Launching a Platform for Change – Nadine Ridder
In 2016, Nadine Ridder didn’t launch her freelance career with a flashy business plan or investor pitch. What she did have was a clear intention: to contribute to social issues while maintaining her independence. But the road was far from straightforward. Starting with a Purpose “I started freelancing in 2016—not with a grand plan, but […]
Rebuilt from Scratch: How Joëlle van der Pol Created a Leisure Empire
From organizing backyard games as a kid to leading a company with internationally recognized game concepts, Joëlle van der Pol, founder of Genius Leisure Group, has always had entrepreneurship in her DNA. Through persistence, creativity, and a willingness to take bold risks, she’s built experiences that bring people together — and turned her passion into […]
Parzijn Majid – Beyond the silence: How Earlab Is redefining global hearing care
Parzijn Majid didn’t start Earlab because the market demanded it. She did so because she saw something most people continue to overlook: a quiet, global crisis. She saw companies trying desperately to reach people with hearing loss, only to fail. Not only that, but she saw well-meaning campaigns that reinforced stigma rather than breaking it. […]
Side hustle to social impact: The Jennifer van Dijk Story
Meet Jennifer van Dijk, founder of ConsciounistaWhat began as a side project selling overstock and returned outdoor gear quickly grew into something much bigger—a mission-driven business tackling fashion waste while empowering women to become entrepreneurs. Jennifer’s story is one of curiosity, passion, and impact. With a focus on sustainability and community, she’s building a business […]
FEM-STARTUp x Antler Award finalist Anastasia Kuskova raised 3 million!
A passionate entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in mining and metals, Anastasia Kuskova co-founded beSirius after identifying deep inefficiencies in sustainability reporting. Her vision and drive earned her recognition as a FEM-STARTUp finalist powered by Antler in 2023, highlighting her as a leading voice among Europe’s rising female founders. Today, that vision takes […]
From Idea to Impact: Sandra Grauss on Changing the Way We Work
What happens when personal frustration meets professional insight? For Sandra Grauss, it led to a mission-driven startup: Tribute to Work. After struggling to find a workplace that truly aligned with her values, Sandra realized there had to be a better way — and decided to create it herself. With a clear mission to help more […]
Breaking Taboos with Moodies: Claire van Beek on Empowering Women with Leakproof Underwear
Meet Claire van Beek, co-founder of Moodies BV, a brand redefining comfort, confidence, and sustainability with period-proof underwear, swimwear, and bladder leak products. With her partner, Miguel Koerts, Claire has taken a bold leap into a market that was once misunderstood—and she’s here to tell us all about the journey, the challenges, the growth, and […]
Shaping success with legal insights – Expert-led workshops of A&O Shearman x FEM-START
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 […]
Kick-off FEM-START GROWTH Training: A Day of Inspiration, Insights, and Connections
On March 20th, the kick-off of the FEM-START GROWTH Training took place—an energetic and inspiring day filled with insights, opportunities, and connections for female entrepreneurs. In collaboration with StartupAmsterdam and Rabobank Amsterdam, the event focused on growth, funding, and expanding professional networks. A Powerful Start The afternoon began with an opening speech by Alderman Sofyan […]
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs at the SME Networking Event
On the 11th of March, the SME Networking Event hosted by MKB Metropool Amsterdam took place at the Corendon hotel in Badhoevedorp—an inspiring gathering where female entrepreneurs had the opportunity to present their businesses and connect with like-minded professionals. The event was opened by José Schmidt, SME advisor at Rabobank, who emphasized the importance of […]
