Women Disrupting Tech
In Women Disrupting Tech, host Dirkjan Hupkes gives the mic to women building bold tech companies. Each week, a founder shares how she tackles big challenges like climate, healthcare and inequality, and what it takes to lead. Their stories spark ideas, open doors, and show what’s possible when more women lead in tech. Whether you’re a founder, future entrepreneur, or someone who wants to see more women at the table, this show is for you. New episodes drop weekly on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. Subscribe now and join the growing force of women disrupting tech.
S4 E99 · Thu, May 01, 2025
Episode 99: How The Angel Initiative Is Closing the Gender Funding Gap with Laurie Lancee
Laurie Lancee, Managing Director of The Angel Initiative, joins us to explore how angel investing can drive real change in startup funding. She shares how her own fundraising experience as a female founder led her to support other women in tech. We discuss how The Angel Initiative is making early-stage investing more accessible, why representation on both sides of the table matters, and how the initiative aims to fund 25 female-led startups in 2025. Whether you’re an investor, founder, or future angel, this conversation offers insight into building a more inclusive future of tech.
S4 E69 · Thu, April 24, 2025
Episode 98: Making Health Data Work for Everyone with Sara Okhuijsen and Nima Salami
In episode 98, Sara Okhuijsen and Nima Salami share how they're building OASYS NOW , a platform that makes personalized medicine more inclusive, secure and accessible. From their unexpected first meeting at a student gala to winning Slush 100 and catching the attention of Google and NVIDIA, their journey shows how tech and trust can work together in healthcare. We discuss: Why most clinical trials fail to recruit the right patients How data bias limits who benefits from new medicine What it takes to protect privacy while empowering people with chronic illness How Sara stepped into the CTO role and what they've learned about leadership, fundraising, and building a mission-led team For more information about the episode, please visit the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog . And if you want to be among the first to learn about new episodes, subscribe to my Substack (it's free).
S4 E97 · Thu, April 17, 2025
Episode 97: How Women Disrupt Tech Even When the System Pushes Back with Dirkjan Hupkes
What does it take to drive change in tech when the system is built to resist it? In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, host Dirkjan looks at the trends shaping the future for female founders, leaders, and changemakers in tech. You'll hear how women continue to disrupt, from boardrooms to startups, even when the tide works against them. We cover: Why the DEI backlash is part of any real power shift. Key trends that are opening new doors for inclusive innovation. How women are building their own paths in healthtech, fintech and deep tech. If you're navigating a career or building a company in tech, this episode will give you insight, fuel, and proof that you’re not alone. You can find all the links to the role models that I mention as well as the books in the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.
S4 E96 · Thu, April 10, 2025
Episode 96: How tex.tracer's Supply Chain Transparency Empowers Fashion Brands with Jolanda Kooi
Fashion brands talk about sustainability. But how do they prove it? In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, tex.tracer founder Jolanda Kooi shares how she is using verified data to build transparent supply chains that empower real change in the fashion industry. We talk about transparency as a competitive advantage, how data cuts through greenwashing, and what it takes to raise the bar for industry standards. Jolanda also opens up about the reality of fundraising as a female founder in tech. Tune in to discover how transparent supply chains are reshaping the future of fashion. And dont forget to check out the show notes for links to connect with Jolanda and tex.tracer.
S4 E95 · Wed, April 02, 2025
Episode 95: How SkilledIn Green Is Fixing the Sustainability Talent Gap with Natasha Syed
In Episode 95 of Women Disrupting Tech, Natasha Syed shares how she is fixing hiring for sustainability jobs by closing the talent gap. She explains the role of skills-based learning, the realities of bootstrapping a startup, and what it takes to build a green talent pipeline. As a solo founder, Natasha also opens up about the challenges of building a business from scratch and shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Listen now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. And check out the show notes on the blog for links to connect with Natasha and SkilledIn Green.
S4 E94 · Wed, March 26, 2025
Episode 94: Funding and Building the Future of Venture Capital with Michelle ter Laak
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Michelle Ter Laak shares her journey into venture capital, the role of diversity in decision-making, and the evolving landscape of B2B SaaS. We explore AI, cybersecurity, and impact investing, as well as the shift from traditional VC to a founder-first approach. Michelle also highlights how female investors can shape the future of funding and why we should be proud of the progress we've made in the past few decades. Listen now to gain insights into how VC is changing and how you can be part of the future. You can find the show notes, with Michelle's bio and links to connect on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.
S4 E93 · Wed, March 19, 2025
Episode 93: The Message That Changed the Future of Th3rd with Esther Bisschop
Esther Bisschop joins me to reveal how one cold LinkedIn message changed the trajectory of Th3rd, taking it from the brink of bankruptcy to an acquisition by Snap Inc. We dive into the realities of startup life, from managing uncertainty to adapting to industry shifts and seizing unexpected opportunities. Esther also shares her experiences scaling in Europe, the growing startup scene in India, and why venture capital needs to do more to fund mixed teams. Listen to episode 93 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Amazon. And don't forget to check out the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.
S4 E92 · Wed, March 12, 2025
Episode 92: Taking Venture Capital Beyond Bias with Sophie Heijenberg
How can we use biases to future-proof Venture Capital? Sophie Heijenberg, investor at No Such Ventures, is on a mission to rethink how funding works. She has been the only woman on a trading floor, walked into meetings where she was mistaken for the assistant, and now makes investment decisions that challenge the status quo. In this episode, we uncover:✅ Why bias in VC is not just a problem but part of the solution.✅ How smart investors look beyond the checklist to fund the best ideas.✅ The role of networks in shaping who gets funded and who doesn’t. Sophie is proving that venture capital can and should be different. Ready to learn how? 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or Amazon.
S4 E91 · Wed, March 05, 2025
Episode 91: Using Intuition as a Superpower in Business and Leadership with Daphne Laan
Daphne Laan started her career in tech before most people had mobile phones. She spent nine years at Google, leading global deals and driving change. Now, she is building Planetir, an AI-powered platform that connects changemakers by fostering real human connection. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, we explore why intuition is a superpower in business, how real inclusion means making the room bigger instead of separate, and why creativity, especially art, plays a bigger role in tech than we think. Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or Amazon. And don't forget to check out the show notes.
S4 E90 · Wed, February 26, 2025
Episode 90: How Wholepal is Building the Future of Wholesale with Victoria Lawson
Join Victoria Lawson on Women Disrupting Tech as she reveals how she is using AI to build the future of supply chains for fast-moving consumer goods. She also shares her experience as a solo founder and what she learned about fundraising and mindset. Key takeaways from this conversation:• Why outdated processes in wholesale supply chains lead to costly errors and delays• The role of AI in making supply chains faster, more accurate, and less reliant on manual input• How shifting her mindset helped Victoria gain confidence in investor conversations. Listen now to learn how Wholepal is transforming the future of wholesale. You can find practical insights and magical moments from the show in the show notes on https://womendisruptingtech.blog/2025/02/26/how-wholepal-is-building-the-future-of-wholesale-with-victoria-lawson-show-notes-for-episode-90-of-women-disrupting-tech/
S4 E89 · Wed, February 19, 2025
Episode 89: Paving the Way for More Women in AI and Cyber as Chief Copilot with Femke Cornelissen
Femke Cornelissen wasn’t always sure tech was the right path for her. Now, as Chief Copilot Officer, a Microsoft MVP, and the founder of Dutch Women in Tech, she helps companies navigate AI adoption while driving inclusion in cybersecurity and beyond. In this episode, Femke shares how she built her career, overcame self-doubt, and became a visible leader in tech. We learn why AI and cybersecurity need more women, how mindset shapes success, and that having a career in tech as a woman is not obvious everywhere. Tune in to hear Femke’s journey and how she is paving the way for more women in AI and cybersecurity as Chief Copilot. And don't forget to check out the show notes for more information on the episode and links to connect with Femke.
S4 E88 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Episode 88: How Layco Makes Childbirth Safer and Healthcare Greener with Dieuwertje Drexhage
Did you know that healthcare produces twice as much CO₂ as aviation? Most medical tools are designed for single use, creating massive waste, high costs, and supply chain risks. Dieuwertje Drexhage saw this firsthand while working in a rural hospital in Kenya. She co-founded Layco to change that, starting with reusable vacuum extractors that make childbirth safer, more affordable, and more sustainable. In this episode, we cover why most medical equipment isn’t designed for 70 percent of the world’s population, how reusable vacuum extractors can save both money and lives, and how Layco balances reusability with safety. Plus, Dieuwertje and her male co-founder share how they use humor to challenge assumptions about who the technical founder is. Tune in to learn how we can rethink healthcare for a healthier, greener future.
S4 E87 · Wed, February 05, 2025
Episode 87: Breaking Barriers in Medicine And Leadership with Hanneke Takkenberg
In episode 87 of Women Disrupting Tech, Hanneke Takkenberg shares her journey from cardiac surgeon to DEI advocate. She reveals how gender biases in medicine affect both careers and patient outcomes. By listening, you'll discover: 💡 The hidden gender gap in medical research and treatment 🏥 How shared decision-making can improve patient care 📉 The long-term financial impact of unequal pay in academia 🤖 Why AI and data in medicine must be more inclusive So, tune in for a powerful conversation on breaking barriers in healthcare and leadership!
S4 E86 · Wed, January 29, 2025
Episode 86: Why You Should Never Exclude Opportunities Because of Your Gender with Sara Leggese
What if your gender never limited your career choices? And how do you get into tech and build a successful career without having early exposure to tech? In this episode, Sara Leggese shares how she discovered tech without any early exposure, the role of mindset in breaking barriers, and why visibility matters for women in tech. Plus, we explore the power of role models, career transitions, and what it really takes to make DEI in tech the new normal. Tune in now! If you want to be part of the Women Disrupting Tech community, you can become a member here . And make sure you follow the show on Spotify, Apple or YouTube for more inspiring role models.
S4 E85 · Thu, January 23, 2025
Episode 85: Making Blockverse the Platform to Upskill and Match Women to Tech
Fixing the "supply side" of the talent market is essential to increasing diversity in tech, say Gaurav Gupta and Iris Bloemsma from the Blockverse Institute. In Episode 85 of Women Disrupting Tech , they share their playbook for driving change, including: 🔍 Unlocking the untapped potential of women returning to tech after a career break 👩💻 Combining skills training with confidence-building for lasting success 📊 Using data to tailor education to meet the needs of women and employers Tune into the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
S4 E84 · Thu, January 16, 2025
Episode 84: The Kindlee Case for Fair, Unbiased and Profitable AI with Carla Canino
Are biases in AI and risk models more costly than we realize? Carla Canino shares her journey building Kindlee, a company on a mission to create financial inclusion through fair and unbiased AI. Discover: How AI and machine learning influence financial inclusion Why biases in risk models cost the financial industry $443 billion annually How AI systems amplify inequities by magnifying flawed assumptions Carla’s unique perspective as an outlier in tech, an immigrant solo founder with a disability, shines throughout this conversation. Tune in to hear her inspiring vision for fair, unbiased, and profitable AI. Also, check out the show notes for a book tip and opportunities to connect with Carla and Kindlee.
