INNOVATE™ Antwerp by Sven Boermeester

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ANTWERP: CAPITAL OF THINGS BART DE WEVER, MAYOR OF ANTWERP

WHY ANTWERP? Antwerp brings together the best the world has to offer: it is home to a world-class port and its international trade opportunities; it is the cultural capital of Flanders and a strong creative sector with a long tradition in design.

such as BASF and Total are present in Antwerp, and the city is attracting a growing number of major international investments. The city made it into fDi Intelligence’s ‘Global Rankings of the Future 2021-2022’ on the basis of both economic potential and connectivity.

Furthermore, Antwerp has a particularly strong track record when it comes to innovation. The city’s historical drive for innovation has made Antwerp a gateway to one of the world’s most prosperous regions. Today, the city is consolidating its position, with digital innovation, over 500 start-ups and scale-ups, circularity and creativity forming the pillars on which its future economy will be built.

INNOVATIVE CITY

ANTWERP AND ITS ECONOMIC STRENGTH

These powerful ecosystems develop innovations for the traditional Antwerp business clusters such as the port, the chemical industry, and by helping to achieve new successes in various social fields such as mobility, health and safety. This solid foundation together with strong ambitions and an open innovation culture, have made Antwerp the ideal starting point for innovative companies.

Antwerp’s excellent connectivity by land and sea, together with the strong business drive of its people, has made it an important economic centre for more than five centuries. The “Port of Antwerp” - the second largest in Europe - is also home to the largest maritime-industrial complex in the world. The top 10 chemical producers

Antwerp also plays a particularly important role in encouraging innovation. For many years now, the city has been firmly committed to stimulating ecosystems for innovation by bringing together capital, large and small companies, and specialised knowledge institutions in the fields of digital innovation, sustainable chemistry and creative industries.

Bart De Wever has been the Mayor of Antwerp since 2013. De Wever was born in 1970. He studied History in Antwerp and Leuven. He became an assistant at the university and wrote columns for several newspapers. He interrupted his academic career to devote himself full-time to political activities. In 2004, he became party leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and a member of parliament. Today, he lives with his wife and their four children in Deurne. De Wever is passionate about Classical Antiquity and has never shied from using Latin quotations.

@Bart_DeWever @bartdewever1 Email: bart.dewever@antwerpen.be

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The “INNOVATE™ Antwerp” Team would like to give a special thanks to all the participants and the following companies for their support and assistance in making this project a reality.

Meet the people that are building a better Antwerp for tomorrow

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INNOVATE™ ANTWERP: A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE AND MORE.

SVEN BOERMEESTER, FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER Sven Boermeester, Founder/CEO, International Group Publisher with Callie Van Graan, Global Village COO

INNOVATE™ Antwerp showcases the best of the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Embedded in its pages, you will find augmented reality videos that accompany nearly every feature, and when you use the free GLOBAL VILLAGE AR app, the world of the future will open up before your very eyes.

have recently transpired in the Antwerp ecosystem, and who play or want to play an active role in its growth and development. This inaugural edition of INNOVATE™ Antwerp is just part of a global series. We are currently launching volumes in cities throughout the GlobalVillage.world publishing partnership network.

But “INNOVATE™ Antwerp” is far more than a tech-enabled publication; it is a multimedia experience centered around the deluxe hardcover coffee-table book you are now holding, which includes AR videos, an online web platform, and multilevel social media networking. Online, the full e-book will be viewed in the millions through the InnovationsoftheWorld.com online library.

By experiencing INNOVATE™ Antwerp, you are part of our Global Village network, and we are happy to have you. I trust you will join us as we continue the journey of the INNOVATE™ series. Sven Boermeester Founder/CEO International Group Publisher

This publication aims to celebrate those involved in the Antwerp innovation ecosystem, but it is also meant for all business leaders and decision-makers who can effect change in their industries throughout Belgium, Europe and the world. We publish INNOVATE™ Antwerp for the open-minded folk who want to know more about the exciting changes that

Freddy Arnauts Associate Publisher

Gia Bischofberger Production Director

Peter Batistich Art & Design

Anita Naidoo Web Development

JR Giggs Web Development Partner

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FRIENDLINESS AND COLLABORATION ARE NOT JUST DEFINING ELEMENTS OF INNOVATION. THEY’RE PART OF ANTWERP ITSELF.

FREDDY ARNAUTS, PH.D. INNOVATE™ ANTWERP PUBLISHING PARTNER Almost everything changes over time. That’s what innovation is all about. Improvement through the introduction of new methods, new ideas, new products, new approaches, and new possibilities. But is it possible for a city to be innovative?

The City of Antwerp It’s always been my impression that Antwerp is full of creatives. It’s one of the things I’ve always loved about living here. It’s as if everyone is working together. If a shop, warehouse or office is empty? There is always an entrepreneur or business ready to fill it. My role with the B19 Business Club – where we help businesses to network – has already demonstrated this collaborative nature. However, I only realised the extent of the network of collaboration in Antwerp while serving as the publishing partner for this book. When we addressed the topic of innovation, the city council immediately began recommending individuals, start-ups, organisations and companies. How did they know so many? For years, the City of Antwerp has embraced the potential offered by small companies, start-ups and scale-ups, as well as the larger companies that call Antwerp home. The mayor and aldermen were not just convinced of the importance of investing in innovation, but actively involved in encouraging it.

The start-ups of Antwerp It’s incredibly rare to see a city invest so much energy, time and money into bringing people on board, connecting companies of all sizes with each other and doing everything possible to

support further development. Antwerp is home to 500 start-ups. One in every three companies focused on clean tech in the whole of Belgium is based here. While private initiatives such as Road 21 and MCA are recognised and supported, public organisations are open to backing from local, provincial, national and European incentives. But in my eyes, what is most impressive is the way in which every aspect of the city seems to work together in pursuit of success.

The University of Antwerp The City of Antwerp also works very closely with the University of Antwerp. For example, the city has attracted industries to the area that rely on the university for research and development. At the same time, the university creates start-ups or pursues studies in a broad range of areas. They’re able to move forward with their investigation by working with the companies and businesses the city has attracted. The focus is often on niche areas that respond to massive demand. And that is exactly where innovation becomes most fascinating. e-Health companies have developed apps and instruments to remotely monitor Covid-19 patients from home. Scientists who examine air flow have committed their knowledge to the production of better patient ventilators. There are social innovations in elderly care, such as the prize-winning organisation Helpper. Or Shavatar, a collaboration between programmers and the fashion industry. They’ve created an app that calculates your dress size for different clothing brands. The fashion industry has also

collaborated with graduates from the Royal Academy for Fine Arts. Together, they’ve created futuristic clothing and music for a new space opera. All of which are different ways that Antwerp is embracing innovation.

The Port of Antwerp I’ve always seen innovation as being about pushing—or even obliterating—boundaries. And it struck me that Antwerp has physically done exactly that. Over time, without me even realising it, the Port of Antwerp has actually spread outwards into the sea. It’s redefined and extended the northern boundaries of the city. The port is now largely based on ‘land’ reclaimed from the sea. An incredibly unusual path to take. The Port of Antwerp itself is now actually larger than the city. A few decades ago, it was known for being a dirty, smoky area devoted to the production of chemicals. Yet, today, it is home to sustainable waste-management companies like Indaver. Blue Gate is an enormous eco-effective business site based at the port. It’s where investigations are conducted into sustainable innovations in chemistry and research into sustainable biochemical processes. iFLUX is investigating what happens with our ground water. Meanwhile, Seafar is introducing solarpowered, remotely controlled shipping between

Antwerp and Zeebrugge, 100 kilometres away. Investigations into the use of hydrogen as a fuel are taking place right next door to advances in warehousing and container handling. The port has even been working with an experimental circular community. There’s and incredible variety. But it’s what encapsulates the innovative mind-set that is part of Antwerp.

Always innovating Although Antwerp has always been home to me, I’ve spent a great deal of time away. Whenever I return, I’m amazed at the changes that have taken place. While working on this book, for the first time ever, I’ve felt like I’m a step ahead of the changes. I’m getting a sneak peek at what the city will present me with in the coming years. And this has demonstrated just how closely linked Antwerp is with innovation. It’s been fascinating to dive into the different innovations featured in this book. But it’s the affability, creativity and positivity that everyone involved has shown that has helped to underline how warm, pleasant and even cosy this little city actually is. I’ve realised that it’s this friendliness and desire to collaborate on projects that has made it possible for these innovations to spiral off in all directions. Friendliness and collaboration are not just defining elements of innovation. They’re part of Antwerp itself.

Freddy Arnauts is a native of Antwerp. With a MSc in Applied Economics and PhD in Business Administration, he has spearheaded integrated health care systems for diabetes, stroke, schizophrenia and epilepsy patients, led numerous European projects in the health sector, and directed strategic group marketing for Johnson & Johnson. As well as managing his own consultancy agency and serving on the board of the B19 Business Club, Freddy is known for fundraising for various projects.

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CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

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CITY OF ANTWERP

TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN

DIAMONDS

HIGHER EDUCATION

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MEDICAL & BIO TECHNOLOGY

INNOVATIVE HEALTH PROVIDERS

PRODUCT & SERVICE INNOVATION

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

FASHION

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BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

INCUBATORS

CO-WORKING

FINANCES , INSURANCE & LEGAL ENABLERS

HR, COACHING & OTHER EDUCATION

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Global Village CEO: Sven Boermeester Global Village COO: Callie Van Graan Publishing Partner: Freddy Arnauts Production Director: Gia Bischofberger Art Direction & Design: Peter Batistich: Deep Fried Designs Web Development: Anita Naidoo Research & Selection: Freddy Arnauts

Email: info@globalvillage.world InnovationsoftheWorld.com GlobalVillage.world © Global Village Ventures LLC 978-1-949677-22-5

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ECOSYSTEMS

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

REAL ESTATE & URBAN PLANNING

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HEALTH CLUSTERS

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JEWELRY DESIGN

TRAVEL & TOURISM

SOCIAL INNOVATION

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

MEDIA, EVENTS & NETWORKING

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

C O N T E N T S IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

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Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in ‘Innovate™ Antwerp’ vol 1. Neither ‘Innovate™ Antwerp’, nor Global Village assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, nor submissions by participators. All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

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A CITY NAVIGATING TO THE TOP TEN SCALE-UP CITIES IN EUROPE CLAUDE MARINOWER, ALDERMAN FOR ECONOMY, INNOVATION AND DIGITALISATION

In 1906, riots broke out in Verviers, Liège, caused by lamplighters protesting the electrification of city lighting. Today, Antwerp is experimenting with smart street lighting using software and smart sensors. This is just one example of how a twenty-first century city is in full digital transition. As alderman for the Economy, Innovation and Digitalisation, I am making every effort to fulfill our ambition that Antwerp is rated as one of the top ten European scale-up cities by 2025. Antwerp has emerged as a strong player in the innovation field in recent years. Between 2013 and 2018 the number of (digital) start-ups doubled. The capital raised by start-ups increased fourfold. Thanks to urban support, the market continued to grow at the same fast pace. In 2020, the Corona crisis turned the world’s economy - and thus also Antwerp’s - upside down. But the city council did not give up. By launching two calls for innovative solutions against the pandemic, we gave Antwerp’s tech sector a strong boost. Following this call, the company Byteflies rolled out a telemonitoring system for Covid-19 patients, enabling them to leave the hospital sooner. Digitalisation, the circular economy, creative and health are the four lines on which the city of Antwerp has focused its investments in innovation. This has been done via innovation hubs such as The Beacon and Campus29 (digitalisation), BlueChem and BlueApp (the circular economy) and Vaccinopolis (health) and via the network of Antwerp. Powered by Creatives. Together, private initiatives, public initiatives and publicprivate partnerships have created an unprecedented dynamic. I am convinced that Antwerp has what it takes to help shape the economic growth that awaits us.

Claude Marinower has been part of the College of Aldermen in Antwerp since 2013. First for Education and from 2019 for Economy, Work, Innovation, Industry, Digitalisation, Marketing and Communication, Public domain and Litigation.

Email: claude.marinower@antwerpen.be @claudemarinower

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“THE BIG LINK”. ANTWERP AT ITS BEST IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN TALENTED PEOPLE. “BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD”

SILVIA LENAERTS, PROFESSOR AND VICE-RECTOR VALORISATION & DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP Silvia Lenaerts has always been a pioneer. She was the first chemist to achieve a PhD at IMEC. She founded a company on gas sensors, as well as the Bioscience Engineering department and her research group. Currently, she is full professor and vice-rector Valorisation & Development at the University of Antwerp. The University of Antwerp and the higher education institutions will take up their responsibility by acting as drivers in the innovation ecosystem. Life is not divided in disciplines, nor are the world’s biggest challenges. Together with companies, citizens and policy makers, we study and develop solutions for the big challenges of our society. This two way exchange of knowledge and competences should lead to innovation. We have defined three priority valorisation domains, where we as a university want to make the difference. The Antwerp region positions itself as a living lab, by supporting partnerships with resources, infrastructure and equipment to bridge the valley of death between research and innovation. The first domain is metropolitanism, smart city, mobility and logistics that is housed in The Beacon. Together with the City of Antwerp, the Port of Antwerp, IMEC, Agoria and Lantis we jointly develop digital and design solutions towards better urban living. The second focus area is sustainable chemistry and materials located at Bluegate. In our BlueApp building, we co-develop chemistry and engineering based solutions for new materials and processes. We work on hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier, water technology and closing the materials loop. The third area is infectious diseases and environmental health situated at Vaccinopolis. Antwerp has the biggest concentration of hospital beds and in combination with the Institute of Tropical Medicine we strive for better pandemic preparedness and response. The University of Antwerp takes up her responsibility to society in two ways: by educating those to whom the future belongs and by providing innovation for a more resilient and agile industrial and societal community. Together we build the future.

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INNOVATION WITH A PURPOSE

JACQUES VANDERMEIREN, CEO, PORT OF ANTWERP ANNICK DE RIDDER, PORT VICE MAYOR, PORT OF ANTWERP

Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO of Port of Antwerp since 2017. He is an active board member of the digital platform NxtPort, Kunsthuis Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and the Belgian coffee brand Vascobelo. He is also cofounder and Chairman of the sustainability platform The Shift.

As a world port, we can and must play a pioneering role in transition. We see ourselves as ‘the spark that ignites change’ and use innovation to turn today’s major challenges such as energy transition, digitisation and mobility into opportunities.

Annick De Ridder is chair of the board of directors of the Antwerp Port Authority. Furthermore she is vice mayor for the port, urban development and for spatial planning of the city of Antwerp.

Together with committed partners, we invest in projects in the field of sustainable energy, industry and shipping. Projects that will be game changers and will make our port a green port and a port of the future.

In a rapidly changing world, with long-term disruptive evolutions, innovation is a powerful response. The ambition of Port of Antwerp is to be the world’s first port that reconciles economy, people and climate. We believe in innovation as a lever towards a sustainable future.

We open up the port area as an open innovation platform where ideas can be safely demonstrated in a real industrial environment. Through this platform we can accelerate technological innovation and be a driving force behind inventing and realising solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

That is why the focus on innovation with a purpose is embedded in our three strategic priorities. As the gateway to the European continent, our aim is to guarantee sustainable growth so that our port can continue to play its role as a world port and a driving force for the economy of Flanders and Belgium. Sustainability also means a safe and secure port for port users and the environment.

This permanent innovation is also the lever we need for resilience, our third priority. It enables us to continuously improve ourselves. Innovation with a purpose. It is key for being future proof. As a port, we walk the talk. We pioneer, we experiment, and we show the direction. Welcome to the port of the future.

Port of Antwerp Port House Zaha Hadidplein 1 2030 Antwerp

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BY CONFRONTING STUDENTS WITH REAL LIFE INNOVATION CHALLENGES WE INCREASE THE LEARNING AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONNECTING WITH AND CREATING IMPACT FOR THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM

ROBIN DE COCK, PHD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ACADEMIC DIRECTOR OF THE MASTER IN INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL generated +80 start-ups and +400 alumni entrepreneurs realizing impact in our society today. Following academic research, I argue that the program must be real, intensive, interdisciplinary, and iterative.

Work in interdisciplinary teams Education is an important gateway through which an ecosystem can attract new talent. Our program aims to hire talent from all over the world and hires for passion, not based on a specific economic background. That way we can work interdisciplinary which is needed to solve some of the complex problems in this world and increases the likelihood of creating impact.

Connect with the local ecosystem The program has a lot of challenge-based learning activities. By confronting students with real life innovation challenges we increase the learning and the likelihood of connecting with and creating impact for the local ecosystem. Running the master program “as if” it were focused on creating companies is not good enough to engage the students fully. We therefore have an entire coaching team available to support the students to put theory into action.

Experience Entrepreneurial rollercoaster A program should also be intensive. Self-efficacy is enhanced by the experience of working hard against obstacles, overcoming them, slipping back, staying with the effort, and eventually succeeding. The program is designed that they can develop their venture ideas from day one and experience the entrepreneurial rollercoaster to the fullest over a period of 8-9 months.

I’m a professor in innovation and entrepreneurship and the academic director of the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) at the Antwerp Management School. I previously worked at Imperial College London and Ghent University. I support entrepreneurs by education and research.

Going back and forth The entrepreneurship process is not inherently linear. By directly applying the gained knowledge into practice, they start to experience the need to “go back” one or more steps as surprises occur. Having the space for iterations throughout the program will develop a profound sense that “I can do this” and an equally profound sense that they should not expect it to be easy.

One of the things I’ve been focusing on a lot is how can you design an entrepreneurship program with impact. Here are some insights below that I applied to the MIE at AMS. This program based in Antwerp was one of the first masters in innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe and already

Prof. dr. Robin De Cock, Antwerp Management School Boogkeers 5, BE-2000 Antwerp Email: Robin.decock@ams.ac.be

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BUILDING LOCAL BRIDGES WITH AN INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

LUC LUWEL, CEO, VOKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP-WAASLAND ‘I also make it a point to update my knowledge and abilities regularly. In the past thirty years I followed several leadership and management programs at Stanford University and INSEAD in France’.

To me, social impact is the reason for our organisation’s existence. A chamber of commerce is not there to serve the private interests of a few individual companies, but to help an entire region grow. I have always been a firm believer that you can only achieve prosperity through entrepreneurship, innovation and healthy competition. That was the reason why, when I was younger, I opted for a master’s degree in Economic Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Having grown up in provincial Limburg, I also got to know the vibes of the big city. I knew immediately that this was my favourite and my future lay in an urban environment. But it was here in Antwerp that I really lost my heart to a city and to the friendly patriotism of the locals.

These are not optional exercises. The versatility and complexity of a Chamber of Commerce makes it necessary for all my staff and I to attend training courses on an ongoing basis. At the start of my career, our organisation had 10 employees. Today, we have 60 employees. But I am most proud of the fact that, in addition to a broad portfolio of services and events, we have also drawn up our own economic future plan under the guidance of McKinsey. In this way, we have acquired a central position within the triple helix that determines the future of our region. In consultation with the Antwerp knowledge institutions, we have defined the key areas in which we want to excel in the coming years and translated them into business and government requirements via our 2025 roadmap. Two years before corona, we had laid the first building blocks for Vaccinopolis, a world centre of expertise for infectious diseases that is currently being built in Antwerp. This centre will form the basis for a whole new ecosystem around pandemic preparedness.

In the early nineties, a search for a five-year project landed me at the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce. Four months later, I was put in charge of the Chamber and I have never let go of Antwerp since. This city is everything a metropolis should be: a magnet for young talent, an incubator for innovation and a political laboratory. In that respect, I am completely in agreement with the American urbanist Richard Florida: cities worldwide are setting the course for the future. Even more than before, they are hotbeds of new ideas and daring projects.

The government can also play a role in this kind of constellation. But then purely as a facilitator and director, not as a participant. That is a task for the private sector. The government’s main task is to guard the level playing field when, for example, new environmental legislation is announced. Even more so if free market forces are threatened. The way in which Europe obliges financial institutions and large airlines to divest activities and slots as compensation for the subsidies they receive is a good example of how a government can guard economic balance, without steering them. That will also be the big challenge in the post-Covid era. Ensuring that governments provide sufficient and proper stimuli to the economy, without lapsing into statism.

Even during my holidays, I like to wander around in a city, to discover why people want to live or invest there. I continue to be fascinated by how economic ecosystems develop or fail to develop. Anyone who is the head of a large employers’ organisation must of course invest in a broad local network. But Antwerp has a world port, one of the largest chemical clusters in Europe and is a world-renowned centre for the diamond trade. Representing the needs of such an area requires me to travel a lot and look at things with a broad international perspective. Fashionable London, more laid-back Barcelona and vibrant New York are places that fill me with new energy and inspiration. Another important way to stay upto-date reading, from the weekend Financial Times to the memoirs of world leaders and well-known economists.

The Nordic countries can serve as a shining example in this respect. At the beginning of the nineties, they evolved from a heavily indebted centralist model to a liberalised economy that retains strong social security. Their recipe for success consists of maximum activation of citizens, companies and governments. Each on the basis of its own strengths. We can all learn from this.

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THE PHYSICAL INTERNET: KEY ENABLER FOR LOGISTICS WITH MINIMAL SOCIETAL HINDRANCE ALEX VAN BREEDAM, CEO, TRI-VIZOR

Logistics is facing important sustainability and capacity problems. The changing buying behaviour of the consumer, predominantly accelerated by the steep growth of e-commerce, is leading to increasingly smaller, but more frequent and ever faster deliveries. This fragmentation of deliveries is heavily boosting the need for transport capacity, while the shorter lead times are reducing the consolidation options, resulting in a bad fill rate of the transport capacity. This so-called capacity paradox has a devastating impact on logistics and society. More and more parcels, trucks, vans and cargobikes are flooding our cities today. The growing congestion problems are only just the tip of an iceberg. The driver shortage will further enhance the capacity shortage in the coming years. Basically, the traditional business models in logistics are unable to turn the tide, as they are further deepening the capacity paradox. Breaking this vicious circle would require new business models based on capacity sharing, allowing companies to use more common transport and storage capacity. One might wonder why the sharing models, such as car sharing, that have already become part of our daily lifes have not been adopted by the logistics sector so far. Anyhow, more and more companies, experts, authorities and academics believe that the Physical Internet should be the way forward. It comes down to the transposition of the digital internet concepts to transport and logistics. In essence, companies would share transport and storage capacity on a common and interconnected multimodal network. Goods will travel as if they were passengers on a public transport network. The Physical Internet can be the key enabler for logistics entailing a minimal societal hindrance through, among others, minimal traffic moves and minimal emissions. Already today, the roadmaps to the Physical Internet are available to support companies in their journey to the next era of logistics. The changing behaviour of customer and society will further dictate the sense of urgency. As a Futurist, Dr. Alex Van Breedam identifies society trends and challenges, but above all, tries to anticipate and to impact them by pioneering and innovating disruptively and persistently as a visionary entrepreneur at TRI-VIZOR, opinion leader and creator of new business models. He’s also part-time professor supply chain and logistics at the Antwerp Management School and the KULeuven. As board member of Alice (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) he’s actively involved in the elaboration of the Physical Internet. Besides, he’s currently the Belgian Hour Record Holder Cycling on Track for Masters. Alex’s personal baseline: “The Mission is much bigger than the man”!

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COMPANIES THAT KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO CHANGES BY BEING FLEXIBLE AND PROGRESSIVE, WILL BE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW TOM BLOMMAERT, CEO, BLOMMAERT ALUMINIUM CONSTRUCTIONS

I was born in Antwerp, having lived my life in the northern Antwerp suburbs, and still do, now together with my wife and two teenagers. After secondary school, I wanted to pursue a career as a pilot. I therefore studied Mathematics and Science at the University of Brussels, followed by Industrial Engineering studies in Antwerp. Later, my passion for aeroplanes transferred into one for vessels. Hence why I joined the family business Blommaert Aluminium Constructions in 1996, founded by my father Philippe, where I took over the helm in 2005. What strikes me after all these years working for and being the CEO of Blommaert, is that innovation used to be predominantly driven by economic factors, commercial and financial. Innovation was mainly a matter of ‘wanting’. However, today the environment is a much more important driver, and innovation has become a matter of ‘having to’. Governments are rightly obliging us to adapt transport modes, products, energy sources, factories, etc. in order to improve our environment. I believe that companies knowing how to respond to changes by being flexible and progressive, will be the leaders of tomorrow. This is a reality every business leader must face. Antwerp, with its industrial base, good training centres, support for innovation, with medium-sized to very large companies and its immense harbour, is in a privileged position to take a leading role in this transformation. In Blommaert’s main sectors, shipping, storage and logistics, rational use of materials and energy are extremely important. Our customers’ ships are increasingly powered by greener energy, meaning far fewer emissions of harmful substances. We are trying to respond to their needs by building solar cells onto our aluminium hatch covers. This generated energy can significantly reduce running time of generator sets, and lower emissions. In time, this energy can also be used to produce hydrogen for propulsion. Every day, there is a possibility that a certain raw material can’t be used any longer, that a specific production method is no longer justified or permitted, or that a product can’t be sold anymore. And in uncertain times, such as those we are facing now with the Covid-19 pandemic, the courage to continue investing in people, machines and infrastructure is sometimes a hurdle difficult to overcome. Therefore, a company must reinvent itself nowadays more than ever.

