Inspiring DEI in quantum: QphoX's journey to diversity and inclusivity
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are crucial for building resilient and innovative teams. One Delft-based startup, QphoX has taken significant steps to embed DEI into its culture from the start. Recently, QphoX celebrated a quite remarkable achievement: Women make up 50% of their team, an accomplishment that's rare in the quantum space.
This milestone sparked a conversation about how their efforts could inspire others in the Quantum Delta NL community and beyond. Juliette de la Rie, Head of Communications at Quantum Delta NL and specialist in DEI, sat down with Ceren Spuyman, Talent Acquisition Specialist and member of the DEI committee at QphoX, to discuss the company's diversity efforts.
“In fact, with our recent hires, we’re about to have more women than men on the team.”
Growth with intentionality
QphoX is growing quickly, with the team expanding from 15 to over 30 employees in just over a year. What sets QphoX apart is its commitment to diversity, especially in a sector where women and underrepresented groups are in fact underrepresented.
Ceren shares: “I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made in achieving a 50-50, female/male, gender balance. In fact, with our recent hires, we’re about to have more women than men on the team.”
QphoX’s leadership believes that diversity fuels innovation, and their recruitment strategy reflects this belief. The company actively seeks out candidates from diverse backgrounds and offers full visa sponsorships, making it possible for international talent to join the team.
“We really believe that the more cultures we have, the better we are as a team,” Ceren adds. “With 18 different nationalities already represented at QphoX, it’s clear that diversity is at the heart of how we operate.”
Building a culture of inclusion
But QphoX's commitment to DEI doesn’t stop with hiring. The startup has made DEI a key component of its culture. Ceren explained that QphoX fosters a sense of belonging through inclusive practices like the “cultural potluck.”
“We have employees from 18 different nationalities, so we decided to host cultural potlucks where everyone brings a dish from their home country,” she says. “It’s not just about food—it’s about sharing our stories and experiences. It’s a great way to build understanding and connection across the team.”
Beyond this specific effort, QphoX celebrates cultural diversity through a cultural holiday calendar, recognizing important cultural events in the lives of their team members and hosting a small, related celebration for these. These efforts go a long way in ensuring that employees feel respected and valued, regardless of their backgrounds.
“Attracting diverse talent requires extra effort and dedication. However, the effort is worthwhile; our diverse team enhances problem-solving and creativity.”
How QphoX approaches DEI
Ceren emphasizes that the key to their success so far lies in intentionality. “Right from the beginning, we knew we wanted diversity to be a priority. Every time we open a new role, we think about how we can broaden the diversity of the team—not just in terms of gender, but also in terms of culture and background. We’re always striving to create an environment where people from all walks of life feel welcome.”
Recruitment plays a significant role in QphoX’s strategy. Ceren explains, “We pay attention to our job posts to ensure it appeals to a broader range of candidates. Offering visa sponsorships ensures that international talent can join us. We actively reach out to universities and diversity-focused organizations to expand our network and ensure we’re connecting with the right communities.”
Once employees are on board, QphoX continues to prioritize DEI in the workplace. “It’s an ongoing effort,” Ceren notes. “Beyond the cultural potluck, we engage in DEI conversations regularly. For instance, we recently conducted a privilege walk, which opened many eyes to the diverse experiences of our colleagues. Additionally, our DEI committee keeps these discussions at the forefront of our initiatives.”
Ceren acknowledges that building and maintaining diversity in a fast-growing startup presents challenges, particularly in a field like quantum technology. “Attracting diverse talent requires extra effort and dedication. However, the effort is worthwhile; our diverse team enhances problem-solving and creativity,” she shares.
Leadership support is crucial in this journey. “Rob and Simon, our founders and internationals themselves, have been strong advocates for DEI since day one. It’s one thing to talk about DEI, but having leadership that genuinely believes in it makes all the difference,” Ceren affirms. “Their commitment help ensure that these values are embedded in our culture. Moreover, there is a group of employees that has actively put effort into putting DEI on the agenda and creating initiatives from the start. This has created a collective momentum that drives our mission forward.”
"It doesn’t get any easier than today."
Practical advice for other startups
As QphoX continues to grow, they are keen to share their lessons with the Quantum Delta NL ecosystem. Ceren offers some practical advice for startups looking to build more inclusive teams.
Start early: “It doesn’t get any easier than today. Don’t wait until you’re a large company to start thinking about DEI. It’s much easier to build an inclusive culture when you’re still small.”
Be persistent: “If your initial candidate pool isn’t diverse, keep looking. You can always ensure diversity while you are searching for the right candidate and it’s always worth it.”
Create safe spaces for conversations: “Whether it’s a privilege walk or a simple cultural event, find ways to keep the conversation going. DEI shouldn’t be a one-off initiative—it needs to be part of your company’s DNA.”
Offer support: “Things like visa sponsorships or flexible working arrangements can make a huge difference in attracting diverse talent in our field.”
Final thoughts
A big thank you to Ceren for taking the time to share QphoX’s journey and, with that, hopefully inspire others in the quantum ecosystem. Also, a major thanks to the team at QphoX for all these fantastic efforts that are benefiting a more diverse and equitable quantum community!
