What happens when a former founder becomes an investor and decides to change the system from within?
In this episode, Anieke Lamers, Venture Partner at Borski Fund, shares how she is challenging bias in venture capital and backing bold female founders to build a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
A former founder herself, Anieke knows both sides of the table. She talks about emotional attachment, burnout, and why founders deserve to be put on a pedestal.
You will hear why understanding a fund’s vintage matters, how empathy leads to better investing, and what still needs to change for true equality in venture capital.
If you have ever wondered what it takes to invest differently or to keep building when the odds are against you, this episode is for you.
Chapters
02:40 Journey to Borski Fund
05:29 The Role of an Operating Partner
08:28 Challenges for Women in Leadership
11:26 The Founder-Investor Dynamic
14:36 Building Peekabond: A Personal Journey
17:26 The Emotional Attachment of Founders
20:24 Coaching for Mental Health in Startups
23:29 Changing Expectations in Pitching
26:18 The Importance of Diverse Teams
29:19 Borski Fund’s Mission and Impact
32:21 The Slow Progress of Female Founders
35:26 The Future of Gender Equality in VC
37:57 Bias in Investment Decisions
41:16 Selecting the Right VC
44:04 The Need for Policy Changes
47:01 Celebrating Female Founders
49:53 Success Metrics for Borski Fund
52:52 The Role of Men in VC
55:48 Final Thoughts and Connections
🎧 Listen to “How Anieke Lamers Closes the Inequality Gap by Backing Female Founders with Borski Fund” on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
💬 If this episode made you think differently about startup investing, share it with someone who should hear it.
Capital fuels ideas. But whose ideas are we fueling?
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Azin Radsan van Alebeek shares how she uses venture capital as a lever for change. Not just to generate returns, but to shift behavior, open doors, and fuel a broader cross-section of ideas.
We talk about the funding gap, the film Show Her the Money, and what founders need to know when they pitch for investment.
Along the way, Azin shares her own journey from boutique consultancy, to stay-at-home mom, to venture capitalist, reshaping outcomes.
🎧 Listen in to learn why funding diversity is not just fair, but essential for innovation.
Chapters
03:30 Introduction and Background
06:23 The Importance of Gender Representation in Venture Capital
09:43 Azin's Journey into Angel Investing
13:38 Cultural Perspectives and Personal Experiences
18:06 The Impact of Underrepresentation in Venture Capital
23:26 Statistics on Female Founders and Funding
27:16 Changing Perspectives on Gender Roles
29:14 Using Venture Capital for Change
31:14 Show Her The Money: Film and Book Overview
34:42 Inspiring Stories of Female Founders
39:00 The Role of Male Investors in Supporting Female Founders
43:05 Emmeline's Focus on Women's Health
44:49 Understanding Women's Health Disparities
47:09 Investing in Female-Centric Solutions
48:50 The Ideal Founder Profile
51:26 Integrity in Investment Relationships
52:22 Comparing Support for Female Founders in Europe and the US
55:15 What Makes a Pitch Deck Stand Out?
59:13 Defining Venture-Ready Proposals
1:03:06 Encouraging Women to Think Bigger
1:05:03 Upskilling for Stay-at-Home Moms
1:12:55 The Future of Venture Capital for Women
🙋🏻♀️ Connect with Azin Radsan van Alebeek on LinkedIn.
💡 Check out the show notes for magical moments, practical takeaways for female founders and my personal observations.
🎙️ Follow the podcast for more Women Disrupting Tech.
Arosha Brouwer, co-founder of Quan and now Chief Impact Officer at TrueTribe, explains how she scaled workplace wellbeing with impact and integrity.
In this episode, she offers unique insights into Quan’s acquisition, the power of focus, and why success for female founders is about more than ownership.
From navigating investor relations to carrying the responsibility for “the sisters who come after,” Arosha’s journey is both practical and deeply inspiring.
Listen to the full conversation to learn:
- How Quan’s wellbeing software found the right home inside TrueTribe.