Blommaert Aluminium Constructions Stokerijstraat 35 • 2110 Wijnegem • BE Ophemertstraat 42 • 3089 JE Rotterdam • NL Tel: +32 (0)3 353 26 89 Email: info@blommaertalu.be

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THE IDEA MATTERS AS MUCH AS THE TIMING KRIS BOGAERTS, CO-FOUNDER & ENGINEER, CELLOWS

As long as I can remember, I have always wondered how things work and how I could improve them. At ten years old, I came up with an electrical motor with magnets, only to discover a few years later that the damn thing already existed! This made me realize that an idea is seldom unique or even new. For example, did you know the ancient Greeks already had a tiny steam engine called the Aeolipile, 2000 years before the Industrial Revolution? The Aeolipile was probably merely a curiosity and it was just too soon to unlock its full capacity and value. Over the years, with innovation after innovation, it evolved into the machine we dedicate to the ‘esteamed’ Mister Watt.

It’s not only about technology The steam engine is an interesting subject to show that every innovation is a combination of existing and new things and besides the technological capabilities, one needs factors like a general interest and purpose to make a product successful. This goes hand-in-hand with timing and momentum. If this is missing, your innovation will be condemned to the bench for a while.

Different factors determine success Companies need to take different factors into account to make innovation successful. I believe we’ve come at this crossroads for asset management too. The problem Cellows solves with its CALM software (Collaborative Asset Lifecycle Management) has always existed, but it’s only now that we have both technology and timing on our side. Entrepreneurs should always improve on their innovations, but they should keep timing in mind, be critical about strategy and be ready to adapt when necessary. Throughout his engineering career, Kris saw people struggle with managing assets. This planted the seed for Cellows in the back of his mind. It would take two decades to find the right partners at the right time for the idea to come to fruition.

Cellows BV Kapelsesteenweg 60 – 2930 Brasschaat BE 0757.612.857 Tel: +32 475 95 01 77 Email: kris@cellows.be

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IN SEARCH FOR THE PATIENT’S BENEFIT!

PROF EM DR L. VAN GAAL, ENDOCRINOLOGIST, DIABETOLOGIST, UZA - UA ANTWERP With ever-growing epidemic proportions, obesity and diabetes represent major health threats of our modern societies. Among the numerous comorbidities associated with obesity and being overweight, the most common are diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Obesity and type 2 diabetes represent the top preventable causes of premature death and disability. The recent Covid-19 pandemic and its life-threatening consequences has also highlighted the role of obesity and diabetes in the prediction of a worse outcome. At the Dept of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism of the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) we are, since 40 years, focusing on research and patient care for innovation in therapies that might prevent patients from complications and improve their over-all wellbeing and quality of life. Research about environmental, endocrine disruptors and liver fattening – the so-called NAFLD- contributed to better understanding the origin of obesity and prediabetes. This research collaboration received wide European interest and abroad, being recognized as a collaborating centre of obesity management by EASO. With the disappointing results with lifestyle intervention for obesity treatment, novel therapies have been studied in collaboration with industry partners: we progressed from pills to peptides as an easy injectable approach and the future looks a promising path to a new era. In this respect we were among the first to study a gut hormone – a GLP-1 analogue – in obesity and diabetes. As to diabetes, the UZA played a crucial role in the advancement of patient diabetes education and technology. The development of accurate and reliable continuous glucose monitoring, as was initiated in Belgium by our group, was a breakthrough for the individual patient. Our department further invests in such novel technology and promising therapeutic approaches for individuals with diabetes: we collaborate with other centers in the development of implantable multi-biomarker sensors. This approach with sensor-augmented pump therapy may facilitate the development of an artificial pancreas. This medical historical performance continues in new developments in order to help our patients in a move to better treatments to avoid metabolic complications. Finally, our department has a heart for the patient, as all the previous and actual chairmen were and are involved in the Belgian Diabetes Liga.

Antwerp University Hospital Dept Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem (Antwerp) Belgium

Email: luc.vangaal@uza.be vangaalluc@skynet.be

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WE BELIEVE HYDROGEN IS THE NEW OIL ALEXANDER SAVERYS, CEO, CMB

My name is Alexander Saverys, I’m the CEO of CMB, a diversified shipping company owning 135 ships active in dry bulk shipping, container transport, chemical tankers and offshore wind support. Our cleantech division, CMB.TECH, is a market leader in the development of hydrogen applications for the marine and other industries. We believe hydrogen is the new oil. Our industry has evolved from oars to sails to steam and finally to diesel to propel larger and larger ships through the seven seas. As shipping needs to decarbonize, the next energy revolution is upon us, and we believe green hydrogen is going to play a very important role. Renewable energy from the wind and the sun can easily be converted into cheap clean hydrogen through electrolysis. This green H2 molecule can be used to produce chemicals, fertilizers and green fuels. To accelerate this energy transition, our industry needs to invest massively in green hydrogen production (= the chicken) and in a wide variety of hydrogen applications (= the egg(s)). The only way we will be able to produce sufficient chickens and eggs, is to pool the expertise of many maritime “farmers” and join forces to co-develop, innovate, scale-up and finance new projects. After the Year of Greta (2019) and the Year of the Virus (2020), a vast majority of shipping minds agree that something needs to be done. Email: info@cmb.be

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Bring on the Hydrogen Century!

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INTRODUCING RADICAL TRANSPARENCY TO THE DIAMOND WORLD ODED MANSORI, CO-FOUNDER, HB ANTWERP

HB Antwerp stands to me, Oded Mansori, CEO and cofounder, for a diamond company of the newest times; innovative; disrupting tradition by adding transparency, traceability, and fairness to the diamond value chain. Being active in the industry for 30 years, makes me feel and read its heartbeat in a clear and natural way. It is an intriguing world, that was on a roll vibrantly during decades, but is today in a desperate need of bold self-reflection. Although the product itself and its astonishing transformation from a rough diamond into an exceptional and exquisite polished miracle, will always remain breathtaking, only focusing on the result is not enough anymore. Today’s consumers demand verifiable, granular data about the full process: where and how it was mined, what was the contribution to the community, who manufactured it, how many times it traveled the world, what is the ecological footprint, etc. And they are right. For us, HB Antwerp, introducing full transparency as an evidence into the whole journey of each and every diamond, is part of our DNA. To achieve this goal of tracking and tracing the journey of a diamond from mine to finger, we were forced to take a fresh look at the traditional supply chain. By knowing the source, keeping the supply chain short and documenting each step of the way we can easily commit to radical transparency. As a result, we are not being hyperbolic when we say we are the first company to provide consumers all the detailed data they are asking for.

Photo by Tineke De Vos

Why do we go to all this effort? Because we recognize the world has changed. Consumer confidence in brands and products has eroded. Wrongs have been exposed. Trust has been lost. And in a world with so many high-ticket items competing for consumer love, if you lose their trust, you will lose them as customers. Our customers are our compass. When we process rough diamonds, we want to make sure we process them in the way the consumer wants. Retailers must be able to guide their customers through this process, but more importantly, take them all the way to the source of origin, providing all verifiable, granular data of the entire process. Only in this way we can ascend to the ultimate personalization of a product that has been intriguing people for decades.

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HUMANS CAN’T THINK IN TERMS OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH CAROLE LAMARQUE, CEO, FOUNDING PARTNER OF DUVAL UNION INNOVATIVE MARKETING

Strategic Marketing, launching innovations and new technologies are my passions. I worked as a marketing leader for various companies in competitive markets. It was a privilege to work in these sectors. I look back on my very pleasant and extremely smart colleagues. Many of them supported me and made me the marketer I am today, I am grateful for that. I am a board member at Port of Antwerp-Bruges and VOKA Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland and bestselling author at Lannoo Campus : Influencers, Unfair Advantage & Zoonotic. Did you know humans can’t think exponentially? Study has shown we can’t think in terms of exponential growth. So, entrepreneurs need a framework to guide them. Of course, entrepreneurs need to grow exponentially, therefore I wrote a book named Zoonotic. It describes a new success formula to build a viral business strategy. With that formula, we show the needed leadership and communication skills, based on numerous examples of successful entrepreneurs. I’m proud to have launched some of the innovations that we now think are deadly normal, like voicemail, the Internet, cloud computing and TV over the internet. But I am most proud of the human aspect of my career. I get a lot of pleasure from working with talented people, and top recent graduates. As CEO and Co-founder I lead a marketing office together with my business partner, Frederic Vanderheyde. What advice would I have given my 25 year old self? I would consider entrepreneurship much faster. The entrepreneurial world needs diversity, but it will also give you more flexibility in organizing your work-life balance.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” - Sun Tzu This quote contains so much life wisdom. I always have his booklet “The art of war” at my fingertips. There is no such thing as pure luck. You have to want to see opportunities for yourself and seize them. Sometimes people say, “Carole, you’ve been very lucky”. That sounds like everything was thrown into my lap, but nothing could be further from the truth. I may have been given certain opportunities, but I grabbed them with both hands with gratitude and I worked extremely hard for them. Feel free to connect on my personal LinkedIn profile.

carolelamarque

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN COMBAT AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES DR. MARC-ALAIN WIDDOWSON, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE

In August 2019, I was appointed as the director of The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp. I studied Anthropology and Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University before specialising in epidemiology of infectious diseases. I have lived and worked in eight different countries and on projects around the world, with a special focus on the epidemiology of epidemic viruses. ITM, along with other similar institutes in Europe, are historically centers of expertise in ‘tropical diseases’, yet are located in very non-tropical countries. The idea of tropical diseases becomes increasingly outdated. The HIV, and now COVID-19 pandemic are just two examples of how emerging diseases not only are not confined to tropical countries but in the case of COVID-19, can affect non-tropical countries even worse than tropical countries. Currently 75% of all new emerging infections are thought to come from animals, and global warming with ecologic degradation will only increase the number of new infections spilling over to the human population. Furthermore, increased global mobility allows for rapid spread of infections and the global economy is dependent on international supply chains and markets that rely on healthy populations. Despite the dangerous and uncertain nature of rapid spread of infectious disease, most populations have an increasing standard of life, which also means that they are increasingly afflicted by health problems of richer countries such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Sadly, also some truly tropical but preventable diseases, often parasitic, are very debilitating and are often a scourge for poorer rural populations that are left behind as other nation’s progress. Long story short, the Institute of Tropical Medicine is increasingly a global medicine institute. Our role is to foster and contribute to a strong international network of research and education institutes and to find people with a similar passion in order to understand and prevent diseases and thereby to improve health worldwide and in all people. ITM believes in science as a tool to achieve this – through research, education and medical service delivery. We believe in supporting others around the world do the same in their countries – only this way can we build a healthier world together and for all.

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INNOVATION IS MORE THAN TECHNOLOGY BART EMBRECHTS, FOUNDER, GUMPTION You don’t differentiate yourself with technology alone. Our companies make the difference with their experience in the sector, their business insight, and their expertise in proven technologies. A few examples. TheValueChain is known at SAP for their focus on innovation and creativity. They implement a step-by-step plan with online sessions for idea formation and sounding board meetings. In phase 1 we transform the idea into a pretotype, illustrated with a pretovideo that demonstrates the possibilities. Step 2 is a prototype or proof of concept. This connects the idea to the experiential world of the users. In step 3 we build a minimum viable product (MVP), the first version of the new application. In step 4 we optimise it based on user feedback. AppyThings, another group company, does magic with Application Programming Interfaces. APIs ensure that business systems and apps can work together and exchange data with each other efficiently and securely. An example. A travel agency works with several airlines. When booking a flight via their application, you enter your destination, date, and several other options. Via the APIs of the airlines, you are shown flight results that match your criteria. Along every step in the booking process, the API enables the communication between the systems of the travel agency and those of the airlines. A winwin for all parties concerned. Understanding the potential of APIs is important for every business today. Many companies will have to organise parts of their business differently. Make their supply chain more responsive. Really commit to e-commerce. Work more efficiently with partners. Simplify a tangle of complex vendor systems. Implement new revenue models. APIs are an essential part of this endeavour. As a premium partner of Apigee/Google, SAP and Azure, AppyThings is the number one in the Benelux in terms of experience and knowledge of API management. Bart Embrechts started his first company with E-Chain Management in 2002. When it was acquired by Ordina in 2008, it employed 120 employees. With the founding of Gumption in 2012, he realized a dream: to create an ecosystem of innovative businesses to offer clients maximum added value.

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THE FUTURE IS ECOSYSTEMS

DEEPAK MEHTA, ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPER, MCA – MARITIME CAMPUS ANTWERP Deepak Mehta is the Ecosystem Developer for MCA, believing that we are solving the easily solvable problems and are left with the wicked problems that have no single solution and require cooperation to solve. Building an ecosystem helps strengthen the maritime sector by increasing its innovation readiness, but also attracts cross-industry innovation to the maritime sector. That is why the future is ecosystems. Deepak has many side-gigs that all work from different angles on the same mission: Empowering everybody to become problem-solvers by embracing the innovator mindset and giving access to technology. Deepak does this by engaging the general public to embrace technology to solve societal challenges (Team Scheire) by bringing scientists and stage performers together at Arenberg Theater to trigger the public to debate on the societal impact of science and technology (Project Curious). Also by democratising and growing the innovator’s mindset and skillset (HackBelgiumLabs), by providing recycled IT equipment to organisations that increase digital literacy (PC Solidarity) and by having innovators inspire future innovators by talking about the emotions behind their accomplishments (TEDxAntwerp). Engaging a diverse cross-section of Antwerp and always looking to reach more of the unusual suspects. The smartest city will be the city that supports its citizens in overcoming any challenge by nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Antwerp offers a great environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. The challenge is in empowering all parts of society. The idea that every problem has one solution is very contextual: what works in a city such as Antwerp, may be useless in rural India or a city such as Shanghai. By diversely empowering citizens to come to their own solution, you will have a wide range of solutions: the context will determine which solution is best and where. There is not only one way to innovate. Antwerp offers a great diversity in potential innovators. The new normal is very much about sharing, exploring and being creative: very much as in kindergarten. That is why Deepak strongly believes in involving youth in innovation, since they are still closest to that kindergarten mindset and can ask naively bold questions. Innovation is unfamiliar terrain for many professionals, so youth often has an advantage when flanked by experts.

Email: deepak@maritimecampusantwerp.com deeeep

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TO GROW, WE HAVE TO LET GO. THE FUTURE IS NOW IT’S TIME FOR A RESOLUTE RUSH FORWARD FRED NIEMANS, PRESIDENT, WORLD TRADE CENTER ANTWERP

It’s not the strongest species that survives, nor is it the most intelligent one. It’s the species that has the ability to cope with drastic changes. That’s Darwinism in a nutshell.

Recently, the government invested in certain sectors. This turned out to be the wrong approach. This government support resulted in a dramatic increase in public debt and proved to be of little use for society as a whole.

His ‘survival of the fittest’... also applies to the corporate ecosystem. Agility reduces fragility: the companies and organisations that respond best to a drastically changed economic situation will survive the current crisis. In fact, they could even emerge stronger: what doesn’t kill you...

Strong survival skills Companies and sectors with strong survival skills and a positive perspective deserve our full attention in this economic crisis. These companies embrace technology and innovation in their future-proof philosophy.

Cry for help The coronavirus is unprecedented in the way it has been shaking the foundations of the economic world.

Not every story will have a happy ending. We just have to realise that failure is a very real possibility’ simultaneously recognising and softening the gravity of the situation: running towards the future is not about the ability not to fall, it’s about having the agility to get up again. This process of ‘creative destruction’ replaces dated mechanisms with new ones. Economic growth is powered by this energetic engine of continuous innovation. Since we are not experiencing an era of change but a change of era, we have to embrace this idea. The future is now: it’s time for a resolute rush forward.

The cry for help by means of government support has been gaining strength in certain sectors. Grants, cheap loans and temporary tax cuts are traditional tools for countering crises. Without substantial support, at least 20% of companies would not have survived the corona crisis.

Those who only face the past always turn their backs to the future. Darwin shows the way: ‘together we face a fine future!’

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IF YOU’RE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM, YOU’RE IN THE WRONG ROOM. YOU HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SMARTER AND BETTER THAN YOU FILIP SMET, CEO, ROAD21

Five years ago I founded Lemon, an all-round software development company. In the midst of the pandemic I founded Road21, an ecosystem of 30 technology companies, with my co-founder Fabian Van Kerckhove. Lemon is now part of the ecosystem and I’ve learned to go from quantitative growth to qualitative growth. What makes me happy? What drives me? The changes of the past year have made me the entrepreneur I am today. TIME IS THE ONLY THING YOU CAN’T BUY I’ve always been very thoughtful about the time I invest in my companies. From the beginning of my career, I have made the choice to work on the company rather than in the company. When 100% of your time goes to operational matters and making yourself billable, you hold the innovation and growth of your own company back. MAKE YOURSELF REPLACEABLE As CEO of Road21 I chose to resign as CEO from Lemon. I’m still able to make an impact as a member of the board of directors, but I left the daily management to someone else. When assigning someone else as CEO, you have to make sure their values align with those of the company. They also have to possess the skill set to guide the company and the team to the next level. In a relationship, you better date long before getting married. This is no different. You have to know the person long enough, been through good and more importantly bad times before making the decision to choose that person as the new captain of the ship. This road prepares you to make yourself replaceable in your own company. THE ROAD TO INNOVATION By surrounding ourselves with the right people, we were able to start 12 new companies in just 6 months time, all based in Kontich (Antwerp). I’m not saying that every company in Road21 is a one of a kind, never seen before start-up. But by combining our forces and working together, we were able to offer an all-round solution for every company that has asked for help. And most importantly, we have created a team of very talented people who have all become intrapreneurs. When glancing at the managers of every company, I know I’m not the smartest person in the room.

Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich Email: filip@road21.be smetfilip

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DISRUPTING THE GLOBAL BOOK BUSINESS FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER - GLOBALVILLAGE.WORLD How is the commercial book publishing world being disrupted? Some clients joke with us that we are bringing back a dying art form, printing hard cover books for business which are cool again. The business model however has changed completely, gone are the days of pay to play by selling advertorials or advertising. A great book on an ecosystem or industry needs to be authentic and all encompassing of all the major players sharing their story, not just whoever paid to be in there. To finance that we moved to a crowd funded book buying model where the market and the participants buy the books in bulk to use as gifts to clients, visitors, investors and employees. You also need to add technology to the printed book by embedding augmented reality videos into its pages, we do that by hiding QR codes behind the images that a mobile phone can read to activate a video. The books also need to be available online as ebooks, a blog and ultimately a forum where all the participants can communicate with each other. How do you set up your business in new cities and countries? We look for skilled marketing professionals in each city that know their community well and form 50/50 partnerships with them where they collect the stories and we design and print the book. We are a fast growing tribe of fun and energetic publishing entrepreneurs, partners and friends. We all share a passion for innovation, beautiful places and cultures that we want to embrace, share and showcase with the rest of the world. We are always looking for marketing entrepreneurs to join our team, please reach out to me on LinkedIn or info@globalvillage.world. How has COVID-19 changed your business? We have been very fortunate and seen significant growth over the pandemic as events and exhibitions have had to reinvent themselves. We see ourselves as an exhibition of innovation in book form. Everyone is now innovating some part of their business and with face-to-face contact moving to zoom calls our books have been a great connector and touch point for companies and their clients.

Sven Boermeester is a global publishing entrepreneur with a career that spans over 20 years with stops in more than 100 countries. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium and grew up in South Africa. After completing his business studies in Cape Town, he opened his first media company and started publishing the trade and industry directories for South Africa followed by the launch of the Best of the World publishing series in Dubai. Fast forward 20 years and 183 ‘Best of’ editions across 60 countries, Sven now lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and young son. He is working on disrupting the publishing business by mapping out the Innovation ecosystems of every major city in the U.S. and around the world, through his latest Innovation books and augmented reality video series.

Email: info@globalvillage.world sven-boermeester-8605823 GlobalVillage.world InnovationsOfTheWorld.com 27

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“If you can make it work in Antwerp, you can make it work anywhere.” – PARAPHRASING FRANK SINATRA, BORN IN HOBOKEN / NEW JERSEY (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH HOBOKEN / ANTWERP)

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A SMART CITY, WHERE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION GO HAND IN HAND

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Antwerp, just another historic city with a port? Think again. The urge to excel, a nose for opportunities and an impressive flamboyance make Antwerp an ideal breeding ground for creative ideas. Discover in this introduction the story of an extended network for innovation and entrepreneurship, across a wide range of industries. The rich history and the bustling port, Europe’s second largest, obviously play an important part in Antwerp’s success story. For centuries, Antwerp has been a meeting point for capital, large and small companies and knowledge institutions. From Christoph Plantin establishing the city as one of the world centres for printing and publishing in the 16th century to the avant-garde fashion designers of today. For many creative companies, Antwerp is the breeding ground to grow and flourish internationally.

demonstrated by the many bars, restaurants and shops. Antwerp breathes the art of living, working and doing business. Moreover, Antwerp is a city where you can try, fail, start again, create, discover and excel. Innovation is ingrained in its DNA. Key to this is an open innovation spirit. In Antwerp all stakeholders - city, university, companies (big and small) and citizens - collaborate in innovation hubs or specific projects. This cross-fertilization makes Antwerp an innovation hotspot.

A wide range of innovation clusters One thing is clear: if companies want to innovate, there’s no better breeding ground than Antwerp, where creativity and innovation go hand in hand. Innovation is embedded in the city and this is something that deserves to be captured and celebrated.

Antwerp has always been a city with an open view to the world, a city where experiment is encouraged, a city where life is good, as

This urge to innovate and create has ensured that Antwerp has developed into a gateway to one of the world’s most prosperous regions and is now home to numerous highly innovative businesses. The city is proud of its pioneers in mobility, health care and sustainable chemistry. As stated, Antwerp is home to Europe’s second largest port and the continent’s top chemical cluster. Today, the city is becoming a hub for digital and circular innovation.

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Digital innovation, circular economy, design services, mobility, education and culture; in Antwerp, innovation is everywhere you look. Discover Antwerp’s many competitive advantages in its wide range of high quality clusters.

Digital innovation is booming

Whether they are dealing with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) or other innovations, digital entrepreneurs can be found all over Antwerp. Start-ups spring up all the time and often grow into scale-ups. In 2020 Antwerp was home to more than 500 of them. These innovative businesses raised 200 million euro in 2020, an increase of no less than 50 percent compared to 2018. Within six years, Antwerp wants to occupy a place in the European top 10 scale-up cities. Here’s a selection from Antwerp’s vibrant ecosystem of digital innovation:

BlueHealth Innovation Center stimulates entrepreneurship within digital healthcare, a booming business in Antwerp. An example is Byteflies, they developed a technology which allows Covid-19 patients to leave the hospital sooner while they stay under medical supervision.

StartupVillage / Campus 29 is the place where start-ups, companies, mentors and investors meet. Thanks to the City of Antwerp innovative start-ups can find affordable office space here. A few of its inhabitants: Eyesee (marketing optimisation through eye-tracking and face recognition), Datylon (development of a platform for data visualisation) and Survey Anyplace (interactive quiz contests, surveys and assessments). For the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second largest, digital innovation and high circular ambition are the pillars of its future growth. The port is experimenting with drones, unmanned vessels, digital platforms (NxtPort) and much more.

The Beacon is the headquarter for Antwerp’s digital innovation community, bringing together the City of Antwerp, tech companies, research, skills, innovation actors and citizens. It’s an innovation hub, focused on AI & IoT, searching solutions in smart city, logistics and industry.

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A living lab for pilot projects The city of Antwerp is also actively investing in innovation. Its starting point for all public service and communication is: ‘maximum digital and automated’. Digitisation reduces unnecessary red-tape for citizens and improves user-friendliness while automation makes it even unnecessary. Simultaneously, the city continues to offer an analogue alternative for essential services. © Sigrid Spinnox

Together with its partner imec, Antwerp wants to be a living lab for pilot projects that aim for a safer, healthier and more sustainable city. In the project “Groenplaats - Via Sinjoor” for instance, the city researches how smart technology can contribute to the further development of the reconstruction of Groenplaats, one of Antwerp’s largest squares. And in the university quarter, “Luistervinken” (eavesdroppers) aims at testing an innovative and digital solution to limit nightlife noise.

Circular economy for a better future

If Antwerp wants to be a future-oriented city, then it has to consider its environmental impact. Sustainability is a big issue, also in Antwerp. The city takes a lot of initiatives to ensure that future citizens and visitors can enjoy a beautiful, inspiring and vibrant city. Most notably, Blue Gate Antwerp is a newly developed industrial site focused on circular economy. It is the first site of this size in Belgium with this exclusive focus. Ambitious, and a striking example of Antwerp’s DNA.

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Finally, Antwerp is also home to a great number of exciting events. At Us by Night for example, creative spirits from Belgium and abroad meet up and inspire each other by showcasing their products.

