GIJSBERT KOREN

His mission is to create surprising and meaningful solutions for the challenges of our times.
The goal of We Are Stewards is to grow and foster the adoption of steward-ownership in the Netherlands. We empower companies to maximize their impact using steward-ownership and contribute to a fair and sustainable economy.

Gijsbert Koren is a key figure in crowdfunding and steward-ownership in the Netherlands. His journey began with his co-founding of one of the Netherlands’ earliest crowdfunding platforms, leveraging his role to become a researcher, consultant, and speaker on the subject. Koren’s expertise is recognized in his co-authorship of books on crowdfunding and his advisory roles to a wide array of clients, including governments and startups. 
 
He founded We Are Stewards to champion steward-ownership, a business model aimed at maximizing impact while ensuring companies adhere to their foundational missions. This organization advises both new and established companies on adopting steward-ownership to drive towards a sustainable and equitable economy. 
 
Koren’s entrepreneurial drive was evident from his time at TU Delft, where he pursued a self-designed program focusing on entrepreneurship and sustainability, leading to his engagement in app development and later, his ventures into crowdfunding and steward-ownership. 
 
Under his leadership, We Are Stewards aspires to make significant contributions by helping entrepreneurs and investors embrace steward-ownership, aiming for a more sustainable and fair economy. Gijsbert believes that “If we really take the sustainable transitions we face seriously, then it is time for a new look at the foundation of our economy: ownership. It’s time for steward ownership!”. 

Positions

• Founder, Movement Lead of We Are Stewards
• Author, Toekomstbedrijven
• Assisted >100 entrepreneurs in financing their businesses