S4 E83 · Thu, January 09, 2025
Episode 83: Using AI to Transform Therapy & Mental Health Outcomes with Diana Oganesian
Psychotherapy hasn't improved its effectiveness in 40 years, and therapists are burning out. But what if AI could change that? In Episode 83 of Women Disrupting Tech, Diana Oganesian shares how her family's decade-long search for therapy after an earthquake inspired her to create Sestive, a platform using AI to make therapy better for everyone. Discover: 📊 Why therapy's effectiveness has stagnated. 🤖 How AI makes therapy more human. 🔒 How Sestive keeps sensitive health data safe. 🎧 Curious about how AI is transforming therapy and mental health outcomes? Tune in to Episode 83: How Sestive Uses AI to Transform Therapy and Mental Health Outcomes with Diana Oganesian. If you'd like to connect with Diana or discover more about Sestive, check out the links in the show notes . And don't forget to follow Women Disrupting Tech for more inspiring conversations with the women who are changing the face of technology.
S4 E82 · Thu, December 26, 2024
Episode 82: A Systemic Approach to Implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Karim El Oteify
In Episode 82 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with systemic change expert Karim El Oteify to rethink how organizations approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Together, we uncover why a systemic perspective is essential for lasting, meaningful change. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 🔎 The Branding Problem of DEI: How to bridge the gap between communication and real-world implementation 💡 Moving beyond the blame game: Why shifting from fault-finding to systemic solutions is key 🤝 Privilege as a tool for progress: The role of allies in driving inclusive change Curious to learn more? Hit play and dive into Episode 82, then check out the show notes for links to connect with Karim and explore The Wheels of Impact.
S4 E81 · Thu, December 19, 2024
Episode 81: The Power of Storytelling for Unconditional Inclusion
In episode 81 of Women Disrupting Tech, journalist, writer and LGBTQ+ advocate Pim Blom is my guest as we discover the power of storytelling to create an inclusive workplace. In this episode, Pim shares how storytelling can reshape workplace culture, why LGBTQI+ representation matters, and the surprising ways inclusivity benefits everyone. He even pushes me to examine my own biases in a powerful, reflective moment. Listen to the episode now, or use the links in the show notes to connect with Pim.
S4 E80 · Thu, December 12, 2024
Episode 80: Gini’s Journey to Inclusive and Sustainable Travel Experiences with Virginia Scheele
How do you create a sustainable travel business in an industry often seen as unsustainable? And how do you navigate entrepreneurship when your environment doesn’t support your dream? In Episode 80 of Women Disrupting Tech, Virginia Scheele, founder of Life of Gini and MATI, shares her inspiring journey from microbiology to entrepreneurship. Learn how she turned 65 rejections into motivation, built two travel platforms redefining inclusion and impact, and why maximizing profit for good is at the heart of her mission. Tune in for actionable insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, creating lasting impact through profitability, and making DEI the new normal in tech. Or check out the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog. Timestamps 03:30 Virginia's Journey from Microbiology to Entrepreneurship 09:39 Overcoming Challenges: the Impact of Gender and Race (aka the story of 65 turned down applications) 15:28 The birth of Gini, a sustainable travel agency 21:33 Sustainability in Travel: A Deep Dive 32:31 Launching GINI, small steps toward the big goal 43:42 The impact of the Dutch New Narrative Lab program on her entrepreneurial journey 50:17 Profit for good, Virginia's Vision on Gini and Mati 56:36 The impact of rejection 59:30 Making DEI in tech the new normal
S4 E79 · Thu, December 05, 2024
Episode 79: Minder financiële stress en betere geldkeuzes met Sofie's Astrid Bruinsma-Eggink
In the Netherlands, 60% of households are financially unhealthy. And the effects of financial stress can spill over into the workplace. But how do you help your employees reduce financial stress as an employer? In the Dutch-spoken episode 79 of Women Disrupting Tech , I sit down with Astrid Bruinsma-Eggink. She's the founder of Sofie , a social fintech startup on a mission to help 100 million Europeans reduce financial stress and live more sustainably. Together, we discuss: What financial health really means and how employers can support it. Why behavioral change around money is so challenging. How behavioral science can empower employees to make smarter financial decisions. Astrid also shares how Sofie secured €750,000 in funding to ensure its own financial vitality. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how you can create a workplace without money stress and with good financial health, or check out the show notes for more links to connect with Astrid and Sofie.
S4 E78 · Thu, November 28, 2024
Episode 78: Using Data to Build a Gender-Equal Future in Entrepreneurship with Katty Hsu
In episode 78 of Women Disrupting Tech, we're talking to Katty Hsu, a global changemaker on a mission to make entrepreneurship more inclusive. Born in Taiwan, raised in South Africa, and now shaping change in Rotterdam, Katty brings a unique perspective to the Women in Tech conversation. In this episode, you'll learn: 📊 Why good data is the backbone of driving diversity and inclusion 💬 How universities can reshape entrepreneurial education to reflect real-world diversity 🤝 Why collaboration and honest dialogue are essential for closing the gender gap Plus, Katty gives us a sneak peek into the SHELEADS+ Insights Report titled "Towards a gender-equal future in entrepreneurship through data, dialogue and support," which will be unveiled at the annual event on 29 November. Whether you're a female founder, a data-driven innovator, or someone passionate about a more inclusive future, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss. Tune in now or check the show notes for more information about the episode and links to connect with Katty.
S4 E77 · Thu, November 21, 2024
Episode 77: Building Food for Skin, Wallet and Planet with Angela Ursem
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Angela Ursem reveals how she turned her pandemic wake-up call into Food for Skin, a profitable beauty B Corp, using financial success as the foundation for lasting impact. Discover: 🥗 How edible ingredients are transforming the beauty industry 🌿 The secrets to scaling a brand without greenwashing 💡 Why profitability drives meaningful change for people and the planet Plus, Angela reveals the next big step for Food for Skin, including their upcoming launch in a new country. Tune in for actionable insights on building a beauty business that balances purpose and profit!
S4 E76 · Thu, November 14, 2024
Episode 76: The Twin Protocol to Redefine How We Preserve Our Legacy in the AI Age with Stacey Engle
Imagine preserving your knowledge and personality in a digital form that future generations can access. It sounds like science fiction, but in episode 76 of Women Disrupting Tech, we discover how Stacey Engle's company, Twin Protocol, is making it a reality. Join us as we explore how her AI-powered digital twins redefine the future of knowledge sharing and the challenges of keeping them secure from risks like hacking and deepfakes. Stacey also shares her experience balancing life as a tech founder and mom with insights on staying focused on what matters most. Let's jump in!
S3 E75 · Thu, November 07, 2024
Episode 75: Building a Tech Startup Inside a Bank with Lieke Hölscher
In episode 75 of Women Disrupting Tech, Lieke Hölscher shares how she built a transaction monitoring tech startup within Rabobank. Some key topics that we discussed: Scaling a team from 2 to 200 people while building a new product from scratch. Building a culture where ownership, excellence, and openness are at the core. The importance of having diverse perspectives on problem-solving. Special thanks to European Women Payments Network and Mollie for their hospitality. To learn more about Lieke and for opportunities to connect, check out the blog.
S3 E74 · Thu, October 31, 2024
Episode 74: The Guide to Building a Unicorn Team with Ingeborg van Harten
In Episode 74 of Women Disrupting Tech, I chat with Ingeborg van Harten, Chief People Officer at 7people, to discover how to build a unicorn-worthy team. We'll cover: How to make your organization as irresistible as the product you're building. How to attract the right talent for your company How to craft a vision-driven team. Plus, you'll learn why DEI is an essential component of a culture people love. Get inspired to build your own unicorn team. Click play to listen or check out the show notes for more information on the episode!
S3 E73 · Thu, October 24, 2024
Episode 73: Gespreksstarters voor een gelijkwaardiger investeringsklimaat met Fleur van Leijsen
Why is raising funds still harder for women? In episode 73 of Women Disrupting Tech , Fleur van Leijsen and I explore why women still face more challenges raising funds than men. In this Dutch-spoken episode, Fleur shares how she investigated the problem and came up with practical solutions. We discover: Why equal funding isn't just about fairness; there's a solid business case behind it. How many women are still not being taken seriously in funding conversations. What the powerful role of bias awareness can be in leveling the funding playing field for female-led companies. Plus, you'll discover what women want most from men when raising funds for their company. Spoiler: it's not money! You can find more information on this episode, including Fleur's bio and links to connect with her in the blog post .
S3 E72 · Thu, October 17, 2024
Episode 72: How to Move from 9-to-5 Corporate to Startup Impact with Manisha Athukorala
In episode 72 of Women Disrupting Tech, Manisha Athukorala shares how she transitioned from a 9-to-5 corporate career to making an impact at fast-growing scale-ups. We discover her playbook for successfully changing industries while staying true to yourself: - How her move to Uber Eats was the start of a career spanning multiple roles, industries and continents. - How Manisha prepares for her new scale-up jobs and where intuition fits in that process. - Her roadmap for navigating a fast-changing leadership environment. For more information about the episode and opportunities to connect with Manisha, check out the show notes .
S3 E71 · Thu, October 10, 2024
Episode 71: Unlocking The Value of Diversity in Leadership With Roots Inspire CEO Sergio Panday
Join me as I interview Sergio Panday about how his company Roots Inspire unlocks the value of diversity by bringing ethnic diversity to corporate boardrooms. Timestamps: 04:20 Sergio's Corporate Banking Journey 10:15 Providing Career Guidance and Leadership mentoring 14:17 The impact of cultural and physical differences 21:45 Critical mass in representation 25:29 The business case for diversity 30:50 How to measure the benefits 35:00 The problem with the word Ally 38:36 Why management is the real problem owner of DEI 41:29 Making DEI in tech the new normal You can learn more about Sergio Panday, Roots Inspire and his podcast The Muddy Middle via the links in the show notes.
S3 E70 · Thu, October 03, 2024
Episode 70: Creating The Culture Shift Towards Inclusion with Constantijn van Oranje
Constantijn van Oranje , special envoy of Techleap, joins me on a special episode of Women Disrupting Tech to discuss a topic that's near to his heart and crucial for the future of tech: making inclusion the new normal. Key highlights : - The influence of Neelie Kroes and his late father on his leadership approach. - How small, targeted interventions can increase diversity awareness. - The need to promote entrepreneurship in education as a viable alternative to traditional employment. Timestamps: 03:20 How Constantijn Became Special Envoy at Techleap 05:21 Organizing StartupFest with Airbnb, Uber, Google, and Apple CEOs 08:41 Concerns and Opportunities on AI in the Netherlands 10:44 His Leadership Role models 13:40 Neelie Kroes' influence and the importance of diversity 16:07 Building an Inclusive Environment at Techleap 21:11 The importance of inclusive recruitment practices 24:30: Bringing your whole self to the office 30:03: How his father inspired him 34:21: Changes in gender equality in the Dutch Tech ecosystem 39:00: The need for more entrepreneurship education 46:07: The role of men as allies in promoting diversity 49:02: Creating a cultural shift towards more inclusion. More information about the episode For more information about the show and links to connect with Constantijn van Oranje and Techleap, please check the show notes . Remember to follow the show for your weekly dose of Women Disrupting Tech and their male allies.
