IMEC.XPAND
Imec.xpand is an early stage and growth venture capital fund with a game-changing approach to turn hardware driven nanotechnology innovation into successful global companies. The fund is independently managed by a team of entrepreneurs, seasoned venture capitalists and business experts and is targeting ambitious tech start-ups that meet all the criteria to become a successful, scalable venture with the potential to change the world. Imec.xpand will boost those ventures by supporting them operationally and financially from seed to exit, by enabling capex light innovation in a capex heavy environment and by giving them access to the unique imec knowledge, expertise, network and state of the art infrastructure.
PURPOSE
Imec.xpand is committed to create an inclusive culture in which everyone is respected and welcomed. We actively strive to maintain an environment in which every employee feels stimulated to show and use their unique qualities and create value for our team. Our aim is to ensure that everyone who represents imec.xpand, including our portfolio companies embodies our values at all times.
At imec.xpand we believe that diversity is the foundation for generating successful, scalable ventures with the potential to change the world. By supporting #MovingForward, we voice our commitments to foster a diverse, inclusive, and harassment-free workplace.
To learn more about #MovingForward.
SCOPE
Our goal is to provide a healthy work environment and culture and extend those commitments to our dealings with all external parties.
Below, we have outlined our anti-discrimination and harassment policy formulating unacceptable behaviours and the processes through which subjects of discrimination or harassment can raise concerns about behaviours.
These principles serve to guide all persons involved with our organisation including staff members, entrepreneurs, board members, portfolio company founders, clients and vendors in any setting associated with imec.xpand.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS
Discrimination
Imec.xpand is committed to establish an environment where everyone is valued equally and all forms of discrimination are wholly unacceptable. Discrimination is defined as differentiating between people on the grounds of irrelevant characteristics. We vow that the same opportunities shall be granted regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion and belief, political opinion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender.
Harassment
We believe that respect and feeling welcome are essential elements to generate successful businesses. In creating this inclusive culture, imec.xpand sees no place for harassment, any form of unwelcome words, deeds, actions, gestures or behaviours that make someone feel uncomfortable, including, but not limited to, unwelcome slurs, jokes, or verbal, graphic, or physical conduct relating to an individual's race, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, physical disability, mental disability, age, medical condition, or sexual orientation.
Sexual harassment
At imec.xpand, we are committed to providing a safe work environment that is free from harassment of any kind. Sexual harassment meaning any unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature which a reasonable person in the circumstances would find humiliating, intimidating or offensive. Sexual harassment does not have to be repetitive and it can take many forms, from sexual comments to actual physical violence, like:
Sexual or sexually suggestive comments, jokes, insults, metaphors, pranks or gestures
Discussing the sexual attractiveness or exploits of yourself or others, even if intended to be a compliment
Unsolicited comments on someone’s body to them or to others, even if intended to be a compliment
Sending obscene letters, notes, emails, text messages, photographs, cartoons, articles, or other written or pictorial materials of a sexual natures
Unsolicited comments on someone’s self-presentation (dress, shoes, makeup, hair) that are sexually suggestive
Repeated requests for dates, drinks, or other personal contact, after being informed that interest is unwelcome
Sexual coercion under threat of punishment, including defamation, firing, negative reviews, or impeding investment
Rape
Other Types of Harassment not accepted under our imec.xpand policy
Advocating for or supporting any unacceptable behaviour is not accepted
Deliberately and repeatedly acting in a manner, either directly or indirectly, which is contrary to the terms (or the spirit) of our policy
Threatening, rewarding, or otherwise coercing someone to not report or lie about a violation of our policy
Physical conduct such as assault
REPORTING PROCEDURE
Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive work environment, fostering entrepreneurs who share our values of tolerance and inclusivity.
We encourage open dialogue and support anyone who may need to seek counsel on or report any violations of our anti-discrimination and harassment policy. We expect people in positions of power to be especially conscientious in reporting any violations they see, with the consent of the person involved, as they are less vulnerable to retaliation or pressure than people with less power. Community members can seek counsel and report violations via the "Report Incident" button in the header of this page.
Any reported incidents will be reviewed by the committee consisting out of the four partners of our fund:
Frank Bulens
Peter Vanbekberger
Cyril Vancura
Tom Vanhoutte
We will promptly take appropriate action to address any form of harassment or discrimination that is brought to our attention.