Not only with the female founders I talk about being a women in the tech scene. When I talk to men about the topic, often the response is: We want diversity in our team. Most times with the addition that diversity is not only based on gender, but also background…

During the research on startup culture for my master’s thesis, I interview many entrepreneurs. It takes some time to find a female entrepreneur. After talking to six male entrepreneurs, I for the first time sit down for coffee with a female entrepreneur. …

‘Mental health,’ my respondent says, when I ask him if the startup life also has a less exciting side, ‘There is not enough support for entrepreneurs with mental health issues. Sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone is really good, because you are learning. But sometimes it is too…

During my research on the work/private life situation of early-stage tech startup founders, we often discuss the work life ‘off switch’, can the entrepreneurs switch their work mindset off at times, a fully leave work behind for some free time? A respondent with a family explains that he can find…

During my research on the work/private life situation of early-stage tech startup founders I hear over and over again the phrase: When I have investment, then… I will invest more time in my social life, start dating again, start making art again, start working out again, watch Netflix series, go…

‘The main reason why I do this is because I want to impact as many lives as I can. Obviously, you want to build that million dollar company, that unicorn, but I have a strong vision that I want to take care of low income houses… I’ve been a single…

The first month a respondent lived in a tent on the lawn of the programming school, because there were no dorms available and he was motivated to immediately start. While my research participants preach how great it is to follow their dreams and be busy with their passion, after some…

Talking with an investor, I recall our first interaction at the conference in which we met: I said ‘Hi’, and asked her how she enjoyed the event. She responded a bit surprised, since most other people that approached her usually said ‘Hi’ and then immediately proceeded with their pitch. ‘It…

During my three months of fieldwork in San Francisco for my master in Social and Cultural Anthropology. In every interview I try to figure out what the entrepreneurs do in their free time. With some of the entrepreneurs I have conversations about sports, books, movies, series, the outdoors, cooking or…