S3 E69 · Thu, September 26, 2024
Episode 69: Mastering Cultural Intelligence to Unlock Startup Success with Ma Cherie Cortez
Whether you're managing remote teams, resolving conflicts, or expanding into new markets, Cultural Intelligence (or CQ) is the key to unlocking startup success. In episode 69 of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Ma Cherie Cortez to learn how to master cultural intelligence in seven steps. Listen to the episode to hear Ma Cherie talk about: 🧠 What Cultural Intelligence is, and how it differs from IQ. 🚀 Why Cultural Intelligence is a critical skill for startup and scale-up founders who want to harness the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for global success. 🦄 How you can remain authentic while still being culturally intelligent Plus, tune in for a chance to win one of five copies of her book "Mastering Cultural Intelligence in Seven Steps." You can find more information about this episode, including timestamps, Ma Cherie's bio, and opportunities to connect with her on the Women Disrupting Tech blog . If you have any questions, please post them in the comments. For more Women Disrupting Tech, please follow the show on Spotify.
S3 E68 · Thu, September 19, 2024
Episode 68: Lieke Beelen on Making Legalese Easy to Understand with Visual Contracts
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech , we sit down with Lieke Beelen, founder of Visual Contracts, to discuss her mission to simplify legal documents using visual design. Lieke shares her journey as a neuro-divergent founder, the challenges of innovating in a conservative industry, and her courageous decision to take a break and recharge. Whether you're a founder, innovator, or just curious about legal tech, this episode offers valuable insights into the realities of startup life and rethinking "legalese." The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. More information about the episode, including Lieke's bio, is available in the show notes .
S3 E67 · Thu, September 12, 2024
Episode 67: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Women in Tech with Mitra Gilasgar
In Episode 67 of Women Disrupting Tech , Mitra Gilasgar shares her inspiring journey into tech, from navigating the male-dominated environments of academia and corporate settings to becoming a role model for women at Role It Out. She talks about her experiences as one of the few female engineers in a male-dominated company and reveals what it took for her to pave her own path in the industry. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation on how role models can inspire the next generation of women in tech. Listen to Episode 67 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. And don't forget to check out the show notes for links to connect with Mitra.
S3 E66 · Thu, September 05, 2024
Episode 66: Building Mamamoon to Support the 3 Ms of Women's Health and Well-Being with Kasia Pokrop
In this episode, I sit down with Kasia Pokrop, founder of Mamamoon, to explore her inspiring journey from Philips Digital Health to creating a platform that supports women through the 3 M's: Menstruation, Motherhood, and Menopause. Kasia shares how her experience of giving birth in the Netherlands sparked her mission to educate and empower women, offering them choices in childbirth and beyond. We discuss the critical role of sleep in women's health, how partners can actively support new mothers and practical tips for self-care. Tune in to discover how Mamamoon is helping women become superheroes at every stage of their lives.
S3 E65 · Thu, August 29, 2024
Episode 65: Breaking the Food Allergy Cycle with Vini Mini Co-founder Jozien Boersma
In this episode, Jozien Boersma and I talk about how her startup, Vini Mini, tackles the rising epidemic of food allergies. Discover how early introduction of common allergens, like peanuts, cow milk, and nuts, can help build your baby's tolerance and reduce the risk of allergies. Jozien shares essential insights on the timing and methods for safely introducing these foods, the influence of climate change on allergy prevalence, and the importance of proactive prevention. Tune in to discover how Vini Mini is helping parents protect their children's future health. Check out the show notes for more information about and opportunities to connect with Jozien and Vini Mini. This episode is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
S3 E64 · Thu, August 22, 2024
Redefining Palliative Caregiving with Pal CEO Nara Moripen | Episode 64 of Women Disrupting Tech
In episode 64 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Nara Moripen, co-founder and CEO of Pal, to discuss how a deeply personal experience inspired her to redefine palliative care. Nara shares the emotional journey of becoming a caregiver for her mother and the challenges she faced navigating the healthcare system. We explore how Pal empowers family members to be active participants in their loved ones' care, providing essential support during one of life's toughest moments. Nara also dives into the overlooked role of men in caregiving and how improving collaboration among caregivers can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Beyond caregiving, Nara offers valuable insights into women in tech and the realities of fundraising, giving listeners an inspiring perspective on building a startup in the healthcare space. To learn more about Nara and Pal, check out the show notes .
S3 E63 · Thu, August 15, 2024
Teaching Children How To Code To Unlock Hidden Talent with Vedrana Rogoznica | Episode 63 of Women Disrupting Tech
In episode 63 of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Vedrana Rogoznica about how her tech startup, Rotoy, is unlocking hidden potential in children by teaching them to code their own robots. Join us as we discover her mission to shift education from teaching facts and formulas to teaching kids how to select and use technology effectively. By listening, you'll also learn about her extraordinary journey into tech and the story behind her TEDx Talk in Odense. You can learn more about Rotoy and connect with Vedrana via the links in the show notes .
S3 E62 · Thu, August 08, 2024
How to Create New Narratives for an Equal and Innovative Society With Ruben Brave | Episode 62 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I interview the first man on Women Disrupting Tech, Ruben Brave. With his work at the Dutch New Narrative Lab, Ruben makes innovative entrepreneurship accessible to everyone, regardless of background. In episode 62, we explore Ruben's personal experiences with racism in the boardroom, the systemic barriers faced by those who don't fit the traditional mold, and the crucial role men play in breaking down these barriers. Ruben also shares powerful advice for men looking to contribute to this new narrative. Press play to learn how we can all contribute to a more equal and innovative society. Check the links in the show notes to connect with Ruben Brave and his Dutch New Narrative Lab or to subscribe to the newsletter.
S3 E61 · Thu, August 01, 2024
Living a Sustainable Life with Asceline Groot & Wyke Potjer | Episode 61 of Women Disrupting Tech
In episode 61 of Women Disrupting Tech, Wyke Potjer and Asceline Groot talk about what living a sustainable life means for them and their platform, hetkanwel.nl. We learn how they built their platform and how to: 🚀 Get started with a sustainable lifestyle. ♻️ Consume less in a growth-centered world. 🌟 Take inspiration from pioneers in sustainable living. Check out the show notes for more information about hetkanwel.nl, Asceline Groot, and Wyke Potjer.
S3 E60 · Thu, July 25, 2024
Reinventing Capital Markets With Mesh's Connie Bloem | Episode 60 of Women Disrupting Tech
In episode 60 of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Connie Bloem, the visionary founder of Mesh. Discover how Connie is transforming the investment landscape by eliminating inefficiencies and making finance more accessible and transparent. She shares her unique journey into finance, the challenges of building trust with regulators and customers, and the importance of a diverse team in developing innovative blockchain solutions. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for women in tech. Tune in to learn how she is reinventing capital markets with Mesh. Check out the show notes for more information about the episode and for opportunities to connect with Connie and Mesh. Subscribe to our newsletter for free to get a personal email about each episode, including what I learned from it, and to support the community of women disrupting tech.
S3 E59 · Thu, July 18, 2024
Making Data Protection Byte Size with eXate CTO Sonal Rattan | Episode 59 of Women Disrupting Tech
Are you in for an inspiring story of innovation, resilience, and breaking barriers? In episode 59 of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Sonal Rattan. She is the co-founder and CTO of eXate and the first female CTO of a startup on the show. Together with a diverse team, she is building the future of data protection. You can find more information on this episode and links to connect with Sonal in the show notes .
S3 E58 · Thu, July 11, 2024
Engineering Role Models for Women in Tech with Carlota Salamat | Episode 58 of Women Disrupting Tech
Have you ever thought about what happens when we can't produce enough chips? What if we run out of skilled people to make them? And how we can prevent this shortage from becoming a crisis? That's precisely where episode 58 of Women Disrupting Tech begins. Tune in to hear Carola Salamat's fascinating journey as an engineer at NXP, a leading Dutch semiconductor company. Find out how many chips power an electric car, why diversity is a game-changer in deep tech, and why engineering role models are crucial for women in tech. When you're ready to listen, click play or visit the blog for the full show notes.
S3 E57 · Thu, July 04, 2024
How To Navigate a Career in AI as a Woman with Wafa M'Ribah | Episode 57 of Women Disrupting Tech
Curious about navigating a career in AI as a woman? Tune into episode 57 of Women Disrupting Tech as Wafa M'Ribah shares her inspiring journey. Discover how she builds her AI career, manages remote teams, and supports women. Wafa also discusses how to get the most out of mentors and acquire essential tech skills. And she reveals a surprising secret to her success. For more information about the episode and Wafa M'Ribah, check out the show notes .
S3 E56 · Thu, May 30, 2024
Empowering Doctors with AI for Better Patient Care With Jacqueline Kazmaier | Episode 56 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join Autoscriber's CEO and co-founder Jacqueline Kazmaier to discover how AI is transforming the healthcare landscape by reducing doctors' administrative workload and enhancing patient care. Plus, Jacqueline shares why The Netherlands is a top spot for starting a business and offers inspiring career advice for young women looking to break into technical fields. Don’t miss out on this inspiring and insightful conversation! Press play to tune in or read more about the episode in the show notes .
S3 E55 · Thu, May 23, 2024
Gaming Your Way Into Tech with Lizzy Wilmer | Episode 55 of Women Disrupting Tech
🎮 Can gaming be the gateway for women into the tech world? You can discover the answer to this question by embarking on Lizzy Wilmer's personal journey. Tune in to hear from Lizzy: 🕶️ How the AR and VR training that she helps to design, helps companies optimize their businesses and reduce incidents. 👩💼 Why having role models like Lizzy on the team gives her employer a competitive advantage in hiring other women. 🌟 What schools and companies need to do to make tech a more welcoming place. Plus, get the scoop on the unique crime scene investigation that Lizzy was part of. Check the show notes for more information about this episode, including Lizzy's bio and links to related content.
S3 E54 · Thu, May 16, 2024
The Power of Financial Inclusion for a Better Planet with Kimberly Ofori | Episode 54 of Women Disrupting Tech
How can we harness the power of financial inclusion to break biases in tech and beyond? To answer this question, we're joined by Kimberly Ofori of The Bold New Company. In episode 54 of Women Disrupting Tech, discover how to build sustainable businesses, include diverse perspectives, and view misunderstood problems as opportunities. Visit the show notes for more information on this episode, including links to connect with Kimberly and The Bold New Company.
S3 E53 · Thu, May 09, 2024
The Incredible Funding Journey of the Female Solo Founder Building an App Empire with Veerle Witte | Episode 53 of Women Disrupting Tech
Can a female solo founder build and fund an app empire? Veerle Witte shares how she did it in episode 53 of Women Disrupting Tech. Tune in to discover: 💡 how she found a business model that works for her B2C business, 💶 how she managed to secure funding as a female solo founder, and 🚀 how she works with a diverse and distributed team to build an app empire to document life's adventures. You can connect with Veerle, find the apps she builds, and learn more about the episode using the links in the show notes .
S3 E52 · Thu, May 02, 2024
How Conceptual Technologists Uplift Humanity with Kim Carson | Episode 52 of Women Disrupting Tech
Tune into episode 52 of Women Disrupting Tech to learn how Conceptual Technologists can uplift humanity with Kim Carson! As the founder of Parallax Futures, Kim sheds light on how Conceptual Technologists are shaping the future. Discover how they leverage biases to create inclusive AI systems, why AI isn’t just another productivity tool, and learn more about the startup founder turned male ally, who supports Parallax Futures. You can learn more about the episode and connect with Kim via the links in the show notes .
