FEM-START | Capital Ready program
Discover how capital can accelerate your growth.
You have ambition and see opportunities for your business. But turning those opportunities into growth often requires more than revenue and your own resources. FEM-START is for female entrepreneurs who are serious about growing and want to explore the role external funding can play in their next stage of growth.
Across five practical modules, you’ll discover which funding options fit your business and what investors and financiers need to see to believe in your plans. You’ll sharpen your positioning and business case, develop a funding strategy that fits your ambitions, and practice presenting your growth plans with confidence.
Amsterdam
For female entrepreneurs based in Amsterdam and the surrounding area.
Kick-off: 22 October 2026
✔ Five practical modules
✔ Access to experts, financiers and an ambitious network of female entrepreneurs
✔ A refundable application fee of €25
✔ Applications close on 19 October 2026
Who is it for?
FEM-START is for female entrepreneurs with clear growth ambitions who are serious about exploring how external funding can accelerate their next stage of growth.
The programme is right for you if:
- you have an active business and a registered Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number;
- you have a clear value proposition and some initial market validation;
- you want to further sharpen your business case and growth plans;
- you want to explore which type of funding fits your business and ambitions;
- you are willing to work on your financials, positioning and funding strategy;
- you have the time and commitment to attend all five modules and take concrete next steps.
You don’t need to know exactly how much capital you need or which type of funding you want to use yet. That’s what you’ll explore during the program.
What will you gain?
After the programme, you’ll have a strong foundation to take the next step towards funding:
- a clear and well-founded plan for your next stage of growth;
- a sharpened value proposition and business case;
- a better understanding of your market, customers and growth potential;
- clarity on your funding needs and suitable funding options;
- a clear funding strategy;
- a compelling pitch for financiers;
- practice with funding conversations and targeted feedback;
- access to experts, financiers and an ambitious network of female entrepreneurs.
Module 1: Kick-off: ambition & direction
Thursday 22 October
16:00 – 18:00
Walk-in: 15:30
(Network drinks afterwards)
Location: Equals Amsterdam, Keizersgracht 316
PROGRAM
You’ll meet the other ambitious founders and start building a strong peer community from day one. We’ll introduce the startup framework and the six building blocks of a fundable business case. You’ll sharpen your growth ambitions and explore how capital can help accelerate your next stage of growth.
The afternoon will be opened by Melanie van der Horst, Alderman for Economic Affairs at the City of Amsterdam.
We’ll also hear from Nuthan Manohar, founder of The Happiness Tour and FEM-START alumna, who will share her founder and funding story and give you a real-life look at her entrepreneurial journey.
After this module, you’ll have a clear view of where you want to go, what you need to get there, and which areas of your business you’ll work on throughout the program.
Module 2: Problem–solution fit: from broad market to sharp focus
Thursday 29 October
09:30 – 12:00
Walk-in: 09:00
Location: Thomaskerk Amsterdam, Prinses Irenestraat 36
Many entrepreneurs serve multiple customer groups, but growth requires focus. In this module, you’ll explore which customer group has the most urgent need and what unique value you create for them. You’ll sharpen the customer problem and your solution, map out your key assumptions, and gather evidence of demand and commercial commitment.
After this module, you’ll have a clear focus and a stronger, more evidence-based value proposition that shows who you create the most value for, which urgent problem you solve, and why customers choose your solution.
Trainer Gritd
Module 3: Funding strategy: from growth plan to funding roadmap
You’ll explore different types of funding, including bank financing, loans, grants, funds and investors. You’ll assess which type or combination best fits your stage of growth, ambitions and business, and what financiers expect when it comes to your financials, market potential and risk assessment.
After this module, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your funding needs, financial case and the funding route that can best support your growth.
Trainer: AtVenture Platform
NIEUW-WEST
Wednesday 4 November
14:00 – 16:00
Walk-in: 13:30
Location: New Wave Hub, Mendes da Costahof 5, 1067 AC Amsterdam
donderdag 10 april
10:00 – 12:00 uur
met The Angel Initiative’s Wiegertje Groenveld
ZUID-OOST
IS VOL!
Thursday 5 November
10:00 – 12:00
Walk-in: 09:30
Location: T.B.A.
donderdag 10 april
14:00 – 16:00 uur
met The Angel Initiative’s Tessa de Flines
Locatie:
Living Kitchen in Zandkasteel Bijlmerplein 888, 1102 MG Amsterdam
NOORD
IS VOL!
Thursday 5 November
15:00 – 17:00
Walk-in: 14:30
Location: A Lab, Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
donderdag 30 oktober
10:00 – 12:00 uur
met The Angel Initiative’s Laurie Lancee
Module 4: Pitch training: from growth plan to a compelling story
Together with an experienced pitch trainer, you’ll turn your growth ambitions, business case and funding needs into a clear and compelling story. You’ll work on the content and structure of your pitch, practise your presentation, and learn how to communicate your plans with confidence and credibility.
After this module, you’ll have a strong pitch, know how to present your story with confidence, and be well prepared for conversations with experts and financiers during the Finals.
Trainer: Vijay Kumar
NIEUW-WEST
Wednesday 11 November
14:00 – 16:00
Walk-in: 13:30
Location: New Wave Hub, Mendes da Costahof 5, 1067 AC Amsterdam
woensdag 7 mei
10:00 – 12:00 uur
Locatie:
New Wave Hub
Mendes Da Costahof 5
1067ZN, Amsterdam
ZUID-OOST
Thursday 12 November
10:00 – 12:00
Walk-in: 09:30
Location: T.B.A.
woensdag 7 mei
14:00 – 16:00 uur
Locatie:
Living Kitchen in Zandkasteel Bijlmerplein 888, 1102 MG Amsterdam
NOORD
Thursday 12 November
15:00 – 17:00
Walk-in: 14:30
Location: A Lab, Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
woensdag 7 mei
10:00 – 12:00 uur
Module 5: Finals: from plan to next step
Wednesday 25 November
14:00 – 18:00
Walk-in: 13:30
(Network drinks afterwards)
Location: Rabobank Amsterdam, Amstelplein 8
Digital Coaching Sessions (optional)
Alongside the core modules, we organise four optional digital coaching sessions. These sessions are designed for questions, deeper discussion and refining your next step towards growth and capital.
Dates & Times
- Monday 26 October – 15:00 | Overall
- Monday 2 November – 15:00 | Validation & Problem Solution Fit
- Monday 9 November – 15:00 | Rules of Capital
- Monday 16 November – 15:00 | Investors
Onze deelnemers geven ons een 8,5 !
Angel
The Shea Butter Company en Zorg van een Engel
“Ik heb veel gehad aan de persoonlijke feedback op mijn pitch.”
Britt
Studio Sass & Brass
“Door de FEM-START training ben ik groter gaan nadenken omdat we verschillende funding opties hebben besproken.”
Carly
“Het is fijn om met gelijkgestemden dezelfde groeipijnen te doorlopen en te weten dat je niet de enige bent.”
Mede mogelijk gemaakt door
