Amsterdam-based Invest-NL launches €50M Diverse Manager Programme to drive inclusion in venture capital

Amsterdam-based Invest-NL launches new fund to back diverse investment managers and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Amsterdam-based Invest-NL, a Dutch impact investor focused on driving innovation in the Netherlands, announced the launch of its Diverse Manager Programme.

With this programme, Invest-NL wants to boost diversity in the venture capital sector in the Netherlands and Europe.

With an initial fund size of €50M, the programme will support funds managed by diverse teams and invest in companies led by founders from underrepresented backgrounds.

The announcement coincides with the release of the report titled “Gender Gap in Investments”, presented by Women in VC and the European Commission in Brussels.

Criteria to qualify

To qualify, a fund must either have at least 50 per cent of its partners or management team composed of women or individuals with an ethnically or culturally diverse background.

If not, the fund must demonstrably invest in companies with diverse leadership. 

The program is open to Dutch and European funds active in the Netherlands.

Participating funds must invest at least double the capital committed by Invest-NL in the Netherlands and meet the usual due diligence requirements. 

Why this programme?

Invest-NL is starting this program to highlight the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship and financing.

Women are still underrepresented in the Dutch venture capital (VC) sector, making up only 10 per cent of technology (co-)founders and 15 per cent of decision-makers in European VC funds.

However, research consistently shows that diverse teams perform better and are more profitable. 

“Diversity in investment management isn’t just about representation, but about performance and progress. With this program, we’re consciously investing in fund managers who bring new perspectives, drive innovation, and build a stronger, more sustainable, and more equal economy,” says Ulrike Kostense, investment principal for Fund Investments at Invest-NL. 

Based on earlier efforts

The Diverse Manager Programme is part of Invest-NL’s earlier efforts, like supporting Code-V and the EIF’s Gender Smart Equity Investment Programme.

These programs focus on closing the gender pay gap and promoting women in leadership and investment roles.

According to the latest annual report, the percentage of women in senior management positions at companies they invest in increased from 18 per cent to 24 per cent. 

However, the number of female CEOs and founders stayed the same, showing that more work is needed.