S3 E51 · Thu, April 25, 2024
How To Balance Feminine and Masculine Values in Business and Investment with Alice Pavin | Episode 51 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join Alice Pavin and me on episode 51 of Women Disrupting Tech for a journey to a post-growth world. In this empowering episode, Alice and I discuss: How we can increase equality in investments when we acknowledge our values, biases, and challenges with gender stereotypes. What we need to fix in the education system to facilitate a balance between masculine and feminine values. Practical tools to increase the balance between feminine and masculine values in your business and personal life. She also shares how she supports women entrepreneurs and investors through her Women in Ventures program at WorldStartup. You can learn more about Alice, World Startup, and the Women in Ventures program by visiting the show notes .
S2 E50 · Thu, April 18, 2024
Disrupting The Way Companies Collaborate On Large Datasets With Linksight CEO Martine van de Gaar | Episode 50 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join me on episode 50 of Women Disrupting Tech. I interviewed Linksight CEO Martine van de Gaar to discover how Linksight solves the privacy puzzle of collaborating on large datasets: Enabling companies to share sensitive data securely Prioritizing privacy from the product's inception Leveraging diverse teams for innovative solutions. To learn more about Martine and Linksight, check the bio in the show notes .
S2 E49 · Thu, April 11, 2024
Building a Company With Grace and Empathy with Arosha Brouwer | Episode 49 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join me on episode 49 of Women Disrupting Tech to learn about Arosha Brouwer's journey of building a company with grace and empathy. In a masterclass on personal and business growth, Arosha and I talk about Her software's role in supporting both customers and her team through tough times. A new partnership that taught her that entrepreneurship is also about building a network of people who can help you. Being a founder and being a CEO of a scale-up come with totally different requirements. And she shares the genius move that helped her company survive a challenging funding situation. To learn more about Arosha, Quan, and the exciting new partnership she managed to close, visit the show notes .
S2 E48 · Thu, March 28, 2024
How to Shine Without Selling as a Female Role Model in Tech with Charlotte Hoekstra | Episode 48 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join me on episode 48 of Women Disrupting Tech for an enlightening interview with Charlotte Hoekstra on how to shine as a female role model in tech without having to sell yourself. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Change your perspective so you can best serve others while staying true to yourself 🔁. Connect with the people you work with in a way that is authentic to you 🫱🏼🫲🏾. Help female role models as a male ally 🚀. To discover what that advice is, listen to the episode by hitting the play button. You can learn more about this episode and connect with Charlotte via the links in the show notes .
S2 E47 · Thu, March 21, 2024
How to do Marketing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence with Liana Hakobyan | Episode 47 of Women Disrupting Tech
Join me on episode 47 for an insightful conversation with Liana Hakobyan about how to use artificial intelligence in your marketing. Liana is our guide in the world of AI Marketing as we discover 🛍️ how AI can help you personalize customer experience 🤔 how to deal with privacy considerations 🛠️ how to choose the right tools for your marketing Plus, you'll learn what AI marketing tools she will use for her new AI consultancy company. To learn more about Liana and her work, read her bio in the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.
S2 E46 · Thu, March 14, 2024
Episode 46: Is Artificial Intelligence the Catalyst for Gender Equality? | Maryam Miradi on Women Disrupting Tech
Join my conversation with Maryam Miradi to discover if artificial intelligence will be the catalyst for gender equality. Among the many topics we discuss in episode 46 of Women Disrupting Tech are: How Artificial Intelligence will impact our lives 🤖 The crucial role of explainability when it comes to trust in AI 🫱🏼🫲🏾 Why AI offers a unique opportunity to break gender barriers 🙋🏻♀️ You can connect with Maryam and learn more about how she builds AI solutions by reading the show notes .
S2 E45 · Thu, March 07, 2024
Episode 45: How To Create a Recruiting Playbook For a Tech Startup From Scratch | Alexa Lane on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I talk to Alexa Lane to learn how to create a recruiting playbook for a tech startup from scratch. In the 45th episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Alexa shares Which skills new employees need to have to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment 🌱 Why you should not rely on referrals if you want to build a diverse employee base 🌈 How to balance an attractive base salary with enticing perks like hybrid work, healthcare, and equity. 💰 By listening, you'll also discover the pivotal role of mentors in shaping Alexa's tech journey and how being a recruiter helps her as a working mom in tech. You can find the full show notes at the Women Disrupting Tech Blog .
S2 E44 · Fri, March 01, 2024
Episode 44: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Fatoumata's Journey From Doubts to Dishes | Fatoumata Diallo on Women Disrupting Tech
When you're ready for some inspiration on how to overcome imposter syndrome and other hurdles that are put in your way as a female startup founder, today's episode is for you. Join me as I speak to Fatoumata Diallo to find out how she overcame imposter syndrome to build a community where global foodies can enjoy authentic, home-cooked dishes. Listen to episode 44 of Women Disrupting Tech to learn 👣 What her first step was on her journey as a startup founder 🌍 How one letter can make a difference when you want to become a global brand 🪄Fatoumata's magic recipe for more diversity in tech You can find the full show notes, including Fatoumata's bio, more info about Gamaal, and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech Blog .
S2 E43 · Fri, February 23, 2024
Episode 43: How to Get Started as a Female Role Model in Tech. | Leonie Wiggers-Frijters on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I speak to Leonie Wiggers-Frijters to find out how to get started as a female role model in Tech. Listen to episode 43 of Women Disrupting Tech to discover that ❤️ Love can make you choose a career in Tech. 👨👩👦 You can work part-time and still be a role model 🤷🏻♀️ Tech may be for you even if you have never considered it. You can find the full show notes, including Leonie's bio, more info about Mosadex, and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech Blog .
S2 E42 · Fri, February 16, 2024
How to create a safe space in your team | Elena Zhebel and Renske Melchers-Vermolen on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as Elena Zhebel and Renske Melchers-Vermolen teach us how you can create a safe space in your team, how to keep it safe, and why these safe spaces benefit the entire team. You can learn more about Elena and Renske by checking out the show notes of this episode on the Women Disrupting Tech website . And when you're there, don't forget to join the Women Disrupting Tech Community .
S2 E41 · Fri, February 02, 2024
Using Curiosity to Find the Exceptional Impact of Exceptional People | Sabine Schoorl on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I interview Sabine Schoorl to learn how she uses her curiosity to find exceptional startup founders and investors to create exceptional impact. Listen to the episode to discover how Sabine challenges herself to keep learning shares her recipe for successful female founders explains how a diverse ecosystem will attract better deal flow, the best talent, and the best investors You can find the full show notes, including Sabine's bio, more info about LUMO Labs, and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech website .
S2 E40 · Sun, January 28, 2024
How to use 15 years of tech startup experience to build a tech startup | Caroline Cadwell on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I interview Caroline Cadwell to learn how she uses her 15 years of experience working in tech startups to build Unpluq. Listen to the episode as Caroline reveals the shortcomings of conventional salary negotiation advice for women, how to compliment a female colleague without relying on gender stereotypes, and how Unpluq helps people overcome their technology addiction with technology. You can find the full show notes, including Caroline's bio and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech website .
S2 E39 · Fri, January 19, 2024
Is the milestone-based startup funding system right for female founders? | Dirkjan Hupkes on Women Disrupting Tech
In episode 39 of Women Disrupting Tech, host Dirkjan Hupkes answers the question from Silvia van Houten "any inkling jumping out at you why there is such a funding gap for women-led startups?" Listen to the episode to discover why he thinks that the milestone-based funding system is a reason for the funding gap. You can find the full show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech Website . There you can also find the entire archive with over 1,000 minutes of women disrupting tech. And, if you want to learn when new episode go on air, don't forget to follow the show or to become a member of the Women Disrupting Tech Community .
S2 E38 · Fri, January 12, 2024
Training Holland’s Next Female Role Model in Tech | Núria Barceló i Peiró on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I interview Núria Barceló I Peiró to discover why her team set up a female role model agency called Role It Out. Listen to the episode to hear how Núria reveals what makes a good role model, why companies should create the right circumstances for women to act as role models, and how Role It Out trains women to become Holland's next female role model in tech. You can find the full show notes, including Núria's bio and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech website .
S2 E37 · Fri, January 05, 2024
How to be an ambassador for female entrepreneurs | Tessa de Flines on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I speak to Tessa de Flines to explore why angel investing is about as close as you can get to making an impact as a woman in the first episode of Women Disrupting Tech of 2024. If you listen, you'll discover how female founders can future-proof their businesses, how scaling is a journey unique to every company, and how visibility is the key to making an impact as an investor and a founder. You can read the full show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech website .
S2 E34 · Fri, January 05, 2024
"I don't think a tech career should s*ck for women" | Claudia Bruce-Quartey on Women Disrupting Tech
Join host Dirkjan Hupkes as he interviews Claudia Bruce-Quartey to discover how she helps other women, especially mothers, disrupt tech. It's a powerful and inspiring conversation about her motivation to break down the masculine and nerdy image of the tech industry, how women can show their leadership skills before getting an official title, and how she invigorates her daughter to see that being a minority doesn't equal not being normal. The episode is packed with practical tips on negotiating salaries and promotions, looking through a recruiter's wishlist, and how to enable a sponsor to help you achieve your goals. Because, as Claudia aptly puts it: "I don't think a tech career should suck for women." You can connect with Claudia and learn more about her coaching via the Women Disrupting Tech blog. And if you want to be among the first to learn when new episodes go on air, don't forget to join the Women Disrupting Tech Community .
S2 E36 · Wed, January 03, 2024
“It’s crazy to think that we live in a country where we just accept that men and women are not paid equally” | Johanna Spiller on Women Disrupting Tech
Join me as I interview Alyx co-founder and CEO Johanna Spiller to discover how to solve the gender pay gap. On this final episode of Women Disrupting Tech in 2023, Johanna reveals what makes solving the gender pay gap so difficult, why the scarcity of women in tech makes for a win-win business case for women and their employers, and how her startup Alyx fixes the gender pay gap. To learn more about Alyx and connect with Johanna, you can read the full show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech website.
S2 E35 · Fri, December 15, 2023
The Value Proposition of Having More Women in IT and Digital | Joanna Pamphilis on Women Disrupting Tech
What is the value proposition of women in tech? And how do you build an inclusive culture in Fintech? In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Joanna Pamphilis, Chief Digital & Information Officer of Unicredit, to discover the answer to these questions. Joanna is our guide as we explore diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world of Fintech. She reveals the essential elements of an inclusive culture, emphasizes why working in silos doesn't help in increasing diversity, and highlights the role of men in supporting and promoting women in tech. Of course, we also learn more about the value proposition of women in tech. You can find more information about this episode and connect with Joanna via the links in the show notes .
