothers said.

“For the LGBTQ+ community it is clear that myGwork’s ongoing job-search support, mentoring and networking offer, content delivery and one-off events are resonating extremely well,” Andy Robertson, 24Haymarket investor director, said.

“As for corporates, some are just starting out on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) journey, with a focus on creating an inclusive environment and on recruitment.”

The investment in myGwork underlines growing investor interest in start-ups focused on workplace diversity and inclusion.

Last week, Hoxton Ventures, an early backer of technology giants such as Darktrace and Deliveroo, became a shareholder in Flair, a start-up which helps corporate clients to measure and tackle racial bias.