Women Disrupting Tech

Why do so many international hires look great on paper, only to leave within a year? In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, we look at why international hiring fails without proper relocation and what a real soft landing looks like in practice.My guest is Judith Roetgering, managing director of Rehive People. After more than 16 years in global fashion and founding a recruitment and relocation agency, she now helps startups and scaleups relocate and onboard international talent so they actually stay.In this conversation, we talk about:• How to get your legal setup and sponsorship in place before you fall in love with an international candidate• Why switching your internal language and habits is non-negotiable if you want international hires to feel included• What happens around the six to nine-month mark after a move, and why that is the moment many companies forget to support• How AI can take over admin so there is more time for the human side of relocation, from housing stress to family questionsIf you are a founder, hiring manager, or investor building global teams, this episode will help you see international hiring not as a transaction, but as something you design from the first forecast to the first working day.Connect with Judith Roetgering:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithroetgering/Rehive People: https://www.rehivepeople.com/

AI implementations rarely fail because of the technology. They fail because of people, incentives, fear, and organizational blind spots.In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I talk with Sophia Zitman, Director of AI Projects at Kickstart AI, about what actually makes AI work in real organizations. From starting with the why instead of the tech, to navigating politics, resistance, and design choices that determine whether AI ever makes it to production.This conversation is for founders, operators, and leaders who want to move beyond AI hype and build systems that are useful, ethical, and adopted.Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more conversations like this.In this episodeWhy humans, not technology, cause most AI failuresHow to design AI around real organizational goalsWhy resistance is often a signal, not a blockerWhat founders underestimate about AI infrastructureHow AI can lower the barrier to building companies and accessing educationChapters:01:23 Why most AI strategies fail in practice04:23 Sophia Zitman and building AI that delivers value11:13 The real reason AI projects break down17:33 Designing AI around people and workflows23:38 When politics derail even good AI projects32:23 What successful AI implementation looks like47:08 AI as an advantage for startups and founders56:53 AI as an equalizer and building inclusive techConnect with Sophia Zitman:Sophia Zitman on LinkedIn.Support the podcast:Subscribe on SubstackFollow the podcast on SpotifyFollow the podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow the podcast on YouTube

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Valerie Hirschhauser explains why following the startup playbook often leads to founder burnout, hustle culture as a system glitch, and how founders can build a sustainable business without sacrificing their well-being.We talk about hustle as a coping mechanism, why being busy often replaces making real progress, and how profit can act as oxygen for impact instead of undermining it. This conversation is for founders who wonder whether working harder is really the path to success, and who are looking for a more sustainable way to build.Inside this conversation:- Why hustle is often a system glitch, not a lack of ambition- How burnout shows up long before founders stop functioning- Why intuition belongs in leadership and boardroom decisions- How energy management beats time management- Why profit can act as oxygen for impact, not a compromise- What changes when founders reclaim agency over their choicesChapters:02:20 Valerie Hirschhauser's journey and the search for freedom in tech05:11 Debunking the illusion of hustle culture for founders08:07 The invisible impact of burnout on tech founders11:10 Strategies for navigating the modern startup landscape13:50 The role of mentorship and support for female founders16:49 Addressing double standards for women in entrepreneurship19:26 Rethinking investment expectations and VC relationships22:22 Why energy management beats time management for leaders25:27 Cultivating worthiness, balance, and self-belief in STEM32:45 How to choose agency over autopilot in your career35:41 Balancing purpose and profitability in a sustainable business39:17 Why hustle is not a sustainable business strategy45:34 How location and environment influence work-life integration48:43 Making leadership development accessible for women in tech51:25 Leading from the heart: Combining empathy and strength55:09 The role of trust and investor support in startup success57:52 Building inclusive and stronger founder ecosystemsConnect with Valerie Hirschhauser: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehirschhauser/The OneMillionWomen Website: https://www.onemillion-women.com/

