SHELEADS+ Global Foundation

💫 SHELEADS+ Insights Report 2024 - Towards a Gender Equal Future in Entrepreneurship through Data, Dialogue, and Support We are proud to share our latest Insights Report, where we highlight women in entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. Through this report, we hope to inspire action and support (aspiring) entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds. How can we create an entrepreneurial ecosystem where everyone thrives? 🌟 Key Findings from this year based on Dealroom.co data show: In the Netherlands, only 1 in 7 companies are (co-)founded by women (a 4.5% increase since 2022).  Health has most women (co-)founders represented (15.35%), followed by Enterprise Software (9.76%), Energy Tech (9.57%), and Food & Beverage (7.17%)   Women founders are 49% more likely than men to align their ventures with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).    Learnings from role models  To complement the numbers, Q&As explore five key sectors where women entrepreneurs are making significant strides: Scale-Up (Nicola Ebmeyer, Gain.pro), Serial Entrepreneurship (Kirsty Sharman), Energy Transition (Petra Beris, TransitionHERO), Deep Tech (Cinzia Silvestri Bi/ond), and Sustainability (Stéphanie van Gerven Stichting Thuisgekookt).    Expert Insights   Expert insights by Dr. Laura Rosendahl Huber and Prof. Dr. Pursey Heugens (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University) examine the rise of women founders in Health and MedTech, while Dr. Selin Dilli and Dr. Corinne Boter (Utrecht University) challenge the notion of women entrepreneurs being a recent phenomenon, tracing their history from 1900 to 2020.    💡The report is available at https://lnkd.in/dgEmBhFj  🌍 Looking Ahead  From 2025, SHELEADS+ will continue as a Global Foundation in 2025, with initiatives already underway in Indonesia, Uganda, India, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Taiwan. During the SHELEADS+ Annual Event that takes place today, we will launch the report and celebrate the start of our journey as a non-profit with Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship as the founding partner of the foundation together with Katty Hsu and Ferlin Vermeer Yoswara as the co-founders.   SHELEADS+ Insights Report and the Annual Event are realised with the support of Gemeente Rotterdam, Erasmus Alumni Club, PwC and Ploum, who has generously welcomed us to Ploum House. We are also grateful to Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking and 42workspace for providing space for us to continue the celebrations. #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024  Female Ventures The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Erasmus Enterprise Arches Capital

2024 was een bijzonder jaar voor Code-V Vrouwelijk Ondernemerschap. Op 12/12 vierden we ons 1-jarig jubileum samen met maar liefst 101 publieke en private ondertekenaars, waaronder 18 nieuwe partners. Tijdens deze mijlpaal presenteerden we de resultaten van ons wetenschappelijk onderzoek, dat belangrijke barrières blootlegt én oplossingen biedt om de toegang tot financiering voor vrouwelijke ondernemers te verbeteren. Met deze inzichten gaan we in 2025 aan de slag! We bedanken iedereen voor het sterke fundament dat in 2024 is gelegd en kijken uit naar 2025. Vooruitblik op 2025: 📊 Publicatie van ons eerste impact report, inclusief nulmeting van data rondom funding voor vrouwelijke ondernemers. 🎯 Uitrol van de eerste interventies om gelijke financieringskansen te creëren. ✨ Vraag & aanbod samenbrengen, zodat kennis over- en toegang tot financiering verbetert. ⭐ Twee nieuwe ondertekenmomenten, waarbij investeerders en financiers zich kunnen aansluiten bij Code-V: 10 maart staat de eerste gepland. Aanmelden kan via een mail naar info@code-v.nl 📽 Bekijk de compilatievideo voor een terugblik op 12 december. Videocredits Styn Burkels We wensen iedereen heerlijke feestdagen🎄💫💃🏽 #CodeV #InclusieveFinanciering #GelijkSpeelveld #VrouwelijkOndernemerschap #SamenSterker

