{"id":48481,"date":"2026-07-08T17:01:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/?p=48481"},"modified":"2026-07-08T17:05:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:05:54","slug":"female-entrepreneurs-funding-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/inspiration\/female-entrepreneurs-funding-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Sandra van der Pal helps female entrepreneurs unlock the closed capital market"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"48481\" class=\"elementor elementor-48481 elementor-48480\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-49cd3cf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49cd3cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d75bcb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d75bcb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-075cb6b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"075cb6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a11245 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a11245\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"1640\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-33606\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143-1024x984.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143-768x738.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sandra-van-der-Pal-1.1-scaled-e1750778192143-1536x1476.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7555210 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7555210\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71b9d59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"71b9d59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sandra van der Pal<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fd69a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fd69a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Manager<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad00709 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad00709\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sandra van der Pal is an innovation expert at nlmtd, working within the Public and Social Domain team. She is energized by finding innovative solutions to societal challenges. With experience as a startup founder, consultant, accelerator builder, and innovation manager, she brings a deep understanding of all aspects of (open) innovation. Connection lies at the heart of her approach, as collaboration is essential for navigating today\u2019s transitions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fa1fe9 elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2fa1fe9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"mailto:sandra@nlmtd.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get in touch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b7759 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"65b7759\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41cd161 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"41cd161\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-9725cf6\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>July 8, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7db67eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7db67eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share this article<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3362ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-reycore-social-sharing\" data-id=\"c3362ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"reycore-social-sharing.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"rey-element rey-elSharing\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"rey-postSocialShare 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37.5 4.5 56.4 3.4 3.8 1.7 3.4 6.9 1.5 50.4-69 48.6-82.5 71.4-172.8 12.3 23.4 44.1 36 69.3 36 106.2 0 153.9-103.5 153.9-196.8C384 71.3 298.2 6.5 204 6.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li class=\"rey-shareItem--mail\"><a href=\"mailto:?body=https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/inspiration\/female-entrepreneurs-funding-gap\/\"  data-tooltip-text=\"Mail\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Mail\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" id=\"rey-icon-envelope-6a4e998d441eb\" class=\"rey-icon rey-icon-envelope \" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M28,5H4C1.791,5,0,6.792,0,9v13c0,2.209,1.791,4,4,4h24c2.209,0,4-1.791,4-4V9  C32,6.792,30.209,5,28,5z M2,10.25l6.999,5.25L2,20.75V10.25z M30,22c0,1.104-0.898,2-2,2H4c-1.103,0-2-0.896-2-2l7.832-5.875  l4.368,3.277c0.533,0.398,1.166,0.6,1.8,0.6c0.633,0,1.266-0.201,1.799-0.6l4.369-3.277L30,22L30,22z M30,20.75l-7-5.25l7-5.25  V20.75z M17.199,18.602c-0.349,0.262-0.763,0.4-1.199,0.4c-0.436,0-0.851-0.139-1.2-0.4L10.665,15.5l-0.833-0.625L2,9.001V9  c0-1.103,0.897-2,2-2h24c1.102,0,2,0.897,2,2L17.199,18.602z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/li>\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<!-- .rey-postSocialShare -->\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6c652d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d6c652d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54a9586 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54a9586\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6>Creating a better future. That is nlmtd\u2019s mission. But how can you achieve that mission when a large part of the Netherlands\u2019 innovation potential remains untapped? Even today, less than 1% of all venture capital funding goes to female entrepreneurs. It is high time for change, says nlmtd manager Sandra van der Pal. As co-founder of FEM-START, she helps women gain access to capital.<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7617146 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7617146\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Three themes have run like a common thread throughout Sandra van der Pal\u2019s career: innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. In the thirteen years since graduating with a thesis on public-private partnerships, she has founded several startups and worked as an innovation manager for organizations committed to a better society.<br \/><br \/>Four years ago, she joined TNW Programs. When the tech scouting agency closed a year ago, Sandra also joined the Amsterdam-based advisory firm. \u201cThis is where everything comes together,\u201d she explains. \u201cHere, I can fully focus on innovation, contribute to a better world, and do so as an entrepreneur thanks to nlmtd\u2019s unique business model.\u201d<br \/><br \/>These three themes are closely interconnected. Innovation and entrepreneurship are crucial for creating a better future, nlmtd\u2019s core mission. That is why the firm focuses on key transitions such as energy, food, and mobility.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c39d65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3c39d65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad8fee3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad8fee3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Equal opportunities and access to capital<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbcfda3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbcfda3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>However, there is another transition urgently needed: a shift toward an economy that offers equal opportunities for everyone. \u201cWhen I started working, it was a shock to see how much the corporate world is still dominated by men,\u201d Sandra says. \u201cAt university, I thought we had moved beyond that, but it remains a real challenge.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Nowhere is this more visible than in the capital market. \u201cAt the moment, less than 1% of venture capital funding in the Netherlands goes to female founders. It\u2019s absurd.\u201d<br \/><br \/>\u201cIt is true that there are fewer female founders than male ones. Estimates suggest about 30% are women. But the fact that they receive less than 1% of funding is indefensible, especially considering how successful women-led startups are.\u201d<br \/><br \/>This funding gap is not only unfair but also unsustainable. \u201cInnovative startups are essential for solving the many challenges the Netherlands faces. By excluding such a large group of entrepreneurs, you slow down the development of a strong, future-proof economy.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e4e20d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6e4e20d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18122c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"18122c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The path to funding<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02cc0a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02cc0a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There is more than enough reason, then, to ensure female entrepreneurs have adequate access to capital. This is where FEM-START comes in. \u201cWe guide female founders through the world of financing,\u201d Sandra explains. \u201cHow do you raise initial capital? What types of financing are available? And how do you approach investors?