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I talk with Carolina Bongers, founder of Jungle the Bungle.Carolina is building a language learning app for children aged two to eight that makes learning feel like play. Her ambition goes far beyond vocabulary. As she puts it: “We’re not teaching words, we’re unlocking worlds.”We talk about how being raised bilingual shaped her optimism and problem-solving mindset, why fun is not optional when it comes to learning, and how Jungle the Bungle removes the idea of right and wrong answers to keep children curious and engaged.We also explore her nuanced view on screen time. Children are using screens anyway, so the real responsibility lies in offering content that helps them learn responsibly. Carolina shares how she validated her idea in an unexpected way by first writing children’s books, why interest came from schools and libraries rather than parents, and what she learned from crowdfunding. Including how asking for money became easier once she saw it as inviting people into a shared success.We close with her advice to founders. Build things that are intuitive. Assume your users have very little headspace. And when in doubt, design with the simplicity of a two to eight-year-old in mind.Listen to episode 134 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.Chapters02:05 Introduction to Jungle de Bungle04:47 The Power of Bilingualism07:36 Creating Engaging Educational Content09:58 Addressing Screen Time Concerns12:36 Fun and Effective Learning Methods15:39 Transitioning from Books to Apps18:25 Adapting for Schools and Educational Needs21:06 Future Growth and Expansion Plans23:46 Crowdfunding and Community Engagement26:42 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges29:40 Vision for the Future of Jungle de BungleLinks & resources🗞️ Show notes: https://womendisruptingtech.blog/2026/01/08/episode-134/ 🌍 Jungle the Bungle: https://www.junglethebungle.com📲 Download the Jungle The Bungle from the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/jungle-the-bungle-talen-app/id1571784582📲 Download the Jungle The Bungle from the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.junglethebungle.app2

What does it take to build a sustainable career in tech? Simone Mink shares how learning, leadership, and boundaries shaped her journey at Mendix.In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I speak with Simone Mink, Head of Portfolio Management at Mendix, about building a career in tech without a predefined path. We talk about agency, agility, and bouncebackability, and about what happens when resilience quietly turns into burnout.Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more conversations about building careers and companies in tech without losing yourself.Chapters02:26 - From Leisure Management to Tech Leader 05:17 - The Journey of Learning to Code 08:08 - Transitioning Roles at Mendix 11:02 - Pitching Yourself. The Art of Self-Advocacy 16:12 - Embracing Uncertainty and ADHD 24:49 - Navigating Challenges in HR Management 30:47 - Lessons from Burnout and Resilience 37:37 - Resilience and Boundaries 39:08 - Graciousness Towards Oneself 43:24 - The Importance of Exercise 45:11 - Navigating Hormonal Changes 46:47 - Current Role and Responsibilities 52:25 - AI's Role in Decision Making 57:00 - Change Management and Accountability 01:00:44 - Driving Change Through Positivity 01:03:27 - The Power of Communication 01:07:19 - Addressing Bias in AIConnect with Simone Mink.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemink-keynotespeaker-unlimitedgrowthmindset/Website: https://www.simonemink.comLearn more about Mendix.Website: https://www.mendix.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mendix/

What if promoting people on merit is the easiest way to get more women into boardrooms?In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I’m joined by Tiffany Aude and Yoana Leusin, founders of Impowr, a coaching platform for ambitious women in male-dominated industries. We unpack why women leave tech before reaching leadership, how promotion decisions are shaped by perception rather than performance, and what founders and leaders can change to build workplaces where women can actually thrive.We talk about objective hiring, incentives that motivate diverse teams, the role of mindset and self-advocacy, and why allyship is not theory but action taken at the right moment. This conversation is for founders, leaders, women in tech, and allies who want to move beyond good intentions and design better systems.Chapters00:03:08 Personal Journeys and Career Paths00:08:15 The Impact of Gender Dynamics in the Workplace00:12:43 The Dynamics of Competition in Corporate Environments00:20:24 The Promotion Paradox00:26:56 Legislative Changes and Their Impact on Gender Equality00:29:01 The Business Case for Gender Equality00:37:17 The Impact of Job Descriptions on Diversity00:39:24 Creating Inclusive Interview Structures00:41:33 Building a Supportive Workplace Culture00:43:35 Strategies for Empowering Women in Tech00:50:07 Creating Inclusive Work Environments00:51:54 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence00:55:09 Tools for Enhancing Self-Worth and Negotiation Skills01:02:00 The Role of Male Leaders in Supporting Women01:09:19 The Future of Gender Equality in the WorkplaceConnect with Tiffany, Yoana, and ImpowrTiffany Aude on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-aude-05a251158/Yoana Leushin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoana-leusin/Impowr website https://www.impowr.coImpowr on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/impowr8Impowr on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/impowr.co/Read the Blog on SubstackIn-depth reflections, key takeaways, and behind-the-scenes insights from this episode are available on Substack: https://womendisruptingtech.substack.com/

If your strategy feels heavy, outdated, or too complicated to actually use, this episode will change the way you think about building and growing your company.In episode 131 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Dorit Roest, founder of Strategy Sprint Company, to explore why the best strategies are simple, agile, and aligned with your original purpose. Dorit shares how founders lose momentum when their personal and business goals drift apart, and how a strategy that fits on a post-it can help you reset your focus fast.We cover:• Why founders feel off-track and how to realign with your original why• The Zoom Out method for spotting real opportunities and threats• The Battery Check: time, money, energy• Why courage expands your ambition• The visualization exercise that unlocks long-term direction• How to design goals that stay flexible as your reality changesThis conversation is practical, honest, and full of tools you can apply today to build a strategy that actually works.Chapters:02:20 Dorit Roest's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:24 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Solving Global Issues 08:16 Aligning Personal and Business Goals 11:13 The Importance of Agility in Strategy 14:09 Simplifying Strategy for Modern Businesses 17:16 Zooming Out: Understanding the Bigger Picture 20:24 Addressing Global Challenges as Entrepreneurs 23:14 Mapping Opportunities and Threats 26:14 The Battery Check: Assessing Personal and Business Energy 29:09 Prioritizing Time, Money, and Energy 32:02 Lessons from the Past Year 43:33 Navigating Maternity Leave and Business Growth 46:05 The Unique Challenges of Women Entrepreneurs 48:09 Innovative Leadership and Team Management 50:47 Encouraging Ambition and Risk-Taking 52:18 Visualization Techniques for Goal Setting 58:40 Aligning Personal and Professional Goals 1:03:11 The Importance of Alignment in Success 1:07:13 Simplifying Goals and Accountability 1:12:20 Building Supportive Networks for Female Founders Connect with Dorit:Website: https://www.strategysprint.company/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doritroest/Connect with Strategy Sprint Company:Website: ⁠https://www.strategysprint.company/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/doritroest/⁠Read the show notes on the blog.

In this episode, Andrea Cristancho shows how founders can turn stress into a source of clarity instead of chaos. We talk about pattern interrupts, wellbeing as a leadership skill, and a simple 10-second breathing practice you can use any time your mind starts to spin.Andrea Born-Christancho has built companies across Mainland China, South Africa, and Switzerland, and her work helps founders understand what their bodies are telling them so they can lead with more intention and less overwhelm.Chapters02:30 Andrea's Journey to Entrepreneurship and Health Coaching 05:35 The Impact of Burnout on Leadership 08:20 Wellbeing as a Foundation for Success 12:01 Integrating Wellbeing into Leadership 16:32 Managing Guilt and Prioritizing Self-Care 23:42 The Role of Pattern Interrupts in Daily Life 33:22 How Leaders Can Support Teams in Building Routines 37:41 Breathing Techniques for Better Focus 40:13 The Breathing Exercise 44:13 Stress as a Friend, Not the Enemy 49:45 The Role of Men in Supporting Women in LeadershipConnect with AndreaWebsite: https://www.andreacristancho.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaborncristancho-impactstrategyconsultant/Connect with host Dirkjan HupkesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkjan-hupkesSubscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech NewsletterSubstack: https://womendisruptingtech.substack.comRead the full blog for this episodehttps://womendisruptingtech.blog

