The number of women entrepreneurs in the Netherlands has increased by more than 60 per cent over the past decade, and now the Netherlands has more than 700,000 companies founded by women entrepreneurs. The number of women entrepreneurs in the Netherlands has increased by more than 60 per cent over the past decade, and now the Netherlands has more than 700,000 companies founded by women entrepreneurs.
The numbers come from the SHE LEADS Dashboard 2023, researched and published by Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship. The SHE LEADS Dashboard shows that these companies make a significant contribution to solving major societal issues: companies led by women are more impact-oriented and hold the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in high regard.
While the numbers of women entrepreneurs are increasing, they are still in the minority and are even still considered unconventional by some people in business – particularly when looking at the Dutch landscape for high-growth firms. But, the researchers say, this does not mean it will always be like this. Entrepreneurs are embedded in a cultural and institutional context, which is constantly evolving. If this becomes more inclusive, the whole system will adapt accordingly.
The SHE LEADS Dashboard 2023 dives into the key trends and themes of entrepreneurship and puts the spotlight on 50 inspiring entrepreneurial role models leading in social impact, health and well-being, technology, scaling-up and serial entrepreneurship. The SHE LEADS Dashboard highlights that:
- 10% of companies headquartered in the Netherlands have a woman as founder or co-founder
- Women entrepreneurs are more impact-oriented: their companies tackle more SDGs than companies founded by men
- Women entrepreneurs receive a fraction of the amount of venture capital that men do (less than 3%) of male entrepreneurs’ Venture Capital;
- Most female entrepreneurs (61%) start their company with little capital and do not rely on outside investment – known as ‘bootstrapping’ – for growth
- Female founded or co-founded companies are concentrated in the Randstad; the majority of them are based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.
About Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship
Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship is initiated by Erasmus School of Economics and Rotterdam School of Management and 100% part of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
- More information
Read the full report in the SHE LEADS Dashboard 2023.
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media and Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, mobile phone: +31 6 53641 846.
