Annegien Blokpoel, winner of the 2024 Golden Aurora, along with Mary McKenna, winner 2023.
Annegien Blokpoel, a Dutch leading entrepreneur, investor, and pioneer in impact investment, has been named the winner of the prestigious Golden Aurora Award 2024. This award, organized by Business Angels Europe (BAE), is presented annually to Europe’s most influential female business angel. The ceremony took place during the annual Inbound Investors Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the home country of last year’s winner.
Blokpoel has built an impressive investment portfolio throughout her career, contributing to the development of startups in the Netherlands, Israel, Spain, UK, Germany, the U.S., and beyond. With over 24 direct investments, 9 of which involve female founders or CEOs, and 50 additional indirect investments, she has been a strong advocate for gender diversity within the startup ecosystem. Her focus on companies that drive catalytic impact on both people and the planet sets her apart as a visionary investor.
The jury commended Blokpoel for her commitment to supporting female entrepreneurship and her active involvement in international investment networks. In addition to her investment activities, she serves as a mentor, hands-on advisor fractional and advisory board member.
Reginald Vossen, Chairman of BAE and Jury Chair of the Golden Aurora Award 2024, highlights Blokpoel’s new role as a leading investor: “With the Golden Aurora Award, BAE aims to underscore the importance and value of female investors. Annegien has not only demonstrated that female investors play a crucial role in supporting female entrepreneurs but also leads as a pioneering investor, creating synergies with other angel investors and enhancing investor effectiveness in an international context. This is a significant step towards a more inclusive and diverse European ecosystem that promotes sustainable growth and impact.”
Annegien Blokpoel reacts: “I am super proud of being honoured with the Golden Aurora Award, It is a confirmation for me that cross border investment cooperation between individual angels and business angels clubs creates benefits for the whole ecosystem. Around 75% of my investments are outside my home country, and almost all together with investors abroad. If we can use the talents arounds the table smarter, we can support and fast forward our portfolio companies, creating a win-win for all. In the Catalyst Impact Investment Club that I founded last year, we have 50% male and 50% female investors from more than 10 countries on board. They are well connected in their own local angel/venture capital ecosystem. So we are pioneering in the creation of a more pan European way of investing, using smart and connected money in an impactful way, and connecting to the many great Angel Clubs to jointly invest.”
Comments