S2 E33 · Fri, December 01, 2023
De onverwachte impact van Plants as a Service | Rolien Wiersinga on Women Disrupting Tech
Kun je planten hergebruiken? Toen ik voor het eerst naar de website van Circular Green keek en las dat dit kon, dacht ik hoe dan? Rolien Wiersinga biedt met haar bedrijf Circular Green Plants as a Service aan. Het is een circulaire manier om mensen een betere werkomgeving te geven en planten een langer leven. En haar Plants As A Service blijken nog een andere onverwachte positieve social impact te hebben. Welke dat is, legt Rolien in deze aflevering uit. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech In deze aflevering ontrafelen Rolien en ik de logistieke uitdagingen van circulair ondernemen en bespreken we waarom planten zo goed zijn voor onze mentale gezondheid. Daarnaast vertelt Rolien Hoe zij bepaalt of haar dienstverlening echt duurzaam is. Waarom ze werkt met mensen die een afstand tot de arbeidsmarkt hebben. Waarom je als ondernemer je product of dienst samen met je eerste klant moet bouwen En we onthullen hoe zelfs haar hydrokorrels een positieve sociale impact teweegbrengen. Over Rolien en Circular Green Rolien Wiersinga’s reis in de wereld van Plants as a Service begint bij haar werk voor Flora Holland. Ze verbetert daar de efficiency van de logistieke processen rondom de veiling van planten. En ze begint zich af te vragen waarom we zoveel nieuwe bloemen en planten nodig hebben. Bij Circular Green komen haar ervaring in vernieuwing en logistiek, en haar studie bij Wageningen University samen. Met duurzame planten helpt ze bedrijven en instellingen een groene en gezonde werkplekken te bieden voor hun medewerkers. Denk je nou, “dit wil ik ook!”? Neem dan contact op met Rolien via email of LinkedIn . Wil je meer informatie over hoe ze jouw bedrijf of instelling kan helpen, kijk op de site van Circular Green .
S2 E32 · Fri, November 24, 2023
“Als je als vrouw onafhankelijk wilt zijn, dan moet je zeker voor techniek kiezen.” | Sanne Jongejan on Women Disrupting Tech
“Een slimme meid is op haar toekomst voorbereid”, was de slogan van een overheidscampagne die meisjes en jonge vrouwen moesten overtuigen om voor een opleiding en baan in de techniek te kiezen. Fast forward naar 2023 als minder dan 5% van meisjes in het MBO voor een technische studie kiest. Hoe komt dat? En vooral, hoe krijgen we daar verbetering in? Daarover gaat de nieuwe aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech. Samen met Sanne Jongejan, directeur onderwijs van de sector Techniek en Technologie bij Curio duiken we in de rol die opvoeding en onderwijs spelen in de aanvoer van vrouwelijk tech talent. In een levendige aflevering hebben we het over zaken als: 🔎 Waarom een overschot aan leraressen in het basisonderwijs onbedoeld bijdraagt aan een verkeerde beeldvorming over techniek bij kinderen en moeders. 🗣️ Hoe de andere, mannelijke, taal in de techniek ervoor zorgt dat meiden zich minder veilig kunnen voelen. 📜 Welke verouderde opvattingen over meisjes in techniek bij leraren en decanen, meiden op het verkeerde been zetten bij het maken van carrière keuzes. Maar we hebben het ook over wat Curio als onderwijsinstelling doet om voor een veilige omgeving te zorgen voor de meiden die wel voor de technische opleiding kiezen. En ook nu weer komt het belang van meer rolmodellen aan bod. Rolmodellen die niet alleen de meiden overtuigen maar er ook voor zorgen dat moeders hun dochters kunnen vertellen waarom techniek echt iets voor hen is. Luister nu naar de nieuwste Women Disrupting Tech podcast en ontdek hoe we samen de toekomst van vrouwelijk tech talent kunnen veranderen! Klik op de link om te luisteren. Over Sanne Jongejan en Curio Sanne Jongejan is de directeur Onderwijs van de sector Techniek en Technologie bij Curio. Ze brengt een schat aan ervaring in het onderwijs mee die ze opbouwde in meer dan 20 jaar in diverse onderwijs en managementposities bij Avans Hogeschool en als directeur van De Nassau in Breda. Je kunt meer over haar te weten komen en connecten via haar LinkedIn profiel. Curio is de beroepsopleider van de regio West-Brabant. Zij hebben de opleidingen die vrouwen nodig hebben om in de techniek te kunnen werken. Meer informatie over vind je op hun website en op hun LinkedIn en Instagram profiel En op 25 januari 2024 is er weer een <a href="https://www.curio.nl/mbo/kies-jouw-mbo/open-da
S2 E31 · Fri, November 17, 2023
Championing DEI in Tech, Wisdom From a Frontrunner | Ingrid Tappin on Women Disrupting Tech
Imagine, you're the founder of a tech startup with an all-male team. And you wonder if you're ready to make the pivotal shift towards diversity, equity, and inclusion. Where do you start? Spoiler: the DEI journey does not start with hiring a woman or a person of color. So, what should you do at the start of your journey into the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion? Ingrid Tappin gives you the answer in the 31st episode of Women Disrupting Tech. It's a vibrant conversation about DEI with one of the DEI experts in the startup ecosystem. Ingrid and I talk about: How being an inclusive leader is a lot like being a parent, The importance of building relationships and a network, and How to use KPIs to ensure that your DEI efforts are effective. Oh, and did I mention the upcoming DEI in Tech Summit on 23 November? Well, we talk about that too. About Ingrid Tappin and Diverse Leaders in Tech Ingrid Tappin is the founder and director of Diverse Leaders in Tech and M/T Sprout Inclusive Leader 2023 . She has over 20 years of experience in the tech ecosystem as a former co-founder of a SaaS startup, senior manager at Accenture, and Director of DEI at Techleap . To learn more about Ingrid, you can connect with her on LinkedIn . And, you can learn more about Diverse Leaders in Tech and partners and apply for a membership via their website . Attend the DEI in Tech Summit Please register here to attend the DEI in Tech Summit on 23 November . Ingrid offers free access to the first 10 listeners who use the Discount Code DLiT_DISRUPT as a special offer.
S2 E30 · Fri, November 10, 2023
Vera op den Brouw on Unlocking the Potential: How Patents Empower The Women Disrupting Tech
Did you know that only 16,5% of inventors named in international patent applications are women ? And here's the kicker: startups with a patent are 10 times more likely to secure funding! In that sense, a patent is a serious unlock. Therefore, for female founders in the tech world, understanding the path to securing a patent is a game-changer. That is why, in the latest episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Vera op den Brouw. Vera is a remarkable European Patent attorney and partner at AOMB. Her passion? Boosting the number of female inventors in the world. In this episode, we'll talk about 1. Vera's journey in the world of patents, 2. The intricacies of the patent process. 3. How can we get more women to apply for a patent? 4. Why more female inventors are the key to a better world? Vera's advice to women who want to try if tech is something for them: "There is no shame in trying and failing." More about Vera and AOMB Vera, with a master's and Ph.D. in organic chemistry, found her calling as a patent attorney at AOMB, where science, law, teaching, and writing converge. With over two decades of experience, she's been instrumental in helping companies build, manage, and protect their patent portfolios. You can connect with Vera via LinkedIn and her personal page on the AOMB website. AOMB, a leading Dutch Intellectual Property Consultancy firm, offers expert patent advice in Chemistry, Life Sciences, Engineering, and High-Tech sectors. For more insights on AOMB, please visit their website . There, you can also find specific information on patents . And if you'd like more information about patents and intellectual property, and you like listening to podcasts, try out their podcast called Kennispodje .
S2 E29 · Fri, November 03, 2023
Redefining The Anatomy Lesson | Lusanne Tehupuring on Women Disrupting Tech
What do a Rembrandt painting from 1632, Monash University and Groningen have in common? They're all linked to my guest on episode 29 of Women Disrupting Tech. Lusanne Tehupuring is the CEO and co-founder of Enatom, an ed-tech company based in Groningen that is redefining anatomy lessons. To date, these anatomy lessons still have a close resemblance to the Anatomy Lesson painting by Rembrandt from 1632. Before co-founding Enatom, she studied Marketing at Monash University. Why Should You Tune In? In this captivating episode, we delve deep into: How Enatom propels anatomy lessons for medical students into the 21st century 🚀 The significance of bridging the education gap and ensuring equal opportunities around the world. 🟰 The untapped potential of medical institutions partnering with tech-savvy pioneers ⚯. And from a personal perspective, Lusanne talks about her journey to becoming a startup co-founder, how she discusses with her daughter that it's normal that her father picks her up from school, and how female founders can play a role in getting better tech education in primary schools. Toward the end of this magical episode, Lusanne has a career nugget for young women: keep working between 30 and 40, as these are the years when your impact knows no bounds. Are you ready for some female founder inspiration? About Lusanne and Enatom Before becoming the co-founder of Enatom, Lusanne was the private lead for Founded in Groningen . With this public-private partnership, she helped to build and enhance the local startup ecosystem. And, together with Constantijn van Oranje, she also hosts The Young Business Awards , the largest Scale Up competition in The Netherlands. Enatom is an Education Technology Company that builds e-learning for anatomy that can be done on regular computers and in VR. Thanks to their solution, 21st-century education about human anatomy becomes accessible to people in middle and low-income countries and in countries where dissecting a human body is not allowed for religious reasons. In that sense, Enatom is also contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. To dive deeper into Enatom's captivating journey, connect with them on LinkedIn and explore their website . And for a direct connection with Lusanne, don't hesitate to reach out to her via<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lusannetehupuring/" target="_blan
S2 E28 · Fri, October 27, 2023
ImpactFest, Kwebbel, and the magic powers of collaboration and a positive mindset on making an impact
What is the magic ingredient that makes women join tech startups or other organizations in tech? Impact. And what makes The Hague the place to be for that impact to come to fruition? To find the answers, listen to the 28th episode of Women Disrupting Tech. This week, I got a chance to have an enlightening conversation with Irene Samwel from ImpactCity and Arianne van der Linden from Kwebbel about what making an impact is like. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech In this episode, you’ll learn how to facilitate impact as a municipality, how you create it with an impact startup, and how people who want to make an impact come together at ImpactFest. But we also speak about how the funding of impact startups sets the example for startup investments, in the sense that diversity in teams is one of the investment criteria. And, of course, we talk about what magic ingredients would be needed to make Women Disrupting Tech obsolete 10 years from now. The answers? Collaboration and a positive mindset. This episode is for you if you want to learn more about the impact ecosystem in The Hague. And if you want to join the 8th edition of ImpactFest on 7 November 2023 in the Fokker Terminal in The Hague, make sure you listen until the end, as Irene offers 3 free tickets that you can claim via the ImpactFest website. Are you ready for some magical impact? More about ImpactFest and the free ticket For more information about ImpactFest, you can visit the event website . You’ll find the complete program and the opportunity to claim 1 of 3 free tickets there. You can use the code womendisruptingtech (one word, all lowercase) to claim one of the 3 free tickets. It’s first come, first served, so be quick! Connect with ImpactCity and Irene Samwel You can learn more about ImpactCity by visiting their website and following them on LinkedIn , Twitter/X , or Instagram . And you can connect with Irene Samwel via LinkedIn. Let the magic of Kwebbel surprise you. To learn more about <a href="https://kwebbel.nl/care/" target="_
S2 E27 · Mon, October 23, 2023
“As a woman in tech, I think it’s really important to be a role model” | Estelle Roux on Women Disrupting Tech
We know that having a mentor can be a magical tool for women in tech. After all, having a mentor can support women in developing necessary skills, providing guidance and feedback, creating networking opportunities, and advancing their careers. Not to mention that it helps to have a role model. Yet only 1 in 5 women in tech has a mentor. Intriguing, right? To understand this phenomenon and discover solutions, I have an engaging conversation with Estelle Roux. Estelle is the CEO and co-founder of StellarUp, a mentoring and community platform enabling organizations to seamlessly facilitate mentoring relationships from inception to fruition. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Estelle reveals: 🌟How mentoring can transform women's journey in tech, provided it is skillfully embedded in their organization. 🛠️What it is like to build a company that equips organizations with practical tools for their mentors. 👭 Why she wants to serve as a guiding light for fellow women in the tech world. But there's more... Estelle also shares the adventures she encountered during her journey as a tech startup founder, explains what fundraising and a job interview have in common, and tells us how her diverse team conjures up solutions to complex problems with remarkable speed. And, for those who believe that tech careers are limited to coding, Estelle has some wisdom to share: "You don't have to be a developer in tech; just be curious!" Are you ready to learn and get inspired? Connect with Estelle Roux and explore StellarUp. You can connect with Estelle on LinkedIn . And, if you want to learn more about how mentoring can help you, I encourage you to follow StellarUp on their journey via their website , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram . A big thank you to Liliana Rodrigues for connecting me with Estelle.
