Diversity in GovTech

Who’s Represented in Innovative Technology Supplied to Public Administration?

Abstract

This study investigates the potential role of diversity in shaping innovation outcomes within the GovTech sector, an emerging domain where startups collaborate with public administrations to drive digital transformation. While GovTech is positioned as a vehicle for more agile, inclusive, and citizen-oriented public services, its effectiveness hinges on the extent to which it mirrors the populations it serves. Grounded in theories of diversity management and diffusion of innovation, this research explores how the demographic composition of GovTech founders compares to public administration employees, the broader startup ecosystem, and the general citizenry in Germany. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining 108 expert interviews with GovTech founders and comparative analysis using secondary data from national datasets. It focuses on three diversity dimensions: gender, migration background, and socio-economic (labor vs. academic) background. The findings reveal substantial misalignments. GovTech startups are heavily male-dominated (85.7% male founders), starkly contrasting with the higher female representation in public administration (58.6%) and the near gender parity in the citizenry. Migration background is also underrepresented among GovTech founders (22.7%) relative to citizens (28.6%), though aligned with general startup trends. GovTech shows relatively strong socio-economic inclusivity, with 62.8% of founders from labor backgrounds, exceeding
both startup and citizen benchmarks. These demographic mismatches raise concerns about the representational legitimacy and inclusiveness of GovTech solutions, which may limit their relevance, adoption, and impact. Public administrations, while more gender-diverse, also exhibit gaps, particularly in migration and socio-economic representation, potentially compounding the dis-
connect between technology providers and end-users. The study proposes strategic responses, including inclusive procurement policies, support for diverse founders, and cross-sector alignment initiatives to strengthen equity in digital public services.