The signature is, what now? “International Women's Day on Friday 8 March is a topical reason to critically examine what we do ourselves. And what more we can do,” says ROM InWest CEO Janet Nieboer. That is why we are talking to three female managers: in addition to Janet, investment manager Isabel van Nesselrooy and project manager vabout Code-V Dorien Lathouwers.
Underrepresented entrepreneurial potential
The starting point is clear: female entrepreneurs are underrepresentedIn addition, the financing that goes to female entrepreneurs limited which leaves a lot of potential untapped. That is a shame and must therefore be improved, according to the mission of Code-V. “ROM InWest has the public task to support and grow all potential entrepreneurs,” says Janet. “Yet we see that female entrepreneurship is lagging behind. Only 37 percent of all entrepreneurs are women, about 11 percent of start up founders is woman and a small one 5,7 percent of all available VC–funding goes to teams with a female founder. As a result, companies with potential do not get the chance they deserve to grow. That is why we need among other things critically examine unintended blind spots among many investors. “I see a task there for ROM InWest.”
Public-private dynamics
To initiate this change, Janet focuses on the existing dynamics between public and private. “With our participation in Code-V, we have a diverse network with financial institutions, private equity parties, interest groups, umbrella organizations and ministries. Together we can set the bar, use the same standards and look through the same glasses to measure and stimulate progress in female entrepreneurship.”
Market potential
Inclusion and diversity are of course current themes that many market parties are actively working on. “That is positive,” Isabel emphasizes. “We can keep this dynamic sharp and strengthen it by showing research that shows that a market potential of 137 billion euros becomes available if women are truly included. I can imagine that this encourages a private party to think and take action. In this way, they can collect targeted data that makes the investment in female entrepreneurship tangible and attractive to investors.”
Importance of networking
Dorien also points out the importance of collaboration and networking for female entrepreneurship. “We work with local and national partners to create an ecosystem that supports female entrepreneurs. Think of organizing networking events, workshops and mentoring programs that are designed to develop skills, share knowledge and make valuable connections.n. This also includes pointing the way to available financing and how to obtain it. bee."
Change starts at your own door
Bringing about real change starts with ourselves, the three interviewees acknowledge. Isabel: “We also have to get to work ourselves. For example, by looking for unconscious and unintentional prejudices as an investment manager and assessor of financing applications. Do we have them, and if so, how can we remove them? We want to move towards truly inclusive decision-making processes. This ensures that our funding and support decisions are fair and balanced. This gives women entrepreneurs an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Exposing unconscious data
ROM InWest also wants to make the impact of its initiatives for female entrepreneurship tangible. Janet: “We will regularly measure and evaluate the effect and progress of our programs with targets and quotas for financing female entrepreneurs. In this way, we hold up a mirror to ourselves and we can ensure continuous improvement of our strategy. In this way, we can continue to learn, grow and continuously refine our approach to be most effective.”
With an inclusive approach to economic development, ROM InWest wants to create equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, origin or orientation. By actively supporting and promoting female entrepreneurship, ROM InWest contributes to a more diverse and a more resilient economic landscape in the region. Read about Working together for a better female entrepreneurial climate.
View the website of Code-V.
