Cyber Monday has arrived, and this year promises a massive haul of exciting deals for entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders looking to upgrade their tech. As someone who’s been bootstrapping her ventures for years, I know just how significant these savings can be when scaling a business or investing in tools that drive productivity. From high-performance laptops to critical software discounts, there’s a lot on the market right now, and it’s worth taking a closer look. Here's the lowdown on the best Cyber Monday deals to make this holiday shopping spree work for you.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Care About Cyber Monday Deals
Time is money, especially when you're running or starting a company with minimal resources. The right tech solutions, whether it’s a reliable laptop, better internet routers, or smart software, often come at a premium cost. Cyber Monday offers the chance to snatch these essentials without blowing up your budget. A 2023 survey found that small entrepreneurs who invested in discounted productivity tools over sales events like Cyber Monday were 23% more likely to meet their business goals.
From laptops that support intensive video editing to budget-friendly office furniture, each discounted purchase can genuinely make a difference when you’re scaling up.
Breakthrough Deals You Can’t Miss
Tech giants and popular retailers are pulling out all the stops this year, offering compelling deals across hardware, software, and services. Here’s what caught my attention as ideal for founders and business owners:
1. Laptops and Computers
Laptops remain a staple for startup founders who need power, portability, and reliability. Here are the ones you should consider today:
- Apple MacBook Air M4: €949, compared to its regular price of €1,199. If you’re a designer or creative entrepreneur, this is the tool for you.
- Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitors: Make multitasking easier with ultra-HD clarity for just €600 (that’s €250 in savings).
- Microsoft Surface Laptop: Slim and suitable for personal branding professionals, €800 with a €200 discount.
2. Office Networking and Wi-Fi Solutions
Fast and reliable connectivity can make or break any growing business. Secure an upgrade now for less:
- TP-Link Deco Wi-Fi Routers: Priced at €540 (a hefty €160 saving). Perfect for coworking spaces or small offices.
3. Wearables and Accessories to Keep You on Track
- Apple Watch Series 10 is now €365, saving over €65. It tracks health but doubles as a notifications center when you’re busy making calls or pitching.
4. Home Office Upgrades
Working comfortably translates directly to greater productivity. Today’s discounts include:
- Branch Ergonomic Chair: Down to €400, giving back support without an inflated budget.
Lessons to Learn if You’re a Female Entrepreneur in Europe
Cyber Monday isn’t just a chance for holiday shopping; it can be a lifeline for your business. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:
1. Be Decisive Yet Strategic. Retailers bank on indecisiveness, offering flash sales where deals vanish in hours. Know exactly what your business needs before the event and stick with those purchases to avoid overspending.
2. Prioritize Multi-use Products. Whether it’s tech or furniture, ensure each purchase serves multiple purposes. A monitor like Dell’s 32 Plus can double as a 4K screen for pitches or editing sessions.
3. Pool Resources with Other Entrepreneurs. If you’re working in a community of startups, organize bulk discounts for better deals. Networking and collective purchasing have helped me save thousands over the years.
4. Don’t Ignore Small Smart Tech. While the marquee items like laptops grab attention, smaller gadgets like an upgraded Wi-Fi system can save time and prevent issues like Zoom call lag.
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen people lose out (or waste money) during Cyber Monday by making these mistakes:
-
Overwhelming Yourself with Deals. With endless choices, it’s easy to get bogged down. This is why creating a wishlist or list of essentials before the sale is crucial.
-
Ignoring Reviews Just to Snag a Discount. A €300 saving sounds tempting, but poor-quality tools can cost even more when they fail and disrupt your workflow.
-
Buying Items You Don’t Need Right Now. Resources are tight when bootstrapping, so resist grabbing that extra power bank or “smart fridge” if it isn’t critical to your current operations.
Practical Tips for Smarter Cyber Monday Shopping
Step 1: Research Prices Ahead. You’ll avoid phony discounts designed to look bigger than they are. I bookmark high-priority items weeks in advance.
Step 2: Subscribe to Newsletters. Many sites offer special early access to sales through their email lists. These insider scoops land better discounts on premium items such as software bundles.
Step 3: Consider Warranty Extensions. If you’re eying a major purchase like a laptop, ensure there's a warranty in place. This prevents future hiccups from costing you time or money.
Step 4: Timing Saves Money. While most deals kick off Monday, lightning or flash sales offer exclusive windows for discounts. Setting alarms might feel extreme but has saved me hundreds some years.
Smart Lessons for European Founders
Being based in the Netherlands, I can tell you that European entrepreneurs have unique needs when it comes to e-commerce platforms like Cyber Monday. One critical advantage is the presence of VAT exemptions for business purchases. Always check whether your purchases qualify under your country’s tax laws.
Another takeaway I’ve learned? Platforms like Amazon or Fnac often include free shipping options, but knowing which ones offer speedy delivery when you’re in a time crunch could make all the difference.
Conclusion: Use Cyber Monday Wisely as a Growth Lever
For female entrepreneurs juggling growth and constraints, Cyber Monday offers more than just discounts, it unlocks solutions. Thoughtful shopping today can mean strategic growth over the next year, whether that's upgrading tools to improve efficiency or finding better ways to collaborate.
Remember, every resource saved this season is capital reinvested into scaling your dreams tomorrow. Keep the focus where it matters, on products that build your business, save you time, or boost team output. Make the most of this year’s deals, and step into 2026 better equipped to take on new challenges. For more savvy shopping ideas, check out Ars Technica's curated list of deals at best Cyber Monday tech discounts.
Happy shopping and here’s to your business success in the year ahead!
FAQ
1. Why is Cyber Monday important for entrepreneurs?
Cyber Monday provides the opportunity to purchase essential business tools such as laptops, software, and office equipment at significant discounts, allowing entrepreneurs to save money while enhancing productivity. Learn more about Cyber Monday deals for entrepreneurs
2. Are laptops good purchases during Cyber Monday?
Yes, high-performance laptops from brands like Apple, Dell, and Microsoft often see steep discounts, making them smart investments for entrepreneurs. See Cyber Monday laptop deals
3. What kind of networking upgrades are available during Cyber Monday?
Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems like TP-Link Deco often have significant discounts, which are great for upgrading office networking. Check Wi-Fi deals here
4. Are ergonomic office accessories worth buying on Cyber Monday?
Yes, ergonomic office furniture, such as chairs, are often discounted, offering comfort and productivity benefits at reduced prices. Browse ergonomic deals
5. Can I find Apple product deals on Cyber Monday?
Yes, discounts on items like the Apple MacBook Air, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods Pro are common during Cyber Monday. View Apple deals
6. How should entrepreneurs prepare for Cyber Monday?
Entrepreneurs should create a list of essentials, research prices ahead of time, and subscribe to newsletters for early access to sales. Learn how to prepare
7. Are smart home devices discounted on Cyber Monday?
Yes, devices such as security cameras and smart locks enjoy discounts, making it a good time to enhance office or home security. Explore smart home deals
8. What mistakes should I avoid during Cyber Monday shopping?
Common mistakes include overspending, purchasing non-essential items, and ignoring product reviews, which may reduce the quality of your purchases. Learn about Cyber Monday mistakes
9. Are software bundles good to purchase on Cyber Monday?
Yes, software bundles often provide substantial savings and are ideal for productivity or design tools relevant to businesses. See software savings
10. Do European entrepreneurs get additional benefits on Cyber Monday?
European entrepreneurs can benefit from VAT exemptions and often free or expedited shipping through platforms like Amazon Europe. Explore benefits for European entrepreneurs
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
