What a day! On March 28, 2025, FEM-START and A&O Shearman hosted an exclusive Legal Insights & Networking Lunch at Apollo House in Amsterdam. The event brought together female entrepreneurs and top-tier legal minds for an a morning of insight, strategy, and connection.
The morning was packed with three deep dive workshops led by legal-experts of A&O Shearman.
Pitching & Networking: Led by professionals Marco van der Meer and Harriet Walsh from A&O Shearman, this workshop helped master the art of pitching, creating compelling pitch decks, and building meaningful connections. They gave out the best tips, whereas one of them was ‘If two people are standing side by side, feel free to join the conversation. But if they’re facing each other, it’s best to give them space’
Negotiating Dutch Commercial Contracts: The presentation of Philippe Gimbrère and Ninwa Alan provided key insights into B2B contracting, covering Dutch contract law essentials, negotiation strategies, and real-world case studies. Attendees gained practical knowledge on maximizing strategic advantage and avoiding legal pitfalls. Key takeaways were how important it is to have correct language in a contract where both parties understand it the same way and keep communications factual.
The Growth Capital Transactions session explored the ins and outs of scaling a business thanks to Tim Rijkse and Kiki Doeve —from deal structures to key legal documents. Attendees walked away with sharp insights on investor expectations, negotiation strategies, and the economics behind successful growth capital deals.
Our attendees weren’t just soaking up knowledge—they were connecting with distinguished professionals of A&O Shearman and fellow female entrepreneurs during the provided lunch, while being mindful of those celebrating Ramadan. Plus, many took advantage of the opportunity to submit pro bono requests for legal advice tailored to their startup needs, as A&O Shearman is generously dedicating 750 pro bono hours to the community of FEM-START to celebrate Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary!
We’re absolutely delighted to have brought together such a vibrant and forward-thinking group of female entrepreneurs and legal professionals. The energy, ideas, and connections were truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see what’s next and continue supporting these incredible minds as they shape the future! Thank you Monique Pennings and Sarina Langenberg-Agata for hosting us.
Ready to level up your business? Don’t miss out on future training opportunities! Click
Written by Roos van den Oosterkamp