Inclusivity is at the heart of shaping the future of entrepreneurship🌟 At the SHELEADS+ Global Foundation 2024 Annual Event, women from all walks of life shared powerful insights on why diversity and inclusion matter in creating opportunities and driving innovation💬 Let’s continue to celebrate diverse voices and build a more equitable future together💡 This event was hosted at Ploum House and supported by Gemeente Rotterdam, Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking, Erasmus Alumni Club, PwC and 42workspace. Contributors included: Female Ventures, The Wheels of Impact, ECE Students, AMACON Lead®️, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Erasmus Enterprise, Arches Capital A special thank you to Lora Apostolova & Erasmus Enterprise for beautifully capturing the energy of the event through her videography skills 🎥 Azin Radsan van Alebeek Pauline Bieringa Ellen van Schoten Sophie Haccou Esther Smit Katty Hsu  #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop

Just over a year ago, our Founding Partner Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship signed Code-V Vrouwelijk Ondernemerschap to collaborate on studying the funding landscape for women in entrepreneurship in the Netherlands together with Deloitte.    🎉 Now, we are proud to be officially part of Code-V as the SHELEADS+ Global Foundation where we will work together with 100 public and private partners across the country to accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurship. 🎉    We were warmly welcomed at Postillion Hotels Bunnik with 17 new signatories (Builders, Curiosity VC, Floryn, Kennedy Van der Laan, Knab, KplusV, kvk.nl, McKinsey & Company, Ondernemende Vrouwen Fonds, Business Women Teylingen, Elfin, Matapica, nlgroeit, Osees B.V.,Zwarte vrouwen voor Technologie, The Next Women & #WingsMA Kathleen Oerlemans) yesterday to celebrate this occasion. Special thanks to Marianne Bruijn - the driving force behind this important work 👏 Congrats to Dr. Katie Stephenson (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) and Dr. Caroline Essers (Radboud University) for developing academically grounded results to grow the Dutch economy by €139 billion through inclusive financing interventions! 💪✨   👉 www.code-v.nl #VrouwelijkOndernemerschap #InclusieveFinanciering #SamenSterker #CodeV #1JaarCodeV    Wendy Teleki Chantal Korteweg Dorien Lathouwers Leontien de Haan-van 't Wout Sara Liesker Dennis Scheeren Katty Hsu Ferlin Vermeer Yoswara Leonardo Fuligni

🌟 What an incredible day! 🌟 We are beyond proud of what SHELEADS+ 2024 achieved and deeply grateful to everyone who attended, contributed, and made the event truly special. With attendees from over 19 countries, the event was a true celebration of inclusive entrepreneurship on a global scale. 🌍 To our speakers, partners, and attendees—thank you for showing up with passion, curiosity, and determination to create a brighter, more equitable future. A special thank you to Alexander Santos Lima for beautifully capturing the energy and highlights of the day through his photography. 📸 Here’s to the connections made, the stories shared, and the impact created. We can’t wait to see what comes next. 💡✨ #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop This event was hosted at Ploum House and supported by Gemeente Rotterdam, Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking , Erasmus Alumni Club , PwC and 42workspace. Contributors included: Female Ventures, The Wheels of Impact, ECE Students, AMACON Lead®️, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Erasmus Enterprise, Arches Capital, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship Katty Hsu Farshida Zafar Leonardo Fuligni Annique de Greef Jip Dresia Ata Engin Kathryn (Kat) Moy Ekaterina Parashina Karim El Oteify Adda van Zanden Laura Rosendahl Huber Pursey Heugens Marianne Bruijn Tanja Buijs Ingrid Verheul Michelle ter Laak Pauline Bieringa Esther Smit Dana-Maria Faneker Alexandra Danopoulos Danielle de Wilde Nicola Ebmeyer Nicolette Lazarus Yasmin Venema Arno Boersma

