Young self-made millionaires still richer; More AI entrepreneurs, fewer women on ranking
The total wealth of the Netherlands’ richest “self-made” entrepreneurs under the age of 40 increased by over 500 million euros last year to almost 6 billion euros in 2025. This year, AI was again a big value driver on the Top 100 Young Self-made Millionaires ranking by the business magazine Quote. The number of women on the list decreased due to two women aging out of the 40-year upper limit.
To make it onto the Quote ranking, you have to be under 40 and rich because of a company that you set up yourself.
The fact that artificial intelligence is on everyone’s mind is reflected in the ranking. Douwe Kiela (38) entered the ranking for the first time in second place with his company Contextual AI, which helps companies with Chat GPT-like solutions. He has an estimated net worth of 200 million euros. The biggest climber on the list is Stef van Grieke (39), whose company, Cradle, uses AI to design proteins.
The ranking also saw a significant increase in entrepreneurs in cryptocurrency trading. The CEO of trading platform Bitvavo, Mark Nuvelstijn (32), saw his wealth increase by 72.2 percent in the past year. The entire top 10 of the ranking is tech-related.
There are only four women on the Top 100 Young Self-made Millionaires this year, partly because Nikkie Pelsen and Doutzen Kroes have aged out of the list by turning 40. The remaining women are Sharon Hilgers of My Jewellery with a wealth of 58 million euros, Negin Mirsalehi of Gisou with 25 million euros, Loes Daniels of Experiencegi with 21 million euros, and and Bibi Lemmers of Flexhaus with 18 million euros.
Dutch DJs are still well represented. Martijn Garrtisen, aka Martin Garrix, is one of four twenty-somethings on the list with a wealth of 56 million euros. Nick van de Wall, aka Afrojack, and Robbert van de Corput, aka DJ Hardwell, are also in the ranking with 31 and 20 million euros in wealth, respectively.