Gina Schinkel's founder career didn’t follow the straight line to being a founder. She built Driftawave and Leaderwave by choosing the world over the ladder and learning how travel, culture, and leadership shape each other. In this episode, we explore the power of workations, generous leadership, and what happens when you stop choosing one path and start integrating all the roads you’ve walked. Listen to episode 129 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.Chapters:03:43 Gina Schinkel's Journey to Driftawave and Leaderwave 06:12 The Intersection of Travel and Technology 09:09 Cultural Insights: Returning to the Netherlands 11:55 The Benefits of Team Retreats and Workations 14:20 Creating Connections: The Role of Workations in Team Dynamics 17:22 Navigating Remote Work and Office Mandates 19:55 Exploring Workation Locations and Experiences 22:52 The Evolution of Workations: Beyond Just Work 24:50 Workations and Startup Success: Attracting Talent 27:43 Measuring Success: KPIs for Workations 30:45 The Future of Work: AI's Role in Business 33:24 Leadership Trends and the Role of AI 35:09 Diversity and Inclusion in Work Culture 37:42 Building Trust and Connections in Business 47:32 Empowering Women in Tech 1:02:18 Closing the Funding Gap for Female Founders Links:Learn more about the episode on the blogConnect with Gina on LinkedInLearn more about DriftawaveLearn more about LeaderwaveFollow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack

What if feeling good about yourself was a precondition for being a good ally?In this episode, Salmaan Sana shares how allyship connects leadership, emotional health, and inclusion. A former medical student turned leadership facilitator, he explains why vulnerability matters, how overcompensation can repair old imbalances, and how small, human moments can drive real change.Listen to learn how men can become more effective allies for women in tech—starting with awareness, compassion, and action.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Chapters03:00 - Journey into Healthcare and Leadership10:30 - The Role of Medical Education in Leadership20:06 - Understanding Allyship and Its Importance31:45 - Men's Vulnerability and Emotional Health51:32 - Practical Steps to Become an Ally59:04 - Closing the Funding Gap for Female FoundersLinksYou can connect with Salmaan on LinkedIn or via his website.You can learn more about the episode on Substack.You can connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Settly CEO Marieke van Iperen shares how her upbringing in a hippie community shaped her view on leadership, and how she built a fast-growing startup that combines business growth with human connection. We explore how relocation can drive inclusion, what founders can learn from impact investors, and why belonging is a business outcome, not a soft value.Whether you’re a founder, people leader, or HR professional, this episode will help you build inclusive, globally connected teams.Chapters00:00 - Intro 03:00 Journey to Becoming a CEO 04:16 Hippie Roots and Startup Culture 05:36 Bootstrapping and Values in Business06:51 Cultural Intelligence in Hiring 12:15 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges 15:16 Geopolitical Challenges in Expansion 17:16 Overview of Settly and Its Services 19:44 Impact of Government Policies on Business 24:59 Changing Perspectives on Immigration 28:38 Creating Safe Spaces in Companies 44:02 Men’s Role in Inclusivity 45:02 - New Features and Closing Thoughts Links:Connect with Marieke on LinkedIn.Learn more about Settly on the websiteGet free access to Tenant Hub here (Dutch companies only)Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for weekly episodes.

Yasmina Khababi runs Freshtable, a social impact catering company that creates meaningful jobs for highly skilled former refugees by matching their original expertise with new opportunities in the hospitality industry. One meal at a time, she connects sustainability, inclusion, and food accessibility.In this episode you will learn how she built this without investors, how she protects her mind as a sanctuary, and how inclusion in tech can become powerful when you stop waiting for permission.We talk about:00:00 - Introduction to FreshTable and Its Mission02:48 - Connecting Climate Change and Refugee Issues05:52 - The FreshTable Business Model and Its Values08:50 - Empowering Refugees Through Work and Education12:05 - Geographical Luck and Its Impact on Opportunity14:56 - Facilitating Change: The Role of FreshTable17:50 - Accreditation and Career Advancement for Refugees20:52 - Diversity vs. Inclusion in the Workplace24:00 - The Vision for a Sustainable Future26:53 - The Role of the FreshTable Foundation29:38 - Creating a Safe Space for Feedback33:24 - Servant leadership and safe spaces39:14 - Mindset as a Sanctuary45:26 - The Art of Letting Go53:05 - Rest as a Right, Not a Reward55:02 - The Role of Men in Promoting InclusionYasmina’s story is a reminder that inclusion is not mere theory; it is a practice. It is how you lead, rest, and let others grow.Connect with Yasmina Khababi on LinkedIn.Read about the magic moment, practical takeaways for founders, and my notes to self on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

