What VHTO does

VHTO (Stichting VHTO Expertisecentrum Voor Haar Technische Ontwikkeling) is a Dutch national expert foundation, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Den Haag, that addresses the systemic underrepresentation of women in STEM and IT in the Netherlands — currently 16.6% of technical jobs — with a stated target of 40% by 2040. The organization operates as an ANBI-certified non-profit (Stichting) with 14 FTE staff at end-2025, led by Directeur-Bestuurder Sahar Yadegari and governed by a Raad van Toezicht.

VHTO delivers programs across three integrated layers: school interventions (free Beeldenbrekers and Dit Doe Ik guest lessons, Gender Scans, teacher inspiration sessions, learning pathways for STO regions, and the Spiegelbeeld database of 2,277 female STEM role models); employer services (fee-based Gender Scans, inflow-and-retention workshops, Bias Buster interactive game, and the freemium Toolbox Sociaal Veilig Werken at toolboxsociaalveilig.nl); and research and policy work (whitepapers, factsheets, the international Gender & STEM Network, and biennial conferences). Its flagship annual event, Girls' Day, matched 10,500 girls aged 10-15 with technical companies in 2026. Core 'products' are programs and tools rather than software; the closest technology stack is the Spiegelbeeld database and online toolboxes, with no API or developer-facing platform.

The revenue model blends three streams: donations from foundations and corporate donors, Dutch government project subsidies, and fee-for-service engagements from technical employers and schools (with free offerings cross-subsidized by the other streams). Distribution is direct and segmented: Rian van Heur leads education-professional outreach, Elsemieke de Jong leads corporate engagement, and Carolien Martens leads government/policy. Partnerships span the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' education alliance (with Ministry of OCW backing), the Stroomversnelling energy-sector project (with RSM Erasmus and Joulz), and the international Network Gender & STEM.

Name

VHTO

Legal name

Stichting VHTO Expertisecentrum Voor Haar Technische Ontwikkeling

Website

https://vhto.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VHTO is a Dutch non-profit foundation that increases women's representation in STEM and IT (currently 16.6%, target 40% by 2040). It delivers school programs, employer services, and research through a 2,000+ role model network funded by donations, grants, and fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gender Diversity and STEM Inclusion Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

HR Compliance, Policy, EEO & Labor Law (BPACAPAM)

Keywords

• Gender diversity STEM
• Women in technology
• STEM education programs
• Role model engagement
• Workplace inclusion training

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations from foundations and companies: VHTO receives financial support from corporate donors and charitable foundations. Donations are the primary funding source for activities such as Girls' Day and guest lessons for schools.
2. Government project subsidies: VHTO receives project-based subsidies from government bodies for specific programs aligned with public policy goals on gender equality in STEM.
3. Fee-for-service from clients: Organizations commissioning Gender Scans, workshops, training, or custom programs pay for VHTO's services. Pricing is tailored to client needs and context; free offerings (guest lessons) are subsidized through other streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

VHTO is the Dutch national expertise center that runs programs and tools to increase the number of girls and women in technical and IT professions. Its portfolio includes the annual Girls' Day event, classroom guest lessons (Beeldenbrekers and Dit Doe Ik) delivered by female STEM role models, the Spiegelbeeld database of more than 2,000 role models, Gender Scans for organizations, the free Toolbox Sociaal Veilig Werken and Bias Buster for workplace inclusion, plus teacher training, employer workshops, and the international Gender & STEM research network.