Innovative solutions in mobility

Urban planning and mobility are a hot topic in cities worldwide. In Antwerp, innovation is a basic attitude in these fields. This applies equally to urban projects, stakeholder operations as well as participation processes. Innovative solutions are always the focus. “Smart ways to Antwerp”, for example, is an award-winning programme and a pioneer in the deployment of smart mobility, Mobility-as-a-Service and shared mobility. It offers a multimodal and is the first of its kind route planner for citizens, visitors and commuters, including all means of transports, like electric scooters, bike and car sharing. By developing NXTMobility data architecture and a MultiModal Mobility Manager platform, “Smart ways to Antwerp” wants to make it possible to offer structured insights in how different mobility solutions are used and what their impact is. The city of Antwerp also focuses on innovation when it comes to traffic and city parking. This includes the development and usage of payment apps, digital parking enforcement, dynamic traffic lights and smart signage.

Based on this site, Antwerp BlueChem and BlueApp nurture the future of the chemical industry in Antwerp, the largest chemical cluster in the world. Also at Blue Gate Antwerp, Maritime Campus Antwerp will be a world expertise and innovation hub for clean shipping and hydrogen. Furthermore, the city wants to heat as many buildings as possible in a sustainable way. Heat networks, like the one in the new neighbourhood at the river ‘Nieuw Zuid’, are crucial in that respect. In this area ‘Circular South’ is a testing ground for circular economy in daily life.

Sustainability is also crucial in the port. Antwerp ECLUSE is the very first large-scale industrial steam network in the port of Antwerp. It paves the way for alternative energy sources and does its part to build the port of the future. NxtGen is a new industrial site in the port offering space to circular businesses. NxtGen is complementary to Blue Gate Antwerp.

Antwerp as a matchmaker for creative businesses Have a look at Antwerp’s fashion scene, or discover the craftsmanship of Antwerp’s diamond centre, the largest in the world. Creativity is obviously an essential part of Antwerp’s DNA. One out of ten businesses in Antwerp is a creative one and by proactively connecting key players in following creative networks and festivals, Antwerp fulfils its role as matchmaker for creative businesses. Speaking of matchmakers, ANTWERP. POWERED BY CREATIVES. is a platform for creative entrepreneurs that wants to materialise collaborations between creative businesses and businesses in other industries, to improve designs and rethink products, processes and services.

Collaboration is also key at Antwerp Design Factory, a physical and virtual hub of the University of Antwerp. It is a place for pre-incubation, design research and creative collaboration. Students, university employees, businesses, organisations and public institutions collaborate, resulting in innovation of products and services by multidisciplinary teams.

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The story of the major transformation of Antwerp’s ring road The Big Link is a unique and innovative process that resulted in a new future project for the Antwerp Ringway, which connects Belgium with its neighbouring countries and further destinations. In the last few years, the city of Antwerp, its citizens, the Port of Antwerp, citizen movements, Lantis and other partners have designed the plans, together with the manager of the “Oosterweelverbinding”, the new connection that closes the ring road around Antwerp. The Big Link will result in better mobility for the whole region, a greener city and cleaner air, thanks not least to Antwerp’s innovative ecosystem that will participate in the development of this exceptional project. © Sigrid Spinnox

“Antwerp has striven to enable innovation, creative arts and the digital economy.”

(Thanks to The Big Link, Antwerp has been proclaimed one of the six innovation capitals by iCapital Awards in 2019)

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Education capital for 50,000 students annually If Antwerp wants to keep growing as an economic and innovative hub, then future talent must also find its way to the city. That is why Antwerp aspires to be Flanders’ education capital. Not only in size, but also in quality, innovation (including the growing edtech industry) and emancipatory movements. The city welcomes more than 50,000 students annually to its numerous institutions of higher education. Students prepare themselves in Antwerp for international careers in diverse, often unique, domains of Antwerp’s economy, including logistics, fashion and technology.

TAKEOFFANTWERP is an operation and a physical hub where (international) students can develop their entrepreneurial skills and mindset. TAKEOFFANTWERP connects the city, educational institutions, (social) profit and of course the students themselves. The goal of this unique partnership between the City of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp and several colleges is to stimulate entrepreneurship. Not without success: amongst the 50,000 students, more than a thousand are self-employed.

A rich past as a basis for a creative future Some of Antwerp’s most recent innovative achievements in this field include an agreement between the city of Antwerp and Google to digitise a large portion of the collections of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Plantin-Moretus Museum as well as the Socrates project, which investigates whether it is feasible to provide cultural tips based on personal preferences for every resident.

Over the centuries, Antwerp has been a great city for arts and culture. Its rich past is the basis for a creative future. The city empowers artists to develop themselves and to showcase their work. Diversity is important in cultural attractions. And easy accessibility, community building and participation are key in all Antwerp sports and youth clubs.

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Antwerp, an ideal place for innovation Yes, Antwerp is a city with a port. But Antwerp is so much more. As you browse through this book, you will understand why innovation is such an important affair in Antwerp. Here, you are part of something greater than just your business or your innovation - you are part of a community. This smart community has a lot of wonderful innovation stories to share with the world and this book offers you a glimpse into these stories and into the future. Enjoy reading!

Would you like to learn more? Please contact: invest@antwerpen.be

businessina showcase/business-in-antwerp

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CHAPTER THREE

TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN 38

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PORT OF ANTWERP THE PORT OF THE FUTURE

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Ports have always been incubators of innovation and Port of Antwerp has developed as a leading smart port. Driven by innovation, Port of Antwerp optimizes the flows of goods and information, leads a sustainable development, guarantees safe and secure operations through the capabilities of its extended port community and enabling technologies. A key element in being a leading smart port is APICA (Antwerp Port Information & Control Assistant). This is a virtual assistant that leverages the input of smart cameras, drones, sensors for air and water quality and combining all this data into a virtual model (digital twin) of the port. APICA provides realtime information on ship movements, flows of dangerous goods, air quality and weather conditions, but also detection of oil spills or conducts inspections of maritime infrastructure. Applying data science on the data in APICA will allow it to become predictive and prescriptive over time. The transition to a low carbon economy is a key challenge in the coming years – innovation is a driver within the Port of Antwerp to help realise this. Currently, a first ever hydrogen tugboat is in construction and the preparations for building a ‘power-to-methanol’ factory are ongoing. The objective is to produce sustainable methanol by reusing captured CO2 in combination with sustainably generated hydrogen.

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Plastic waste in rivers and oceans is a global problem where decisive solutions are still under development. Together with other stakeholders, Port of Antwerp is working on preventive solutions, clean-up projects and innovations to make our living environment plastic-free. Despite annual clean-up efforts, millions of tiny plastic pellets remain that cannot be collected by hand. To tackle this problem, Port of Antwerp initiated an innovation challenge which led to the Nul-O-Plastic. This large, manoeuvrable vacuum cleaner on caterpillar tracks efficiently sucks up small plastics in hard-to-reach terrain. The port is a large area with enormous activities and possibilities. That is why we open up the port area as a living lab where ideas and projects can be safely tested in a real industrial environment. Port of Antwerp was the first to use the Romware Covid Radius that ensures social distancing and permits contact tracing.

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Ports are busy hubs for shipping. The development of new IOT-devices, AI, smart cameras and radars allow a higher level of automation in shipping. Port of Antwerp has developed a first-ever fully automated depth sounding vessel, the Echodrone. Based on real-time AIS (Automatic Identification System) and radar information, the Echodrone navigates its way through the port smarter, autonomously and safely. As an open innovation platform, Port of Antwerp is developing a network of drones to ensure a safe port. Pioneering since 2018 with a wide range of solutions using drones, it’s the first port in the world which has a UTM (unmanned traffic management) system implemented to ensure efficient and safe use of drones by the various stakeholders in the port. Automated drones are being deployed to survey the large port area on potential risks and provide real-time footage in case of incidents or oil spills. As one of the leading ports in the world, Port of Antwerp aspires to be the Port of the Future. It uses innovation as a lever to turn today’s major challenges such as energy transition, digitalisation and mobility into solutions. Through collaboration and the implementation of new technologies it continues to build on the sustainable growth of the port and make it more efficient, safe and smart.

Port of Antwerp Port House Zaha Hadidplein 1 2030 Antwerp

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SEAFAR

SEAFAR, FOUNDED IN 2018 IN ANTWERP, IS AN INDEPENDENT SHIP MANAGEMENT COMPANY OFFERING SERVICES FOR THE REMOTE OPERATION OF SHIPS WITH LIMITED CREWS. Through the centralized Control Centre, Seafar supports and operate automated vessels, with an emphasis on efficient and safe operations. The company is currently operating unmanned and crew-reduced cargo vessels, ranging from 40m up to 110m.

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The vessels sail with Seafar’s hardware and software automatically, supported by the Shore Control Center where the team of engineers and captains manage the vessel. The operators in the control centre have a range of high-tech systems based on artificial intelligence, sensor fusion and object detection at their disposal to ensure safe navigation. By integrating these new services and technologies, shipping companies and operators can continuously improve their operational efficiency: reducing operational costs, enhancing competitiveness and expansion of the navigation possibilities. Seafar is a frontrunner in the development and operational integration of state-ofthe-art technologies for inland and coastal shipping. On the one hand, Seafar develops the necessary software in-house and builds the hardware to automate the vessel. On the other hand, Seafar manages the Shore Control Center to operate the vessels. The technology is based on multiple types of exteroceptive sensors to incorporate artificial intelligence algorithms for sensor fusion and to build an accurate model of the environment. Seafar uses sensors such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras to produce data to solve problems of obstacle identification and classification.

Louis-Robert Cool, CEO of Seafar adds: “Seafar is a European pioneer in the development and operational integration of state-of-the-art technologies for semiautonomous navigation. As an innovative player in the inland and shipping sector, Seafar wants to be an accelerator towards efficient and sustainable shipping. ” By using new technologies shipping companies can continually improve their efficiency of operations. Efficiency measures can bring pollution down, but also strengthen the business case for the further investments in green and zero carbon propulsion technologies or shift to clean

fuel. The challenge is to create commercially viable zero emission shipping, Seafar wants to play a key role in overcoming this challenge. Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters: “Innovations regarding automation in inland navigation help the sector and we want to take a pioneering role in this with Flanders. Seafar offers an answer to the mobility challenges of the future. It strengthens our society to digitise and innovate in such a progressive manner. “

seafar.eu

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CMB.TECH

WE BRING HYDROGEN TO THE INDUSTRY

Hydrocat

CMB.TECH, the cleantech division of CMB, is an active developer and integrator of hydrogen solutions with the focus on engineering, hydrogen production, industry and marine applications. CMB.TECH’s ambition is to become the reference in the field of hydrogen technology for large-scale industry applications with a focus on the maritime and transport industry. CMB.TECH has partnerships with several engine manufacturers and retrofitted existing diesel engines to dual fuel and monofuel. High speed engines are available for small scale and high-speed applications. Medium speed engines are available for heavy duty and marine applications. The offer is to cooperate with companies that want to take initiative to start their energy transition. CMB.TECH’s low-cost solution ensures reliability of the assets, control over fuel costs and a gradual energy transition. This control gives partners an advantage over competitors that use fuel cell powered assets. HydroBingo

Because of CMB.TECH’s leading position in shipping and hydrogen economy, it makes sense that it invests in all features of the hydrogen economy which allows the company to offer the best possible low and zero emission solutions to its partners. There are offices in Antwerp (Belgium), Tokyo (Japan) & UK, with +40 employees focussed on hydrogen technology.

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CMB.TECH offers different solutions:

Marine Hydrogen presents as the future of marine fuel. There are different applications : • Hydroville: The first certified passenger shuttle utilising hydrogen • Hydrotug : A tugboat powered by hydrogen for the port of Antwerp • HydroBingo: The first hydrogen dual fuel 80 passenger ferry project in Japan • Hydrocat : Dual-fuel vessel used for maintenance activities offshore • Port Equipment : » Powerbarge » Shorepower • Windcat Workboats : Europe’s leading provider of specialist crew transfer vessels to the offshore windpower industry

Hydroville

Genset

Hydrotug

Industry Hydrogen fuel is an enabler for operators to reduce their impact on the environment, whilst still maintaining uptime and commercial viability. CMB.TECH can both retrofit existing vehicles to extend their useable lives, whilst ensuring emissions compliance, and also fit out new vehicles to reduce emissions from day one. These programmes are made possible by our dedicated workshops including:

• • • • • •

Dyno test facilities Engine build workshops Prototyping Electrical & electronics build lab Fabrication Model studio

H2 infra Besides the various applications CMB.TECH also launches the first hydrogen refuelling station in Antwerp. It is the first hydrogen refuelling station in the world that produces and is capable of supplying green hydrogen to cars, buses, trucks and ships. Check out the

virtual tour here: https://cmb.tech/experience/ hydrogen-refuelling/antwerp-refuellingstation/virtual-tour

Engineering The engineering department of CMB.TECH has over 15 years of engineering and retrofitting experience integrating electrical systems, fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines in mobile applications. Email: enquiries@cmb.tech

cmb.tech

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BLOMMAERT ALUMINIUM CONSTRUCTIONS

INNOVATION IS A PART OF BLOMMAERT’S DNA – IT’S ABOUT EXPLORING NEW MARKETS, SOLAR HATCHES AND AUTOMATION

Retractable roof for sand-gravel shed

In 1978, Blommaert Aluminium Constructions started with the design and production of aluminium hatch covers for inland shipping. More than 40 years later, the family business has become the market leader in this sector. In the future, Blommaert wants to focus more on the development of aluminium constructions for various applications in industry.

Exploring new markets

Blommaert’s strength is that the company runs each project from start to finish, from design and measurement to installation at the customer’s site. Since customer satisfaction is very important to us, we also offer a comprehensive after-sales service all the way to South America.

Customer’s demand for our custom-made mobile roofing systems is growing, both within and outside Europe. Recently, we have realised some impressive projects such as the coverage of 12 salt warehouses on Charles de Gaulle and of a limestone storage on a power plant in Abu Dhabi. Another upcoming project is one for the city of Basel in Switzerland, where we will provide 72 moving covers for the basins of a water treatment plant.

In the beginning, Blommaert designed and manufactured products mainly for the shipping industry such as sliding hatches, radar masts, wheelhouse ladders, etc. When the shipping sector was under pressure, Blommaert saw an opportunity to enter a new market, that of industry. The recent diversification from aluminium sliding hatches for shipping to movable roofs for industry is still generating interest all over the world.

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Tom Blommaert, CEO of Blommaert Aluminium Constructions

Bending cell in new production hall The mobile structures which we design and manufacture are mainly meant to cover the storage of biomass, manure, salt and hazardous materials. However, our products are recyclable and can be fully customised which gives us countless opportunities to meet the needs and wishes of various industrial clients.

Going green with our sliding solar hatches Since more people were interested in our electrically driven products such as the retractable roofs and hydraulic hatch cover cranes, we decided to explore the possibilities of green energy.

“Blommaert wants to contribute to the needs of the current and future generations,” says CEO Tom Blommaert. “Sustainability is an important theme in this matter.” With the help of solar energy specialist Wattlab, we were able to equip our sliding hatches and retractable roofs with solar panels. These so-called solar sliding hatches and roofs provide power to the customer and can be used to open and close the hatches and roofs. In order for the telescopic hatches and roofs to slide over one another easily, we use flat, light and pliable panels.

Investing in workplace automation The entry into a new market and the product innovations put our production capacities to the test. After all, in our manufacturing areas in Wijnegem (BE) and Werkendam (NL), the majority of production was done manually, which meant we operated less quickly and less efficiently than desired. For this reason, in 2018 we relocated production from Werkendam to Rotterdam, where we built a new facility. One year later, in 2019, we invested in a brand new production hall with an automatic laser and bending cell. Because of the fast and precise nature of the machines, we can deliver even better quality and offer a faster service. In the long run, we expect the production automation to provide more efficiency in our workshop and greater profitability. Blommaert largely owes its success to its innovative character. It transformed from a small aluminium constructor for inland navigation to a diversified industrial group with a focus on aluminium constructions. The company is not afraid to take calculated risks in order to grow, always keeping its core values in mind: quality, flexibility and service.

Blommaert Aluminium Constructions Stokerijstraat 35 • 2110 Wijnegem • BE Ophemertstraat 42 • 3089 JE Rotterdam • NL Tel: +32 (0)3 353 26 89 Email: info@blommaertalu.be

blommaertalu.com

Sliding hatches with solar panels on ship Oleander

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CONTAINER QUICK LOCK NV A COMPANY BASED IN BELGIUM THAT MANUFACTURES AND DISTRIBUTES THE CONTAINER QUICK-LOCK SYSTEM WORLDWIDE.

Container Quick-Lock develops semi - and fully automatic locking systems for locking boxes and containers on Van’s and Trailers. All our locks have the following advantages, regardless of their purpose:

SAFER | QUICKER | EASIER | SMARTER | CONNECTED 50

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The locking systems of Container Quick-Lock are game changers in the world of logistics. (See film through the AR video feature on this page). Together with strong partners such as Renault we take part in innovative, connected and time saving solutions for last mile delivery as well as long distance and everything in between. Boxes can be removed with the help of a forklift, see the Renault EZ-Flex above which is equipped with our locks. The locking and unlocking system is operated from the cabin of the car through the use of an intuitive control panel or by smart phone. Safety measures with sensors are in place. The lock’s development came out of our expertise with locking systems with ISO containers. It is our aim to fully automize and connect the ISO locking system in the same way. The Container Quick-Lock systems are protected by a European patent. The global patent is expected soon.

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TRI-VIZOR

THE WORLD’S FIRST CROSS SUPPLY CHAIN ORCHESTRATOR

CARPOOLING FOR CARGO

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse

TRI-VIZOR is a disruptive innovator in logistics and supply chain management. As the world’s first impartial orchestrator it was one of the first companies to introduce the principles of the sharing economy in transport and logistics, supported by its baseline “Carpooling for Cargo”. TRI-VIZOR proactively designs and operates horizontal partnerships and collaborative communities among shippers. By bundling and synchronizing freight flows and sharing capacity and resources across multiple supply networks, double digit gains in cost, customer service and sustainability can be achieved.

Alex Van Breedam

Vision and Mission TRI-VIZOR has developed a strong vision on how logistics and supply chain management will evolve in the coming years and want to prepare companies and other organisations to anticipate on what is going to come. In essence, the current business models in transport and logistics will fail very soon due to low efficiencies caused by fragmentation and important capacity shortages. The new business models for smart and sustainable logistics will be based on sharing capacity, i.e., bundling of flows, clustering of activities, sharing services and pooling resources. TRI-VIZOR has demonstrated that horizontal partnerships and platforms are the most fair and appropriate way to realize this.

TRI VIZOR is setting up horizontal collaborations to:

Bundle flows

Cluster activities

Share capacity

Pool resources

The Crescent, Motstraat 30, B-2800 Mechelen (Belgium) +32 3 292 62 10 | info@trivizor.com

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Track record TRI-VIZOR was originally a spin-off company of the University of Antwerp founded in 2008. The two founding partners of TRI-VIZOR, Alex Van Breedam and Bart Vannieuwenhuyse have individually gained global recognition as innovators and experts in horizontal collaboration. Since, TRI-VIZOR has collected an impressive track record of prizes and awards. Its reputation and recognition is for the greater extent due to a strong focus on its mission to setup and operate horizontal collaborations. It has grown to the leading reference for horizontal collaboration project, i.e. the World’s first cross supply chain orchestrator. TRI-VIZOR’s knowledge base is the result of ten years of coping with challenging and complex collaboration projects. These projects were conducted with leading global companies like, among others, P&G, Nike, Baxter, UCB, WabCo, Hologic, Pfizer, Novartis, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Donaldson, Jindal, Omya, Agfa, Unilever, SCA, Delhaize, Sony, Panasonic, Intersnack, JSP, Ferrero, Ontex, Kimberly-Clark, Autogrill, Takeda, Cargill, Skretting,… Besides, TRI-VIZOR has also established very close relationships with public authorities and organisations, including cities, ports, regional and European authorities. Some of the major deliverables of projects with public authorities were anti-trust compliant legal frameworks with models and guidelines for horizontal collaboration. TRI-VIZOR is also closely involved within Alice (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) and the development of the Physical Internet, the endgame for the future of logistics. The successful horizontal collaboration projects setup by TRI-VIZOR are considered as the first embryos of the Physical Internet.

Roles In its role as neutral orchestrator, TRI-VIZOR prepares (as ‘initiator’), involves, and supports companies in the processes of creation (as ‘architect’) and managing (as ‘trustee’) horizontal collaboration partnerships and platforms.

TRI VIZOR is acting as:

Initiator

Architect

Trustee

Inspiring and preparing companies for what is to come.

Preparing, designing, calculating and building partnerships and collaborations.

Managing and improving partnerships and collaborations.

As a Community Manager, TRI-VIZOR innovates in a variety of eco-systems and their governance.

TRI VIZOR innovates in:

Urban logistics

Platforms

Co-modity

Through decouping and a joint last mile an optimal drop and pick up density in cities.

Cross sectoral collaboration with a trusted multi-user platform as central hub.

Modal shift after bundling freight flows.

Physical Internet

Anti trust compliant horizontal collaboration

Nodes and corridors

Sharing capacity as key theme in transport system of the future.

Trustee as guarantee for competitors to collaborate.

Through clustering in nodes, facilitating bundling on corridors.

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CHAPTER FOUR

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HB ANTWERP CREATING VALUE TOGETHER

Creating value together. Connecting Antwerp’s savoir-faire with the power of technology to create a modern, sustainable ecosystem for the natural diamond trade. Ushering in a bold new era of price transparency, rough diamond utilization and product ingenuity.

Further, it was clear to them that the only way to guarantee that their vision could not be compromised was to acquire their rough diamonds directly from the mine and execute the manufacturing process entirely in Antwerp. In doing so, HB Antwerp found a way to succeed where many companies have failed: they have created the conditions for realizing a diamond’s journey from mine to finger in a 100% transparent and sustainable way, resulting in the most transparent and evidenced-based diamond in the world: a HB diamond.

HB Antwerp aims at nothing less than turning the diamond supply chain upside down, starting with the customer. By using the latest technologies, we are able to introduce simplicity and transparency into an historically complex supply chain. By sharing information, we are able to conduct our activities in a closed loop, located entirely in Antwerp. Backed by the latest innovations and tracked with blockchain, we are able to make the supply chain 100% transparent from diamond mine to market, whilst significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Very quickly, big names like Louis Vuitton saw the added value of this way of working. Forming a partnership with HB Antwerp and Canadian diamond producer Lucara Diamond Corp., which owns and operates the world-class Karowe mine in Botswana, Louis Vuitton in 2020 brought two exceptional rough diamonds directly to the consumer: the Sewelô, a black-coated diamond weighing 1,758 carats (the second largest diamond ever recovered), and the Sethunya, an exceptional white diamond weighing 549 carats.

Our Story HB Antwerp was founded at the beginning of 2020 by five partners with a great deal of experience in the diamond sector. Starting from the pain points of this traditional industry – in particular its reputation for opacity and secrecy – HB Antwerp offers a solution that introduces simplicity and clarity into an historically complex supply chain.

By eliminating superfluous intermediaries and fully committing to cooperation and transparency, the partners forming this unique collaboration have ensured that the consumer finally gets to hear the whole story of her or his HB diamond: from the discovery of the rough stone in the mine to the beautifully polished diamond jewel one shows off to the world.

From the very beginning, its founding partners recognized that achieving the type of transparency needed to restore consumer confidence in the diamond industry and its product would require a new, ambitious strategy. They knew that only by focusing on technology and traceability would they obtain the desired transparency.

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Technology brings the polishing process back to Antwerp HB Antwerp brings rough diamonds directly from the mine to Antwerp for analysis, planning and polishing in its own, high-tech production facility. The polished HB diamonds only leave Antwerp once they are ready to be delivered to a jeweller who transforms the beautiful stones into a jewel. The key that unlocks the potential of Antwerp’s newest diamond manufacturer is innovation. When it comes to analyzing, measuring, weighing, sawing, cutting, lasering and polishing diamonds, HB Antwerp uses the most advanced, cutting-edge technology, most of which was developed in-house. This enables us to conduct the entire processing process from rough to polished diamond in HB Antwerp’s high-tech production line. The real game-changer in this production line is the Fenix – the only fully-automated diamond polishing robot in the world. The technological breakthroughs integrated in the Fenix, which were fully developed in the City of Antwerp, enables it to cut a diamond 10 to 30 times faster than by a traditional diamond polisher. By automating a process that has largely been done by hand since the 15th century, the Fenix makes it possible for the high-tech production line of HB Antwerp to compete with the speed and the cost of a factory that requires hundreds of traditional diamond polishers to perform the same work. Thanks to HB Antwerp, and after decades of seemingly irreversible decline, we are proud to say that the diamond industry in Antwerp is growing again for the first time since the 1970s. In 2020, just its first year of production, HB Antwerp manufactured $50 million worth of diamonds in Antwerp. We expect this number to easily triple over the next two years.

