Politics and geopolitics
Mon. April 22, 2:00PM
Reshaping the future of entrepreneurship in Belgium
With Alexia Bertrand, Thomas Dermine, Yvan Verougstraete, Barbara Trachte and other leading innovators and experts
Join us on April 22nd at The Merode for an unprecedented gathering that promises to redefine the landscape of Belgian entrepreneurship.
This pivotal event, organized by the Itinera Institute vzw, Belgium's 40 under 40, and the PULSE Foundation, marks the culmination of a year-long effort to craft a new paradigm for entrepreneurial success across the nation.
The symposium promises a deep dive into the critical priorities for fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Belgium. From panel discussions with leading practitioners to interactive breakout rooms and debates with decision-makers, the event aims to arm stakeholders with actionable, data-driven solutions to catalyze innovation and change, bridging the divide between the northern and southern regions of Belgium and paving the way for a united entrepreneurial future.
Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to be part of the transformative journey towards a more innovative and entrepreneurial Belgium.
speaker
Alexia Bertrand
Born into a renowned entrepreneurial family, Alexia Bertrand has carved a significant path in both the legal and political realms. After obtaining her law degree from the Université catholique de Louvain and a Master’s from Harvard Law School, Alexia worked in international law focusing on corporate matters. Her transition into politics was marked by significant roles such as the Chief of Staff for General Policy under Vice Premier Didier Reynders, advising on critical areas including justice, asylum, and economic affairs. Currently serving as the Staatssecretaris for Budget and Consumer Affairs, her acute insights into fiscal responsibilities and budgetary control are invaluable for understanding the subtleties of public debt management.
speaker
Thomas Dermine
Thomas Dermine is the State Secretary for Science Policy, Recovery Program, and Strategic Investments at the Belgian Federal Government. Dermine, an advocate for innovation and scientific research, oversees the country's ambitious recovery plan and strategic investments. His work focuses on leveraging science and technology to drive sustainable economic growth and enhance Belgium's position as a leader in innovation.
speaker
Yvan Verougstraete
Yvan Verougstraete is a serial entrepreneur turned lead candidate for Les Engagés (Belgium; EPP) in the upcoming European elections.
He won the "Manager of the year" award in 2019 as founder and CEO of Medi-Market, the main chain of retail parapharmacies in Belgium. He also founded several catering companies, was director at Delitraiteur and consultant at McKinsey. Before entering the business world, he served as the youngest Belgian local councillor at the age of 18. He studied law at UCL and earned an MBA from Vlerick.
speaker
Barbara Trachte is the Secretary of State for Economic Transition in the Brussels Government and serves as the Minister-President of CoCoF. Trachte's portfolio includes spearheading initiatives that support sustainable development and the economic transition towards greener, more resilient industries. Her leadership is marked by a focus on social entrepreneurship and innovation as drivers of economic change.
speaker
Reed Stevens
Professor Reed Stevens, affiliated with Fuse Studio, is a distinguished academic and innovator in the field of educational technology. Stevens' research and development work aim to enhance learning experiences through technology, making education more engaging and accessible. His contributions to the field are marked by a commitment to leveraging technology for educational equity and lifelong learning.
speaker
Hans Constandt, a digital health entrepreneur and the founder of the Fakir Foundation, is at the forefront of integrating technology with healthcare to improve patient outcomes. His work in digital health innovations has garnered international recognition, emphasizing the importance of data in transforming healthcare delivery. Constandt's entrepreneurial spirit and his dedication to health technology are pivotal in advancing digital health solutions.
speaker
Max Levandowski
Max Levandowski joined Poppy as Chief Business Officer following the acquisition of Ush, the autonomous mobility startup he led as CEO. Under his leadership at Ush, he pioneered the introduction of remote-driving technology in Belgium, launching the country's first remote-driven car service at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. He is one of the leading voices on the future of mobility and urban innovation in Belgium.
speaker
Valentina Schippers
Valentina Schippers-Opejko is Coordinator of the Urban Agenda Partnership on Innovative and
Responsible Public Procurement, Chair of the Eurocities Working Group on Public Procurement
and expert on public procurement. In 2021 she has been Coordinator of the Circular Procurement
working group of Metropolis Region of Amsterdam. She has 23 years of experience and still
working for a public authority. She is motivated to share her experience and to push forward
public procurement as a strategic tool to accelerate innovation, circular economy, sustainability,
economic recovery, energy transition and other challenges public authorities are dealing with.
speaker
An Schrijvers
An Schrijvers holds a doctorate (PhD) in political science, European politics. After ten years of research/education at Ghent University, she made the switch to Flemish science and innovation policy in 2011, first as a senior policy advisor at the Flemish Council for Science and Innovation (VRWI), then at the Flemish Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VARIO). In September 2017 she joined the Programme for Innovation Procurement (PIO or PIP), one year after the Programme was officially launched. With the Programme, the Government of Flanders has the mission to stimulate all public sector organisations in Flanders to use their substantial purchasing power (> 30 billion a year) strategically as a catalyst for innovation. In 7 years, PIP established a portfolio of more than 100 innovation procurement projects, in various policy fields and sectors.
speaker
Vincent Bretschneider
AustriaTech
speaker
Peter Van Rompuy
Group chairman CD&V Flemish parliament
speaker
Matthias Diependaele
Flemish minister of Finance and Budget, Housing and Immovable Heritage
moderator
Laurent Coulie
Laurent Coulie is a social entrepreneur focused on purpose-driven leadership and societal impact. He is the co-founder and CEO of Belgium’s 40 under 40, a highly curated platform accelerating the trajectory and societal impact of emerging leaders. In parallel, he works with senior leaders and organizations on questions of transmission, stewardship and governance, as well as legacy and long-term impact.
moderator
Luigi Sementilli
Luigi Sementilli began his career at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Diplomatic Bernheim Laureate, before building extensive experience in corporate communication. He is a trained radio host, a regular TEDx presenter in Belgium, and the founder of the French-speaking podcast Positive Changemakers. Luigi is fluent in five languages, regularly moderating high-profile events across Belgium and beyond.
moderator
Emmanuelle Ghislain
Emmanuelle Ghislain leads the PULSE Foundation, a privately funded Belgian organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship and removing barriers for individuals driven to create meaningful change. Her background combines business studies at the Solvay Brussels School, field experience with Doctors Without Borders, fundraising for DUO for a JOB and the launch of several social ventures. Deeply committed to innovation and impact, she brings together pragmatic thinking and fresh perspectives to help shape a more inclusive and entrepreneurial society.
moderator
Stijn Ronsse
Stijn Ronsse is CEO of CAPTURE, a research organization working on the upscaling of technology for the recovery of CO2, water and plastics. He gained experience in industry, academia and consultancy. With a background in economics (PhD), his main interests are on the intersection of economics, innovation, strategy, sustainability and industrial development. These are also the topics that he focusses on as a visiting fellow at Itinera Institute.
