In the run -up to every International Women's Day (IWD), new data on the inequality of the genders in technology are published. The results are often discouraging.
This week, a report estimated that the founders in Europe secured only 12% of the total VC financing of the previous year. Another calculated that overlooked Women led Deep -Tech company in the past decade, the economy cost € 198.8 billion.
However, there are also reasons for optimism. One of them is that the investment landscape shows signs of progress. According to the innovation index of the female innovation, an increase in round size by 7% and the Tech company founded by women last year by 15% of M&A activities.
Another source of hope is the transformative technologies that result from their companies. When IWD approaches, we spoke to four women in the home country of TNW, the Netherlands, about their work, and why the Tech sector has to do more for gender equality.
Anne Berends, co -founder and CTO at Sunled Life Science
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Anne Berends has a rare mix of academic specialist knowledge and business nous. As a material scientist and program director at Dutch, Pioneer Seeborough headed a convincing hypothesis: Near infrared light can improve our health and well -being.
Under her observation, the idea for a new spin-off company developed: Sunled Life Science. As a co -founder and CTO, Berends shapes the technological and strategic direction of the business.
She makes it clear that she supports women in technology.
“Half of the population is female and girls exceed boys at school,” she says. “The reality is that there are countless women with brilliant, entrepreneurial ideas, but remain underrepresented in the startup world. This is not just a diversity problem. It's a missed opportunity. If female founders are rare, valuable innovations and economic potential are unused. “
In order to unlock this talent, the financing of access must improve.
“It's time for VCS and [private equity] Companies that acknowledge this and actively invest in the next generation of women led by women-who is there and is waiting to be activated. “
Kiki Lauwers, CEO near Thorizon
Like Berends, Kiki Lauwers has a glittering one resume of economy and scientific Registration information. She has a master's degree in aerospace technology from Delft University of Technology and an MBA from Insead.
After working at McKinsey, online dealer bol.com and audiovisual Business Kinly joined CEO as CEO in 2023. The company develops a nuclear reactor with an unusual power source: melted salt. The approach could realize the dream of sustainable and green nuclear energy.
Lauwers sees two sides to their position as managers in technology.
“To be different 'has his advantages that remember you and with purely male panels that hide, I get more opportunities to speak. But I also have to fight prejudices. I'm not here because I'm a woman. I'm still here, ”she says.
“Every day I drive against prejudices that I have less technically, intelligent, persistent or experienced. In a recent interview, I was quoted as a “Belgian woman” and my colleague was quoted as a “engineer from Delft”. I am an engineer with an MBA degree, a former strategy consultant with a lot of management experience, but sometimes I wonder if my name was easier if my name was Peter. “
Apart from the ethical questions, Lauwers emphasizes the business argument for greater equality.
“Europe's Deep -Tech sector needs all the talents that can get it, which means to encourage more women, to pursue and emphasize technical role models,” she says. “I am proud that Thorizon has over 30% female employees.”
Esther Bisschop, co -founder at TH3RD
Esther Bisschop is an entrepreneur with a flair for storytelling. She used these skills to transform her start -up -TH3RD -into a global ladder in the 3D scan software.
The digital models from TH3RD were a hit for clothing stamps. Social media giant also recognized the value of the technology. In 2022, Snap acquired the company based in Amsterdam as part of an urge to embed AR in e-commerce.
Bisschop indicates the social advantages of the variety of technology.
“The most urgent challenges in the world are not solved by a few, they all need us. In order to build a better future, we need founders of different genders, backgrounds, age groups and cultures to promote innovations, ”she says.
“Investments in women's founders not only for fairness, but about unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship.”
Lea Milovich, CEO and co -founder at Flowbeams
Lea Milovich has more than 15 years of experience as a senior Business development managerTeam leader and start -up trainer. In 2021 she added “founder” to her extensive list of professional success.
The company that she built – Flowbeams – began to apply tattoos without needles. The concept developed in a non-invasive injection system for cosmetic and pharmaceutical treatments.
Milovich underlines the advantages of being a guide to the woman.
“Being a female founder means navigating unknown water with hidden and declared prejudices. For me, however, it has brought a unique perspective in which resilience innovation promotes much more, ”she says.
“I am firmly convinced that we have to actively invest in brave and brilliant women who are willing to risk their time and reputation not as a gesture, but as a strategic imperative.”
This year's TNW conference shows a women in Tech ticket. The pass offers a 50% discount on the event, which takes place in Amsterdam from June 19 to 20.
TNW also organizes a brunch of the founders on March 15.
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