News

International Womens Day: improve access to finance for female entrepreneurs

Written by Michelle Schouwenburg on 7 March 2022

Women are more likely to start a business that has a positive impact on their environment. This was concluded by ABN Amro, based on its own research into inclusive banking in the Netherlands. That same study reports that women have more difficulty finding financing for their businesses, which is one of the reasons why women's businesses generally show less growth. But if that’s already the case in the Netherlands, how are things in Africa, where the gender gap is generally wider?

Updates

What PlusPlus can do for SMEs

Written by Lars van Doremalen on 17 February 2022

Suppose you have your own business somewhere in Asia, Africa or Latin America. A well-run business in the agricultural sector, with several employees, reliable suppliers and regular customers. Why would you turn to a platform all the way in the Netherlands? Our Investment Manager Lars explains....

Stories

These companies are growing already

Written by Michelle Schouwenburg on 20 December 2021

In 2021, eighteen entrepreneurs received loans from PlusPlus investors. Eighteen different companies, in different countries, who have at least 1 thing in common: Thanks to PlusPlus they were able to grow! What did they do with those loans and what has it brought them so far? Here are a few examples...

Updates

Female entrepreneurship in practice: visiting Kissima in Mali

This month PlusPlus’ entrepreneur Kissima Industries received a guest. During his trip to West Africa, Cordaid director Kees Zevenbergen took the time to visit the Malian company of madam Assitan Keita. It was an interesting visit, with a focus on female entrepreneurship.

Investing

Businesswoman Annelies: "I assume the good in people"

The versatility of Annelies van der Vorm cannot be captured in one sentence. What characterizes the Rotterdam businesswoman is that she is a very social entrepreneur. Successful but modest. "I am fortunate to have a lot of energy and live from gratitude". As an investor in PlusPlus, she talks about her perspective on life and where her broad social commitment comes from.

Updates

The search for entrepreneurs: behind the scenes in Colombia

Written by Michelle Schouwenburg on 11 October 2021

Curious how we find the companies on PlusPlus? It all starts with our local colleagues. From Solidaridad and Cordaid offices around the world, they are the ones on the lookout for talented entrepreneurs. Pedro Valarini, our colleague in Colombia, tells us all about it.

Investing

"A small gesture can trigger a lot"

Investor Arno Huibers (67) has been providing people with moments of happiness for decades. As a clown or mime he likes to bring a bit of happiness to people, whether they are children, adults or people with dementia. But he is certainly not lacking in long-term vision either.

Updates

Sustainable investing only really becomes social without return

Written by Peter Heijen on 16 July 2021

Nowadays, more and more people are looking at "sustainability" or "social impact" when choosing their investments. Recent research by the AFM shows that seven out of ten investors consider sustainability to be an important criterion. They will even settle for less financial return if these investments also deliver a social return. And that is good news for humanity. If all the savings in Europe were invested towards impact, many world problems could be resolved.

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