What happens when inclusion stops being a policy and becomes the foundation of a company?In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Magali Elhage and Matthijs Welle share how Mews turned diversity, leadership, and technology into a culture where people can be themselves and perform at their best.Chapters03:05 Journey to Mews: Personal Stories of Transformation 05:48 Breaking Barriers: The Struggles of Diversity in Hospitality 08:26 From Traditional to Innovative: The Birth of Mews 11:10 Building a Tech-Driven Hospitality Future 13:55 Inclusion by Design: Creating a Culture of Belonging 16:44 Empowering Voices: The Role of Leadership in Diversity 19:37 The Importance of Storytelling in DEI Initiatives 22:12 Navigating Challenges: The Path to Inclusive Leadership 25:07 Creating Safe Spaces: The Mews Experience 27:44 The Role of Employee Resource Groups in Culture Building 30:40 Parental Leave and Support: Building for the Future33:50 Addressing the Gender Pay Gap: A Long-Term Commitment 36:40 Leveraging AI for Growth and Learning 39:40 The Power of Allyship in Tech 42:17 Reflections on Personal Growth and Performance 45:31 Innovative Tools for Communication and Feedback 48:19 Facing Fears: Embracing Change in Leadership 51:11 Advice for Founders: Building an Inclusive Company 54:19 The Future of Mews: Vision and Strategy🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.💬 Discover more about this episode in the show notes🌐 Explore Mews: https://www.mews.com🔗 Connect on LinkedIn with Matthijs WelleMagali Elhage❤️ Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more stories on inclusion, innovation, and leadership.

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.Chapters02:40 Journey to Borski Fund05:29 The Role of an Operating Partner08:28 Challenges for Women in Leadership11:26 The Founder-Investor Dynamic14:36 Building Peekabond: A Personal Journey17:26 The Emotional Attachment of Founders20:24 Coaching for Mental Health in Startups23:29 Changing Expectations in Pitching26:18 The Importance of Diverse Teams29:19 Borski Fund’s Mission and Impact32:21 The Slow Progress of Female Founders35:26 The Future of Gender Equality in VC37:57 Bias in Investment Decisions41:16 Selecting the Right VC44:04 The Need for Policy Changes47:01 Celebrating Female Founders49:53 Success Metrics for Borski Fund52:52 The Role of Men in VC55:48 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.Chapters03:30 Introduction and Background06:23 The Importance of Gender Representation in Venture Capital09:43 Azin's Journey into Angel Investing13:38 Cultural Perspectives and Personal Experiences18:06 The Impact of Underrepresentation in Venture Capital23:26 Statistics on Female Founders and Funding27:16 Changing Perspectives on Gender Roles29:14 Using Venture Capital for Change31:14 Show Her The Money: Film and Book Overview34:42 Inspiring Stories of Female Founders39:00 The Role of Male Investors in Supporting Female Founders43:05 Emmeline's Focus on Women's Health44:49 Understanding Women's Health Disparities47:09 Investing in Female-Centric Solutions48:50 The Ideal Founder Profile51:26 Integrity in Investment Relationships52:22 Comparing Support for Female Founders in Europe and the US55:15 What Makes a Pitch Deck Stand Out?59:13 Defining Venture-Ready Proposals1:03:06 Encouraging Women to Think Bigger1:05:03 Upskilling for Stay-at-Home Moms1:12:55 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:Why data should be your co-pilot for growth.How bootstrapping sharpened Adasight’s focus on clients.Why mentorship evolves at every stage of your career.What active allyship looks like in practice.🎧 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 BlogConnect 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 workAnouk 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.