The latest edition of the Quote Top 100 Young Self-Made Millionaires reveals a striking trend: young entrepreneurs are reaching extraordinary financial heights, particularly in tech, AI, and crypto trading. At the same time, the presence of female entrepreneurs on the list remains conspicuously low.
Young entrepreneurs’ wealth climbs to €6 billion
During a festive event at Studio 3000 in Amsterdam, the anniversary edition of the Quote list was unveiled. The combined wealth of the 100 richest entrepreneurs under the age of 40 has surged to nearly €6 billion, an increase of over €500 million compared to 2024. The entry threshold remains unchanged at €17 million. The list reflects a wide range of industries, from AI and biotech to window decor and publishing. However, nearly every entrepreneur in the top 10 has ties to the tech sector.
AI and crypto as wealth accelerators
Artificial Intelligence proves to be a major driver of new wealth. Douwe Kiela (38) enters the list at number two with an estimated fortune of €200 million. His company, Contextual AI, develops advanced AI tools for organizations including the U.S. SEC. The biggest riser this year is Stef van Grieken (39), whose company Cradle uses AI to develop proteins, increasing his net worth to €90 million. Crypto millionaires also saw major gains. The founders of Bitvavo increased their wealth by more than 60%, reaching €170 million each. CEO Mark Nuvelstijn, only 32 years old, saw his fortune rise by more than 70%. The list features four entrepreneurs in their twenties, including DJ Martin Garrix (€56 million) and 26-year-old William Steenbergen, co-founder of AI start-up Federato, who ranks 22nd with €80 million.
Women left behind due to systemic inequality
Despite the inspiring stories of entrepreneurial success, women remain underrepresented. Only four women made this year’s list a drop from six last year. According to experts, the root lies in structural inequality. “Women are judged differently by investors,” says investor Eva de Mol. “They have less access to growth capital and face frequent bias.” De Mol has experienced this firsthand, hearing from potential backers that they had “already invested in a woman this year.” The highest-ranking woman is Sharon Hilgers (36) of My Jewellery, with a net worth of €58 million. She built her fashion empire without external funding and emphasizes that hard work and pushing boundaries are key to success. Still, she acknowledges that women are less often educated in tech and entrepreneurship, which limits their access to such elite rankings.
Is financial success still the sole measure?
Although the Quote list centers around financial achievement, some question whether this should remain the only yardstick. De Mol points out that women more often start impact-driven businesses that benefit people and the planet: “We need companies like that too.”Editor-in-chief Paul van Riessen concludes that courage, vision, and risk-taking are crucial for fast growth. “Those aiming to conquer the world need to think big from day one.”