- Why integrity, transparency, and respect guided every decision.
- What founders should know before taking the VC route.
Stay with us until the end, as Arosha’s advice for aspiring founders might change how you think about impact, storytelling, and scaling your mission.
🙋🏻♀️ Connect with Arosha Brouwer on LinkedIn.
🔗 Learn more about TrueTribe on the website and LinkedIn.
🎙️ Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Dayana Marin Valencia, co-founder of Adasight, shares how she built a global company without VC funding. We talk about:
🎧 Listen now and discover what it takes to scale with purpose and conviction.
👉 Prefer watching? Head over to YouTube.
🔗 Connect with Dayana via the links in the show notes.
What if curiosity was the key to building better companies?
In Episode 120 of Women Disrupting Tech, Henny Hoekstra, director and co-owner of Pluvo, shares how following her curiosity took her from growth hacker to co-owner of a SaaS company.
We explore what it takes to lead in tech, why learning and development are essential for company survival, and how women can thrive even in male-dominated environments.
But this conversation goes deeper. Henny opens up about imposter syndrome, the challenge of becoming an equal to her former bosses, and how growth as a leader involves more than just effort and grit.
Her story shows that curiosity and courage are just as important for entrepreneurs as strategy and leadership.
🎧 Listen and follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
🔗 Connect with Henny Hoekstra on LinkedIn.
🧠 Learn more about Pluvo on the website.
🚀 Subscribe to Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for episode highlights and practical founder tips.
Only 2 percent of venture capital goes to all-female founding teams. It is one of the most persistent inequalities in tech, and in a decade it has barely moved.
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I speak with Erica van Eeghen (VP Capital) and Maud Vermeulen (Golden Egg Check). Together they lead Women in VC NL, a network of 170+ women reshaping venture capital in the Netherlands.
We talk about:
How closed networks in venture capital shut women out, and what it takes to open them.
Why stereotypes about women being “risk averse” miss the reality of risk-prepared founders.
How new initiatives like the Venture Program create the education infrastructure VC has long ignored.
This conversation shows that closing the gender funding gap is not only about fairness. It is about smarter systems, better decisions, and more opportunities for everyone.
👉 Listen now to hear how Women in VC NL is changing what gets funded, and why it matters for the future of startups and investors alike.
Follow the podcast on 🎧 Spotify 🍏 Apple Podcasts ▶️ YouTube
💌 Subscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech Substack for insights and magic moments.
🌐 Check out the show notes on the Blog
Connect with my guests
🔗 Erica van Eeghen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-van-eeghen-59446613/
🔗 Maud Vermeulen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudvermeulenn/
🔗 Women in VC NL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-vc-nl
Are soft skills the one thing machines will never master?
In Episode 118 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Anouk Vlietman, founder of UMAIN, to explore how AI might actually make us more human. We talk about:
- Why disconnection is the silent epidemic costing billions every year.
- How limiting beliefs hold us back, and what it takes to break them
- Why soft skills like empathy, curiosity, and listening are our greatest edge in the future of work
Anouk also shares how AI can be an accelerator for connection, not competition — and why inclusion starts with being valued for who you are.
This is one of the most personal conversations I’ve had on the podcast. It’s systemic, funny, and packed with insights about technology, humanity, and the future of connection.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
💌 Subscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech Substack for insights and magic moments.
How do you get from burnout to building an AI startup for mental health?
That’s the journey of Kuhu Singh, founder of Amber. Remote work and imbalance left her burned out, but instead of giving up, she built an AI mental health companion designed to bridge the gap between AI and therapy.
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Kuhu shares:
- Why therapy is still a privilege, and how Amber makes it more accessible
- How growth turns into responsibility when people depend on your product
- Why resilience means treating criticism as white noise
Her story is one of resilience, persistence, and purpose, and it’s definitely one worth listening to.
You can connect with Kuhu Singh and learn more about Amber via the links in the show notes.
Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for deeper insights into how we can close the funding gap.
Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more extraordinary episodes with founders, investors, and allies.
How do you scale a company in the age of AI without losing what makes it work?
In this engaging episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle (CEO of Trengo and former COO of WeTransfer) shares what it takes to grow with confidence in a fast-changing world.
We talk about:
- Why scaling is never just about adding people, but about adding the right structure.
- How AI is not about building the next version of what you know, but reimagining value for your customers.
- Why hiring for complementary skills creates stronger, more diverse teams.
Her biggest lesson: growth requires structure, but not too much.
Listen now to learn how to navigate growth, leadership, and AI with Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle.
For episode highlights, my personal takeaways, Marili's bio and links to connect with her, check out the show notes on the blog.
And don't forget to drop your questions for Marili in the comments.
Join us as Marleen Somohardjo, founder of M2 Advisory, shares how to build a business that can weather any storm while staying true to its purpose.
From launching her first consultancy during the 2008 financial crisis to helping companies prepare for the unknown, Marleen brings a rare blend of financial expertise and purpose-driven leadership.
We explore why resilience is about more than cutting costs, how to align your business model with your “why,” and why personal resilience, through practices like yoga, golf, and breathwork, is just as critical as financial stability.
Whether you are a startup founder, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, you will take away strategies for being prepared, staying the course, and building a business that lasts.
🎧 Listen now and start building a resilient, purpose-driven business.
🔗 Connect with Marleen Somohardjo via the links in the shownotes.
👉 Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for episode insights and more.
What if the stories you learned as a child about money, risk, and confidence are still shaping your business decisions today?
In this conversation with Catrine Rhenberg, co-founder of The Wealth Within Her, we explore how early social cues, from the way girls are praised to the expectations placed on them at home and at work, can turn into invisible limits later in life.
Catrine shares a practical three-step process for changing those beliefs, building financial confidence, and defining success on your own terms.
By listening, you'll hear how to:
- Spot and challenge the patterns that hold you back
- Use small, intentional actions to build real confidence
- Redefine wealth so it works for you, not against you
We also talk about the power of authenticity over assimilation, why confidence does not automatically mean competence, and how communities of women can help each other take bigger, bolder steps.
If you have ever felt you are playing by rules you did not set, this episode will help you start rewriting them.
You can connect with Catrine and The Wealth Within Her via the show notes.
Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Subscribe to the Substack of host Dirkjan Hupkes for personal observations, trends across episodes and more.
Femke Brouwer-Hobbelen joins Women Disrupting Tech to share why working harder isn’t the answer—and why real change in tech needs more than just women pushing the system forward.
We talk about:
This is a conversation about power, potential, and the systems that shape both.
If you’ve ever felt like doing all the right things still wasn’t enough, this episode is for you.
You can check out the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.
You can connect with Femke on LinkedIn.
Follow Women Disrupting Tech on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates.
In episode 112, Cogensus co-founder Raju Joshi shares how AI can surface early signs of cognitive decline and help people stay connected, heard, and in control.
We talk about:• Why loneliness hits women harder• What Cogensus tracks that caregivers often miss• How to build ethical AI that supports autonomy• What mindset shift is needed to make inclusion the new normal in tech
🎧 For full show notes, including opportunities to connect with Raju and learn more about Cogensus, visit http://womendisruptingtech.blog/
Join cybersecurity expert and She Unfolds co-founder Emily van Putten and host Dirkjan Hupkes for a powerful and deeply personal episode of Women Disrupting Tech.
Emily shares her story as a transgender woman navigating a traditionally masculine tech industry.
She offers a unique perspective on gender bias, leadership, and the silent challenges that drive high attrition rates among women in tech.
Discover:
- Why retention—not recruitment—is tech’s real gender equality problem
- How social media algorithms fragment identity and create what Emily calls the "digital closet"
- What inclusive leadership actually looks like when it’s tied to power, pay, and promotions.
🎧 Listen now and join us in creating the future of tech. One where everyone can thrive, grow, and belong.