Fair trade diamonds Innovative technology also enables HB Antwerp to track and trace the entire process from mine to finger. This is crucial for today’s luxury consumers who are much younger on average than they were only five years ago, and are more often female. Millennials and certainly Gen Z are typically more self-confident and informed about the world than prior generations. They demand answers to their questions and attach importance to fair trade. They want to know under what circumstances products were made, what the ecological impact was, the working conditions in which they were produced, and they want to know this about all consumer goods … whether it’s chocolate or diamonds. HB Antwerp therefore fundamentally alters the traditional way in which diamonds are traded, eliminating all unnecessary intermediaries. So, rather than changing hands 10 to 15 times and being flown back and forth across the world before ending up at a jeweller’s, HB Antwerp’s diamonds follow a simplified trajectory. There are only three links in HB Antwerp’s supply chain: the mine, the manufacturer and the jeweller. HB Antwerp, the middle link of this chain, handles the processing of diamonds from rough to polished, as well as the logistics and the transparent sharing of information and reporting between the various partners. This not only simplifies the trade chain, but above all makes it more sustainable, data driven and transparent.

Jonas Roosens Photography

HB Antwerp uses blockchain technology and data visualisation techniques to monitor and map all steps in the process from mine to jewel. HB Antwerp has created an ecosystem in which the participating partners exchange information with each other, both on the side of the mines and on the side of the jewellers. Thanks to this ecosystem, jewellers working together with HB Antwerp are today the only ones who are able to tell their consumers exactly where their HB diamond comes from, how it was mined, when it was found, how often it flew around the world, where and by whom it was manufactured, and so on.

Proving the provenance HB Antwerp very consciously chose the Karowe mine in Botswana as the first mine to cooperate with and develop this new way of working. Botswana is one of the most stable African countries on the African continent, both economically and politically. Moreover, the overall strength of Botswana’s economy is largely due to the trade in diamonds. The government has invested the proceeds from the diamond trade to provide its citizens with free health care and education, as well as making significant improvements to the country’s transport, energy and water infrastructure, all of which benefit the local population.

Rather than polishing huge quantities of rough diamonds and then hoping to find a buyer, HB Antwerp only polishes those diamonds that have been sold with a specific polished diamond in mind, thereby eliminating excess stock and potential financial losses. This way of doing things also ensures that consumers are brought back into contact with the original rough diamonds – the hardest mineral on earth, with billions of years of history sealed inside. No other mineral has so much to tell us about what goes on so deep beneath the earth’s crust.

Why we love Antwerp

All mines that wish to cooperate with HB Antwerp and tap into its value-adding methodology will be required to meet the same high compliance standards as the Karowe mine. Those that meet these standards will have no problem working in the extremely transparent way that HB Antwerp has established with its ecosystem, and in fact they welcome the opportunity to show consumers where their diamonds come from. The inability to adequately demonstrate the path from mine to retail has for too long cast a shadow on the diamond industry. HB Antwerp’s short supply chain, coupled with its use of innovative ‘track & trace’ technologies, therefore represents a major step forward to creating the confidence today’s consumers demand.

Manufacturing on demand By incorporating the most innovative technologies in this closed and transparent ecosystem, HB Antwerp is able to manufacture diamonds based on consumer demand. This methodology is radically different from the traditional way of trading diamonds, where it is not the consumer, but the diamond trader who sells the polished stones to the jeweller that decides how the rough diamond is polished. It is thanks to its advanced planning technology that HB Antwerp is able to optimally link consumer demand to the available rough goods.

Antwerp has been a leader in the diamond trade since 1447. This cosmopolitan town on the Scheldt gained world renown thanks to its flourishing diamond trade and its unparalleled craftsmanship in the field of diamond polishing. In 1919, it was the Antwerp polisher Marcel Tolkowsky who first invented the proportions for the ‘Ideal cut’, now known as the brilliant. To this day, this round shape with 57 facets is still the most famous and successful diamond shape in the world, its ultimate light return creating the fire, sparkle and brilliance forever associated with diamonds. The Antwerp diamond industry’s craftsmanship, experience and expertise combined with the most transparent and ethically correct trading framework makes Antwerp the ideal place to build the sustainable and innovative story of HB Antwerp. Antwerp is perceived around the globe as a quality label when it comes to diamonds. Asian and American customers have a soft spot for “Made in Europe” products. Founded at the beginning of 2020 with only two co-workers, in just one year HB Antwerp grew – despite the corona crisis – into a company of 70 employees. In its first year, HB Antwerp processed $50 million worth of diamonds. By 2022, the company expects to be processing $300 million worth of diamonds on an annual basis. HB Antwerp is seen by the Belgian captains of industry as a game changer in an industry that has been struggling for years. Thanks to HB Antwerp, the diamond sector has a future in Antwerp again and the declining industry is experiencing a boom for the first time in years.

Jonas Roosens Photography

In addition, the Karowe mine is run by the listed Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp., which known for its high-tech methods of producing diamonds. The Karowe mine meets the strictest standards in terms of sustainability, working conditions and environmental impact, and is widely recognized as best in class throughout the industry.

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UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP

THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP EXCELS IN PIONEERING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC EDUCATION

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The University of Antwerp is a young, dynamic, publicly funded and fully accredited Belgian university. It was founded in 2003 after the merger of three smaller universities: UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen), RUCA (Rijksuniversitair Centrum Antwerpen) and UIA (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen). It integrates the assets of its historic roots with its ambition to contribute positively to society, carries out its tasks in a spirit of academic freedom and responsibility, and espouses active pluralism. The University of Antwerp is characterised by its high standards in pioneering, creative and innovative scientific research which strives for international excellence. It stimulates both basic and applied research and their valorisation. It has 15 Centres of Excellence (CoE) across all scientific disciplines. The CoEs are international flagships, bringing together consortia of researchers of proven scientific quality and impact.

The University of Antwerp also offers excellent internationally accredited academic education – closely connected to its scientific research – to students from all social groups and of all generations. Students acquire knowledge about research results during lectures, through course materials and/or digital media. They gain a better insight by discussing research findings with each other and by writing papers about them. The university aims at the development and integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will prepare its students to take responsibility in society. Students are stimulated to develop into independently minded people who are capable of thinking analytically. Moreover, the university provides studentbased education and emphasises the development of competences. In addition to knowledge and insight, these competences will also include particular skills and attitudes. Thanks to this competence-oriented education,

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its academic graduates are able to function successfully in professional environments. The University of Antwerp is not an island: it builds bridges to secondary education, to industry and, by extension, to society as a whole, and stimulates public debate on scientific, social, philosophical and ethical questions. Furthermore, it is committed to the development of its city and region. With its partners in the Antwerp University Association, it takes responsibility for higher education in the Antwerp region. It also attaches great importance to its close, historic links with the Antwerp university hospital, the Institute of Tropical Medicine and the Antwerp Management School. It seeks constructive partnerships in the fields of research, teaching and academic service to society. The university shares its expertise with both public and private partners. The university has nine faculties: 1) Applied Engineering, 2) Arts, 3) Business and Economics, 4) Design Sciences, 5) Law, 6) Medicine and Health Sciences, 7) Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, 8) Social Sciences and 9) Science. Doctoral programmes are available in all faculties, with more than 1,800 PhD students registered. The University of Antwerp has more than 21,000 fee-paying students. About 4,000 of these students are from foreign countries, with about 130

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different nationalities. In line with the Bologna process, the University of Antwerp has adopted the Bachelor-Master structure. It offers 3-year Bachelor programmes (180 ECTS credits) and 1-year or 2-year Master programmes (60 or 120 ECTS credits) – more than 140 in total. The University of Antwerp has over 80,000 alumni. With over 6,000 members of staff, it is one of the most important employers in Antwerp, Flanders’ largest city. It fosters diversity and offers its staff and students equal opportunities and maximum potential for personal development.

A research driven university Home to 21 000 students, 800 professors and lectures and 2800 researchers, the University of Antwerp is a middlesized, research intensive university and a driver of the flourishing innovation ecosystem of Antwerp. The University of Antwerp is a researchintensive university, striving for excellence in its scientific research, which remains a cornerstone for high-quality education. The University of Antwerp stands for activating, studentcentred and competence-based education. Its students are trained to become open-minded experts, who have the skills that are needed in today’s continually changing world and labour market. As a member of YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe), the University of Antwerp is embedded in an international network. As a European university, it encourages expertise sharing and cooperation with their networks and other universities, across disciplines and borders, to a maximum positive social impact.

University of Antwerp Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen BELGIUM Tel: + 32(0)3 265 41 11

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IMMERSIVE LAB OF AP UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ARTS HOW TO TELL A STORY IN A 360°-ENVIRONMENT?

The Immersive Lab of AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts centralizes expertise about immersive technologies (Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, omnidirectional video and hologram) and shares it with students, researchers, companies and non-profit organizations. The Lab focuses on creative and meaningful content for commercial, educative, cultural and scientific applications and this through integrated, practice-oriented research. Besides that, the Lab organizes user tests, workshops, lectures and demonstrations. The Lab focuses on immersive storytelling, in which narrative techniques explicitly for VR, AR and 360° video are developed and analyzed to create an optimal, truly immersive experience. Through user testing storytelling methods are evaluated on successfulness, immersive quality, user experience and learning objectives.

Immersive storytelling is the focus point of the Immersive Lab Now that the first hype of Virtual Reality is over, the technology is evolving at superspeed, is available to producers and consumers, and the obvious applications have found their way to professionals and individuals. VR is not just a gimmick anymore used as a marketing tool for large companies. It has proven its added value in education, healthcare, safety, culture and so many other disciplines.

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The objectives of the Immersive Lab are: • Stimulate, initiate and support research about immersive technologies for commercial, educational, cultural and scientific applications. The focus lies on integrated and practice-based research. Virtual pain relief during childbirth, AI-driven VR-training and Mixed Reality navigation for firefighters are only a few of the projects carried out by researchers of the Immersive Lab and partners. • Bundle knowledge that is acquired from its own research or that is collected from external publications, study days, conferences, etc. The lab has a showroom where customized demonstrations, workshops, brainstorming sessions and lectures can be given, for VR-

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novices and experienced producers alike. The Lab is also the home of a Summer School and Postgraduate program in immersive storytelling, as well as interdisciplinary courses in the bachelor degrees. • Facilitate usability tests based on the analysis model developed by the Immersive Lab. • Share facility, infrastructure and expertise with companies, designers, artists, start-ups, educational institutions through a rental service, collaboration and consultancy. The Immersive Lab houses 250 square meters of state-of-the-art technology, such as a Green Key studio for immersive productions and a Photogrammetry installation for 3D fullbody scans.

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AP UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ARTS ANTWERP

NEW, STATE-OF-THE-ART COLLEGE CAMPUS IN ANTWERP FOR INNOVATIVE HIGH-TECH COURSES A food court under the trees; a sports venue in what used to be an international port and to top it all off, a sustainable, high-tech college campus built in what was once a stable for farm animals. This is what the area of the current slaughterhouse site in North Antwerp will become in the future. In addition to being a residential and commercial location, it will also be a trendy new attraction for students. AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts is building a new campus called “Hallenplein” for 2,500 students, close to its other campus on Park Spoor Noord. It won’t be just any campus – it will be a hub where innovative high-tech courses will be offered, a unique combination of industry and IT, design and media. For example, AP University College has made plans for a supersized lab infrastructure of about 8,000m². Both practical and theoretical lessons will take place here, one lab is provided for AP researchers.

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Campus Hallenplein is also a model circular construction project. There will be a new tower, but AP will also reuse the existing sheds. An efficient repurposing of 22,000 m² of space and an investment of 77 million euros. The entire original supporting beams and roof structure of the hall will be preserved, and a new building area will be added. The campus is almost entirely energy-neutral (BEN) and has kept green technologies in mind when planning, for example, through a geo-field and the possibility of connecting to the upcoming heating network. The location is entirely in line with the vision of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts: the urban development plans that are now on the table will transform the area into a lively neighbourhood in the coming years. With the covering of the Antwerp bypass underway, this ensures that Hallenplein campus will be located in the middle of a green zone.

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FUTURE-ORIENTED EDUCATION IN LOUNGES AND PITCH ARENAS THE NEW WORLD OF STUDY Studying in interdisciplinary teams on real-life projects; students, lecturers and entrepreneurs inspiring and challenging each other to come up with creative solutions, to expand networks and to chart a course for lifelong growth; research lecturers collaborating with businesses and organisations to develop practical know-how. This is what Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KdG) believes is the higher education of the future.

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In the building of campus Meir, a brand new site in the heart of Antwerp, the architecture is already geared up for this new world of study. “KdG is striving towards shared learning, living and working, since we all learn from one another. Interaction – between students, lecturers and professionals in every possible field – is central to this. On the new campus, a 600m² Business Lab will facilitate contact between the business world and students, offering a place where student start-ups and leading businesses can bounce ideas off each other. Learning spaces consist of lounges, flexible classrooms and project spaces which focus primarily on coaching and collaboration, real-life learning and experimentation,” explains Veerle Hendrickx, President of KdG. Business Lab “In the KdG Business Lab, students will collaborate with businesses and organisations working on projects and sustainable solutions. The lab is also a physical space where partners in education, over the course of a year, can hire a workplace to seek out new opportunities for collaboration and to connect with new generations of students. In addition, it provides a base for entrepreneurial students who are both studying for a bachelor’s degree and working on their own start-up. These student entrepreneurs can count on coaching from their lecturers, who have experience in both education and business. On top of this, they also receive guidance from external professionals who are helping to develop our Centre for Entrepreneurs,” says Vicky Van Bouwel, Faculty Director Management & IT.

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So no pipettes, Bunsen burners or microscopes for the KdG Business Lab, but instead, an infrastructure where seasoned and fledgling professionals can tackle complex challenges. The lab is surrounded by learning lounges, a coffee corner and pitch arenas. “We focus on three things: entrepreneurship, matchmaking and KdG Academy. Entrepreneurship means developing business skills, chancing it, taking initiatives, learning from your mistakes, effective networking and collaborating, setting up start-ups and spin-offs, but just as importantly, carrying out applied research into the public impact of events. Matchmaking is all about personal growth, prospects and collaboration. Internships and business projects on which students work together, but also, for example, our Career Center where alumni can top up on job happiness. Above all, KdG Academy is about lifelong learning, from 18 to 81: micro-degrees, flexible programmes, conferences, seminars, postgraduate programmes, etc. In short, further training of every shape and size and an innovation showcase as eye-catcher,” adds Van Bouwel.

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Startup@Campus Graduating with your own business? At KdG, any second or third-year bachelor student can take part in the Startup@campus competition. Every year, a number of students are given the opportunity to make their entrepreneurial dream come true as part of their studies. It is a strenuous programme, an intensive boot camp with year-long one-to-one coaching by an entrepreneur-lecturer. But even the runners-up who still want to set up their own business, can count on a great deal of support via the KdG Centre for Entrepreneurs. The spirit of enterprise, in the sense of taking initiatives, is drilled into all students.

Public Impact expertise centre Concerts, conferences, jumble sales: whenever people get together in person, something magical happens, we can all sense it. At the same time, bringing large groups of people together can present a multiplicity of challenges. The coronavirus crisis has made this more challenging and topical than ever. How can we organise events that are safe, sustainable, enriching and inclusive? How, in an urban setting, can events be organised in such a way that they create added value for visitors, residents and businesses alike? The KdG Public Impact expertise centre conducts applied scientific research into these kinds of issues and shares the know-how and tools with organisations, associations and public authorities.

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Lounges and pitch arenas Alongside the Business Lab, the new campus also houses various lounges where students can study in peace and work together in a relaxed setting. Moreover, the many flex and project classrooms make it possible to respond quickly to developments and trends in education. The icing on the cake are the pitch arenas where students, colleagues and inspirers can air their ideas and hear what others think about them. “The idea of attending lectures in large auditoria is a thing of the past: our approach is coworking. The campus concept opens up horizons for the new world of study. No more compartmentalisation. Instinctively, degree programmes, disciplines and, above all, people come together and share what they learn,” is the dictum.

Vicky Van Bouwel, Faculty Director Management & IT

Veerle Hendrickx, President of KdG

Vibrant city life KdG is a vibrant community, centrally located in multifaceted Antwerp, founded following the merger of 13 denominational university colleges in 1995. Teacher Training, Welfare and Healthcare, St Lucas School of Arts Antwerp, Management & IT and Science and Technology are the fields of study from which students can choose. Today, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts is home to 13,000 students, 1,300 members of staff, 7 campuses, 13 professional and 3 educational bachelor’s programmes, 1 associate degree of education, 1 academic art programme, and a whole range of further degree programmes: from short refresher courses to postgraduate, advanced bachelor’s and advanced master’s programmes.

Lifelong learning The new campus Meir is to become the hotspot for the largest cluster of Management & IT degree programmes in Flanders, with Office Management, International Business Management and Applied Computer Science, and replaces campus Groenplaats which is bursting at the seams. The target is around 7,000 students, 1,000 of whom will be international. The dream is to create a campus which is a hub of knowledge, experimentation and collaboration. “The university college belongs to everyone. It should be a place where all walks of life come together, from new students to young entrepreneurs, motivated volunteers, experienced professionals, international lecturers and those who just happen to be passing by.”

New students learn in different ways: more broadly based and more autonomously. Whilst students continue to acquire knowledge through lecturers, they also learn from fellow students, students on other degree programmes, former students, researchers and entrepreneurs, as well as from professionals from inside and outside the University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Thanks to optional modules, coaching and flex programmes, to an increasing degree, students can take matters into their own hands. They are encouraged to further their personal development and to take control of what they really want to learn and when. Students will still acquire knowledge and learn how to

apply it, but also how to stay ahead, using their know-how and competences. Skills, such as critical and innovative thinking, networking and joint problem-solving, are part and parcel of the university college agenda. Real-life learning means being able to drop into the campus whatever your age: attending a lecture, launching an idea, exchanging points of view, or joining forces to solve a problem for a better future. And most of all, to make rapid strides forward together.

Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts Brusselstraat 45, 2018 ANTWERP Tel: +32 3 613 13 13

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INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE STUDYING AT ITM

We have a vibrant, open global campus that offers science-driven and societally relevant postgraduate training in the field of tropical medicine and international public health. Studying at The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp means benefitting from a setting where international students, alumni and staff co-develop participatory learning. Together with our worldwide alumni, we play a prominent role in tropical medicine and public health science and practice.

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Every year hundreds of students and PhD researchers are trained at ITM, in expert short and postgraduate certificate courses, advanced master’s courses and doctoral programmes. We offer three Master of Science programmes – in Tropical Medicine, Public Health and Tropical Animal Health. We also offer two postgraduate certificates in tropical medicine for doctors, nurses and midwives and more than 25 expert short courses on hot topics in global health such as containing antimicrobial resistance, globalisation & health, outbreak investigation and many more.

What makes studying at ITM so special? • Flexible programmes: To optimise their career and study needs, students mix and match elective modules at ITM and our partner institutes worldwide; • Experienced professors and their personalised teaching style: Lecturers are study partners – sharing their expertise and acting as catalysts – pushing students to learn through personal participation. ITM professors work in the field, collaborate on research worldwide, and are internationally recognized; • We help students make their next professional dream a reality: They can tap into our international, extensive and long-standing network, including 20+ Southern partners. We also work with the WHO, the European Commission, Doctors Without Borders; and • Over a century of experience: Established in 1906, we’ve developed from a small training institution to being an international educational, scientific and medical institute working to advance science and health for all worldwide.

Key Facts: • 500 + students per year • 2/3rd of students are international • Coming from 30-40 different countries • 90 ongoing PhDs annually

INSTITUTE of TROPICAL MEDICINE Nationalestraat 155 - 2000 Antwerp Email: communicatie@itg.be ITGITMANTWERP itmantwerp institute-of-tropical-medicine

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ANTWERP RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS ARIA STIMULATES INNOVATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH IN, WITH AND FOR THE ARTS

Guitarist Kobe Van Cauwenberghe (PhD researcher at Royal Conservatoire Antwerp and ARIA, UAntwerp) performing ‘Composition 381 (Echo Echo Mirror House Music)’ by Anthony Braxton, during the ARTICULATE Research Days at the Conservatoire, 2021, photo by Wannes Cré. The Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA) was founded in 2014 as a hub that allows the main institutions of higher education in Antwerp with a passion for the arts to join forces. These institutions are the three Schools of Arts in the city – St Lucas Antwerp, the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp – and the University of Antwerp. ARIA thus builds a unique cluster of expertise and commitment in a city with an impressive cultural history and artistic heritage as well as an exceptionally rich infrastructural network of cutting-edge museums, galleries, arts centres and performance venues. The role of ARIA is threefold: it organises a PhD program for researchers (most of them practising artists) who conduct investigations in, with and for the arts; it functions as an international research group that brings together and stimulates research in and about the arts; and it is a centre of artistic expertise that reaches out to cultural and artistic players beyond the walls of education to set up local, regional, national and international collaborations.

Research class for students by artist Els Dietvorst (PhD researcher at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and ARIA, UAntwerp), during the ARTICULATE Research Days at the Academy, 2020, photo by Miles Fishler.

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ARIA does not only wish to safeguard the special character of research in the arts, but it also fosters active knowledge exchange with other artistic and scientific disciplines. It achieves this through unique partnerships among members from the Antwerp Schools of Arts, the University of Antwerp and external players, in which the partners’ autonomy and integrity come first. The research that is being conducted in the context of ARIA is extremely varied and seeks to give contributors the free space which their creativity needs for their individual projects. Over the years, three major strands have nevertheless emerged as most typical of the kind of inquiries to which ARIA’s researchers are eager to contribute:

Symposium ‘Time is a Book (is Time)’ by artist Els Dietvorst (PhD researcher at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and ARIA, UAntwerp), at the Academy, 2019, photo by Wannes Cré. Guitarist Kobe Van Cauwenberghe (PhD researcher at Royal Conservatoire Antwerp and ARIA, UAntwerp) performing ‘Composition 381 (Echo Echo Mirror House Music)’ by Anthony Braxton, during the ARTICULATE Research Days at the Conservatoire, 2021, photo by Wannes Cré.

(1) artistic research with a powerful critical and contemporary edge, in which art is seen as essential to the reinvention of society and as an indispensable form of imagining pathways to inclusiveness, sustainability and democracy; (2) artistic research that mainly reflects upon the conditions and modalities of artistic practice itself, seeking to strengthen and renew specific artistic disciplines and open up fields of transdisciplinary discovery; (3) artistic research that focuses on revitalising various kinds of cultural heritage, pursuing the rich traditions of artistic practice, tackling problems of expression and canonisation, and proposing forms of renewal through imitation and continuity through variation. In just a few years’ time, ARIA has emerged as a major port of call for creative spirits from around the world who seek opportunities to energise their artistic practice through extended periods of research, whether they work in the field of spoken word, design, dance, performance, theatre, visual arts, literature or the new media.

Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts Lange Sint-Annastraat 7 Room S.S208 2000 Antwerpen BELGIUM E-mail: aria@uantwerpen.be

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THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP A DRIVER IN THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM Author: Iris Vanaelst

Vaccinopolis is a state-of-the-art facililty for vaccine trials

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The University of Antwerp as a driver in the innovation ecosystem We live in a society facing global challenges for which appropriate solutions have to be found and complex problems need to be addressed in innovative ways. For many of today’s global societal challenges, research will be a crucial part of the solution. However, it is often not straightforward how this newly generated knowledge can be translated into addressing these societal challenges, and how new solutions should be deployed to generate the necessary impact. Clearly, the needs of a sustainable, smart and inclusive society call for a new approach for universities as drivers in the innovation ecosystem. As a driver, the University of Antwerp is highly responsive, adaptable and densely interlinked with external stakeholders, locally and globally. The University of Antwerp combines responsiveness to current problems with the ability to engage in long-term research. The university addresses innovation challenges in networks that combine academic perspectives with innovation needs of businesses and public agencies. Such intertwined knowledge creation brings academic knowledge together with that of users, markets, social partners, citizens and governmental agencies, not only in research but also in education. For a university to grow into a driver for innovation its role in the ecosystem is to be a critical, independent, evidence based provider of knowledge and technology to create value for society. On the one hand by responding to the specific needs of the innovation ecosystem in which the university is embedded; on the other hand by delivering well-trained people with the required knowledge and competences. The University of Antwerp is aware of its role in the innovation ecosystem, namely to educate students that can create value in the organisations, economy and society they will join after graduation and that are able to tackle (societal) problems in an innovative way. We provide individuals with the willingness and ability to recognise and pursue opportunities for new value creation and problem solving

in any organisational setting. This innovation ecosystem approach provides a unique cradle towards education and training of the professionals of the future. This includes the competency to continuously adapt, to cope with uncertainties, to be resilient and to conduct curiosity-driven and to search for solutions to new and unexpected challenges. Lifelong learning is stimulated through combined online sessions and physical lectures that fit the needs and requirements of the specific innovation ecosystem. More talented people are attracted towards a career in science, focused on social and socio-economic impact. In order to recognise and celebrate its innovation talents the University of Antwerp hands out the Aha!Awards during the Antwerp Innovation Night.