Taking Space: Empowering Your Voice in Every Room 🌟 We’re excited to highlight "Taking Space," one of the impactful workshops at this year’s SHELEADS+ event, hosted by Female Ventures’ Adda van Zanden! This transformative session is designed to empower women to step confidently into their roles and take up space in professional settings. Drawing from her unique expertise in politics (Volt Nederland Europe) and theatre (Shakespeare’s Women), Adda will guide participants in navigating complex environments with confidence and poise. Through this interactive workshop, you’ll gain practical tools to: ✨ Be better seen and heard in conversations and meetings. ✨ Position yourself effectively and make a lasting impact, particularly in male-dominated spaces. Adda van Zanden, a D&I expert, Global Ambassador Program Advisor (J&J Belgium - HBA), and program developer at Erasmus Centre for Women and Organisations (ECWO), blends strategic insights with the transformative power of performance to help participants embrace their full potential. Join us on November 29th at SHELEADS+, an initiative by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship through research, education, and meaningful connections. 💬 Don’t miss the chance to connect with a diverse network of changemakers. 🔗 Tickets are limited! Get yours at: https://lnkd.in/dahvbiz6 🎟️ #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop Gemeente Rotterdam The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking Erasmus Enterprise Erasmus Alumni Club Arches Capital Katty Hsu Farshida Zafar Leonardo Fuligni Annique de Greef Jip Dresia Ata Engin Kathryn (Kat) Moy Ekaterina Parashina Karim El Oteify Laura Rosendahl Huber Pursey Heugens Marianne Bruijn Tanja Buijs PwC Ingrid Verheul Michelle ter Laak

In-person tickets are almost sold out, with only a few FREE tickets left for Erasmus University Rotterdam students. You won’t want to miss out on this unique opportunity, don’t wait to secure your ticket 🎟️: https://lnkd.in/dahvbiz6   Missed out on an in-person SHELEADS+ ticket? Don’t worry—you can still be part of the action! Join us online for an exclusive live panel discussion  from 15:30 to 16:30 PM CET, where our inspiring panelists (Ekaterina Parashina, Ronica Pineda-Jones, T.H. Schee, Iryna Savytska) will dive into key challenges and opportunities in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. This is your chance to connect, learn, and ask questions from wherever you are ✨.    Register now to secure your spot and experience SHELEADS+ virtually!: https://lnkd.in/g742d_H8 #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop Gemeente Rotterdam Female Ventures The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking Erasmus Enterprise Erasmus Alumni Club Arches Capital Katty Hsu Farshida Zafar Leonardo Fuligni Annique de Greef Jip Dresia Ata Engin Kathryn (Kat) Moy Ekaterina Parashina Karim El Oteify Adda van Zanden Laura Rosendahl Huber Pursey Heugens Marianne Bruijn Tanja Buijs PwC Ingrid Verheul Michelle ter Laak

🌟 EmpowerHer with Immersive Tech 🌟 We’re excited to announce the “EmpowerHer with Immersive Tech” workshop at SHELEADS+, led by the visionary Dana-Maria Faneker, founder of CaptainVR and a pioneer in immersive technology! 💪💼 In this workshop, Dana-Maria will explore how immersive tech—like virtual and augmented reality—can empower women in business and leadership. From transforming storytelling to enhancing engagement, discover how these tools can help break barriers and foster inclusivity in the entrepreneurial world. 🌍 Step into a new dimension of innovation with us and see how immersive tech is reshaping possibilities for women entrepreneurs! 🚀 Here’s a sneak peek into the Event Programme: - Walk-in: 13:30 - 14:00  - Opening, including Keynote by Esther Smit: 14:00 - 14:30  - SHELEADS+ Insights Report Launch + Panel Discussion: 14:30 - 15:15  - Coffee Break: 15:15 - 15:30  - Parallel Workshops: 15:30 - 16:30 —> Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dMBfApES - Closing, including Keynote by Pauline Bieringa: 16:30 - 17:15  - Drinks: 17:15 - 18:30 Join us on November 29th at SHELEADS+, an initiative by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship through research, education, and meaningful connections. 💬 Don’t miss the chance to connect with a diverse network of changemakers. 🔗 Tickets are limited! Get yours at: https://lnkd.in/dahvbiz6 🎟️ #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop Gemeente Rotterdam Female Ventures The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking Erasmus Enterprise Erasmus Alumni Club Female Ventures Arches Capital PwC Katty Hsu Farshida Zafar Leonardo Fuligni Annique de Greef Jip Dresia Ata Engin Kathryn (Kat) Moy Ekaterina Parashina Karim El Oteify Adda van Zanden Laura Rosendahl Huber Pursey Heugens Marianne Bruijn Tanja Buijs Ingrid Verheul Michelle ter Laak