Product overview

VHTO (Voor Haar Technische Ontwikkeling / Expertisecentrum voor haar technische ontwikkeling) is a Dutch national expertise center focused on gender diversity in STEM. The organization operates a portfolio of programs and tools rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include Girls' Day (national event for girls aged 10-15), guest lesson programs (Beeldenbrekers for primary education and Dit Doe Ik for secondary education), and the Spiegelbeeld database of over 2,000 female role models. Supporting tools include the Toolbox Sociaal Veilig Werken for workplace social safety, the Bias Buster interactive bias game, and Gender Scans for organizations. Educational services include workshops on student confidence and inclusion, inspiration sessions for teachers, and a learning pathway for STO regions. Research and networking are supported through the international Gender & STEM Network and various publications including factsheets, whitepapers, and posters on the 'Hindernisloopbaan' (hurdle route).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Girls' Day Annual national event where Dutch technical companies host girls aged 10-15 for hands-on activities, workplace tours, and encounters with female role models to introduce them to technology and IT careers.
• Beeldenbrekers Gastlessen Free guest lessons for primary schools that combine drawing exercises with presentations by female technical professionals to challenge gender stereotypes about technical careers.
• Dit Doe Ik Gastlessen Free guest lessons for secondary schools (vmbo, havo, vwo) in which female role models share personal stories and provide insight into technology and IT careers, aligned with career orientation (LOB) and citizenship education.
• Gender Scan Commissioned assessment tool that gives technical organizations insights and concrete guidance to attract more female students or employees and retain them throughout their education or career.
• Toolbox Sociaal Veilig Werken Free online toolbox for team leaders in the technical sector that facilitates 45-minute structured conversations about social safety, culture, and collaboration within teams.
• Bias Buster Interactive game session on unconscious bias designed as an energetic and inspiring activity for team days, meetings, or the start of a new (school) year.
• Workshop: Versterk het zelfvertrouwen van leerlingen in techniek Workshop that helps teachers discover how to strengthen students' self-confidence in technology and make technical subjects accessible for everyone.
• Workshops: Instroom en behoud van vrouwen in techniek en IT Practical workshops for technical companies providing concrete tools to increase the inflow and retention of women in technology and IT roles.
• Inspiratiesessie voor docenten Training sessions for teachers in primary, secondary, or MBO education on expanding student interests, recognizing gender stereotypes in lessons, and promoting equal opportunities in the classroom.
• Leergang: Kansengelijkheid voor alle leerlingen in STO Multi-session learning pathway of two physical meetings and one e-learning module that helps teachers in STO regions make inclusion a structural part of their educational practice.
• Spiegelbeeld Database Database of over 2,000 women working or studying in technology and IT who serve as role models for school visits and guest lessons.
• Gender & STEM Network International research network co-initiated by VHTO that connects researchers working on gender and STEM topics, organizes biennial conferences, and facilitates knowledge exchange.
• Event Sessions VHTO experts delivering keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions at events and conferences, sharing insights and practical tools on the benefits of more women in technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,500 girls reached through Girls' Day 2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting School & VeiligheidcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' alliance, working together on breaking gender stereotypes in education. The alliance also includes Movisie and Emancipator, supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).
• MovisiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' alliance focused on breaking gender stereotypes in Dutch education, alongside Stichting School & Veiligheid and Emancipator, with support from the Ministry of OCW.
• EmancipatorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' alliance working on gender stereotypes in education, together with Stichting School & Veiligheid and Movisie, backed by the Dutch Ministry of Education.
• Project Stroomversnelling (Energy Sector Acceleration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025VHTO collaborates within the Stroomversnelling project from 2025 with Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University), Erasmus Centre for Women and Organisations, 75InQ, and energy company Joulz. Together they work toward a fairer and more sustainable energy system.
• Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus UniversiteitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner in the Stroomversnelling project, collaborating with VHTO on research and interventions for gender equality in the energy sector.
• Erasmus Centre for Women and OrganisationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner in the Stroomversnelling project focused on women's leadership and organizational inclusion in the energy sector.
• 75InQcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in the Stroomversnelling project working on women in energy and technical sectors. Also organizes the Women in Energy conference where VHTO participated.
• JoulzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Energy company partner in the Stroomversnelling project collaborating with VHTO to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the energy sector.
• Network Gender & STEMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025VHTO is co-initiator of the international Network Gender & STEM, together with Professor Helen Watt and Professor Jacquelynne Eccles as patron. The network connects researchers on gender and STEM, organizes the biennial Gender & STEM Conference, and facilitates knowledge exchange across disciplines.
• GirlZ ChoiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GirlZ Choice, founded by Marianne Koot, supports MBO girls to develop confidence and voice. The organization aligns with VHTO's mission and refers students to VHTO's role model programs while VHTO provides the pathway for girls to explore technical careers.
• VING (Vrouwelijke Ingenieurs)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Historical network of female engineers connected to VHTO from its founding in 1981. VING connected VHTO's student role models with women already active in technical professions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Million Women Mentors: US initiative mobilizing mentors to support girls and women in STEM careers through structured mentoring programs. Comparable to VHTO's role-model network and school-to-workplace pipeline focus.
• WISE Campaign: UK-based national campaign to increase the participation, visibility, and success of women in STEM. Closest international analogue to VHTO given its expert-center positioning, employer/school engagement model, and policy advocacy function.
• Girls Who Code: US non-profit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology through clubs, summer programs, and college-loops. Comparable to VHTO in mission, school-based delivery, and employer partnerships (e.g., Girls' Day hosts).
• Catalyst: Global non-profit accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion research, advisory, and events. Comparable to VHTO in producing research-informed workplace interventions and advisory services to employers.
• Stemette: UK social enterprise that runs events, mentoring, and exposure programs to inspire girls and young women into STEM. Closely comparable to VHTO's guest-lesson and Girls' Day-style programs at the school-to-career pipeline.
• AnitaB.org: US-based non-profit focused on advancing women in technology through research, programs, and events (Grace Hopper Celebration). Highly comparable to VHTO in mission, expert-center positioning, and employer/academic engagement.
• STEM Women: Australia/UK organization promoting women in STEM through events, mentoring, and guest-speaker platforms. Comparable to VHTO's role-model database and event-based engagement model.

Others

• Movisie: Dutch knowledge institute for social issues, partner of VHTO in the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' alliance. Adjacent comparator working on gender/social themes in Dutch education from a broader perspective.
• Emancipator: Dutch organization promoting women's empowerment, partner of VHTO in the 'Worden Wie Je Bent' alliance. Adjacent comparator working on gender equality from a society-wide perspective rather than a STEM-specific one.

Broad incumbents

• EngineeringUK: UK-wide organization focused on inspiring the next generation into engineering, with broader (gender-neutral) remit and larger footprint. Comparable to VHTO at the school-engagement and workforce-pipeline level, though not gender-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VHTO-DenHaag
• Facebookfacebook.com/VHTOamsterdam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vhto-landelijk-expertisebureau-meisjes-vrouwen-en-b-ta-techniek
• Instagraminstagram.com/voorhaartechnischeontwikkeling
• Xx.com/vhtoamsterdam

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VHTO