Open innovation hubs: a physical dotconnector The reinforced quest for increased connectivity to fuel innovation dynamics calls upon the University of Antwerp to play a pivotal role as

orchestrator in multidisciplinary and multiactor networks. The university is ideally placed and suited to “connect the dots” as it is impartial, driven by curiosity and long-term perspectives, rather than by commercial interests and short-term goals. This ecosystem approach breaks down the silo mentality through intense collaboration between researchers, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, investors, citizens and policy makers. The University of Antwerp combines its own strengths with the specificities of Antwerp’s ecosystem to invest in specific domains. The university excels in each of these three valorisation domains: sustainable chemistry and materials; infectious diseases and environmental health; metropolitanism, smart city, mobility and logistics. To fully harness the potential of innovation involving researchers, industry, entrepreneurs, governments and society at large, we must create the environment within which innovation can flourish. Therefore, the University of Antwerp

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has invested in pre-incubation structures in each of these domains: BlueApp, The Beacon and Vaccinopolis. In these focused domains, based on the regional characteristics and the local embedding of the University of Antwerp, joint goals are set in a public-private cooperation with respect for and recognition of each other’s individual strength, knowledge and competences.

BLUEAPP BlueApp is a pre-incubator in the field of sustainable chemistry and materials. With BlueApp, UAntwerp aims to strengthen the conversion of knowledge and technology into innovation in collaboration with entrepreneurs and companies. BlueApp is a window on research into sustainability in the broad sense of the term at the University of Antwerp. In concrete terms, BlueApp provides a physical location where state-of-the-art infrastructure including analytical instruments and pilot facilities, technical personnel and expertise are brought together and offered to researchers, starting entrepreneurs and established companies. The focus domains are water research, reactors for sustainable (bio)chemical conversions and material characterisation. On the one hand, BlueApp wants to help entrepreneurs bring technology from the laboratory to an industrial environment, in an accelerated, cost-efficient and low-risk way. On the other hand, BlueApp wants to propose solutions for the challenges around sustainable chemistry and circularity by putting together multidisciplinary teams. Education and training on aspects of sustainable chemistry are also part of the offering. Together with like-minded people from the industry and research world, as brought together in CAPTURE or BlueChem, among others, we accelerate the transition to more sustainability and build an innovation ecosystem around sustainable chemistry and materials.

VACCINOPOLIS Vaccinopolis is a state-of-the-art facility for vaccine clinical trials, being built on the University of Antwerp’s Campus Drie Eiken. With the support of the federal government and under the leadership of Prof. Pierre Van Damme, this unique complex will consist out of a clinical trial center with a Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIM) unit comprising volunteer rooms following the highest safety standards and equipped with an ensuite bathroom, TV, bed and wardrobe to provide a comfortable space for volunteers during studies. Further, it provides laboratories, offices, consultation rooms and relaxation facilities. The Centre for Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV) vaccine trial team has a long-standing tradition in running national and international vaccine safety & immunogenicity trials (HBV, HPV, polio, influenza, Ross River, COVID-19…). In its 30 years history, the CEV has conducted more than 500 vaccine trials. In this new building the team can conduct in-patient and out-patient vaccine trials, ranging from phase 1 to phase 4 trials, addressing several priority diseases and pathogens. Vaccinopolis’ mission is to contribute to the development and accelerated evaluation of vaccines, to participate in global efforts for epidemic preparedness and to contribute to the development of a global vaccine research capacity. Vaccinopolis works as an accelerator for further developing a vaccines and infectious diseases ecosystem focused on pandemic preparedness and response. UAntwerp and VOKA - Chamber of Commerce Antwerp Waasland are shaping a strategy for this ecosystem of which the scope goes beyond vaccines, covering the entire value chain from fundamental

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and preclinical research to clinical research and prevention. The goal is to connect the stakeholders within the ecosystem, from patients to public institutions and private companies, through a common strategic research agenda, data sharing, shared infrastructure, funding and governance.

transformation, to connect everything and to extract high value from data. IDLab is growing at a fast pace. Today the team consists of more than 100 experts. Besides being one of the research groups within the University of Antwerp, IDLab is also affiliated with IMEC as a research center.

The BEACON

The Design Sciences Hub is a research and design hub whose mission it is to find innovative, design-driven answers to the most challenging metropolitan problems of our time. The research focuses on urban health, mobility, circularity and the built environment. Maximum efforts are made to an interdisciplinary approach to capture the complexity of the metropolitan environment, in which technology is a central approach. The Design Sciences Hub brings together private and public partners, researchers and designers to shape the city of the future. The challenge is always design-driven and can be approached at different scales: from product, over building to city.

The BEACON is a pre-incubator in the field of metropolitanism, smart cities, mobility and logistics. In this open innovation hub the University of Antwerp collaborates with the City of Antwerp, the Port of Antwerp, IMEC, Lantis and Agoria in order to speed up the transformation of knowledge into innovation. The Beacon gathers talent from technology companies and academics, citizens and policy makers and focuses on solutions for Smart Cities, Smart Mobility, Smart Port & Logistics, Smart Industry and Smart Buildings. This unique location offers a splendid view on the City and the Port of Antwerp The UAntwerp teams IDLab and Design Sciences Hub are housed in the Beacon and are the link to collaboration with other research groups within the university and an (inter)national knowledge network.

University of Antwerp Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen BELGIUM Tel: + 32(0)3 265 41 11

IDLab performs foundational and applied research on Wireless Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. The team targets the most daunting challenges industry is facing to deliver digital

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THE BEACON

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TO FULLY UNTAP THE POWER OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, WE NEED COLLABORATION AS MUCH AS WE NEED INNOVATION. THE BEACON IS THE PREMIER PLATFORM TO FOSTER COOPERATION BETWEEN DIGITAL COMPANIES TO MAKE OUR CITIES, PORTS AND INDUSTRIES SMARTER. Your company may have the best technology. Or the best team. Still, you won’t be able to solve the large economic and societal challenges all by yourself. Collaboration is a necessity. Ecosystem-thinking has evolved within companies. From involving supply chain partners, to triple-helix constellations including academia and public stakeholders. The Beacon has been established in 2018 by the City of Antwerp, Port of Antwerp, Lantis, University of Antwerp, Agoria and Imec to provide a platform for such collaboration.

Michaël Geelhand de Merxem, General Manager

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It’s a dynamic community of 100 companies that have two aspects in common: they are leaders in digital technology, and determined to combine forces to provide new, digital solutions to the challenges of our cities, ports and industries. Our mission is straightforward: we build bridges between our members and create touch points for our community to meet, connect and act together. The Beacon members have the opportunity to experience collaboration in our 9.000 m² office space. The combination of working spaces, meeting facilities, a recording studio and a unique terrace overlooking Antwerp and its River Scheldt, provides plenty of reasons to frequent us. Home to more than 30 tech companies, research institutions, Belgium’s finest startup accelerator (Start it @KBC), and even a coding school (BeCode), The Beacon building is a vibrant ecosystem, infused with the spirit of innovation. As a platform for collaboration, we provide quality contacts to our members, allowing them to grow and thrive. A mix of bespoke matchmaking, internal communication, community activities and public events are deployed to accelerate the growth of our companies by providing them access to relevant people.

It’s not just talking. We also walk. In a joint effort with our founding partners, we initiate innovation projects that are open for our members to join. From solid one-off events to multiannual R&D projects involving academia and public authorities. The objective of these projects is always to provide tangible, smart solutions for ports, logistics, mobility, industry or buildings. The members are the beating heart of The Beacon. Ranging from corporates to early startups. From foreign powerhouses to localbut-born-global companies. Covering all digital disciplines such as Internet of Things, Artificial

Intelligence, connectivity, data, and even drones. By meeting, connecting and acting together at The Beacon, they cultivate their ecosystems, grow and thrive. The Beacon is Antwerp’s guiding light for digital innovators, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you. Come solve a bigger problem with us!

Have we inspired you to join our community? Send us a message at contact@thebeacon.eu or visit our website at

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SCIENCE PARK UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP BUILDING BUSINESS ON SCIENCE

Science Park University of Antwerp is the ideal location for innovative, researchdriven companies in the health and environmental sector. Located at an extraordinarily beautiful park with office space and laboratories for start-ups, SMEs and large businesses, you won’t find such a uniquely vibrant and diverse mix of knowledge clusters and industry expertise anywhere else. Set along the Antwerp-Brussels axis, the easy access and state-of-the-art facilities with in-house business support services make this the perfect place in which to grow your business.

Focus on your core business As an entrepreneur, you want to focus on your company, product, customers and people. The team at the Science Park University of Antwerp is therefore happy to take over some of your practical concerns. When it comes to your workplace, we provide made to measure solutions. Moreover, we allow that workplace to grow along with your company. As developer and manager of the park, POM Antwerp has extensive expertise in the field of park and real estate management.

Excel in what you do The search for funding, the best experts or the right partners takes time. But once you find them, it gives your company a tremendous boost. Thanks to the business development team at the Science Park, you have to invest less time in this. We are there for you with advice on HR, legal issues, IP and funding. You can also make use of our extensive network. In addition, at the Science Park, unique, internationally oriented clusters arise in domains such as respiratory innovation (eu.reca – see more information on pg. 122) and cell and gene therapy & tissue engineering (at.las - see more information on pg. 124). You can actively participate in innovation in that regard.

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Entrepreneurship takes a community. Lively community At the Science Park we like to give companies the opportunity to get to know each other better. Inspiring lectures, informal happy hours, and open coffee gatherings are ideal for this. At no obligation whatsoever. Always a success.

Meeting and seminar facilities: impress your customers and enjoy in the best conditions Some of our meeting and seminar facilities at a glance, see more information on pg. 222.

Attract new talent

Innovative clusters

Research and IT profiles are scarce and soughtafter. This means that it is not always easy to attract new employees. As a start- or scaleup, it can be a real challenge to compete with the bigleague players. So it’s an advantage to emphasise the benefits of this workplace. The opportunity to work at a modern, green campus in a dynamic environment: a real selling-point.

Innovation happens when people draw upon their own expertise to find a solution. This certainly applies within healthcare, where new therapies can only succeed when doctors, entrepreneurs, researchers, patients and government join forces. Discover eu.reca and at.las, unique clusters with the aim of accelerating innovation.

An optimal setting for relaxation

Sublime relaxation Incubator Darwin

If you want to focus for 100%, you will occasionally need a bit of relaxation. The Science Park borders the Walenhoek nature reserve. Those 60 hectares of greenery give you the opportunity to jog or cycle during your lunch break. Our coffee Bar Harriet is a dynamic meeting place for you and your customers. You will also bump into colleagues from other companies at the Science Park. And of course, you will enjoy the finest coffee.

Are you looking for an inspiring, dynamic location where you can build your business at your own pace? With its flexiplaces, offices and lab spaces, Darwin is the ideal breeding ground for budding entrepreneurs. Stimulating cooperation between entrepreneurs and researchers, and providing the right type of professional guidance are key in Darwin.

Relaxing over a cup of coffee, a walk in the green setting, or a bit of physical exertion in order to get back to work with a fresh mind, all this contributes to your productivity and happiness at work. The Science Park is a unique environment, where you will work, not because you have to, but want to work.

Academic expertise Collaboration between entrepreneurs and academics often leads to new, interesting insights. Universities, colleges and other research centres therefore have quite a lot to offer. We can help you to make the right connections.

Innovate in collaboration with a knowledge institution At the Science Park University of Antwerp you will have a permanent first line connection with the University of Antwerp, one of Flanders’ top universities and a member of the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology (VIB).

Smart network

A word from: Dirk Van Broekhoven eTheRNA “After we outgrew the University of Brussels, we were able to set up here at the Science Park and that suits us nicely. The park is well located and easily accessible. The Science Park team creates a unique atmosphere. Networking with the other companies is facilitated and there are interesting lectures and training courses. The presence of other niche industry companies is very interesting to us. The at.las ecosystem around advanced therapies also looks promising. This is how an interesting microcosm is created and we like that.”

The team behind the Science Park has an extensive network of specialists and experts. This includes both people with whom we work constructively ourselves and companies recommended by our customers. We are happy to open up this network to you. Science Park University of Antwerp Galileilaan, 2845 Niel, Belgium Tel: + 32 3 443 04 00 Email: darwin@wetenschapsparkuantwerpen.be IncubatorDarwin coffeebarharriet wetenschapsparkuantwerpen.be

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CHAPTER SEVEN

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INTEGRATED PETROCHEMICAL CLUSTER IN THE PORT OF ANTWERP, CARGO HANDLING, INDUSTRY AND LOGISTICS GO HAND IN HAND. THE PORT IS HOME TO THE LARGEST INTEGRATED (PETRO)CHEMICAL CLUSTER IN EUROPE.

This high degree of integration and diversity throughout the value chain of the (petro)chemical players feature is unique in the world. This has brought together some of the most progressive logistics experts for the safe storage, handling and distribution of oil, chemical products and gases. The presence of refineries and steam crackers in the port ensure a stable local availability of raw materials and confirms Antwerp’s role as a hub for chemical raw materials (feedstock). The close cooperation between the companies in the chemical cluster at production level, but also in the field of energy and services such as sustainable waste processing, ensures extremely cost-efficient production. The top 10 chemical producers in the world are present in Antwerp, either logistically or with a production unit.

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Companies operating in the oil and chemical sector BASF 2 BASF DOW HPPO 3 Ineos-Styrolution 4 Eurochem 5 Air Liquide 6 Gunvor Petroleum 7 Ineos 8 Solvay 9 Inovyn 10 Henkel 11 Ferro 12 Monsanto 13 Eastman 14 Evonik Degussa 15 FRX Polymers 16 Covestro 17 Lanxess 18 Total (Refinery) 19 ExxonMobil (Refinery + Petrochemicals) 1

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

ATPC Total Polymers Kuwait Petroleum (Q8) BP Lubricants DOW Momentive Praxair Kuraray 3M Arlanxeo BECO2 Seppic Nippon Shokubai Borealis Lawter Lubrizol Monument Chemical Ashland

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33 34

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19 30

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The map only shows the largest chemical companies with facilities in Antwerp.

Production companies continue to invest in existing and additional production facilities and in modernising their existing facilities in the port of Antwerp. Specialised logistics service providers in the port guarantee safe, high-quality storage and further handling of the oils, chemicals and gases in the port. An excellent connectivity with overseas destinations and with the European hinterland ensures a stable supply of raw materials and outflow of processed products.

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BLUECHEM

THE INCUBATOR FOR SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY IS THE DREAM LOCATION FOR START-UPS

Helping promising start-ups and ambitious growth companies at home and abroad to develop sustainable innovations for the chemistry of the future, to accelerate, to bring products to market faster and reach their full commercial potential as quickly as possible. This is the objective of BlueChem, the first incubator in Belgium that focuses specifically on innovation and entrepreneurship in sustainable chemistry.

The incubator offers a mix of ready-to-use and customisable labs, as well as private offices and flexible workplaces that can be used by startups, SMEs, large companies, research centres and knowledge institutions alike. Thanks to the flexible plug-and-play model of the customisable labs, tenants are free to set them up according to their needs. Additionally, the BlueChem Kickstart Fund from the City of Antwerp gives financial support to companies to help equip their lab space.

The incubator focuses on four key areas in the field of sustainable chemistry: circularity and resource efficiency, biobased value chains, process intensification and transformation, advanced sustainable products.

BlueChem has several meeting rooms, a large boardroom and an event space. It is equipped with special storage areas for chemicals, solvents, gas cylinders, nitrogen tanks, etc. The incubator also has extensive common amenities such as sanitary facilities, showers, kitchens and a central dining area. There is a bicycle parking facility and a public car parking on site.

Leentje Croes, Manager BlueChem BlueChem provides the right facilities in the right place to enable ground-breaking ideas to grow from lab experiments into new chemical companies with a strong focus on sustainability and the circular economy.

On top of state-of-the-art infrastructure, BlueChem provides a variety of supporting

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services, guidance, advice and financial support. It provides direct access to knowledge and expertise through its extensive network of international chemical companies, renowned research centres and all five Flemish universities. CATALISTI, the spearhead cluster for the chemical and plastics industry in Flanders, plays an active role at BlueChem to detect, start up and assist promising innovation projects. BlueChem stimulates the valorisation of scientific research and gives start-ups, spin-offs, innovative projects and young innovative companies the greatest possible chance of success. BlueChem is a unique public-private partnership between industry, research centres and government with the joint ambition to strengthen the future of sustainable chemistry in Flanders. Shareholders are essenscia (Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences Industries), city of Antwerp, Development authority of the province of Antwerp and VITO (independent Flemish research organisation in the area of cleantech and sustainable development). The incubator is located at Blue Gate Antwerp, an innovative and circular business park at the heart of the largest chemical cluster in Europe.

BlueChem Email: leentje.croes@bluechem.be or info@bluechem.be Tel: +32 3 435 98 50

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BlueChem is supported by the European and Flemish governments.

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D-CRBN TRANSFORMING CARBON DIOXIDE INTO USEFUL PRODUCTS

A new start-up called D-CRBN is set to put scientific research conducted at UAntwerp into practice by splitting up harmful CO2 molecules to make useful products like biofuels and polymers. ‘We can help carbon-emitting industries to achieve the Green Deal.’ Greenhouse gases are still a major problem. If we want to stop global warming and other environmental issues, we have to drastically reduce emissions of gases like carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. We have a long way to go, as the data shows: in May 2020, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was higher than ever before. Europe has set the ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and scientists worldwide are looking for solutions. In recent years, the PLASMANT research group in the University of Antwerp’s Department of Chemistry has amassed considerable experience of neutralising harmful substances such as carbon dioxide.

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‘Chemistry is all about the building blocks of life’, explains Prof. Annemie Bogaerts. ‘We can convert those building blocks back into raw materials and useful compounds.’

From the lab to real-world applications The research group PLASMANT has developed an innovative new technology that allows for harmful CO2 molecules, once captured, to be broken down into their original building blocks. These can then be used as ‘ingredients’ for producing biofuels, chemicals and polymers. Plasma, the fourth state of aggregation that matter can exist in, plays a key role in this process. Championed by Gill Scheltjens and Georgi Trenchev, this technology is now graduating from the lab and being put into practice by a new start-up, D-CRBN (pronounced ‘de-carbon’). ‘We can help companies make the transition to a circular and more sustainable economy’, explains co-founder & CCO David Ziegler. ‘We’re mainly focusing on companies based in the Port of Antwerp, especially in the chemical, petrochemical and steel industries. Talks are already underway with regard to several promising projects in the port.’

The D-CRBN Team, with underneath at the right side Annemie Bogaerts and then clockwise Georgi Trencher, Gill Scheltjens and David Ziegler.

Innovation through cooperation ‘Innovation happens through cooperation across university boundaries, starting from excellent research and with the support of a valorisation manager and experts from industry as well as the university’, says Silvia Lenaerts, Vice-Rector for Valorisation and Development at UAntwerp. ‘The university has provided the excellent research, the pre-incubator BlueApp supports the transition to a company, and the incubator BlueChem provides a home for the newcomer. This whole process really showcases what we want to achieve.’

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CATALISTI WE MEAN BUSINESS

Accelerating innovation into business in chemistry and plastics: that’s the Catalisti mission. As a spearhead cluster positioned at the very heart of the industry, we catalyse successful synergies between companies, universities and research institutes, as well as governments. By championing open innovation and cooperation across the value chain, we actively give rise to a sustainable and competitive chemicals and plastics industry in Flanders. To jumpstart sustainable innovations in chemistry, the Flanders Innovation Hub for Sustainable Chemistry (FISCH) was founded in 2012. After merging with Flanders’ PlasticVision (FPV) in 2014, the hub was revamped as Catalisti in 2017. For years, our team had its stomping ground in Zaha Hadid’s iconic Antwerp Port House, overlooking one of the world’s largest

integrated chemical clusters. In 2020, we moved to BlueChem, Europe’s first incubator for sustainable chemistry. This incubator is located within a brand-new business park that replaces some of the city’s oldest (petro) chemical plants along the river Scheldt, again symbolising the close connection between Catalisti and the industry we serve.

Catalysing open innovation Catalisti sets up open innovation projects between cutting-edge companies, world-class universities and renowned research institutes. In this context, we employ the tried and tested Triple F Principle. We find, facilitate and fulfil collaborations across the value chain, always aiming for high-impact innovations that allow project partners to valorise development and growth opportunities, retain competitiveness in sustainable products and processes, as well

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as secure a robust international reach. These high-impact innovations are pursued in four main areas: biobased value chains, circularity and resource efficiency, process intensification and transformation, and finally advanced sustainable products.

A diverse network The diverse Catalisti network consists of more than 100 industrial partners: from global players, over SMEs, to local start-ups. Besides, all five Flemish universities and research institutes like VITO, Centexbel and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant also play a vital role in our operations. In addition, we cooperate closely with the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) for access to financial resources. Within our network, we act as an impartial project leader and experienced service provider, enabling our partners to focus on their core business.

A boost for business

Moonshot One giant leap for mankind On top of our regular activities as a spearhead cluster, Catalisti also hosts Moonshot, an industry-driven innovation programme that helps Flemish companies significantly reduce their CO2 emissions by 2050. The programme is developing breakthrough technologies, innovative processes and new products with a smaller ecological footprint. To this end, the Flemish government has put aside no less than 400 million euro in funding. Research topics include, amongst others, biomass, plastics recycling, electrification, Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU) and hydrogen. Moonshot turns climate ambition into action. Each new sustainable technology, process or product might just be a small step for man, but a climate-friendly industry by 2050 will be a giant leap for mankind!

Throughout the years, Catalisti has delivered an innovative boost to a plethora of businesses. We have, for example, helped InOpSys develop mobile and modular sidestream treatment solutions, which allow for the on-site retrieval of valuable compounds (such as metals and solvents) from wastewater. We supported Agfa in improving flow technology, ChemStream in developing biopolymers from wood and insects, Indaver in turning plastic waste into chemical building blocks, Cargill in creating novel biosurfactants, Chemours and INEOS in retrieving additives from plastics products, and so much more.

Catalisti vzw BlueChem, Olieweg 95, 2020 Antwerp info@catalisti.be CATALISTIvzw 17904413 UChieRENlO_9sSeb6-iktBlA

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Picture Victorioano Moreno

CHAPTER EIGHT

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BLUE GATE ANTWERP THE COUNTRY’S FIRST SUSTAINABLE, ECO-EFFECTIVE, WATER-BOUND BUSINESS PARK.

SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES IN CHEMICALS, CLEANTECH AND LOGISTICS WILL FIND THE BREEDING GROUND FOR THEIR FUTURE GROWTH HERE.

©Blue Gate Antwerp 2021

The public-private partnership brings together a lot of relevant expertise, political support and financial strength. As a developer, BGAD forms the foundations for a new Antwerp entrepreneur community. “As the developer of the site, BGAD gives sustainability the highest priority with regard to all its aspects. That’s one of the reasons why we, amongst others, base ourselves on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. In this respect, we choose decisively more for a development where the ultimate balance is found between the economic, social and ecological aspect, than a quick financial return.” says Peter Garré, Managing Director BGAD nv and Managing Director Bopro nv (responsible for the business development at BGA).

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“The City of Antwerp is investing in the economy of the future. With Blue Gate Antwerp, we are committing to the transition to a sustainable and circular economy.” says Claude Marinower, Chairman of BGAPH and deputy mayor for economy, innovation and industry for the City of Antwerp. The site is located near the river Scheldt, close to the centre of Antwerp. Once at the heart of the European Petroleum industry, the site experienced a thorough clean-up and starts an exciting new chapter in its history: Blue Gate Antwerp, the ground-breaking public-private project for businesses wanting to take control of the future, starting today. This goal will be achieved by choosing decisively for innovation and development. BGA embraces like-minded businesses to activate circular flows at the micro and macro levels. This delivers cost efficiency and environmental-friendly collaborations both on and off site. Businesses locating here are committed to eco-effective industry. “This new CityHub brings us a big step closer to our mission of being fully CO2 neutral by 2050. CO2 emissions are drastically reduced because, thanks to the ideal location of the

©DHL Express 2021

new CityHub, we can only use electric cargo bikes and vans for optimal and sustainable city distribution”, says Danny Van Himste, Managing Director BeLux of DHL Express.

business at BGA will be able to benefit from economies of scale which strengthen their market position. Collaboration is the keyword on this site.

Blue Gate Antwerp attracts complementary businesses. R&D companies and small manufacturing firms are welcome here. Together we are strong. We are committed to a circular economy and we are keen to enter into sustainable partnerships. In this way, every

Collaborations inbetween businesses and between businesses and academia have synergistic effects. Sharing research efforts and expertise accelerates innovation. Setting up complementary processes improves efficiency, while group purchases reduce costs. The presence of BlueChem and BlueApp boosts cross-fertilisation in the areas of knowledge and production. BlueChem is an incubator for sustainable chemistry, while BlueApp is an university pre-incubator for research projects in the field of sustainable chemistry. Their input will cut the time-to-market and accelerate innovation of the businesses at BGA. The water-bound transport, circular chains and multi-modal intake, make of BGA a site ‘conquering’ Europe over water and land. The unique location near the Scheldt and near the centre of Antwerp offers numerous possibilities where the sharing environment stimulates sustainable innovations and intake of employees can be managed in a smart way. Dimitri Torfs Dimitri.Torfs@bopro.be Tel: +32 473 71 10 36

©Blue Gate Antwerp 2021

BGAD NV Scheldedijk 30 2070 Zwijndrecht

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QUARES

QUARES WAS FOUNDED IN 2005 AS A REAL ESTATE SERVICE PROVIDER. SINCE THEN, QUARES HAS REGISTERED STRONG GROWTH AND HAS EVOLVED INTO AN IMPORTANT MULTIDISCIPLINARY REAL ESTATE PLAYER IN THE BENELUX.