S2 E26 · Sun, October 22, 2023
Unlocking Retail Doors: The Magic Impact of Industry Expertise Innovative Brands' distribution | Nancy Shenouda on Women Disrupting Tech.
Building an innovative consumer electronics product with your startup requires quite a bit of magic. But getting it in front of the right distributors and retailers is an art in and of itself. Until now, this was primarily an offline affair that required significant investments in trade shows, with the right contacts at the right companies and some cold calling. Not to mention persistence. As times are changing, it’s also time for the trade show industry to be disrupted. So, in this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, CEO and co-founder Nancy Shenouda takes us into the world of Tradesnest.com. Tradesnest Magic Mix Tradesnest uses a potent potion of Nancy’s knowledge and experience working at global retail companies, combined with data to match small consumer electronic brands with distributors on a global scale. And they recently added some artificial intelligence to their already enchanting tech mix to help brands predict faster which markets and distribution partners would be the best fit for their innovation. On this episode of Women Disrupting Tech In this podcast episode, Nancy explains Why she had to start building a global business right away. How she has actually built two businesses in one. That you don’t need to have a tech background to build a tech platform if you have deep industry knowledge. But this episode is not just about Tradesnest. Nancy has an opinion on the funding of female founders, too. She argues that there are enough excellent female founders to choose from and that there is no excuse to be at the 2%. Inspiration for women in the corporate world And, toward the end of the podcast, Nancy takes the opportunity to encourage other women from the corporate world not to be discouraged by the funding statistics and to build a tech startup. Nancy explains that even if they have no technical background, they can build a team with the capacities they need to go after their dreams. More about Nancy Shenouda and Tradesnest.com If you work for a brand with an innovative product that already has some traction, you can sign up for free at the website of Tradesnest.com . And if you're not there yet or just interested in the journey, you can follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn . To learn more about Nancy, please connect with her on <a href="https:
S1 E25 · Fri, September 22, 2023
Career Advancement for Women in Tech: "If you want a lot, you should not ask for a little" | Panel 35 on Women Disrupting Tech
Well, I wanted the 25th episode of Women Disrupting Tech to be something special. So, when The Hague Tech offered me the chance to host a panel discussion on Career Advancement for Women in Tech, I gladly accepted the offer. My guests on the panel are Wafa M'ribah , Hendrika Willemse , and Jennifer Delano . Our discussion covered a broad range of topics, including: What women can do to boost their own careers in tech. 🚀 Why it is important that companies show that they value the women on their teams. 💎 How young women can break into the world of Artificial Intelligence. 👩💻 What men can contribute to the career advancement of women in tech. 🤝 After the event, Jennifer launched her Dutch Tech on Heels platform. The purpose of Dutch Tech on Heels is to boost the visibility of women in Dutch Tech and bring a female perspective to the tech world. A big shout out to my guests for being a great guide to the people in the room and on the live stream. And a special thank you to the team of The Hague Tech for organizing the event and to Holland Park Media for recording the live stream and this podcast.
S1 E24 · Fri, September 08, 2023
How to get inspired by the dark side: Lessons from an Eternal Optimist | Sujata Dasgupta on Women Disrupting Tech
Some companies make an impact by saving people money. Others save people's money. Meet Sujata Dasgupta, who's in the business of safeguarding your savings by helping banks prevent fraud and detect financial crime. Preventing financial crimes isn't just about money. It's also about protecting our society and planet from the disastrous impacts of crimes like drug trafficking, human trafficking, child abuse, environmental crimes like illicit wildlife trade, illegal mining, and others that threaten the ecological balance and biodiversity. In the past 5-7 years, financial crime prevention has seen a tech revolution. Criminals now use advanced tech like "ransomware as a service," "synthetic voice cloning," and even ChatGPT to their advantage. As the Head of Financial Crime Risk and Compliance Advisory for Tata Consultancy Services, Sujata helps banks prevent fraud and detect money laundering. And in the latest episode of Women Disrupting Tech, she explains how she finds inspiration in preventing crimes so that the money can be used for the greater good. In addition, she explains why having diverse teams can make this job easier and argues that we should not talk about female tech professionals but about tech professionals. Because Sujata believes that any professional in tech – irrespective of gender - who has the skill, creativity, and passion can contribute to making this world a better place. Connect with Sujata If you would like to learn more about Sujata, you can contact her through LinkedIn . If you're interested in the article about real-time monitoring of Anti-Money Laundering , you can find it on the website of Corporate Compliance Insights . You can also find her articles on Risk Management Magazine , AI Journal , and Fintech Futures . A special thanks to Mark van Tol and Sanne Offringa for their help in putting this interview together.
S1 E23 · Fri, August 25, 2023
"Die 18 procent heeft toch wel hele mooie, toffe vrouwen..." | Dieuwke van Buren on Women Disrupting Tech
18% van de mensen die in tech werken is vrouw. Dat dit te weinig is, hoef ik niet meer uit te leggen. Maar hoe zorg je er dan voor dat vrouwen wel voor tech gaan kiezen, zodat dit percentage hoger wordt? Het antwoord is magisch in zijn simpelheid: Door ze voorbeelden te geven van vrouwen die dat al hebben gedaan. Want bij die 18% zitten gewoon hele mooie vrouwen, zegt Dieuwke van Buren, de Managing Director van Equals. Zij zet zich met veel passie in voor meer diversiteit in tech en ondernemerschap. You Can't Be What You Can't See En uit onderzoek blijkt dat vrouwen bij het kiezen voor een baan vooral kijken naar wat andere vrouwen voor hen hebben gedaan. Want: “You can’t be what you can’t see”. Vandaar dat het werk van Equals heel belangrijk is. In maart zorgden ze met een poster campagne in Amsterdam en Den Haag ervoor dat rond internationale vrouwendag de spotlights op de vrouwen kwam te staan die in tech bedrijven werken. En zo zorgen ze voor de broodnodige zichtbaarheid voor vrouwen in tech. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech legt Dieuwke uit waarom diversiteit zo belangrijk is, wat de business case voor de overheid is en over hoe Shell op een gebied wel heel goed bezig is. Meer inspiratie of connecten In de podcast vertelt Dieuwke onder meer dat het boek Invisible Women een eyeopener voor haar was. Als je dat wilt lezen, dan kun je dat onder andere bij bol.com kopen (maar vast ook bij Amazon en andere online en offline boekwinkels). Als je meer informatie wilt over alle mooie dingen die Dieuwke doet, of wilt connecten, dan kan dat via LinkedIn . Op de website van Equals vind je onder meer informatie over hun Academy en hun Momentum programma. Vergeet dan niet om Equals op LinkedIn of Instagram te volgen. En wil je deel uitmaken van de nieuwe Women Disrupting Tech Community, schrijf je dan in .
S1 E22 · Fri, August 11, 2023
Reinventing Potty Training for a Better Planet With Elianne Leeffers | Episode 22 on Women Disrupting Tech
Is potty training sh*t you can handle? If not, this episode is for you. Because in this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I interview Elianne Leeffers. Elianne is the CEO and Founder of Go Potty. The Go Potty app helps parents jumpstart the potty training of their babies. By using the app, parents can save up to €600 per year by using fewer disposable diapers and save the environment in the process. What you'll discover Besides discussing the dirty business, we also talk about how potty training is still a women’s affair, her journey to build her Tech For Good startup from the ground up, and how the startup scene can use more investors who understand the problems that female-led startups are trying to solve. Because “I don’t think that my idea is one that a man would ever come up with.” Learn More You can learn more about Elianne Leeffers and connect with her via the links in the show notes . And, if you’re ready to start potty training, you can download the app from the Appstore and Google Play Store .
S1 E21 · Fri, July 28, 2023
“Misschien moeten we stoppen met diversiteit te benoemen en het gewoon als normaal zien?” | Marijke Kasius on Women Disrupting Tech
Een van de vragen die ik aan elke gast bij Women Disrupting Tech stel, gaat over hoe deze podcast over 10 jaar overbodig kan zijn. En het antwoord van Marijke Kasius has ik even niet zien aankomen. Over Marijke Kasius Marijke Kasius is CEO van IT-bedrijf PQR en werd in 2022 uitgeroepen tot CEO van het jaar . Zonder echte IT-achtergrond maar met een afgeronde communicatiestudie belandde ze aan het begin van haar loopbaan in de IT-sector. Dankzij haar doelgerichte aanpak groeide ze al snel door tot een positie als operationeel directeur. Inmiddels is ze al 13 jaar op bestuurlijk niveau actief bij IT-bedrijven en combineert ze een drukke baan als CEO met een commissariaat bij een ander bedrijf en haar rol als gemeenteraadslid. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech Met Marijke had ik een mooi gesprek over een diverse set onderwerpen. Hoe diversiteit verder gaat dan alleen man-vrouw. Hoe de toenemende AI en data-science vanzelf leiden tot een andere man-vrouw balans in de IT sector. Hoe focus haar helpt om de verschillende rollen de aandacht te geven die ze nodig hebben. En uiteindelijk heeft ze wel gelijk. We moeten diversiteit in tech als normaal gaan zien. Niet pas over 10 jaar, maar nu. Want IT is een mooie branche waarin iedereen tot zijn recht kan komen. Meer informatie over Marijke en PQR Wil je Marijke beter leren kennen of met haar connecten, dan kan dat via haar LinkedIn profiel . En als je wilt weten welke mooie IT-oplossingen PQR in petto heeft en welke evenementen ze organiseren, volg ze dan via LinkedIn , Instagram of Facebook . En kijk dan ook even op hun website .