\u201d<br \/><br \/>FEM-START runs regional programs that combine online courses with live workshops and events. Participants go through the program in small groups, fostering a sense of community. \u201cEntrepreneurship can be lonely. It really helps to connect with others facing the same challenges.\u201d<br \/><br \/>In addition, FEM-START actively connects entrepreneurs with investors, partners, and regional ecosystems. \u201cKnowledge alone is not enough. You need a network to put that knowledge into practice.\u201d<br \/><br \/>The organization also highlights success stories of women who have successfully raised capital. \u201cThose stories matter. They show that it is possible.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ead972c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ead972c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c496e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c496e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Role models<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a804c20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a804c20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">The importance of role models became particularly clear to Sandra through Marian Spier, co-founder of FEM-START. \u201cMarian is a leading social entrepreneur. I worked with her at TEDxAmsterdamWomen. When I heard she wanted to promote female entrepreneurship, I immediately called her.\u201d<\/span><\/p><div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\">About two and a half years ago, Sandra stepped back from day-to-day operations. She remains a shareholder and advisor but wanted to focus more on her family and her work at nlmtd.<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edb3471 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"edb3471\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f0997f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f0997f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Involving everyone<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87a50c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87a50c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">Within nlmtd, Sandra also advocates for female representation. \u201cDiversity and inclusion are high on the agenda here. Recently, we worked on our impact narrative: what are we working toward and what impact do we want to create? \u2018Impact\u2019 can be a vague term. The discussion focused a lot on inclusion &#8211; we want to help build an economy that works for everyone.\u201d<br \/><br \/><\/span><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">At nlmtd, the gender balance is nearly equal, but diversity still requires continuous attention. \u201cAt events, for example, I pay close attention to who is given a platform. Diversity does not happen on its own; you have to actively work toward it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08509b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"08509b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59cea51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59cea51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Inclusive innovation<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0394e6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0394e6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">Inclusion also plays a major role in the projects Sandra works on. \u201cIn innovation, it is essential to talk to potential users, and that means involving all user groups.\u201d She refers to the well-known example of seat belts, which were long designed based on male body types, resulting in less effective protection for women.<br \/><br \/><\/span><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">For clients in the public sector and the social domain, inclusive innovation is essential. \u201cThe public sector serves everyone. That is what makes the work so meaningful. You can truly create societal impact.\u201d<\/span><\/p><div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\">In her current role with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), she sees clear overlap with her work at FEM-START. \u201cAs an innovation designer, I guide RVO employees from idea to prototype. Many of the workshops I deliver there are ones I have also given to female entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e3c6c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4e3c6c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75d9039 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75d9039\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Less modest<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bbda3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bbda3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">Sandra has two pieces of advice for female entrepreneurs seeking funding. First, start networking early. \u201cMany entrepreneurs wait until everything is perfect. But investors invest in people they trust. That relationship needs to exist before you need the money.\u201d<\/span><\/p><div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\">Second, be less modest. \u201cWomen often focus on what they have already achieved. Men tend to pitch what they are going to achieve, and they do it boldly.\u201d Sometimes that means, however uncomfortable, adapting to compete on an uneven playing field.<\/div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\"><br \/>Sandra also helps female entrepreneurs maintain focus and sharpen their strategy through a Strategy Sprint. In this one-day session, she identifies priorities and develops a practical plan for the period ahead. She understands better than anyone how challenging it can be to stay focused, especially as an entrepreneur.<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4839b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c4839b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbaf6c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dbaf6c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-48490\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NLMTD_Beeldbank-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f83faed elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f83faed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1a8f02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c1a8f02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A better future for everyone<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9e510f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9e510f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56; font-size: 1.125rem;\">For now, she remains fully committed to creating a more level playing field in the entrepreneurial world. The figures remain stark. In fact, the share of venture capital funding going to female entrepreneurs has declined in recent years.<\/span><\/p><div><div class=\"paragraph-in-scc-markdown-text ___1ngh792 ftgm304 f1iaxwol\">Still, Sandra remains hopeful. \u201cI see so many powerful women and initiatives. Change takes time and sustained effort. We have to keep pushing.\u201d<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7726493 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7726493\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6>She calls on likeminded people to join the effort. \u201cOnly together can we build a better future for everyone. So whether you want to collaborate with FEM-START or nlmtd, get in touch. I would love to hear from you.\u201d<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sandra van der Pal Manager Sandra van der Pal is an innovation expert at nlmtd, working within the Public and Social Domain team. She is energized by finding innovative solutions to societal challenges. With experience as a startup founder, consultant, accelerator builder, and innovation manager, she brings a deep understanding of all aspects of (open) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":48485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[399,860,861,349,937],"class_list":["post-48481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","tag-entrepreneurship-en","tag-equality","tag-inclusion","tag-innovation","tag-venture-capital"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48481"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48481\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48510,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48481\/revisions\/48510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}