Today, we are more ready than ever to help shape the future of real estate. Driven by real estate competence, we want to get the most out of real estate at all times for our customers, our partners and our investors. It was a clear choice by the shareholders to put Siham Rahmuni (CEO) and Bart De Smedt (CINO) at the helm of Quares in 2019. Both have built up a lot of experience within the company in recent years. Today they are determined to further develop Quares into a real estate pioneer with the support of the shareholders. We work with real passion for real estate. In a changing world, innovation, sustainability and digitalisation are at the heart of everything we do. Any business not working on these three things today will, in the long term, have no reason to exist.

Multidisciplinary knowledge organisation Siham Rahmuni, CEO

We provide answers to present and future real estate questions. We assist companies in asset, property and facility management and act as brokers for high-quality urban residential real estate. Furthermore, we assist governments and real estate developers in applying for subsidies, in spatial development and urban renewal. We finance energy-related real estate challenges and develop real estate funds in multiple asset classes. In that sense, Quares takes a different approach from many of its peers in the sector. Our multidisciplinary approach makes us unique in our own country.

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We’re not just selling, renting and managing buildings. We’re building communities.” Siham Rahmuni, CEO Quares Trendsetter As a property manager we are one of the few small-to-medium enterprises in a globalised market. Innovation is key if we are to maintain our position. With a data-driven approach and considerable investments in technology, our mindset centres around automating simple tasks so that we can focus more on strategic advice that matters for our customers. By applying Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for these processes, Quares employees have already been saved from hundreds of hours of repetitive workload per month.

Urban Lab The most exciting part of our journey is the road ahead. Smart climate adaptation is imperative and our real estate is facing an important challenge there. The economic system must change, from linear to circular. Quares facilitates collaboration between companies, governments and academic institutions. By way of example, as a residential broker and investor, we facilitate new forms of

living within the city. Within our Stadswaag project in Antwerp, we facilitate co-living for young potentials who, in addition to their private space, also have collective spaces that they can use. In addition, at this location we facilitate an urban lab, Stadsform, which thinks about city-making, and is a place where various stakeholders can discuss the future of the city in consultation.

Real estate as a service The above illustrates that generation Z looks at housing in a different way. Young people no longer feel the need to own a building. What they want most is to be able to live in the right place at any particular time in their life. Real estate is becoming more of a movable good. Not only because ownership is no longer paramount, but also because our starting point is the value retention of materials. As a real estate service provider, we must be ready for this growing market.

292 billion euros in savings accounts, which hardly yield any returns due to low interest rates. Many people are looking for the right investment. And since the gross return on a real estate investment is still between three and five per cent, real estate remains a good investment. Investors can already go to our real estate funds Quares Student Housing and Quares Sustainability Initiative and in the near future additional investment and real estate funds will be added. We certainly have a lot of innovative ideas.

Real estate funds In Belgium, there is currently more than

Real estate innovation is my life. It’s my day job, if you like, but it consumes my nights and weekends as well.” Bart De Smedt, CINO Quares

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JADE SYNERGIES

JADE SYNERGIES, IN ITS ROLE AS AN ENERGY SERVICE COMPANY (ESCO), WANTS TO OFFER OWNERS AND USERS OF BUILDINGS THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PUT IN PLACE ENERGY-SAVING PROJECTS AND GENERATE RENEWABLE ENERGY. WE ALSO WANT TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE ROLL-OUT OF LOCAL ENERGY COMMUNITIES IN BELGIUM.

Jade Synergies as a solution for meeting our sustainability goals at Quares The real estate sector is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions. If we want to meet the climate goals of the Paris agreement, we will have to invest massively in renewable energy, energy efficiency and the performance efficiency of new building technologies. Jade Synergies was set up as a subsidiary of Quares in 2018 to accelerate this transition. Freddy Hoorens – CEO As a property manager with clear sustainability ambitions, we noticed at Quares that there was often a split incentive between property owners and tenants. Why would the owner invest in further sustainability if the savings are largely absorbed within the tenant’s energy bill? Third party financing from an Energy Service Company (ESCO) was the solution; and as a property manager with a portfolio of 1.8 million m² under management, and a business park manager of more than 30 business parks in Flanders, we were ideally suited to work on this.

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Independent Unlike many other players in the market, Jade Synergies does not have its own products to sell. Jade Synergies can therefore put together a technical consortium (supplier, installer and maintenance team) on an independent basis based on the specific needs and expectations of the customer. In this sense, the main focus at Jade Synergies is to offer total solutions that address the energy performance of the buildings in their entirety. We do not do cherry picking whereby other technological interventions may no longer be viable.

Focus on total solutions for the customer Jade Synergies currently finances projects in the field of relighting, solar panels, HVAC, charging stations for E-mobility as well as batteries for balancing the supply and demand of renewable energy. Our service is based on the total unburdening of the customer. We always start with an analysis of the possibilities. Secondly, we take care of the financing of the installation, so that the customer can reduce their operational energy costs without any investment. In addition, we are responsible for the implementation and management of the installation.

Local Energy Communities and ‘as a service’ solutions The evolution from a central to a decentralised energy market is essential. Renewable sources such as wind and sun currently provide only a limited percentage of our energy demand. Yet there is huge potential for additional locally produced renewable energy.

Further control of that energy production is not yet in place. Energy grid overload is always an event just waiting to happen, so we have not yet succeeded in optimally deploying the available capacity of the renewable energy supplied. Local Energy Communities can play an important role in moving towards a balanced supply of renewable energy. Within a Local Energy Community we try to keep the supply and demand of energy locally in balance. Active insight into and control of the energy demand and production of buildings is crucial in this regard. And therein lies the success of a complete transition to renewable energy. Jade Synergies wants to actively contribute to the creation of these kinds of energy communities by offering energy services as a

service. It is currently running a large living lab project ‘Become’, with support from the Flemish government, to establish one such energy community on the Mechelen-Noord industrial estate in collaboration with Intervest, Engie and Continental.

Innovation in financing sustainability Jade Synergies, together with Quares and its funding partners, is also building new innovative forms of financing for investments in sustainability. For example, in 2020 it launched its very first ComboBond, a new type of bond loan in which the yield increases as collective behaviour becomes more sustainable. For the first time, the yield of a bond is linked to a climate indicator instead of a financial indicator.

Tel: +32 3 434 78 28 Email: info@jadesynergies.com jadesyn quaresvastgoed quaresvastgoed

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WALFILII

THE EXCLUSIVE XXL PLANTER

A pair of mighty planters with beautiful olive trees will teleport you to Italy or the South of France in a flash. Made from robust highquality steel, WALFiLii is perhaps the most durable planter we know. Innovative design purely Made in Belgium. You can choose from an astonishing variety of RAL colours based on fine structure finishes, shades, effects, textures and bonded metallics that take any design to the next level. They are also environmentally friendly and durable.

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WALFiLii stands for Antwerp’s innovative design Innovation is deeply rooted in the DNA of WALFiLii. Innovation is in their mindset, in their corporate culture, and their vision and strategy for the future. The designers of WALFiLii rethought the planter and thus a completely renewed product was created that meets the needs and wishes of tomorrow. Beautiful, sleek and robust. In countless trendy colours and award-winning finishes, which not only look super cool, but are also easy to maintain, ecological, durable, colourfast and frost resistant. Innovation at WALFiLii also means, for example, atmospheric LED lighting and automatic watering to optimize your “feel good” experience. In short, the holistic approach. WALFiLii does not actually sell planters but offers atmosphere and wellness. WALFilii carries out its Antwerp mission far beyond national borders.

WALFiLii in Knokke Hotel La Réserve in Knokke has them: beautiful white lacquered planters bordering the hotel room terraces in an organic and cosy way. Earlier this year, Knokke decided to give its Lippenslaan even more cachet with WALFiLii planters. They opted for beautiful geometric corten steel tubs so that their iconic fashionable shopping street now exudes even more character, and if possible, is even more cosy and attractive.

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WALFiLii in Southern France’s Nice and St-Tropez The Brussels Avenue Louise bordered its footpaths with large WALFiLii tree planters in Corten steel. But cities such as Nice in the south of France also want more green on the streets. It is called functional and aesthetic green. The capital of the Cote d’Azur resolutely opted for the beautiful WALFiLii design, their solid steel quality and their extensive colour palette. And Saint-Tropez discovered how WALFiLii fits perfectly with its image and appearance. These are indeed beautiful international projects that give the brand a certain status.

Corten steel is trendy, as is black, white, turquoise and pink At WALFiLii they have a sense of colour harmony and style. Sleek, sunny gardens and terraces call for glossy white or matte black planters. But also consider the much sought-after turquoise, which unconsciously refers to tropical seas and idyllic beaches. Ibiza lovers like to combine with shiny pink. The powder coating to colour these containers is the most colourfast, weatherresistant and reliable on the market.

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WALFiLii fire plates in many sizes The WALFiLii fire plates are made of one thick sheet of concave Corten steel. This metal alloy of iron, copper, phosphorus, silicon, nickel and chromium has a rusty appearance. That rust is only superficial. In fact: Corten steel has something industrial and trendy. Strangely enough, that thin layer of rust protects the steel inside so that your fire plate will last for generations. Fire plates set the mood for wonderful evenings in your garden throughout the four seasons.

Mega water features Do you want a pond in your garden? With fish and water lilies? With a hydraulic crane, WALFiLii places such a gigantic water feature where you want it. The water reservoir is filled and the corten steel has its handsome industrial look in no time.

The one and only original The other WALFiLii products also receive this innovative attention. How do you recognize the original WALFiLii planters, fire plates and water features? By the sleek logo that is lasered into the steel. The guarantee for innovation, timeless reliability, Belgian design and top quality.

Discover the world of WALFiLii

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT iFLUX

CHAPTER NINE

THE KEY TO SMART GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE SOIL REMEDIATION What if the invisible could become… visible?

One of the world’s most important resources is invisible. Even though we cannot see groundwater flow, it is still responsible for 98% of our available freshwater, which we need as drinking water, for food processing, industrial processes and so on. Over extraction, droughts due to climate change and pollution put big pressure on our groundwater system. To properly manage groundwater, and thus ensure we have the necessary amount of drinking water in the future, it is important to understand how groundwater and pollutants behave underground.

How is groundwater managed? To manage groundwater, models are made that predict the underground dynamics, but a lot of these models are based on assumptions. Take the example of pollution. Depending on how pollution is spreading, you have to take action accordingly. When there is a smaller amount of pollution that spreads fast and moves towards a river, it can pose a bigger threat to the environment compared to when there is a larger amount of pollution that is not moving at all. In the past, models often took into account the amount of pollution, but less so its movement, because of the uncertainty around it.

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This needs to change in order to better prioritize groundwater issues and especially to better assess how and when action needs to be taken. That is where iFLUX comes in. They reduce the uncertainties by actually measuring what is happening underground. Their vision is to make the invisible visible.

About iFLUX Groundwater monitoring and data acquisition are prerequisites for any effective management of groundwater resources and preservation, in terms of both the groundwater quality and the availability of the groundwater resource itself. iFLUX measures in real-time how groundwater is moving underground and monitors the pollution flows that pose a risk to our groundwater.

They are the only company worldwide that offers direct and continuous measurement of groundwater flow dynamics and pollution spreading. By offering real-time monitoring, threats become visible instantly. This allows taking action on time, before an actual problem occurs. As a university spin-off, based on many years of research by Goedele Verreydt, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Antwerp and VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research), inventor of the iFLUX technology, they focus on soil remediation projects and groundwater issues. This Belgian company has won the European Innovation Award for Contaminated Land Owners and already has two technology patents that cover Europe, the US and China. By measuring how groundwater and pollutants move underground, they enable industries, agriculture, environmental consultants and governments to better manage groundwater, prevent risks, and take more effective remediation actions - and all of this in a more costefficient way than before.

Galileilaan 15 2845 Niel (Belgium) Email: info@ifluxsampling.com Tel: +32 499 53 92 91 / +32 3 443 05 31

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WERFWATER WERFWATER (DUTCH TRANSLATION FOR WATER AT CONSTRUCTION SITES)

BRINGS TOGETHER THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR DEWATERING WATER.

No water, no life. No blue, no green. Sylvia A. Earle

Dewatering water is water that is being pumped up on construction sites. In 90% of cases this water is wasted. If you take into account that one construction site easily pumps up more than 10.000 litres of water per hour and is wasted in the sewage system, you’ll realise this is not a small issue. WerfWater stimulates local circular economies by promoting the reuse of this water through the WerfWater platform.

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WerfWater is a start-up founded during the drought of 2020 by Lemon Companies (IT company) and Switchrs (strategic circular innovation company). In Belgium, there were two major problems at that time: 1. Drought; and 2. Very low groundwater levels.

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Due to increasingly hot summers with less precipitation and more precipitation in shorter periods during the winter, the groundwater levels were not sufficiently replenished. The WerfWater family began to look into the various causes that contribute to or intensify this problem. One of the often overlooked problems was the pumped up water at construction sites. When pumping water at construction sites, we noticed that this water was almost never being put to good use. WerfWater’s focus is on finding solutions so that less drainage water is wasted. (Quickly) after we launched we got some major attention from construction companies as well as municipalities. At the peak of the drought period the Flemish minister of environment, Zuhal Demir, even came to one of the

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This led to the creation of the matchmaking platform to link the supply and demand of this water. Both municipalities and construction companies can offer the construction water on this platform.

Vision for the future For now, the intention of WerfWater is to help local partners, but in the future Werfwater is planning to expand this to an international level. If everyone follows WerfWater’s example, soon there will be less waste of water on construction sites and other industries. These sectors, such as the agricultural sector, will have the opportunity to use an additional source of water. Arne Van Baelen, Managing Director of Werfwater, is already working day and night to achieve all of the WerfWater goals.

Digital monitoring of the flow meters are currently being implemented. With these detailed measurements, WerfWater can make assessment and predictions/optimisations of the future waterflow in order to reduce pumped up volume.

Groeningenlei 16, Kontich 2550 WerfWater part of the Road 21 familiy. Tel: +32 494 84 89 00 Email: Arne@werfwater.be WerfWater

construction sites where we demonstrated the reuse of groundwater to highlight our pioneering way of working. WerfWater started looking for possible sustainable solutions for this wasted water.

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The Ecological Entrepreneur (T-EE) is born out of a simple belief: actual, sustainable progress by bringing economy and ecology together. This is necessary to maintain our current level of prosperity, well-being and to protect our natural assets. Every stakeholder is part of it and influences the system and ultimately the state of our planet.

A new way to create value As a society, we have lost the ability to think multifacetedly. Ecological organizations often experience challenges with their commercialization. On the other hand, many companies do not know where to start in reducing their environmental impact. Bringing economy and ecology together requires a balance on both axes. Sustainability is often associated with reduction, a phase-out or “stop using” in terms of materials and energy. However, a green business model does not aim to “cut” existing processes. The goal is to develop a process in balance with the environment, taking into account all charges and profits. In other words: minimal impact on the environment, for maximum output for prosperity and well-being. Through the creation of a so called ‘green business model’ we move towards new forms of value creation, which are regenerative and thriving in all domains: economical, environmental and social. The Ecological Entrepreneur pragmatically helps by integrating a network, technology, science and commercial thinking. It becomes possible to gradually make operations more sustainable. Ideally to climate neutrality! Sebastiaan De Block, Founder

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Data driven predictable revenue Every successful green business model requires the market as a crucial vehicle. However, after development in R&D, design and realization, commercialization (often perceived as the last step) brings many challenges. Commercial thinking and acting is often unnatural behavior for many, or is perceived as difficult and tedious. Too many services and products, with a positive environmental/ social impact make too little impact due to their limited scale. The Ecological Entrepreneur works together with organizations to (re)design the mindset, processes, structures, techniques and competences to operate successfully. Commercialization as a sustainable balanced process. The Ecological Entrepreneur helps ecological inspired organizations to realize impactful commercial results. We work across the entire commercial value chain, from marketing to customer success, combined with technology and process automations. The result? Data driven predicable revenue!

What does commercialization entail? “Bring economy and ecology together”. That’s what we aim to achieve. Ecological impact goes hand in hand with economical reach and success. By commercialization we mean bringing a product or solution successful to its (new or existing) target market. Our approach focusses the integration off five pillars, each necessary to accomplish commercial successes: 1. Marketing to generate awareness and commercial leads 2. Business Development as liaison between marketing and sales, focusing on opportunity generation 3. Sales as beat of the drum in pipeline management and optimal conversion 4. Account Management for optimal customer satisfaction and relationship management 5. Customer Success to increase revenue per customer by cross-sell and up-sell

Since we live in a digital world, commercial results without data, digital or automated approaches are unimageable for us. At The Ecological Entrepreneur we believe technology supports our approach by enabling more efficiency and reachability, to focus on our main goal.

We bring Economy & Ecology together With our unique combination of technology - and content-driven methods we generate data driven predictable revenue for our clients, and help them achieve their economic goals in order to increase their ecological impact. This is how we bring economy and ecology together, every day.

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CHAPTER TEN

HEALTH CLUSTERS 120

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EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY CLUSTER ANTWERP EU.RECA: A UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM FOCUSED ON THE HUMAN LUNG

One of the main ambitions of the European Respiratory Cluster Antwerp (eu.reca), is to facilitate innovation in the respiratory sector. We do so by stimulating the debate among experts with knowledge of modern technology, unmet medical needs and industrial capabilities. Our cluster focuses strongly on the human lung, our activities are related to prevalence of disease, progress in inhaled medication, accuracy of drug deposition, outcomes of treatment and environmental impact on lung health. The main strength of eu.reca is the diversity of our membership. We have attracted both start-ups and big pharma, service providers and investors, patients and medical experts. It helps us detect innovation gaps and reach new insights.

Formulations Interested in the many challenges with regard to optimizing formulations for inhalation? This workstream is all about dry powers, inhalers and optimum deposition.

Air Quality The health impact of pollution and fine particles is uncontested, though the finer mechanics of the process still have to be unravelled by the medical and scientific community. Also, the focus is mostly upon external air and overall pollution, whilst the quality of indoor air is often overlooked.

Sharing knowledge As a network of people with a strong interest in respiratory, eu.reca wants to initiate debate, fuel discussions and stimulate innovation. To that end we have determined several workstreams, each of which is run by an industry expert, our Ambassadors. Within these workstreams we organize webinars, workshops and symposia. An overview of some of our workstreams:

Patients Respiratory conditions are abundant, on the rise and have a major impact on the quality of life of patients. Within this workstream we focus on existing therapies and how to improve their effect. We look at a respiratory condition from the perspective of integrated care bringing together all stakeholders in an effort to better the condition of patients.

Product Development

Eu.RECA

A good product is one thing, a successful product is another. Within this workstream we focus on all aspects related to product development from clinical trial design to ‘smart’ devices and even determining new and more effective biomarkers.

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“Oriento SA is a consultancy active in the pharmaceutical industry, more specifically in the respiratory sector. Inhalation therapies are among the most challenging to develop because they require a highly multidisciplinary approach. In addition to working out a well-functioning active ingredient, you need to pay attention to the formulation of your medicine, to the device – think, for example, of a puffer or aerosol – to the follow-through of your patient and many, many other things. The unique thing about an ecosystem like eu.reca is the strong focus on the respiratory field and the opportunities you get to make valuable contacts and gather expertise on all relevant aspects of the development of a respiratory treatment. This has enormous added value for us, because we can easily test projects with all stakeholders: from producers of raw materials to doctors, from product developers to manufacturers. Also a plus is that eu.reca is very committed to continuous learning. The confrontation with new insights keeps you sharp as an entrepreneur.” – Stefano Console.

Business support Apart from sharing knowledge, the eu.reca network also supports start- and scale-ups active in the respiratory field by organising sound board sessions to tackle any hurdles they might face or focus on new and promising opportunities. We also gladly support the investment community by advising them on the large potential of the respiratory sector.

Would you like to be part of a sounding board for technological innovation within the sector? Are you involved in a start-up or growth company in the respiratory sector? Do you conduct research related to the human lung? Are you a practising doctor? Would you like to be part of our network? Reach us at: info@eureca.world.

The Science Park University of Antwerp makes space available to innovative companies and is actively promoting the development of a respiratory cluster. In incubator Darwin, start-ups are surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs and various experts who can provide guidance in aspects such as taxation, legal matters and intellectual property.

More info at www.eureca.world.

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AT.LAS

A PROMISING ECOSYSTEM - TOGETHER WE BRING ADVANCED THERAPIES TO PATIENTS LEVERAGING AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS FOR ADVANCED THERAPIES

Advanced therapies (ATMP), in which living materials such as genes, cells and tissues are used as a therapy in a personalized way, show promising results for diseases with currently no or limited therapeutic options.

Today, more than 1 000 clinical trials of ATMPs are underway worldwide and many show promising results in patients with various diseases. Despite the research efforts and results, only a few therapies received marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and/or the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Some manufacturers have even withdrawn their therapy from the market. This is because of the many challenges that arise in commercializing these innovative therapies, which often go hand-in-hand with the high price tag for the treatment. While interdisciplinary partnerships are being set up to find solutions to the commercialization challenges, governments, private insurers or other thirdparty payers are considering the feasibility of reimbursement.

In the Antwerp region we have a dense network of hospitals and academic research centres, proven procedures for the application, authorisation and organisation process for clinical trials, many spin-offs and pharmaceutical companies and expert service providers. In short, all the necessary players to realize the successful, efficient and affordable delivery of ATMP’s to patients. This is why we have created at.las, which stands for leveraging affordable solutions for advanced therapies. Sharing experiences, spreading know-how and ultimately collaborating with each other, will drive innovations in advanced therapies and bring these promising therapies to patients.

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COUNT ON AT.LAS TO: Connect the dots: we can help you reach out to peers or experts. We keep tabs on who does what and are happy to put you in touch with each other. In addition, useful information such as the introduction of new service providers, best practices, calls for public funding, new legal requirements, etc. is disseminated within our network through various channels.

Support the ATMP developers: Contact us if you want to learn more about each step of the ATMP commercialization process. On our educational platform, experts share their knowledge on specific topics such as ATMP legislation, manufacturing, upscaling, etc. Our network of contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) can help you manufacture your therapies or can be called in to train your staff in their training facilities. You can get individual support from us in the form of round table discussions where your specific challenges, solutions and opportunities can be discussed confidentially.

Progress the ATMP development process: Join us to find solutions to the challenges faced by ATMP developers as we can only succeed in this by working together. We have already identified a number of challenges. For each challenge we organize expert panels to analyse the problem and list possible solutions. The results of these discussions are distributed in white papers within the network. We then stimulate or initiate research projects to work out the solution to the problem. So far, two projects have been started (1) scaling up and efficiency (related to the manufacturing process) and (2) precious cargo (related to the logistical challenges).

Located at the Science Park in Niel (more info on pg 88 and 222), the at.las network is part of an existing Cell & Gene hub where the GMP manufacturing platform anicells, the pharma and Biotech training centre Vitalent, eTheRNA and exoBiologics are also located.

Are you an ATMP developer and looking for advice, infrastructure, knowhow or financial support? Are you an ATMP service provider interested in new developments and open to sharing your expertise? Are you an investor looking for opportunities? Are you like us, fascinated by advanced therapies and their potential impact on human and animal health? Reach us at: info@advancedtherapies.world.

The at.las round table allowed MyCellHub to get a lot of feedback in a very short time about the apparent obstacles with regard to digitization in ATMP production. The broad spectrum of experts invited, ensured that the topic was discussed from many angles. The feedback we received was on-point, sincere, constructive, and very detailed.” – Toon Lambrechts, CEO MyCellHub. More info on at.las: Galileilaan 15, 2845 Niel, Belgium Tel: + 32 3 443 04 00 Email: info@advancedtherapies.world atlasadvancedtherapies

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

MEDICAL & BIO TECHNOLOGY 126

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BLUEHEALTH INNOVATION CENTER (BHIC) LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE TOGETHER

The start-up lifecycle

BlueHealth Innovation Center is a unique combination of top players (local governments, pharma and technology companies, research centers and health care institutions) working towards the same goal.

We support start-ups throughout the different lifecycle phases, each characterized by its own approach, opportunities and challenges.

Our mission is to support the digital transformation of healthcare through digital innovation. More specifically, we stimulate student entrepreneurship and support young start-ups and scale-ups in HealthTech.

IDEATION From nothing to idea

Based next to Antwerp, we also have offices in Genk and Ghent. We are proud of the partner organizations who join our mission: Antwerp University Hospital, AZ Klina, City of Antwerp, City of Genk, City of Ghent, CoFoundry, Ghent University, GZA Ziekenhuizen, imec.istart, in4care, Ingram Micro, Inno.com Institute, Microsoft, PwC, Roche Diagnostics, U-Sentric, UCB, University of Antwerp, University of Ghent, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg and Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen.

