Workplace Pride’s new Executive Director, Javier Leonor, joined a panel discussion at a recent conference to highlight the hidden cost of invisibility for LGBTIQ+ professionals, entrepreneurs, and business founders.
What happens when people feel they cannot be open about who they are in the workplace or when building a business? And what opportunities are lost when individuals feel they need to hide an important part of their identity to succeed?
These were among the important questions raised by Javier Leonor Vicente, Workplace Pride’s new Executive Director, during a panel discussion at a recent conference hosted by the European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce (EGLCC).
The hidden cost of staying invisible
During the discussion, Javier highlighted the personal and professional cost of not being able to bring your whole self into the workplace or entrepreneurial environment.
According to Identity.VC’s 2025 LGBTQ+ Startup Report, more than 35% of LGBTIQ+ founders do not disclose their identity to investors.
Based on research involving more than 500 founders across over 20 countries, the report highlights the challenges LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs continue to face in the startup and investment ecosystem.
For many founders, deciding whether to disclose their identity is not simply a personal choice. It can involve concerns about acceptance, credibility, access to investment and the potential impact on their business opportunities.
Consider the energy involved in constantly managing perceptions, navigating assumptions or concealing who you are. Imagine if that same energy could instead be invested in developing new ideas, building businesses, creating solutions and driving innovation.
This is the wider cost of invisibility: the potential, creativity and contribution that organisations and the business community risk losing when people cannot participate authentically.
Inclusion is a driver of innovation and growth.
The discussion reinforces an important message: inclusion should not be viewed simply as a workplace policy or a matter of representation. It is also about creating the conditions in which people can contribute fully, develop their potential and succeed.
This applies not only to corporate workplaces but also to entrepreneurship, investment, leadership and the wider business ecosystem.
When people feel safe to be themselves, organisations benefit from a broader range of perspectives, experiences and ideas. Creating inclusive environments is therefore not just the right thing to do; it is an important part of building stronger, more innovative and successful businesses.
At Workplace Pride, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive professionally without having to hide who they are.
Explore the research
Identity.VC’s 2025 LGBTQ+ Startup Report provides valuable insights into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ founders and the challenges they encounter across the European startup ecosystem.
Read more and download the full report directly from Identity.VC.
