The Rise of Female Founders in Amsterdam’s Fintech Scene

Every year, the vibrant fintech community in Amsterdam comes together for a week-long celebration of innovation, collaboration, and learning. Amidst the bustling energy of this financial hub, a pressing question arises: where are the female fintech founders?

Female Founders in Fintech

Women remain a minority in the fintech landscape, with female founders being even rarer. Don Ginsel, founder of Holland Fintech and initiator of the Amsterdam Fintech Week (XFW), highlights this disparity: “In general, female founders are underrepresented. The financial world is male-dominated, as is the tech sector. Combine these two, and you find very few startups founded by women.”

The talent pipeline also reflects this imbalance. Many individuals entering fintech come from extensive backgrounds in finance, a field still predominantly occupied by men. Ginsel points out that the complexities of fintech—such as compliance and banking systems—often require years of experience, which many women have yet to accumulate.

Implicit Assumptions in the System

Ginsel identifies deeper societal issues contributing to this gender gap. “The work ethic between men and women is unequally distributed in the Netherlands. Women often face questions about balancing their careers with personal lives, revealing implicit assumptions that begin at a young age.” These societal norms can deter women from pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in fintech.

However, there are inspiring examples of female founders making strides in this space. Ginsel notes, “It’s encouraging to see successful female founders in fintech; they pave the way for others.”

NX’change – Marleen Evertsz

One such trailblazer is Marleen Evertsz, co-founder of NX’change. This innovative platform connects investors directly with companies seeking funding, eliminating the need for banks or brokers. With a focus on financing the energy transition, NX’change embodies a forward-thinking approach to investment.

Evertsz brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously managed over 150 option traders at Optiver and founded GoldRepublic, a trading platform for precious metals.

Blanco – Bernadette Wijnings

Founded in 2015 by Bernadette Wijnings and Joost Walgemoed, Blanco aims to simplify wealth management in Europe. By offering a KYC & Compliance suite, Blanco streamlines the often cumbersome KYC process, making it easier for asset managers to focus on their core business.

Wijnings, who started as CFO and is now co-CEO, has a rich background in finance, having worked at BinckBank before launching her own venture.

Limitless – Sara Koslinka

Sara Koslinka, co-founder of Limitless, is on a mission to help Millennials achieve their financial goals. Her app removes barriers to investing, making it accessible for a demographic that often feels alienated by traditional financial services.

Before launching Limitless with Ka-ming Lim, Koslinka gained valuable experience in startup ecosystems worldwide, from Singapore to Poland. Limitless completed the Startupbootcamp Amsterdam Fintech & Cybersec program in 2017.

The Social Handshake – Sandra van Beest

Sandra van Beest founded The Social Handshake to make charitable giving easier for employees. This fintech startup allows individuals to automatically donate a portion of their salary to charity, promoting a culture of giving within organizations.

Van Beest’s background includes working with various NGOs and as a strategy consultant for Boston Consulting Group, blending her passion for business with a commitment to social good.

XFW Lowering the Barrier of Fintech

While female founders are making waves in Amsterdam’s fintech scene, their numbers remain low. Ginsel is actively working to change this dynamic during Amsterdam Fintech Week. Collaborating with the Women in European Payment Network, he aims to feature experienced female moderators in discussions and panels.

Ginsel also seeks to make fintech more accessible to a broader audience. “Fintech is often filled with jargon and complexity, which can alienate potential users. We want to focus on how fintech tools can improve lives, not just serve the industry.”

Amsterdam Fintech Week: Starting June 4th

The Amsterdam Fintech Week, commencing June 4th, promises to be an inclusive event. Ginsel emphasizes the importance of avoiding overly complex discussions that might deter the average person. “This week isn’t just for fintech insiders; we’re engaging with consumer and SME organizations as well. Using simpler language will help attract a wider audience.”

Throughout the week, attendees can expect discussions on pressing topics in the fintech ecosystem, including consumer perspectives, the financial needs of SMEs, and ethical considerations in financial services.

This vibrant landscape of female founders and innovative startups highlights the potential for change in the fintech sector. As the Amsterdam Fintech Week unfolds, it serves as a platform for dialogue, connection, and inspiration, paving the way for a more inclusive future in finance.