Code-V Says Dutch Gender Funding Gap Costs €139 Billion a Year as Women Get 26% of Financing
Updated
Updated · NL Times · Jun 14
Code-V Says Dutch Gender Funding Gap Costs €139 Billion a Year as Women Get 26% of Financing
1 articles · Updated · NL Times · Jun 14
Summary
€139 billion in annual growth is being lost because female entrepreneurs in the Netherlands receive far less business funding than men, according to Code-V’s second annual study.
8.6% of women apply for financing versus 13.2% of men, and women receive about €25,000 less per approved application even though approval rates are broadly similar when they do apply.
26% of all business financing ultimately goes to women, with the gap relatively smaller in bank and SME lending, where approved loans are about 12% lower than for men.
Venture capital shows the sharpest disparity: women receive nearly €750,000 less per approval on average, and only 9.1% of requested capital is granted versus 16% for men.
Code-V called the imbalance a structural market failure rather than a diversity issue, arguing the shortfall is materially dragging Dutch economic growth.
Why are investors ignoring the higher potential returns from women-led startups?
With a €139B annual loss, can current initiatives dismantle finance's 'old-boys-network'?
The €139 Billion Gender Funding Gap: How Systemic Barriers Hold Back Dutch Female Entrepreneurs
Overview
The Netherlands faces a persistent gender funding gap that is described as a profound structural flaw with serious economic consequences. According to Chantal Korteweg, this gap is a system error that imposes a substantial financial burden on the Dutch economy, disproportionately affecting female entrepreneurs. The current funding landscape not only limits opportunities for women but also costs the economy an estimated €139 billion annually. Studies supported by ABN AMRO and McKinsey highlight disparities in application rates, approval rates, and financing amounts for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to unlock the country’s full economic potential.