INCUBATION ACCELERATION SCALING From an idea to a From a viable From market viable business business plan penetration to plan to a market internationalization penetration

During the ideation phase we help students and start-ups with their first steps towards entrepreneurship. We offer a wide range of ideation services from coffee coaching over innovation camps, hackathons to speeddates. Health RampUp is our 8-month incubation program to expedite the creation of HealthTech start-ups. Health RampUp prepares the start-ups for their initial seed pitch. This program is proudly supported by PwC.

Meet the BHIC Team For the acceleration phase, we work closely with tech accelerator imec. istart to support start-ups to gain market traction, stimulate further growth and find follow-up investments.

We coach students, start-ups and healthcare professionals in the development of innovative digital solutions, be they focused on cure, care or prevention. Every day we guide people from idea to sustainable business.

For the scaling services we work together with imec.istart, Microsoft and other partners to enable international market entry.

From left to right : Dovilè Petrauskaitè (Junior Consultant UCLL), Tom Braekeleirs (CEO), Frederik Horemans (Regional Manager Genk), Kim Luyckx (Regional Manager Antwerp), Ilse Robberechts (Communications & Office Manager) and Maarten Van Gorp (Regional Manager Ghent).

Speeddating - Every year we bring the start-ups and partners in our BHIC ecosystem together for informal conversations, aiming to forge collaborations.

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BLUEHEALTH INNOVATION FUND

The future of healthcare is a future in which technology is ubiquitous, as present as needed, but as invisible as possible. Tom Braekeleirs, CEO BlueHealth Innovation Center

The BlueHealth Innovation Fund, with headquarters in Antwerp, has a close collaboration with BlueHealth Innovation Center and imec.istart. The fund was established by four BHIC partners, namely UCB, Antwerp University Hospital, The CoFoundry, and BC10 (a subsidiary of in4care). The fund invests in multiple early-stage health tech start-ups each year in a series of formal calls within the imec.istart program.

The Future of Healthcare When asked what the future of healthcare could look like, one thing is certain. It will still be explicitly human. Although digital technologies will play a major role in all aspects of cure and care. Be it as diagnostic decision support, patient relevant information, making healthcare more efficient, or all of the above. As long as it improves the end result for the patient, we should welcome digital innovation.

The fund has investments in 17 healthtech companies that were also supported by the imec.istart program. The portfolio companies range from medical devices and therapy solutions to NLP and early detection solutions, active in the pharma, hospital, elderly care facilities and consumer markets.

With the evolution towards a more value-based system, digital technologies will help in every part of the equation. But most importantly, they should increase the experience for the patient and the professional. Whether it’s through mobile applications or data driven artificial intelligence, experience will be key.

Contact: kim@bhic.care

As a tech optimist, I look forward to a technology driven healthcare future, where automation is at the tip of a finger, data rules decision making, and interactivity through extended reality is king. A future in which technology is ubiquitous, as present as needed, but as invisible as possible.

Inspirational events We organize inspirational evenings with fascinating keynote speakers, intriguing discussions and interesting network opportunities. Enjoy the aftermovie of our New Year’s event with Dirk De Wachter and Ann Simons about resilience and happiness.

In 2019, NephroFlow was acquired by Nipro, one of the world’s largest suppliers of medical equipment to dialysis centers. This was the first exit for the BlueHealth Innovation Fund. Contact: info@bhic.care

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OXYPOINT AN INNOVATOR AND SUPPLIER OF RESPIRATORY-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER AND SMARTER HEALTHCARE We constantly challenge ourselves to find new solutions that contribute to faster recovery, more comfort and efficiency in the healthcare sector. With our new product, O2MATE, we enable connected care and the use of new digital technology ecosystems in low-care wards. In 2011 Oxypoint started as a spin-off of the University of Antwerp with the launch of our first product O2COMFORT, an innovative flowmeter for more comfortable oxygen therapy in hospitals. An agreement with Linde, the world market leader in medical gases, has resulted in the Oxypoint O2COMFORT now being available in eight European countries.

Nobody inhales continuously, do they? Focusing on improving patients comfort, Oxypoint brought fundamental changes to century-old oxygen therapy routines. In addition to the continuous mode as with traditional devices, our flowmeter features a comfort mode that provides oxygen only during inhalation. This prevents dehydration and irritation of the nasal cavity. The plug & play O2COMFORT flowmeter contributes to more patient comfort, higher therapy loyalty, lower risk of infection and less oxygen spilling in hospitals.

Respiration is often underrated in healthcare. It is a critical parameter that reveals a lot about the state of one’s health!”

Foto: Frederik Beyens

Philip Hendrickx, founder Oxypoint.

O2COMFORT: When oxygen therapy is more comfortable, the patient is more loyal to the treatment. Because of the combination with smart measuring devices, O2MATE is a smart patient companion that continuously captures, registers and supports clinical decisions through smart analytics. “

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Respiratory patterns can predict cardiac events up to 72-hours in advance.”

“Innovation runs through our veins. But what makes Oxypoint truly exceptional? The emotional connection with every stakeholder. Implementing the Oxypoint O2COMFORT flowmeter in hospitals requires behavioural change. That is why we developed the ‘oxygen for the team’ gamification program, a combination of technical training with a team building experience. The game element increases the interaction and positive energy. This makes the essence (the correct use of the device) linger!”, explains Wouter Van Roost, CEO of Oxypoint.

Foto: Frederik Beyens

Oxygen for the team

Wouter Van Roost, CEO Oxypoint

COVID-19 crisis emphasized the importance of respiration

Foto: Frederik Beyens

Respiration is one of the six vital parameters to assess a patient’s condition. But its monitoring is often still done in an archaic way: three times a day, a nurse observes the patient and counts the up-and down movement of the chest. The COVID-19 crisis further emphasized the importance of respiration and the need for accelerated innovation. It is known that COVID-19 affects then respiratory rate and oxygen saturation well before the acute phase in the disease. Up until now, no reliable medical device exists in general hospital wards to help track COVID patients’ respiratory rate and administer oxygen therapy at the same time.

Oxygen for the team: a combination of technical training and teambuilding to induce behavioral change in hospitals.

Smart patient companion

Intelligent healthcare

The Oxypoint O2MATE, our latest innovation, digitally records breathing. This data can be automatically linked to other vital parameters, measured by wearables wirelessly connected to O2MATE. Through smart data analysis performed via our dedicated software platform, medical professionals can follow up on their patients even better and more easily. The Oxypoint O2MATE is also a superior digital flowmeter for oxygen therapy. O2MATE is installed in the oxygen wall outlet at a patient’s bedside. This enables connected care and the use of new digital technologies in low-care wards: the first true ‘smart patient companion’.

Oxypoint develops innovative products and services, improving the comfort of patients and caregivers. The use of O2MATE will also result in a valuable respiratory database. The data collected is a source of knowledge and for potential new applications. Specific programs will be developed for different target groups. The future of O2MATE and smart new services based on data trends and analytics will make it possible to predict and follow-up on patient deterioration, therapy effectiveness and therapy adjustment. In this way, hospitals will become smarter and patients will be able to recover faster! Oxypoint Zénobe Grammestraat 34, B-2018 Antwerpen, Belgium Email: info@oxypoint.eu

The measurements results are automatically logged which eases the workload in the daily nursing rounds.

oxypoint.eu

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BEVOY BEVOY HAS DEVELOPED A SERIES OF HOME TESTS THAT INDICATE WHAT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES YOUR BODY HAS. FOR THIS, THEY JOINED FORCES WITH LABORATORIES, SCIENTISTS AND NUTRITIONISTS. THE RESULT: PERSONALIZED ADVICE FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BASED ON YOUR DNA, BLOOD AND MICROBIOME.

Bevoy offers a holistic view of preventive health. Take care of your health now, your future self will be thankful!

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Bevoy (acronym for “best version of yourself”) allows you to order a home test kit online and take a blood, microbiome, or DNA sample at home following the instructions provided. You then send that sample to a partner laboratory and after analysis you can consult your personal results directly via an online platform. The results are accompanied by advice and tips that allow you to know which foods and sports are most effective in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Bevoy is different from standard healthcare since usually you would only discover a vitamine D deficiency after a doctor’s visit because you’ve experienced symptoms like muscle weakness and fatigue for example. With Bevoy you can take control of your health and test yourself whenever you want. The interesting part is that Bevoy can tell you exactly which and how much food supplements you need for a healthy intake. Not a redundant luxury when you know that 20% of the world’s adult population dies from the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Christophe Ballet, Co-Founder

What’s also unique about Bevoy is its cross-data intelligence. You get the most effective advice by taking into account the results of multiple tests. Two people with the same problem need different preventive advice to effectively achieve their health goal. For example, your weight control is influenced by your lifestyle (too many calories, too little exercise), the bacteria in your intestines (ratio of Bacteriodiets to Firmicutes) and your DNA (eg. FTO, PPARG, MTIF3 and ADIPOQ genes) which in turn influence your blood values (eg. cholesterol). By mapping the links between the various biomarkers, Bevoy sees that two people with the same goal, ‘weight control’, have to work towards that goal in a different way. For example, one person needs to eat more resistant starch for an adjustment in their microbiome, while the other benefits most from reducing sugars.

Lothar De Keyne, Co-Founder

Bevoy Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich Tel: +32 2 588 87 24 Email: info@Bevoy.life

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BioNotus

BIOANALYSIS | PHARMACOMETRICS | IN VITRO ADMET* | LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY COUPLED TO TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY | PHYSIOLOGY-BASED PHARMACOKINETIC (PBPK) MODELLING | POPULATION PHARMACOKINETICS | MODEL-INFORMED DRUG DEVELOPMENT (MIDD) The name BioNotus was given to indicate ‘what is known’ (in Latin: notus) by bioanalysis. It all started with bioanalysis in Q2 2017. BioNotus’ founders Johan Van Daele and Pieter Annaert are best friends since their time (1989 onwards) as pharmacy students at KU Leuven. Until 2017 they both developed their unique career paths. Johan rejuvenated his mother’s pharmacy and specialized in developing and improving innovative formulations prepared in the pharmacy. He also acquired the skills of entrepreneurship and marketing as partner in Carl&Johan. Pieter followed a mixed path between academia and pharmaceutical industry and is currently Full professor and Chair of the KU Leuven Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences. Founders Johan Van Daele and Pieter Annaert

BioNotus BioAnalysis & Pharmacometrics

The need to professionalize bioanalytical support and to offer adequate capacity to clinical researchers in academic hospitals was the initial trigger to found BioNotus. But above all, Johan and Pieter wanted to have fun and enjoy applying and disseminating their complementary skills and knowledge. They have the continued vision to help researchers in need of affordable bioanalytical capabilities with acceptable timelines. Offering fit-for-purpose solutions is BioNotus’ legacy. BioNotus is nowadays blessed with talented scientists in the fields

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of Bioanalysis, Pharmacometrics (PMX) and In vitro ADMET* evaluation. The PMX pillar resulted from the customer requests following bioanalytical services, fulfilling the critical step of turning data into actionable insights. BioNotus now has PMX experience both with the classical top-down and more physiologically relevant bottom-up computational approaches. And from Pieter’s academic habitat, the decades of expertise in the field of in vitro ADMET testing, has seamlessly integrated in BioNotus’ portfolio of capabilities. It follows that BioNotus offers a spectrum of drug development services across the drug life cycle, covering both discovery as well as preclinical and clinical research services. It goes without saying that the solid anchorage within BioNotus of hands-on expertise in these diverse domains is a unique advantage, positioning BioNotus as a preferred partner not only for pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry but also for academic hospitals.

Thomas Bouillon

BioNotus pursues to further exploit its integrated expertise in bioanalysis, PMX and in vitro ADMET to increasingly serve customers with their most demanding projects. BioNotus wants to act as an expert consultant with a lab. Especially in the field of PMX, which is a sweet spot for BioNotus, the evolution is extremely rapid, and BioNotus is poised to strengthen its position at the PMX forefront. BioNotus is your innovative drug development solutions company, with friendly links to a vast network of global partners. BioNotus will continue to offer a growing spectrum of tailored solutions, thus expediting the drug discovery and development programs of the future. For BioNotus and its customers, the future is now. * ADMET stands for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity [evaluation], which is one of the cornerstones during the development of new medicines.

BioNotus Headquarters: Dorpstraat 61A, 9140 Elversele Laboratories: Galileilaan 15, 2845 Niel Email: johan.vandaele@bionotus.com Tel: +32 495 19 26 89 Bart Lammens, Johan Van Daele, Yeghig Armoudjian, Pieter Annaert and Qi Lin

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QALLO

PERFORMANCE NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS DESIGNED FOR GAMERS

Qallo® is an Antwerp based Esports and gaming performance brand focusing on new, healthy gaming nutrition and supplements. The company is founded by three Antwerp entrepreneurs: Alexander Van Laer, Niels Peetermans, and Moos Tits. Qallo has a bold ambition: enabling every gamer to reach their full potential. Competitive gaming is a booming industry and Esports athletes are looking more often for specialized nutrition that can help them perform during the competition. Qallo has the ambition to become the preferred nutrition partner of Esports athletes and games. We put a large emphasis on the healthiness and the science behind our products. Our R&D team, led by a Belgian Professor in Pharmacology and Immunology, developed four specific products: QEnergy, QFocus, QSleep and QFlex. The Esports, or competitive gaming, market is growing exponentially. Every day, an increasing amount of people are watching gaming streams and

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Esports competitions. In fact, the total gaming and Esports viewers surpass the total amount of daily Netflix, HBO and Hulu viewers combined. Hence, Esports are currently already the fourth biggest sport in the world based on total viewership. With this enormous fan base and viewing audience, the Esports industry is also rapidly professionalizing. Global brands are entering the gaming markets. Esports teams receive increased sponsorship amounts. Competitions become larger every year. In 2019, Esports competition prize money surpassed 240 million USD and some gamers earned 3 million USD in prize pools. The rapid growth of the market and the increased professionalism of the tournaments incentivizes gamers to work hard on their skills and reach their full potential. Like in traditional sports, becoming the best has multiple facets which we categorize in two large pillars. The first pillar is your ingame skills. Real-time strategy gamers need to practice scenario planning and strategic thinking,

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QSleep

sim racers need to practice their racing skills, and shooting gamers need to practice their aim. The second pillar is focused on the gamer itself. You need to stay focused for long periods, optimize your sleep, and prevent wrist and neck injuries to prolong your professional gaming career… Qallo is the specialized partner for this second pillar by offering healthy gaming nutrition and supplements to the Esports market.

QEnergy A specialized energy drink optimized for mental performance. During gaming, concentration, stable energy and endurance are very important. However, regular energy drinks are not specifically designed for mental performance. They contain too much sugar, too much caffeine and too much taurine. This leads to nervousness, anxiety and jitters when gaming. Qallo® developed a specific energy drink for mental performance. The product does not contain sugar and has lower caffeine and taurine levels compared to other energy drinks. Additionally, QEnergy contains high-quality nootropics/brain boosters and hydration components to maximize mental performance.

QFocus A premium nootropic without caffeine, developed for mental performance with proven short and long-term benefits. We specifically developed this product to enhance focus and concentration, support mental endurance and boost energy. QFocus can be used supplementary with QEnergy to boost your focus and give you the extra edge needed to perform when it really matters.

Developed to support and enhance your sleeping quality. Especially after intense mental performances, your sleep quality could be compromised. However, having good sleep quality is very important for your mental performance the day afterwards.

QFlex Developed to support mobility and flexible joints, have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce joint pain. QFlex is specifically relevant since (professional) gamers can sometimes suffer from wrist, shoulder and neck injuries. In addition to Qallo’s food supplementation and nutrition, we also established a specialized Esports Performance Center based in Antwerp. Qallo regularly welcomes international Esports teams to their Esports Performance Bootcamps, where teams and athletes get specialized coaching by both the Qallo team and other external coaches.

Qallo Bootcamp Testimonial: “The guys at Qallo are geniuses. Everything at the bootcamp was perfect. We progressed so much, and everyone was feeling fresh. They were as invested as anyone in the team.” – Vladlen ‘Saviour’ Dvoretsky - League of Legends player

Qallo® Email: hello@qallo.com @qallogaming @qalloperformance @qalloperformance R3x3EKDE qalloTV

Testimonial QFocus: “I’ve been taking the QFocus supplements. I’m able to keep my focus in-game. I’ve played multiple games and I noticed even though the ‘grind’ was kind of long, I could just keep on going.” – Jeroen ‘Night’ Segers - League of Legends player

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YUN PROBIOTHERAPY

YUN IS A BELGIAN BIOTECH COMPANY, FOUNDED IN 2014, WITH A DISRUPTIVE VIEW ON HEALTH

Tom Verlinden – CEO For decades people have thought negatively about bacteria, trying to kill all bacteria in an attempt to be healthy. YUN believes this is a misconception: in the majority of cases it is more effective and safer to actually add bacteria to restore and protect our health. As the very first player worldwide, YUN turned this concept into reality by incorporating live bacteria in creams and sprays, through selecting the good bacteria to fight the harmful ones and developing technologies to introduce them into consumer products. This new reality YUN calls Probiotherapy, that has been co-developed with the University of Antwerp (UA). It uses specific probiotics (live bacteria) to help restore, protect and strengthen the microbiome balance, which is the first protective layer of bacteria and fungi on your skin against bad external influences. Probiotherapy is an extremely effective, fast and safe solution that helps to challenge one of the greatest threats to humankind which is antibiotic resistance.

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THE BACTERIAL REVOLUTION The microscopic layer of bacteria and fungi on your skin; the microbiome, protects us against infections and irritations. When the balance of this natural protective layer becomes disturbed, problematic skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot and vaginal infections can occur. The amount of people suffering from skin conditions is growing at stellar rates. This is caused by different factors: 1. Increased urbanization – A recent study by Rob Kneight, Chris Callewaert, etc. has shown that the natural microbiome diversity declines as more people are becoming urbanized. 2. Current medical treatments – Nowadays, skin conditions are often treated with antibacterial soaps, antifungal sprays and even antibiotics. Although effective, these products damage the microbiome even further, making us even more prone to new infections as the natural protective layer of friendly bacteria is stripped away too. 3. Current used cosmetic ingredients – Most of the commonly used cosmetic ingredients are focused on killing all bacteria to ensure its application is safe for human use. However, at the same time it weakens our natural protective skin microbiome layer. At the end of November 2016, YUN and the University of Antwerp announced their scientific breakthrough: After years of R&D, they were able to select the specific bacterial strains that are strong enough to fight off harmful ones. Additionally, YUN has developed

several ground-breaking solutions such as a micro-encapsulation technique, to keep the bacteria alive in creams, and a patented aerosol technology, to be able to spray the good bacteria directly on your skin.

PROBIOTHERAPY, A DISRUPTIVE VIEW ON HEALTH AND HYGIENE YUN developed Probiotherapy, a therapy focused on restoring the skin microbiome balance by using good live bacteria. Instead of killing all bacteria, we add millions of good live bacteria to the skin in order to repair, protect and strengthen the skin’s protective layer; the microbiome. Probiotherapy is an extremely effective and safe solution for common skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot and sensitive skin.

ACCOLADES Selected as a top 8 innovation in healthcare by PwC - “1 of the leading companies that can change our health in the future” In 2019, YUN opened “the first pimple bar in the world” and “the first pimple porn cinema in the world” in Antwerp, which led to European PR nominations. ACN Therapy was nominated for the “Belgian Beauty Awards” in the “Best Made in Belgium” category and finalist for “best innovative campaign” - BACHI award (“Consumer Healthcare Communication Awards”).

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YUN Probiotherapy Galileilaan 15 2845 Niel Tel: +32 (0)3 369 10 81 Email: info@yun.be

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CHAPTER TWELVE

INNOVATIVE HEALTH PROVIDERS 140

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ANTVERPIA PHARMACY GROUP FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS ONE STEP AHEAD

Antverpia is a pharmacy chain with its roots in bustling Antwerp. It was founded by Jef and Myriam Van Genechten in 1959. As pharmacists, both managed to inspire their 4 children to follow in their footsteps. Together, Hilde, Koen, Geert and Katleen Van Genechten run the company today, each with his own strengths and responsibilities , but with the same vision. Managing a pharmacy is an extremely fascinating mission. Katleen confirms: “Every day we are driven to look ahead and expand our company with passion. Meanwhile, we have grown into a group with a chain of pharmacies, the major online pharmacy PharmaMarket, an institute and a pharmaceutical wholesaler for humans and animals. We can count on 175 enthusiastic employees. A very wide range of high-quality health

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products and personal health advices are our greatest assets. Improving everyone’s health is our ultimate goal.

Innovation is in the genes As pioneer of Individual Medication Preparation (IMP) in Belgium, Geert and Hilde started in 2006 with the individual packaging of medication for residential care centres. Thanks to a high-quality production and control process, the patient receives the right medication at the right time. Antverpia helped create the legal framework and made IMP a national success in Belgium. Geert adds: “Because of the success story of IMP , we have created ‘MeZZo’ in order to bring this IMP service to patients at home. We have inherited innovative thinking from our father. He was an entrepreneur and visionary. Inspired by him, we are now expanding the company for future generations.” “My brother Koen also felt the need for a new form of service, particularly a digital scale-up of our pharmacies. He was therefore one of the first in Belgium to start developing and expanding our online pharmacy PharmaMarket, a future-oriented concept.”

Independent group “The success of the company is partly due to the independence of the group. Autonomous decision making, innovation, fast switching and agility are a must. The resilience and flexibility of our group , as well as the rapid and creative development of our own hand gel and mouth mask during the corona crisis are the greatest evidence of this.”

Quality & sustainability “Quality standards such as GPP in pharmacies, GMP in IMV production and GDP in wholesale

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are top priorities in our group. Soon we will move to a new premises where we will be doing circular business. This state-of-theart warehouse will be BREEAM-certified to emphasise our sustainability. We like to put our knowledge and expertise at the service of companies to cooperate as a third party logistics service provider or as a pre-wholesaler for third parties. Whether it is about logistic support or opportunities to bring new health products to the international market, we are happy to engage in the conversation.”

People Management “Every day we invest in hr policy and the wellbeing of each of our employees. Despite growth, as a family business we want to maintain the personal bond with all employees. We involve our teams in the creation and development of innovations by brainstorming with them from an open group dynamic.”

Health Centres “To ensure the future of pharmacy, we have embarked on a new path where we are focusing much more broadly on health. We are transforming our pharmacies into health centres with consultation rooms, where we go for a holistic approach with personal care and lifestyle programmes, individual nutritional advices in synergy with beauty. We also provide optometric and audiological services and who knows, soon we might even support the psychological well-being of our customers.” Antverpia Pharmacy Group HQ Boechoutsesteenweg 13 2540 Hove (Antwerp) Belgium

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INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE

A TRAVEL HEALTH APP CALLED WANDA Most people know the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp as the place to stop by just before embarking on a long trip. Every year, almost 22,000 travellers make an appointment at ITM to come for advice and vaccinations before their trip, as well as if travellers are not feeling well after they’ve returned. ITM’s travel clinic is an international pioneer when it comes to travel medicine. Travellers increasingly use their smartphone as a travel guide. To keep them informed of the health risks at their destination, ITM has developed an app called Wanda. The travel health app is free, userfriendly and contains all the up-to-date information that can also be found on the Institute’s travel health website. Most of the information is also available offline. In addition, ITM can send travellers a targeted message when there is an outbreak in a country. Thanks to this app, travellers have a world of health information in their pocket. Key facts: • ITM is the only organisation to have developed a travel health app in Belgium • Since its launch in November 2019, despite COVID-19, more than 31,000 travellers have installed the app • Every year, ITM doctors administer more than 48,000 vaccinations to departing travellers • The most common traveller’s disease is diarrhoea

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THOUSANDS OF EXOTIC MOSQUITOES IN THE HEART OF ANTWERP Everyone has been bitten by a mosquito or a fly. In most cases, the result is an itchy little bump. Certain mosquito and fly species can also carry viruses and parasites that can make you seriously ill. Climate change, globalisation and urbanisation make it easier to spread for these mosquito and fly species, and the viruses and parasites they carry. In recent years there have been outbreaks of the zika virus in South America and chikungunya in Italy. In addition, the Asian tiger mosquito that transmits these viruses is moving rapidly towards our regions. The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp houses a unique insectarium with a wide range of insects that can transmit infections. The insectarium gives our scientists the opportunity to gain important insights into infectious diseases. With this research space, ITM is one of few institutions in Europe to study such a broad spectrum of insects.

THE BATTLE AGAINST SLEEPING SICKNESS: WHY WE MUST KEEP DEVELOPING NEW DIAGNOSTICS

Key facts: • ITM receives human blood from a biobank to feed its mosquitoes • Since 2018, the Asian tiger mosquito or its eggs have been sporadically found in Belgium • Asian tiger mosquitoes have definitively established themselves in Southern Europe • The tiger mosquito is now also reaching our country via motorways

For years, we have been at the forefront of the fight against sleeping sickness thanks to our researchers who continue to develop new diagnostics and innovative control strategies. Every year, several hundred cases are still reported in Africa, with the vast majority in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although we are on track to eliminate sleeping sickness by 2030, this is no easy feat. In the past, the disease flared up when attention to it weakened so it is essential that our researchers continue to develop new tests that are adapted to local conditions and the changing phase of sleeping sickness. New tests are thus not developed to replace existing tests, but to meet specifications that we need at the moment - different tests serve different purposes. This tireless effort is crucial to ultimately eliminate sleeping sickness.

