Bioengineer Elien Van Hecke is no longer a rarity as a woman in the entrepreneurial world, yet there are still three times as many men starting their own business than women. Elien Van Hecke is co-founder of VUB spin-off Fertiga. She participated in the debate on female entrepreneurship organised by VUB's TechTansfer. Fertiga produces tests that measure egg cell quality for IVF fertilisation. "Education does not show enough that entrepreneurship can also offer a nice career for girls as well as boys," he said.
How did you become one of the founders of Fertiga in 2017?
After my masters in business economics and biotechnology, I started at the company Innogenetics, which makes tests for medical laboratories. That's where I already got sparked by entrepreneurship. With technology as a product, how do you set up a big company from nothing in 25 years? That's what they had done at Innogenetics.
My next career move was the multinational Roche, but there I was left feeling a bit hungry. Until I met VUB pro Johan Smitz. He was looking for someone to market his technology, which tests egg cells for quality. First we tried to introduce it to Roche, but at that point it unfortunately didn't fit. Then we decided to do it ourselves, together with a third partner, molecular biologist André Rosenthal.
Sofie Baeten (Qbic Fund), moderator Marc Goldchstein and Elien Van Hecke (medeoprichter van VUB spin-off Fertiga)
I myself come from an entrepreneurial family. My parents owned a staircase workshop. Growing up, I could see for myself what it meant to be self-employed. It was hard work, but it was also rewarded. You could make your own decisions and pursue your own dreams. This naturally made me familiar from childhood with the idea that entrepreneurship is a real option to earn a living.
Have you yourself encountered many obstacles in your entrepreneurship, being a woman?
That's not too bad. What I do notice is that I am constantly surrounded by men. Usually I am the only woman. As soon as it comes to strategic matters, such as finances and contracts, it's mainly men. Why is that? I don't know. It would be nice if there were more women at that level. At operational level, you do come across a lot of women. Maybe that's it; women keep things running and therefore don't have the time to look at it from a distance. And you do need precisely that to think strategically and be relevant.
Does being a woman play a role in your entrepreneurship?
No, I don't think so. A man will have the same philosophy in entrepreneurship: make his own decisions, handle things. There is not much difference in entrepreneurship between men and women. However, it does seem that women who do entrepreneurship are often more successful. Precisely because it is more thoughtful. Women look at all aspects and sometimes that is too much, but once they have done that, they systematically go for it.
Of course, again you have to be careful about generalising, not every male or female entrepreneur comes with a standard set of capabilities and traits.
Women are afraid of the risks when they choose entrepreneurship, research shows: not enough time for family, loss of current job, tapping into savings. Rightly so?
Right, you take risks. I had children aged 1 and 3 when I started Fertiga. Then I traded my golden cage with permanent job at a big company for the adventure. My philosophy was that I would regret not doing it.
"Should a venture fail, at least you have mountains of new experience."
Besides, what's the worst that can happen to you? No pay for a few months? We lived off savings and accepted that it might run out. Should the venture fail and you return to the regular labour market, you will have mountains of new experience. You have to have that attitude and courage.
Is there a right percpetion of entrepreneurship in society?
Education does not show enough that entrepreneurship can also offer a nice career for girls and boys. I think that in schools and universities in general not enough attention is paid to entrepreneurship. It should be a permanent part of the curriculum. Invite guest speakers. Explain how to start a business. Teach skills that entrepreneurs need.
"I am constantly surrounded by men."
Companies and entrepreneurs often don't come off well in the media either. People are quick to think they are greedy sharks. The opposite is true; many entrepreneurs would have been better off financially if they had not quit their jobs. I myself worked for a year and a half without pay. My wish now is to earn that back again. My friends with their permanent jobs are doing better financially so far.
What advice would you give to young women who want to start a business?
Get well surrounded and start networking! When I started the business, I told a relation that I needed coaching and didn't know how to get it. She said very simply: ask! I did and it worked. Allow people to help you.
During corona, many networks fell away. Now they are back and you notice how important it is. You get more knowledge, more energy, you gain new insights. Networking is a kind of oxygen. And do not be put off by a topic that is not interesting at first sight or when the after work falls at a lousy time; you will see that there are always interesting contacts walking around. Take advantage of that. Step up to people. Shake hands, have a chat. When you have nothing to say to each other: no big deal. Then step over to the next reception table.
Elien Van Hecke, meanwhile, has founded a second company with her companions. With this second spin-off, Lavima, immature egg cells are ripened outside the body so that women doing IVF do not have to undergo hormone treatment.
About VUB Vice-Rectorate Innovation & Industry Relations
The mission of the Vice-Rectorate Innovation & Industry Relations is to create a positive impact on society through the valorization of scientific research. Its operational and multidisciplinary team, VUB TechTransfer, aims to connect the university’s research expertise with society-industry, together with its partners VUB Foundation and Crosstalks.https://www.vub.ac.be/innovatie