You can connect with Emily and SheUnfolds via the links in the show notes.
For more Women Disrupting Tech, please follow the podcast here and subscribe to our Substack.
You can connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn.
What’s keeping female founders from getting funded? Join me as we hear from FEM-Start co-founders Marian Spier and Simone van Bijsterveldt what needs to change and how their platform helps women raise capital confidently.
We talk about:
02:30 Founding FEM-Start
05:16 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19
08:23 Barriers for Female Entrepreneurs
11:31 The Importance of Visibility and Networking
14:18 Investor Bias and Its Impact
17:25 Educating Female Entrepreneurs
20:11 Confidence in Pitching
23:23 The Role of Bias in Investment Decisions
26:01 Changing the Narrative Around Female Founders
29:04 Myths About Female Entrepreneurs
32:03 The Future of Gender Diversity in Business
33:39 Gender Bias in Leadership and Promotion
36:13 Education Gaps for Women Entrepreneurs
42:07 The Role of FEM-Start in Entrepreneurial Growth
43:47 Personal Experiences Shaping Entrepreneurial Journeys
47:24 Understanding Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs
52:45 Future Aspirations for FEM-Start
1:00:30 Advocating for Inclusion in Tech Funding
🔗 You can find links to connect with Marian, Simone and FEM-Start in the show notes.
❓ Leave your questions in the comments on Spotify, Apple or YouTube.
🗣️ Subscribe for more about each episode of Women Disrupting Tech on Substack.
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I speak with Julia Jakimenko, founder of Cyberette. Her startup is building a platform to detect deepfakes across video, audio, and images, and restoring trust in the process.
Julia studied human rights law. Today, she’s leading a company that’s redefining how we respond to misinformation, AI-generated content, and digital safety.
We talk about:
03:20 Journey to Cyberette: A Unique Path
06:31 Understanding Deepfakes: Technology and Implications
09:31 The Threat of Deepfakes: Real-World Examples
12:05 Spotting Deepfakes: Red Flags and Awareness
14:55 AI and Digital Trust: Building Confidence Online
17:58 The Role of Women in Tech: Diversity and Inclusion
20:53 Challenges for Female Founders: Funding and Support
23:39 Self-Promotion: The Gender Divide
26:47 Success Redefined: Personal Growth and Business Goals
29:25 Cultural Adaptability: Lessons from Diverse Backgrounds
32:24 The Future of Cyberette: Envisioning Success
35:21 Privacy First: Ethical Considerations in AI
38:07 The Importance of Data Quality: Building Trust
37:36 Navigating the Male-Dominated Tech Landscape
44:06 Overcoming Self-Doubt: The Female Entrepreneur's Journey
46:48 The Power of Community: Building Networks
49:48 Vision for 2032: A Safer Digital World
52:33 Final Thoughts: Inclusion and Authenticity in Tech
Julia is building something that matters — not just for companies, but for all of us navigating a digital world shaped by AI.
🔔 Subscribe for more stories of women changing the future of tech.
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.
🗞️ Full show notes and bio on the blog.
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Jo Sarah, founder of Umaversity, shares how her platform is breaking taboos around women’s sexual and mental health.
🚨This episode contains open conversations about women’s sexual health and trauma. Listener discretion advised.
We talk about:
03:55 Introduction to Jo Sarah and Her Mission
05:22 Understanding Women's Sexual Health and Education
08:00 Impact of Ignorance on Women's Lives
10:56 The Business Case for Women's Well-being
13:23 Breaking Taboos and Myths in Women's Health
16:08 The Importance of Education in Schools
20:31 Umaversity's Role in Empowering Women
22:19 Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion
25:19 Inclusivity in Women's Health Education
28:18 Addressing Sexual Trauma and Vulnerability
30:36 The Role of Self-Compassion in Leadership
34:10 The Importance of Self-Compassion in Leadership
35:34 Navigating Women's Health: A New Frontier
37:20 Empowering Female Founders Through Vulnerability
40:08 The Power of Curiosity in Leadership
41:27 Five Ways of Knowledge Exchange at Umaversity
44:34 Vetting Experts and Partnerships for Women's Health
47:55 Integrating Traditional and Modern Approaches to Women's Health
52:20 The Role of Allies in Women's Health Advocacy
56:02 Future Aspirations for Umaversity
59:38 Ensuring Unbiased AI in Women's Health Solutions
🎙 Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Amazon.
