Platform sees strong growth in female founders activating their own supporters
Utrecht, 4 June 2025 - Dutch venture capital funds still hardly invest in startups led by women (source: Techleap). At the same time, the number of female entrepreneurs is growing steadily: their share rose from 32% in 2010 to 37% in 2023 (source: CBS). Nevertheless, access to capital remains a stumbling block. A new generation of entrepreneurial women is therefore opting for sharefunding: raising capital through their own network.
On Eyevestor, the largest sharefunding platform in the Netherlands, female entrepreneurs raise millions by activating their network.
Kitty Smeeten met with Hands Off My Chocolate €500,000 for her plant-based chocolate brand. Eugénie Haitsma Mulier van MARTAN (circular fashion) managed to raise more than €300,000 from the investors involved. And in a pre-seed phase, Jacquelina Perini met Whooler, producer of circular strollers, achieved more than €300,000 through her community. " Women no longer wait for approval, but simply take control of their own financing," says Madeline van Schothorst-Dalen Meurs, venture expert at Eyevestor. "Sharefunding enables them to turn vision, story and network into growth."
More than just money
Where traditional crowdfunding is all about donations, sharefunding gives investors real shares. This leads to long-term involvement and active support for growth and strategy. Other female entrepreneurs also build on their mission through the platform.
Zo haalt co-founder Lotte Vink met LABFRESH €1 million op. En Renate Verbaan is working on expanding her Healthy Pets Group. "We see that entrepreneurs not only find financing through sharefunding, but also connection," says Van Schothorst. "Investors become part of the story and actively think along."
Examples of successful female entrepreneurs on Eyevestor:
-Lotte Vink, LABFRESH, sustainable clothing brand (€1 million), labfresh.com
-Kitty Smeeten, Hands Off My Chocolate, vegan chocolate (€500,000), handsoffmychocolate.com
-Eugénie Haitsma Mulier, MARTAN, circular fashion (€300,000+), martan-official.com< >
-Jacquelina Perini, Whooler, circular strollers (€300,000+), Eyevestor Profile
-Renate Verbaan, Healthy Pets Group, animal welfare,(€300,000 +) Eyevestor Profile
-Marleen Hemmer de Haan, Leentjes, creative baking products, (€250,000) Eyevestor Profile
-Leonie Wegman, Smith & Sinclair, edible cocktails with fun & flair, (€60,000) Eyevestor profile
About Eyevestor
Eyevestor makes equity accessible to entrepreneurs that are often missed by traditional systems. As a pioneer in sharefunding®, companies can issue shares and bonds via the platform, trade them and involve their community as ambassadors. Since 2019, more than 100 companies have collectively raised more than €80 million, supported by 37,000+ users. With a European Crowdfunding License (ECSPR) from the AFM, Eyevestor offers extra security for investors and entrepreneurs.
Note to editors:
For more information, images or interview requests:
Annelies Putman Cramer
06 53 215 475
Annelies.PutmanCramer@eyevestor.com