🌟 Excitement is building for SHELEADS+! 🌟 We are pleased to introduce the 3 remarkable individuals who will be opening our upcoming SHELEADS+ Event: Farshida Zafar, Director at Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), emphasizes the vital role of inclusive entrepreneurship and gender equality for our organization: “At ECE, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and promoting gender equality. Empowering women in entrepreneurship is not just a fundamental duty but a strategic advantage that drives innovation and economic growth. Our SHELEADS+ concept is designed to empower women and promote gender equality in entrepreneurship, working towards a more equitable and innovative future.” Alexandra Danopoulos, Managing Partner at Ploum is an expert in environmental and administrative law and personally believe strongly in this mission because she's seen how important it is to break down barriers and create an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to succeed: "Ploum is a law firm known for its contemporary, entrepreneurial style and Rotterdam mentality. For years now, Ploum has been very active in the startup community, assisting up and coming business with their legal issues. Our collaboration with SHELEADS+ is based on a shared vision of gender equality and the empowerment of women in entrepreneurship." Danielle de Wilde, Chariwoman of Rotterdamse Zakenvrouw van het Jaar will bring a powerful perspective as our community partner, asking thought-provoking questions about gender representation in business. She challenges us with her statement: “Should there still be separate elections for businesswomen? As long as the first image that comes to mind with words like 'Entrepreneur,' 'Director,' or 'Executive' is a man, absolutely. As long as there is still a wage gap between men and women, absolutely. Our mission at the Rotterdam Businesswoman Foundation is to build an inclusive future, where discussions about race, gender, or any other irrelevant issues become obsolete.” We look forward to the impactful conversations that will emerge from these powerful words and hope to inspire change within our communities. Join us in celebrating the strength and resilience of women in entrepreneurship! Join us on November 29th at SHELEADS+, an initiative by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship through research, education, and meaningful connections. 💬 Don’t miss the chance to connect with a diverse network of changemakers. 🔗 Tickets are limited! Get yours at: https://lnkd.in/dahvbiz6 🎟️ #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #WomenEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #FundingOpportunities #InclusiveBusiness #Innovation #Networking #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #Workshop Gemeente Rotterdam Female Ventures The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking Erasmus Enterprise Erasmus Alumni Clubt 

We’re excited to announce that Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking and 42workspace are key location partners for this year’s SHELEADS+ event! 🌟 Microlab will host the exclusive partner dinner, providing a creative and collaborative atmosphere where connections can flourish. Meanwhile, 42workspace, known for its vibrant tech-driven community, will host the after-party 🎉—open to everyone attending the event, offering a great opportunity to network and celebrate together. In addition to the main event taking place at Ploum, both locations perfectly align with the SHELEADS+ mission to empower entrepreneurs and build impactful communities 🤝. Join us on November 29th at SHELEADS+, an initiative by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship through research, education, and meaningful connections. 💬 Don’t miss the chance to connect with a diverse network of changemakers. 🔗 Here’s a sneak peek into the Event Programme: - Walk-in: 13:30 - 14:00 - Opening, including Keynote by Esther Smit: 14:00 - 14:30 - SHELEADS+ Insights Report Launch + Panel Discussion: 14:30 - 15:15 - Coffee Break: 15:15 - 15:30 - Parallel Workshops, including by Karim El Oteify, Female Ventures, Adda van Zanden, Ekaterina Parashina, Dana-Maria Faneker, Arches Capital, Laura Rosendahl Huber & Ingrid Verheul: 15:30 - 16:30 - Closing, including Keynote by Pauline Bieringa: 16:30 - 17:15 - Drinks: 17:15 - 18:30 Tickets are limited! Get yours at: https://lnkd.in/dahvbiz6 🎟️ #SHELEADSPlus #SHELEADSPlus2024 #Inclusiventrepreneurship #Entrepreneurship #Intersectionality #InclusiveBusiness #Leadership #Community #Networking #DEI  #DiversityAndInclusion #Workshop #ChangeMakers #Empowerment #Collaboration Gemeente Rotterdam Female Ventures The Wheels of Impact ECE Students AMACON Lead®️ Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Microlab | Offices, Maker Space, Event Venue & Coworking Erasmus Enterprise Erasmus Alumni Club Katty Hsu Farshida Zafar Leonardo Fuligni Annique de Greef Jip Dresia Ata Engin Kathryn (Kat) Moy Ekaterina Parashina Karim El Oteify Adda van Zanden Laura Rosendahl Huber Pursey Heugens Marianne Bruijn