🔗 Connect with Jo Sarah and Umaversity via the link in the show notes
👉 Please subscribe for more episodes.
Is there a business case for corporate volunteering?
In episode 107 of Women Disrupting Tech, we explore how giving back can drive real business value.
🎙️ Meet Karlijn L’Ortye, serial entrepreneur, leadership coach, and founder of MO The Movement.
She started her first company at 22 and has spent the last 15+ years coaching executive teams and building purpose-driven ventures.
Now, she’s on a mission to revolutionize employee volunteering using AI and inclusive design.
We talk about:
02:45 Introduction to Karlijn L'Ortye's Journey
06:42 Understanding Bankruptcy and Risk Management
09:44 Reflective Practices in Entrepreneurship
12:49 The Birth of MO the Movement
14:39 The Impact of Corporate Volunteering
17:49 Engaging Gen Z in Corporate Social Responsibility
20:49 Facilitating Effective Volunteering in Companies
23:55 Maturity Model for Corporate Volunteering
26:43 AI in Matching Corporate Volunteers with NGOs
29:38 Leveraging SDGs in Corporate Volunteering
33:41 The Importance of Privacy and Inclusivity in Volunteering
37:52 Matching Skills with Volunteer Opportunities
41:34 The Impact of Volunteering on Empathy and Workplace Culture
47:35 Navigating Corporate Philanthropy in Challenging Times
52:44 The Role of Supervisory Boards in Promoting Inclusion
58:41 Advocating for Women in Leadership
1:02:39 The Future of AI in Inclusive Practices
Karlijn believes corporate volunteering isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a strategic tool that strengthens culture, reduces attrition, and even creates new business opportunities.
▶️ Ready to learn how corporate volunteering unlocks leadership and inclusion? Hit play and get inspired.
🔗 Find more information about the episode, Karlijn and MO the Movement on the blog.
In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, complex communications expert Kirsten Heukels shares what she has learned from 25+ years of guiding people through complex communication, power dynamics, and team breakdowns.
If you're building or backing a startup, this episode will help you decode human behavior in the workplace with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
We talk about:
02:45 The Journey to Communication Expertise
05:02 Understanding the Complexity of Human Communication
10:03 Navigating Information Overload
14:33 The Role of Confidential Counseling in Society
18:00 Cultural Shifts and the Impact of the BOS Broadcast
22:13 Building a Culture of Trust and Reporting
27:52 The Importance of Policies vs. Human Connection
31:21 Generational Dynamics in the Workplace
32:28 Navigating Generational Differences in Leadership
40:20 The Impact of Hierarchy on Workplace Dynamics
49:17 Lessons from the World of Sports
52:30 Fostering Inclusivity in Society
58:07 Collective Responsibility for Change
🔗 You can connect with Kirsten via the links on the blog.
🙋🏻♀️ You can ask questions and leave comments with your observations. I do read all of them.
🙏🏻 Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for episode insights.
In episode 105 of Women Disrupting Tech, James Felton Keith, economist and founder of Inclusion Score, shares how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are reshaping corporate responsibility, insurance, and the future of finance.
We talk about:
🔹 How the ISO 30415 standard helps companies audit and improve workplace culture
🔹 Why the rising cost of social inflation is driving up insurance premiums
🔹 How inclusive systems are becoming lower-risk — and more investable
For more information on James Felton Keith, Inclusion Score and the ISO 30415 standard, check out the show notes: https://womendisruptingtech.blog/ep105
You can follow James via @InclusionScore on all social platforms.
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