S1 E20 · Fri, July 14, 2023
"You are serving people. You have paying customers. So people value what you bring to the table." | Livia Hirsch on Women Disrupting Tech
As a startup and scale-up, you need to be able to stand out from the crowd. After all, this enables you to attract and retain the customers you need to grow your business and your impact. But how do you do this if you have limited time and resources? To answer this question, I spoke to Livia Hirsch. She helps B2B SaaS scale-ups grow their visibility from local to global names via blog writing. She started out as an intern at Dept, where she grew into a content marketer before starting her own content marketing business as a freelancer. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Livia talks about her own journey in the world of startups and scale-ups. The episode contains a wealth of really practical advice on how to start out with content marketing even if you don’t have a lot of time or money available. We also discuss how to use social media in your marketing, how you can find your brand voice, and how to overcome imposter syndrome. In addition, Livia talks about how her mentor helped her flourish as an intern and later as a content marketer. And she also explains how the doom and gloom messaging is counterproductive in the debates on climate and diversity. Why you should listen Besides her personal story on finding her passion, I really like how Livia goes beyond the basics to explain what makes a good content strategy and what KPIs to link to when starting. And she really goes out of her way to share the knowledge that she has built with you. Connect with Livia Hirsch You can connect with Livia via LinkedIn . And you can find more information about Livia's workshop via her LinkedIn post about it.
S1 E19 · Fri, June 30, 2023
"Technological capabilities come in different packages, not just male" | Kamales Lardi on Women Disrupting Tech
Kamales Lardi may not look like a woman who can code. But looks can be deceiving. Because, at a young age, she decided to ignore the well-intended advice of people around her and go into a more female-friendly occupation and study computer science. There, she learned how to code. Now, more than twenty years later, she is a tech leader with her own consultancy company. She helps companies worldwide prepare for the next generation of customers and employees. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, we discuss a broad range of topics including: How gen-z could force traditional corporate structures to change; How founders play a vital role when it comes to the culture of their startup; "And, of course, her book "The Human Side of Digital Business Transformation." You can learn more about Kamales, the work she does, and her book in the show notes .
S1 E18 · Fri, June 16, 2023
"Het is magisch hoeveel het kan doen als je even die spanning van de boog kunt halen." | Lotte Leufkens on Women Disrupting Tech
Het begon als een project voor een vak bij haar studie werktuigbouwkunde: los het grootste probleem van een stel met een meervoudig gehandicapt kind op. En inmiddels is CloudCuddle een bedrijf dat zowel gezinnen als zorginstellingen voorziet van bedden waarin meervoudig gehandicapte kinderen veilig kunnen slapen. In Nederland zijn er naar schatting 120.000 kinderen met een meervoudige handicap. Vaak gaat het dan over de combinatie van ernstige lichamelijke beperkingen en verstandelijke beperkingen. Deze kinderen kunnen niet in een gewoon bed slapen, omdat het te gevaarlijk is voor hunzelf en hun omgeving. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech spreek ik met CloudCuddle founder en social impact ondernemer Lotte Leufkens . We hebben het over wat het voor ouders betekent dat ze eindelijk een weekendje met hun kind weg kunnen, of dat die kinderen uit logeren kunnen bij Opa en Oma. Maar ze praat ook openhartig over haar eigen motivatie om met CloudCuddle deze gezinnen er weer bij te laten horen. De onderwerpen die verder aan bod komen zijn: het (niet) combineren van studie, sport en een startup; de barrières die je als MedTech bedrijf moet overwinnen bij je go-to-market; de 'gevolgschade' die het kan hebben als je als ouders van een meervoudig gehandicapt kind niet de hulp krijgt die je nodig hebt; hoe we diversiteit en inclusie in tech alleen kunnen bereiken als we dat vanuit opportunity doen, en niet vanuit boosheid. Als je meer informatie over CloudCuddle wilt, dan kun je die vinden op hun website , Facebook en Instagram . Meer informatie over Lotte Leufkens vind je op haar eigen website of via A Cup of Ambition .
S1 E17 · Fri, June 02, 2023
"Er zijn ongelofelijk veel vrouwen die vanaf de keukentafel een imperium aan het opbouwen zijn" | Jeanet Bathoorn on Women Disrupting Tech
Als ondernemer, en dus ook als startup founder, komt er veel op je af. Om succes te hebben moet je een product bouwen, met een kloppend verdienmodel. Ondertussen moet je misschien ook investeerders vinden. Plus, je moet ook nog een thuisfront tevreden houden. Kortom, je moet een hoop. En als jij nu denkt "hoe doe ik dat zonder al mijn vrijheid kwijt te raken?", dan is deze podcast voor jou. Want ik heb een mooi gesprek met Jeanet Bathoorn. Ze is host van " De Vrijheidsondernemers podcast " en in 2005 was ze een van de eerste 500 Nederlanders op LinkedIn. Tegenwoordig helpt ze met coaching en masterminds ondernemers om fijn te werken met een lekkere hoge omzet. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech praat ik met haar over de kenmerken van expert status, het collectieve trauma van vrouwen over zichtbaarheid en over het belang van kleine stappen op weg naar duurzaam succes. Dus zonder jezelf alle vrijheid te ontnemen. Daarnaast spreken we over hoe we de verandering kunnen krijgen die nodig zijn om vrouwen in tech normaal te maken. Volgens Jeanet is het nodig dat we collectief nieuwe ervaringen en nieuwe normen opbouwen. Welvaart en rolmodellen zijn daarbij cruciaal. Meer informatie over de Vrijheidsondernemers podcast en haar masterminds vind je op haar website . Daar vind je ook de quiz waarin je jouw geheime expert factor kunt ontdekken. En connecten met Jeanet kan, uiteraard, via LinkedIn. Connecten met mij kan via de website bij deze podcast . Als je je aanmeldt voor updates, dan weet jij als eerste wanneer er een nieuwe aflevering van deze podcast online komt.
S1 E16 · Fri, May 19, 2023
We moeten juist andere vrouwen inspireren om te zeggen “ik kan het en ik doe het” | Myrthe van der Erve on Women Disrupting Tech
Het hebben en leggen van de juiste connecties is belangrijk voor startups. Want die zijn noodzakelijk als je de juiste investeerders, de juiste medewerkers en juiste adviseurs wilt aantrekken. Daarom spreek ik in deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech met Myrthe van der Erve, de CEO van The Next Web. Het leggen van connecties voor startups is haar core business. Ze overtuigde ooit als consultant de HEMA dat die toch echt een online fotoservice nodig hadden. En voor haar overstap naar The Next Web hielp ze een startup in de foodsector aan connecties bij een grote distributeur. Bij The Next Web is ze als CEO de opvolger van Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten bij een bedrijf met een 50/50 split tussen mannen en vrouwen qua werknemers. We praten over hoe het is om een iconische CEO van een groot tech bedrijf op te volgen. Verder praten we over hoe ze op de juiste momenten het podium pakt en over haar advies om meer vrouwen in tech te krijgen: We moeten andere vrouwen inspireren om te zeggen "ik kan het en ik doe het". En we spreken uiteraard over The Next Web Conference. Dit is inmiddels de 17e editie van een van de grootste tech events in Europa. Het is ook de plek waar het startup eco-systeem van Nederland samenkomt om connecties te leggen. Meer informatie over TNW Conference Alle informatie over de TNW conferentie vind je op de speciale website . Daar vind je ook de aanbiedingen voor kaarten voor Women in Tech en voor startups . Connecten met Myrthe en TNW Contact leggen met Myrthe kan het best via haar LinkedIn profiel . Op LinkedIn kun je ook The Next Web volgen, en kijk vooral ook op hun website.
S1 E15 · Fri, May 05, 2023
Het geheim van een goede pitch zit niet in de inhoud | Pauline Pater on Women Disrupting Tech
Als startup founder, man en vrouw, heb je een zekerheid: je zult moeten pitchen. Is het niet voor het verkrijgen van investeringen, dan toch in ieder geval om je product te verkopen. Maar wat maakt een goede pitch? En hoe zorg je ervoor dat je die altijd en overal kunt geven? Daarover ga ik in deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech in gesprek met Pauline Pater. Zij is presentatie trainer en oprichter van Powerful Performance. We hebben het over de magie van verhalen, interactie en authenticiteit, over hoe je aandacht krijgt en vasthoudt en over het belang van de juiste mindset als basis voor een goede pitch. Haar stelling: "Als je iets kan geven wat een ander nodig heeft, dan heb je ook echt magie". Pauline vind het leuk als je contact met haar opneemt. Dat kan het makkelijkste op LinkedIn of Instagram . Meer informatie over haar bedrijf Powerful Performance vind je op de website , Instagram , YouTube en TikTok .
S1 E14 · Fri, April 21, 2023
"We moeten toe naar een maximum aan homogeniteit in founder teams." | Adine Tjeenk Willink on Women Disrupting Tech
Hebben we quota nodig om diversiteit bij tech startups te bevorderen? Of moeten we een grens stellen aan het maximum van hetzelfde type mensen in teams? Daarover spreek ik in deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech met Adine Tjeenk Willink. Ze richtte twee keer zelf een startup op om die later succesvol te verkopen. Inmiddels investeert ze namens Fortino Capital in Europese B2B SaaS startups. En ze is altijd op zoek naar vrouwelijke founders. We hebben het over het vak 'fundraisen', quality time met je kinderen, en over hoe je als startup founder de kans krijgt om de wereld gelijkwaardiger voor mensen te maken. Want voor dat laatste zal ze altijd haar best doen. Adine komt graag in contact met vrouwelijke founders. Connecten kan op LinkedIn of via de website van Fortino Capital . Volg Fortino Capital op LinkedIn om te zien hoe ze de bedrijven waarin ze investeren helpen. En Adine was ook zo vriendelijk om een groeiende lijst met Women in VC te delen. Daar vind je de contactgegevens, de fase waarin ze in startups investeren, welk type tech startups ze zoeken en meer.
S1 E13 · Fri, April 07, 2023
"Je kledingkast heeft een leven naast jou" | Florentine Gillis on Women Disrupting Tech
Als female startup founder wil je er natuurlijk wel goed gekleed bijlopen bij presentaties en op feestjes. Maar elke keer dezelfde jurk dat kan eigenlijk niet. Dus die dure designer jurk blijft na een keer gebruiken in je kast hangen. Om dat probleem op te lossen, startte Florentine Gillis met Circle Closet. Dat is een online platform waar je designer kleding kunt huren of ruilen. Zij helpt vrouwen (en tegenwoordig ook mannen) om er goed uit te zien, zonder een stilstaande kledingkast en bijbehorende eco-footprint. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech vertelt ze over haar droom om met Circle Closet de "Vinted" van de Fashion rentals te bouwen, over het verschil tussen je personal brand als founder en het merk van je bedrijf, en over hoe een man nooit de opmerking van een investeerder zal krijgen dat “je wel een groot bedrag vraagt”. Voor meer informatie over Circle Closet kun je terecht op hun website en op Instagram . Florentine zelf kun volgen op LinkedIn en mocht je als Angel Investor willen deelnemen aan hun lopende investeringsronde, dan kun je contact opnemen via florentine@circlecloset.nl.
