Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar The power of connection
Israël and Palestinian regions Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Willem Hovy Fonds

Empower innovative VU-talent

Universities are the breeding ground for innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. But many of these ideas are lost prematurely because it is difficult for students to take them to market themselves. The financial risks are high. The financial climate is bleak and entrepreneurial skills and networks are often still lacking. Willem Hovy Fonds is changing all that!

Willem Hovy Fonds supports students in the critical early stages of their start-up. With money, knowledge and a network. And with your contribution! Because it is precisely in this early phase that funding is lacking in the Netherlands.

Share your financial space and your network and help young entrepreneurs who will make a difference!

Who was Willem Hovy?

Who was Willem Hovy?

Willlem Hovy was an Amsterdam brewer and co-founder/financier of Vrije University Amsterdam. His contribution made it possible for Abraham Kuyper to found VU in 1880. He is also known as a 'socialist' and progressive industrialist: for example, he was one of the first entrepreneurs to offer sick pay and paternity benefits to his employees.

Who does Willem Hovy Fonds support?
Willem Hovy Fonds supports VU students (BSc, MSc and PhD) and recent graduates (6 months) in their first steps in finding traction in the market or society. With money, but also with mentoring and networking. Projects must actively contribute to the achievement of the SDG goals.

Willem Hovy Fonds is keen to help students for whom entrepreneurship is not immediately obvious, such as first-generation students.

Process from selecting to reporting & following up

Learn more about us

Willem Hovy Fonds Board

The Board oversees the use of donations. The board is advised by a committee that evaluates and pre-selects applications.

Sandra Hasanefendic

Group Leader Breakthrough Technology Innovation

Ruben Brave

CEO of Entelligence and Entrepreneur in Residence at VU

Ebru Aydin

Ebru is a freelance moderator, lecturer and photographer

Floris van Alkemade

Floris is an investor and founder at Elanza

Neil Thompson

Neil is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at VU.

Questions? Ideas?

Please feel free to contact us!

c.d.burbidge@vu.nl

hans.drenth@vu.nl

Contact

Portrait Hans Drenth

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2025 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam