Becoming an Entrepreneur: A critical study on the identity work of women and racial minority founders in the Dutch technology start-up ecosystem

The image of the tech entrepreneur is often shaped by the idea of a White male hero, reinforcing the perception of entrepreneurship as a space dominated by White, masculine, and heteronormative norms. This doctoral thesis explores the challenges faced by women and racial minority entrepreneurs in the Dutch technology start-up ecosystem as they navigate White and masculine entrepreneurial norms. It examines the structural barriers they encounter and how they exercise agency to build legitimate entrepreneurial identities. Based on 21 months of qualitative field research—including interviews, observations, and focus groups—the study highlights struggles with authenticity and personal embodiment. It also shows how these entrepreneurs challenge harmful norms through role modelling, resource sharing, and connecting different networks. The research underscores the need for inclusive policy reforms and greater collaboration among societal stakeholders, contributing to ongoing conversations about belonging, power, and the complex interplay of agency and structure in minority entrepreneurship.