Where does Belgian entrepreneurship stand now ?
Where does Belgian entrepreneurship stand now ?
Business, Finance & Economy

Mon. April 20, 2:00PM

Where does Belgian entrepreneurship stand now ?

Two years after the launch of BE.Entrepreneur, what has shifted across Belgium’s startup landscape ?

Launched in 2024 by Pulse Foundation and Belgium’s 40 under 40, BE.Entrepreneur brings together entrepreneurs, experts and policymakers to formulate concrete recommendations that accelerate, enable and educate entrepreneurship at every stage- from education and access to growth, to innovation and resilience.


Two years on, Pulse Foundation and Belgium’s 40 under 40 are reconvening to take stock and reflect on how the Belgian entrepreneurship ecosystem has evolved. This follow-up event will assess the progress made and open the discussion on what comes next.


The conversation will welcome Eléonore Simonet, Federal Minister for the Middle Classes, the Self-Employed and SMEs. She will be joined by three entrepreneurs, Max Levandowski, Céline Naveau, and Julie Lietaer, representing the ecosystems of Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders.


speaker

Éléonore Simonet

Eléonore Simonet holds a law degree from UCLouvain and began her political career as a Brussels regional MP in 2024. In February 2025, at just 27, she was appointed Federal Minister for the Middle Classes, Self-Employed and SMEs in the De Wever government, making her the youngest federal minister in Belgian history. She has since launched an ambitious SME plan focused on competitiveness, simplification and entrepreneurial support.

speaker

Céline Naveau

Céline is the co-founder of Semactic, a leading SEO activation platform and pioneer in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). With over 10 years of experience in SEO, she combines deep expertise as a consultant with a forward-thinking approach to the future of search. As a founder who navigated the full entrepreneurial journey, Céline brings a sharp, practitioner's perspective on what it takes to build and scale a company in Belgium today.

speaker

Julie Lietaer

Julie Lietaer took over the helm of European Spinning Group, the family textile business, in 2022. She has since oriented the company towards sustainable and circular production, and founded Ariadne Innovation to develop digital solutions for the fashion and textile sector. She is a vocal advocate for circular economy and sustainable innovation in the Flemish textile industry.

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

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.

speaker

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.
Start
Mon. April 20, 2:00PM
End
Mon. April 20, 4:00PM
Format
Regards Croisés
Language
English (US)
Guest allowed?
No

Address

Event
Pl. Poelaert 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Mon. April 20, 2:00PM
Intorduction
Mon. April 20, 2:15PM
Round table
Mon. April 20, 2:30PM
Conversation
Mon. April 20, 3:30PM
End
Mon. April 20, 4:00PM

this event is limited to members only