S1 E12 · Fri, March 24, 2023
Behandel je product als het recept van Coca Cola | Diana Versteeg on Women Disrupting Tech
Hoe bescherm je als startup nou jouw unieke uitvinding? En welke mogelijkheden heb je om je intellectueel eigendom te beschermen? Zeker in een tijd van 3D printers, ChatGPT en andere OpenAI wordt dit onderwerp steeds relevanter. Over die vragen spreek ik in deze aflevering met Diana Versteeg. Ze heeft alle kanten van intellectueel eigendom gezien en ze helpt innovatieve ondernemers die de wereld een stukje beter willen maken met het beschermen van hun product. Ze ziet steeds meer vrouwen die mooie producten bedenken. Haar advies: bescherm je uitvinding als het geheime recept van Coca-Cola. Meer informatie over hoe Diana je kan helpen vind je op haar website . En je kunt met Diana connecten op LinkedIn en Instagram .
S1 E11 · Fri, March 10, 2023
"Wij hebben als startup een voordeel in een blanke mannen in pak wereld" | Nikkie den Dekker on Women Disrupting Tech
Een boekhoudstartup oprichten als je een hekel hebt aan boekhouden? Dat ligt niet echt voor de hand. Toch is dat precies wat Nikkie den Dekker deed nadat ze met haar webshop was gestopt omdat ze de administratie niet leuk meer vond. Samen met haar vriend richtte ze Paperdork op. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech vertelt ze over haar eigen reis als ondernemer, over ondernemen op gevoel en het ontwikkelen van je eigen boekhoudsoftware. En ze legt uit hoe het startup zijn een voordeel is in een "oude blanke mannen in pak wereld". Meer informatie over de diensten van Paperdork voor ZZP'ers en VOF's vind je op hun website en hun Instagram . En als je wilt connecten met Nikkie kan dat via LinkedIn .
S1 E10 · Fri, February 24, 2023
Je moet wel af en toe je had opsteken, jezelf laten zien | Hendrika Willemse on Women Disrupting Tech
Hoe maak je van iets negatiefs iets positiefs? Als er iemand is die daarover kan meepraten dan is het Hendrika Willemse. Toen ze op school veel gepest werd, begon ze met karate om haar weerbaarheid te vergroten. Het leverde haar drie Wereldtitels en twee Europese titels op. Later werd het overlijden van haar broer een keerpunt in haar leven. Samen hadden ze een IT bedrijf wat ze na zijn overlijden in haar eentje moest runnen. Dat lukte en uiteindelijk kon ze het uitbouwen en later succesvol verkopen. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech vertelt ze hoe al die ervaringen haar hebben geleerd om van haar eigen kracht uit te gaan en over hoe vrouwen het advies "doe maar gewoon dan doe je al gek genoeg" mogen loslaten. Verder vertelt ze hoe je door respectvol te blijven en oprecht luisteren toch heel veel dingen bespreekbaar kunt maken. Het is een mooi, persoonlijk gesprek over hoe je het maximale uit je leven kunt halen door jezelf te blijven. Je kunt met Hendrika connecten via LinkedIn . En als je meer informatie wilt over Hendrika Willemse, dan vind je die op haar website . Daar vind je ook meer informatie over She in IT en haar boek Kick-Ass .
S1 E9 · Fri, February 10, 2023
Uiteindelijk gaat het erom dat je mensen niet afwijst op basis van vooroordelen | Marie Weijler on Women Disrupting Tech
In deze aflevering spreek ik met Marie Weijler. Ik heb enorm naar deze aflevering uitgekeken en ze stelt niet teleur. Marie Weijler studeerde bedrijfsrecht in Leiden en social & economic policies in Leuven. En dat combineerde ze met een fulltimebaan bij Princip.al, een fintech startup die startup investeerders toegang geeft tot dealflow. Haar harde werken leverde haar een plekje op in de Forbes 30 under 30, een lijst met jonge, succesvolle ondernemers en investeerders onder de 30 jaar. Sinds oktober 2022 is ze als partner betrokken bij TIIN Capital , venture capital bedrijf dat investeert in startups die zich bezighouden met cybersecurity en Internet of Things. Ze is daar op dit moment bezig met fundraising voor een fonds wat in 2023 live gaat. Deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech zit vol met anekdotes en praktische tips over ondernemen, marketing en personal branding. Maar bovenal is het een mooi persoonlijk verhaal over het combineren van een full time opleiding met een fulltimebaan, hoe je als niet techneut overleeft in de wereld van deep tech, en over hoe belangrijk diversiteit is in de wereld van startups en venture capital. Je kunt connecten met Marie via e-mail ( weijler@tiincapital.nl ) en LinkedIn . Veel plezier!
S1 E8 · Fri, January 27, 2023
Je mist wat als je niet naar bedrijven van vrouwen kijkt | Claire Tange on Women Disrupting Tech
In deze aflevering nemen we een kijkje in de wereld van venture capital. Ofwel, de wereld van de mensen die in startups investeren. Dat doen we samen met Claire Tange. Zij is de oprichter van Joanna Invests. Met dat platform geeft ze voornamelijk vrouwelijke angel investeerders de mogelijkheid om in impact startups te investeren met een vrouwelijke oprichter. We hebben het over wat Angel investing inhoudt, De gender wealth gap, over hoe het is om als enige vrouw in een kamer met mannen te zitten en over Claire's ambitie om meer funding los te krijgen voor startups met een vrouwelijke founder. Je kunt connecten met Claire via LinkedIn. Vergeet dan niet om ook Joanna Invests te volgen. Dat kan ook op Instagram en Twitter trouwens. Je kunt meer leren over angel investing via deze blogpost en deze podcast die ze samen met Puck Landewé van Elfin opnam. En wil je als angel investor investeren in startups met een vrouwelijke founder? Kijk dan voor de mogelijkheden op de website Joanna Invests (je hoeft geen vrouw te zijn). Tot slot, meer informatie over deze podcast vind je op de website . Daar vind je ook alle afleveringen plus mijn eigen blog.
S1 E7 · Fri, January 13, 2023
Inclusie vereist dat we buiten onze comfort zone gaan | Madhu Mathoera on Women Disrupting Tech
Maak Nederland inclusiever, dat is het motto van Madhu Mathoera. Met haar bedrijf Bee top of mind zet zij zich in om inclusie onderdeel van het DNA van Nederlandse organisaties te maken. In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech spreek ik met haar over waarom inclusie een probleem van ons allemaal is, over haar eigen ervaringen met inclusie, hoe je als organisatie niet hoeft te kiezen tussen of inclusie of talent, en over hoe inclusie begint in ons schoolsysteem. Luister je mee? Connect met Madhu via haar LinkedIn profiel of met Bee top of mind via Instagram . En haar boek "De Inclusieve Organisatie" kun je onder andere aanschaffen via Managementboek . Connecten met mij kan via mijn LinkedIn profiel . Zet in de invite dat je mijn podcast hebt beluisterd. Tot slot: jij kunt me helpen om vrouwen in tech normaal te maken en zo deze podcast over 10 jaar overbodig te laten zijn. Het gemakkelijkste doe je dat door deze aflevering te delen met familieleden en vrienden voor wie je denkt dat het relevant is.
S1 E6 · Fri, December 23, 2022
Gender moet over 10 jaar een non-issue zijn | Jacqueline van den Ende on Women Disrupting Tech
Over 10 jaar moet gender een non-issue zijn. Althans, dat vind Jacqueline van den Ende van Carbon Equity. In deze aflevering spreek ik met haar over het inzetten van geld als wapen in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering, de mogelijkheden die beleggen in ClimateTech biedt en hoe Carbon Equity daarop inspeelt. Maar we hebben het ook over hoe taal een belangrijk middel is om een inclusievere samenleving te creëren en hoe de Filippijnen daarin op ons voorloopt. Alle informatie over Carbon Equity vind je op hun website en hun LinkedIn . Connecten met Jacqueline van den Ende kan via e-mail of LinkedIn .
S1 E5 · Fri, December 16, 2022
Financiële onafhankelijkheid voor vrouwen is meer dan beleggen | Puck Landewé
Waarom is financiële onafhankelijkheid voor vrouwen belangrijk? En hoe werkt dat bij vrouwen anders dan bij mannen? In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech praat ik daarover met Puck Landewé, Founder en CEO van Elfin. Zij vertelt wat financiële onafhankelijkheid inhoud en hoe haar startup vrouwen kan helpen om hun doelen te bereiken. Verder hebben we het over het aantrekken van kapitaal en wat daar allemaal bij komt kijken. Meer informatie over Elfin vind je op hun website . Elfin ook aanwezig op onder andere LinkedIn en Instagram . Connecten met Puck op social media kan via LinkedIn en Instagram . En inschrijven op de nieuwsbrief van Puck kan via haar website .
S1 E4 · Fri, November 18, 2022
Serious Brain Games and Entrepreneurship - A Conversation with Faviola Dadis | Women Disrupting Tech
Faviola Dadis is de founder en Chief Innovation Officer van Neuroreality. In this podcast episode, I interview her about the science behind the serious games that NeuroReality created to help people with traumatic brain injuries with their cognitive rehabilitation and how she decided to start a company. We also talk about the importance of having a diverse team and putting your money where your mouth is when you say that you promote women in STEM. We get to talk at length about Faviola's personal and business journey as a female founder of a tech startup, how research shows that investors evaluate pitches by a woman in a different way than a man , and how in some cases, it is safer for women to use the children's version of a product. For more information about NeuroReality and Koji's Quest, please visit their website . You can connect with Faviola Dadis on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram as @neurosciencebarbie.
S1 E3 · Fri, November 04, 2022
Episode 3: Traction throws bias out of the window | Arosha Brouwer
Join me on the third episode of Women Disrupting Tech, where I interview Arosha Brouwer, the CEO and co-founder of employee well-being startup Quan. In this episode, we discover Why employee well-being needs to be at the core of every company's strategy. How you don't need deep technical skills to be the CEO of a tech startup. What data and traction can do to reduce or even eliminate bias. You can find the full show notes, including Arosha's bio, more info about Qan, and my personal observations on the podcast on the Women Disrupting Tech website .
S1 E2 · Fri, October 07, 2022
We hoeven echt geen roze bureaustoelen | Jennifer Delano
In deze aflevering van Women Disrupting Tech spreek ik met Jennifer Delano van PRGoeroes. We hebben het over wat diversiteit voor haar betekent, hoe de meeste IT mensen vooral een kopie van zichzelf inhuren, de "Excuus Truus" en hoe ze erin slaagt om zich in een mannenwereld te onderscheiden. In de podcast wordt ook Nicky Hofland genoemd. Klik op de link voor meer informatie over TechMeUp en een inclusiever tech ecosysteem. Voor meer informatie over Jennifer Delano: Website van PRGoeroes Jennifer Delano op LinkedIn Haar podcast op YouTube De Equals campagne die we bespreken
S1 E1 · Thu, September 22, 2022
De ideale tech startup met Wendy Broersen | Women Disrupting Tech
Hoe ziet de ideale tech startup eruit als je kijkt naar diversiteit en inclusie? En waarom zijn die onderwerpen uberhaubt belangrijk? Voor het antwoord op die vragen spreek ik met Wendy Broersen. Zij helpt bedrijven met lastige dossiers als diversiteit, inclusie en leiderschap. Wendy vertelt onder meer over de verschillen tussen mannen en vrouwen als het gaat om pitchen voor investeerders, wat de ideale samenstelling van je startup team is en hoe je daarvoor kunt zorgen. Kennismaken met Wendy kan via Haar website: Superpeoplecompany.com @WendyBroersen op Twitter @wendybroersen op Instagram En via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybroersen/
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