INSTITUTE of TROPICAL MEDICINE Nationalestraat 155 - 2000 Antwerp Email: communicatie@itg.be ITGITMANTWERP itmantwerp institute-of-tropical-medicine

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MOVE TO CURE

CHOOSE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS OF INNOVATION BY IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY

Lieven Maesschalck, Founder of Move to Cure. © Photonews Move to Cure (°1987) Is a private rehabilitation center that specializes in musculoskeletal injuries. Founder Lieven Maesschalck explains. Nowadays we’re based in Antwerp, Edegem and Brussels. We heal patients hands-off in an active way, using the body to help patients restore function. We immediately focused on an active approach to stimulate and complete the healing process: move to cure. We practice a liberal profession, which today means you run a business. You have to be

willing and able to implement innovation in your business to become a center of expertise. Either you go along with it or you wait. We chose to actively participate in that process and to free up budget for it. We’re working together with various universities and startups, and are constantly scanning the market for innovations. For Move to Cure, innovation largely revolves around the implementation of technology. We were among the first to make use of technological elements.

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3D analysis and brain training We quickly decided to use cameras to film and analyze movements, and link them to pathologies. This allowed us to very quickly optimize the process and make the healing process more effective. This resulted in 3D analysis. Cameras can already detect joints and with the switch to 5G, we predict an even faster evolution. We can see an obvious decrease in the frequency of treatments and an increase in efficiency and effectiveness.

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Call to Cure At Move to Cure we also focus on the neurological aspect. We involve the operating system from within by neurocognitive training of the patient. It’s important to recognize the significance of the brain in rehabilitation in order to link this to optimizing the therapy. The brain is measured, mapped and integrated into the journey. Skillcourt Thanks to artificial intelligence, we can also standardize everything. As a result, the quality in practices, not only in orthopedics, improves. This standardization is seen as an advantage. It’s more important than ever for a therapist or a doctor to be the added value to that technology. The innovation comes from the individual and as long as the therapist continues to evolve, which is an infinite process for us, he or she will continue to grow. Digitizing training sessions Our methodology is a long-term process, but it has gained momentum in the past year. The pandemic forced us to reinvent ourselves.

Move to Cure application

This soon resulted in our new concept, ‘Call to Cure’, an online coaching service where we can rehabilitate patients from all over the world online. At Move to Cure we also work with an online application. We improve communication between therapist and patient and can ask the right questions before and after each session. This way the patient actually writes their own records. While the app already offers many benefits, this is just the beginning. We intend to evolve toward a total follow-up via the app. For example, patients will receive an automatic reminder for a checkup. That virtual coach is the future for us. We can already see the number of contact moments for patients decrease, while online coaching is increasing. The future The greatest danger of technology is that mankind will fall asleep: we shouldn’t think technology can or will replace people. We should improve our own abilities and optimize our insights with the help of technology. It’s going to make our lives easier, but it has to continue to challenge us. That’s the art. In success you have to question yourself. Where can we still improve? At Move to Cure we already have tremendous belief in the future and in the next generation. This is only the beginning…

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3D Body Scan Move to Cure (°1987) Godefriduskaai 12/101 2000 Antwerpen Tel: +32 3 2815162 Email: antwerpen@movetocure.com

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PRODUCT & SERVICE INNOVATION 148

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Agfa

THE SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE POWER OF AGFA

For over 150 years, Agfa has been a pioneer in the sectors in which it operates. Started as one of the first major innovators in the world of photography, Agfa today is a leading company in imaging technology and IT solutions. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analog and digital systems for the printing industry, for the healthcare sector and for specific industrial applications. Each year, Agfa spends more than 6% of its turnover on R&D. This clearly demonstrates the Group’s commitment to developing innovative solutions that offer significant added value to healthcare providers, printers and industrial customers. In the past century and a half, the company has built an impressive Intellectual Property portfolio that today consists of 878 active patent families. The numbers may vary from year to year, but we can proudly say that Agfa is continuously renewing its intellectual property at a consistent rate of 50 to 60 new patent families per year. Agfa is continuously exploring how to apply its technology power to offer state-of-the-art, sustainable solutions for multiple applications in various markets.

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Below are five relevant cases that underscore the power of Agfa’s sustainable innovation.

Case 1: MUSICA Agfa supplies analog and digital imaging technology to hospitals and healthcare imaging centers all over the world. Agfa’s innovative imaging equipment and its leading MUSICA image processing software set the standard in terms of productivity, safety, clinical value and cost-effectiveness. Agfa’s digital radiography solutions are designed according to the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable) to achieve an optimal balance between low radiation doses and high image quality. Thanks to MUSICA, razor-sharp medical images can be achieved while reducing the radiation dose for patients by up to 60%.

Case 2: Augmented Intelligence (AI) Hospitals and imaging departments are under pressure to process an ever-increasing number of medical images and to make diagnoses immediately available. Agfa’s Enterprise Imaging platform brings all medical images together. With RUBEE™ for AI, we go one step further: specialized AI algorithms that address specific clinical needs are seamlessly integrated into Enterprise Imaging. RUBEE™ provides a smart representation of the findings of the AI algorithms, and puts the generated information to use immediately, in the Enterprise Imaging system, right in the middle of the existing radiology workflows. This approach is far more valuable, analytically intelligent and provides greater efficiency gains than working with separate AI packages.

Case 3: ECO³ Agfa develops and creates solutions for the printing industry that consist of equipment, software and consumables. Agfa focuses on ecology, economy and extra convenience under its ECO³ program. This brings a higher degree of sustainability in the printing processes, enabling lower ink consumption, creating less waste and making printing processes cleaner, more cost-efficient and simpler. Thanks to Agfa’s ECO³ solutions, printers can save up to 30% on paper, 40% on ink and up to 95% on water. Waste volumes can be reduced by 50%. In 2020, Agfa introduced several new ECO³ products, such as the Eclipse process-free printing plate that eliminates 100% processing waste.

Case 4: Inkjet solutions Thanks to its specific advantages, inkjet printing is increasingly used as part of industrial production processes. Agfa develops tailor-made inkjet inks for industrial printing presses which are used in very diverse industrial applications, such as laminate flooring and wall decoration… In addition, Agfa also designs complete industrial printing systems such as the InterioJet inkjet printer for laminate applications or the Alussa printer for printing on leather. Possible applications are shoes and handbags.

Case 5: Membranes for tomorrow’s hydrogen economy With its Green Deal, Europe aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. In doing so, it aims to become the first climate-neutral continent. Agfa can contribute to this. In recent years, Agfa has invested heavily in the development and production of membranes for the hydrogen production industry. The latter is an essential cornerstone in the European climate strategy. Agfa is part of the EU Clean Hydrogen Alliance that coordinates all activities between all stakeholders in the project: the technology developers, the industrial actors, the investors and the governments together with their citizens. This membership confirms Agfa’s international recognition as an expert in the development and production of separation membranes for advanced alkaline electrolysis, an essential component in the production of hydrogen.

Would you like more information on Agfa’s sustainable, innovative strength? Then don’t hesitate to contact Agfa’s Innovation Center: Innovation@agfa.com

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BEGEUREN

PROVIDING PERSONAL SCENT MARKETING TO HELP CLIENTS ON THEIR WAY TO MAKING THEIR BUSINESSES MORE SUCCESSFUL

Retail Scent marketing Begeuren® is an expression of a passion for scents. It is our mission to help people enjoy scents in their daily life. The right scents have a role to play in commercial purposes such as retail, in offices & co-working spaces, in the healthcare industry, as well as at home and in private settings. Scents have the ability to make people happier and create good moods by adding positive vibes to a room. The most important condition for success in scent marketing is using the right scent in the right place. At Begeuren®, our 100% biological, natural, healthy, vegan scents increase productivity, focus and well-being. When consulting with clients, most of whom are B2B customers, we are innovative, tailor solutions and create fragrances that reflect the clients’ personality and brand.

Our story The Begeuren® story begins when founder Anne Guffens was still a child.

Office

This is when I became passionate about scents. My interest soon saw me further develop my capabilities by learning to recognise and combine different fragrances. And not chemical ones, but the scents that truly come from nature. Essential oils that are derived from natural elements. These products allow people to benefit from scents in a healthy way, without any chemical components. I’ve always been interested by the way scents directly influence emotions and behaviour. Scents are neurologically connected to the limbic system, where emotions are evoked. And as you are probably already aware, emotions have a great influence on our

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behaviour. I became particularly interested in the way that different scents influence our shopping and work behaviour, and finding out which fragrances positively affect productivity, revenue and well-being.

Healthcare

The smell of success For more than a decade, I’ve been helping companies to find their smell of success. This is different for each company. Did you know that the right fragrance in the office and coworking spaces increases focus and productivity up to 17%? With retail clients noting revenue increases of up to 7%. I also advise industries on where human emotions are highly triggered. I’ve already mentioned the healthcare industry, where people obviously experience various emotions. People’s well-being in healthcare situations increases by about 27% when a relaxing fragrance fills the room. Other industries also benefit from fragrances. For example, funerary businesses have found a way to help people feel more at ease and deal with their emotions by spreading serene scents. At Begeuren® we have developed a series of innovative products especially for the funerary

industry. These biological gels eliminate bad odours in the grooming area.

work spaces. This positively affects revenue, efficiency and well-being.

Motivation

Elite: an innovative product

These elements have also motivated me to introduce fragrance as an innovative way to complete the marketing package of companies using automatic fragrance dispensers, exclusive candles or sprays, with 100 % natural ingredients.

‘Elite’, the automatic aroma dispenser from Begeuren®, has brought a technological masterpiece of innovation into the world of scent marketing. Its sleek and innovative design is completely compatible with modern technology. Settings are easily adjustable using the Begeuren® App, available for Apple and Android devices. You define the fragrance experience you desire in your shop, office and healthcare practice. You’re able to adjust this for specific time slots and even change the intensity. Elite then runs fully automatically, using a Wi-Fi system and a satellite clock. The dispenser spreads 100% natural bio and IFRA improved fragrances, removing bad odours to create the good vibes that maximize our shopping and work experience and optimize our physical and mental condition.

Our scent solutions also have additional features to make environments healthier. Our products eliminate bad odours and purify the air from harmful viruses, bacteria and moulds. This means that all the Begeuren® products serve a double purpose: they eliminate bad odours, and add the enchanting fragrance that makes magic happen in your shop, office and healthcare project. Good feelings and good vibes result in happier people in commercial and

Many thanks to: Annick Goedhuys, Claudpress, Fotostudio Hilde Collier, Viktor Bentley, Hans Hanselaer, Stokers, M3 Makelaars, Petileau, Mum Ginette, Jan, Laura and Juliette.

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THE NATIONALE PATROONSDIENST (NATPAT) ESTABLISHED 75 YEARS AGO, THE NATIONALE PATROONSDIENST (NATPAT) HAS SINCE THEN GUARANTEED OPTIMAL AND SEAMLESS SUPPORT OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONALS AND SMES WITH UP TO 50 EMPLOYEES

The social secretariat of leading ladies Ann and Ellen Müsing is a modern enterprise that attaches great importance to customer friendliness and helpfulness. The sisters’ ‘no-nonsense’ mentality, combined with their focus on continuous training, makes the service a reliable partner for social documents, pay calculations, or any socio legal advice.

It runs in the family In the mid-1940s, the National Office for Social Security was set up in Belgium, and from then on, only accredited social secretariats

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could be assigned with any social security contribution related task. Louis Müsing seized the opportunity and also set up his own social security office from the House for the Middle Classes, a non-profit organisation that actively supported the middle class in all areas. The former House for the Middle Classes in Antwerp city centre was swapped for an easily accessible office in Merksem, with good parking facilities. Today, NatPat is a modern SME with a rich family history. With the two sisters at the helm, the social secretariat now counts eight experienced and skilled collaborators.

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Keep it simple “The NatPat Service has everything a big office has to offer,” says Ellen Müsing, “but without the bells and whistles.” The social secretariat sets itself apart with a more personal and individualized approach. When larger offices often only rely only computers, we still enjoy carrying out the work in person and will assist our clients who might experience difficulties with our webtools with great pleasure. Initial contact always takes place at the office and every single client will still be treated with a traditional Christmas card from us.

Strong together Despite NatPat’s small size on the market, the service is the reference for many different sectors, that together account for more than 30 joint committees. Hairdressers, dentists, lawyers, building contractors: every SME or self-employed entrepreneur with up to 50 employees can rely on this social secretariat. If a sector cannot be helped by the NatPat Service, it will be referred to another social secretariat that is part of Serviam+, a partnership between 12 smaller independently-owned acknowledged social secretariats. Ellen Müsing sees many advantages in the partnership. “We all use the same software and regularly meet about legal matters. If a file is complicated, we can call on the other secretariat lawyers, with no additional fees for our clients.”

Ellen en Ann Müsing

Yin and Yang However very different, Ann and Ellen form a strong duo. As the managing director, Ellen is the contact person between clients and authorities, while Ann takes on the role of financial manager. The employees too form a complementary team. At NatPat, there are no fixed file administrators. This means that every employee who answers the phone can help the client. “Sometimes it is good to have someone else look at a file,” says Ellen. “Colleagues sometimes come up with one or the other detail that might otherwise have been looked over. All employees follow all the files and our clients do not have to tell their story five times.” Every month, all collaborators also follow training and refresher courses on current legal issues, so that everyone is kept abreast.

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY 156

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CONNECTIVE

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BUILT TO DRIVE BUSINESS FORWARD But ever since its existence, the digital transactions market is dealing with a big challenge: Governmental rules and regulations, plus the legal acceptance of digital signatures and digital identification strongly vary worldwide. At Connective we continuously invest in innovation and compliance to offer the best and - above all – the most secure ‘glocal’ signing and identity solutions. Connective eSignatures and Identity Hub have evolved to global solutions which include signing and identification methods that range from one-size-fits-all solutions to local electronic identity cards and digital identity schemes. Today, Connective helps any company to service all their clients around the world by offering both generic signature methods as well as locally available means of identification, while being compliant with the European- (eIDAS regulation), Swiss (ZertES), US and many other legislations.

Remove any paper hassle Connective helps every organization, no matter the size or industry, to do business any place and anytime – in a fully digital way. With our Identity Hub, eSignatures and Smart Documents solutions, our customers can streamline their digital transactions across borders and transform any paper-based customer journey (e.g. onboarding, KYC and contract management) into an unparalleled digital user experience.

Unique in our ‘Glocal’ approach More and more processes of all kinds – even the ones that have always implied the physical act of creating, exchanging and signing paperwork, such as closing a contract – are being digitized.

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Our solutions, products and ideas have further shaped & defined the meaning of Digital Transaction Management in business and everyday life.” – Nicolas Metivier, CEO at Connective

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One of the main reasons for us to choose Connective is the fact that they are a well-established European party offering digital signature and identification solutions. This makes us not only future proof when we want to expand business across borders, but also guarantees us that we will be able to use additional signing methods in our own country, such as itsme®. – Anneleen Vander Elstraeten, Managing Partner at Four & Five

Antwerp is a great city for a company to start-up its operations and then scale-up. The local talent pool is highly educated, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, dedicated and hardworking. – Michel Akkermans, Executive Chairman at Connective

Antwerp roots, global mindset

A bright digital future

Connective was founded in Antwerp in 2014 as a small start-up. Today we can proudly state that we are a market leader for digital identification and digital signing solutions in Benelux and beyond. And because of our strong international ambitions, we have also opened offices in Paris, Amsterdam, New York, Copenhagen, Toulouse & Barcelona.

The most exciting part of the journey is what lies ahead. Thanks to the internet, the world is increasingly connected. People have instant access to an endless supply of knowledge and entertainment. The efficiency levels we are able to achieve are unprecedented. But the internet also comes with a range of challenges, one of which is digital identification. Today, physical documents can no longer be the only mode of identification. That is why anywhere in the world digital identification means arise, which in turn can also be used as electronic signature methods. Therefore Connective is currently intensively investing in its Identity Hub to offer a more frictionless identity management across the globe.

This impressive growth was made possible by both our investors and our management. Connective’s Board of Directors is chaired by Michel Akkermans, founder and former CEO of Clear2Pay. Mr. Akkermans is accompanied in the Board by Erik Dralans, ex-CIO of ING Group and ex-CEO of ING Belgium along with Nicolas Metivier, the CEO of Connective. Companies such as BNP Paribas Fortis, ING Bank, AG Insurance, Belgian Mobile ID (Itsme®), Proximus, Attentia, Talentsoft, Toyota, Ramsay, Grant Thornton, Pirelli, Bank Delen and many others firmly believe in our solution.

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Do you want to stay tuned about our newest innovations? Visit our website:

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LEMON COMPANIES LEMON COMPANIES, FOUNDED IN 2015, IS A FAST-GROWING, ALL-ROUND IT AGENCY SITUATED IN ANTWERP, BELGIUM. OUR IN-HOUSE SERVICES ARE BROADLY ARRANGED AROUND DIFFERENT PILLARS: CUSTOM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT (WEB & MOBILE), UX/UI DESIGN, HOSTING & INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IOT SOLUTIONS.

Our mission is to deliver high business impact by devising, developing, and launching digital solutions, where we always strive for positive partnerships in a trustful and transparent manner. Combining a team with both highly technical and business-minded people is our main strength as we will always think along with our customers to come up with not only the best technical solution but also focus on the highest added business value.

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With Lemon as your IT partner, digitalization becomes a real business-driver”.

Lemon’s company culture can be best described as a concept we call ‘Lemoneurship’, an entrepreneurial spirit with a slice of Lemon: continuous learning, growing and seeking & taking opportunities; having an ‘only success’ mindset by working together with customers as it would be our own business; operating in a fully flexible, dynamic and challenging environment. We strongly believe in the power of people, and by giving young potentials chances in a challenging and high-technological environment, we build and receive a winning-team of Lemon Squeezers: our main engine to success.

Tom Celis, CEO

Sven Van Roy, Commercial Director

We have done a lot of projects in various industries such as health and fin-tech, and for a variety of customers from startups to multinationals, both national and international. These experiences enable us to provide the flexibility, speed, and quality required to ensure success in the development of software projects in different company environments and sectors. For example, our partnership with Samana (CM Ziekenzorg): an organization that matches people with chronic illnesses to caregivers where we have built their website and travel-booking platform. Or the digital transformation project for a corporate insurance company where we help by digitizing the organization’s internal business processes with UX/UI design sprints, business workshops, and software development. In 2017, Lemon won the VOKA ‘Start-up of the Year’ award 2017, and one year later, the company was nominated for the prestigious ‘Scale-up of the Year’ award by ‘EY’ and ‘De Tijd’. Our ambition is to keep on growing, and driving ‘Road 21’, to become the number one IT agency in Belgium and abroad.

Lemon Companies BVBA Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich Tel: +32 (0)3 369 90 82 Email: info@lemon.be Email: tom@lemon.be Laurent Janssens, COO

Joren Speltincx, Design Director

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THE GRAIN

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE, MADE IN A(I)NTWERP In the age of the new industrial Renaissance, where industries are converging, humans and technologies are merging, mass production is becoming mass customization, we seek to deliver innovative solutions with a strong anthropocentric touch. Our “human in the loop” approach is embedded in all of our products. - CEO Dirk De Nutte.

Made in AIntwerp The DNA of The Grain also lies in this double helix of industry and AI. Our company was created after a unique merger of two established companies: one with a proven track record in industrial asset management and the other a data science company in the supply chain industry. Since 2020 we’ve been working together from the Beacon, the Antwerp hub for AI and innovation, for companies in Belgium, Europe and the rest of the world.

Visionaries from Belgium

Our future started two (2) centuries ago. In 1840, two of the greatest human inventions, the monkey wrench and the algorithm, were made. Loring Coes invented the monkey wrench, an crucial tool for maintenance and the industrial revolution. In the UK, Ada Lovelace invented the very first computer program for the mechanical Analytical Engine, made by Charles Babbage, the father of computers. Almost two (2) centuries later, wrench and computer program merge into a new, AI permeated production world.

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Although Belgium is a small country, it has been big in innovation for centuries thanks to a unique mix of knowledge, capital and strong, worldwide interconnections. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, Belgium was a pioneer and became one of the largest economic powers in the world. Two centuries later, The Grain wants to take up the innovation role once again by bringing the human at the center of the AI revolution. Combining human skills with smart technology is what makes exponential growth possible.

From idea to AIndustry Adopting an agile approach is the best way to become an AIndustry. Explore opportunities and define a business case through workshops. Get convinced with a prototype. Deploy and integrate our solutions into your processes. Scale and roll out for lasting impact. Rinse and repeat, until you reach operational excellence.

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Our field of play slide: The Grain offers solutions for various industries, focusing on all aspects of your plant, its full context, both downstream and upstream processes. We help our customers optimize their production planning, processes, asset optimization, demand forecasting and supply chain.

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SHEQ Manager Maintenance Engineer Safety Control

Quality Control

Demand Control Equipment Control

Supply Chain Manager

Operator Process Control

Inventory Control

The most important impact that technology has is how it changes people. It is at its best when it brings people together!” - CEO Dirk De Nutte.

Yield Control Waste Control

Production Control

Production Manager

Planner

Our deliverables-solution: We help industrial companies achieve operational excellence through accessible and scalable AI solutions and computer vision.

9 Experienced and handson team of; data scientists, software engineers; PhD’s and domain experts

Dirk De Nutte Managing Director

9 Developing products for the industry with a :human in the loop” approach

Antropocentrism

9 Combining data science and industrial expertise

People are central to every solution that The Grain develops. Because in the industrial renaissance 2.0 the interaction between man, machine and algorithm plays a key role. This clear mission is at the heart of all solutions created by The Grain, from our off the shelf products to 100% tailormade solutions.

Our mission is to make day-to-day tasks easier for planners, operators and engineers in supply chain, manufacturing and maintenance and reliability processes.

Process optimization and quality control

Production planning and scheduling tool

Demand forecasting and inventory optimization

Equipment availability and predictive maintenance

Prepare your business for the AI revolution. Get inspired by The Grain, contact us via info@thegrain.pro and see the future, made in AIntwerp.

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METAMAZE BV

INTELLIGENT DOCUMENT PROCESSING (IDP) AS A CATALYST FOR EFFICIENCY & EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION

Niels Van Weereld, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Metamaze Metamaze is an Antwerp-based SaaS company that puts the amazing brain power of Artificial Intelligence in the hands of business users, without the need for writing code. Inso doing Metamaze supplies innovative enterprises with the ultimate tool to automate the menial parts of their document processing work, and thus provide a solid foundation for digitalization. Making it easy yet powerful was the goal from the start for this Antwerp-based software company. Metamaze is a spin-off that was incubated by Belgian’s leading A.I. & M.L. powerhouse to solve a specific use case for a prestigious client in the Belgian financial sector. The goal was to make the smartest possible Intelligent

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Document Processor in existence, yet, make it easy for the end-user to implement. Eventually Metamaze managed to automatically process over 20 document types for this client alone, currently resulting in 400k documents processed each week. Naturally, all this knowledge further fuels Metamaze’s deep learning algorithms to become even smarter and faster for our other clients as it grows bigger. Currently, Metamaze manages to automate over 40 document types and there is no telling where this might end as the list of clients continues to grow. What sets Metamaze apart from other competitors is a proven track record of working with enterprise clients that require security, reliability, scalability and in short: maturity. As it stands, Metamaze’s A.I. is way ahead of big-name international companies in their combination of both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into one end-to-end Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) platform.

Information and documents change all the time, so your intelligent document processing (IDP) software must learn and adapt with it.“ - Niels Van Weereld, CCO Metamaze Where Metamaze makes the biggest difference is in their A.I. expertise. Users only need half the time and effort to reach the same automation results as competitors in the Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) market that lack the “brains in the background” to achieve the same results. As it stands, competitors fall short in the most important aspect: how to build custom machine learning models improved by the data of the clients. In this regard, Metamaze software is distinguished by their proprietary deep learning algorithm that requires only a few exceptional documents to be annotated to gain the most learnings as possible. In essence, one only needs 50% of the documents to reach the same accuracy in Straight Trough Processing (STP) as other IDP

Jos Polfliet, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Metamaze platforms. As a result, AI will free up office workers to do more value adding activities across all departments. Certain tasks that require social skills or creative problem-solving will never be replaced by artificial intelligence. This means that those tasks that càn be replaced by robots should. As of 2021 it is no longer acceptable that the true potential of human capital is squandered away by performing mind numbing repetitive data entry work. The engineers at Metamaze therefore believe that A.I (Artificial Intelligence) can and will significantly improve employee satisfaction and operational efficiency in the future. Metamaze prides itself in being one of the most mature innovators in this market

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thanks to their track record of applied artificial intelligence expertise. This maturity has already been recognized by Orgalim, Europe’s leading innovation authority, who awarded Metamaze’s co-founder Joeri Van Steen the “European CTO of the year” award in 2019 for his methods of applying A.I. in business cases that generate tangible value.

Metamaze BV Oudeleeuwenrui 39, 2000 Antwerp Email: info@metamaze.eu

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CELLOWS MANAGE YOUR ASSETS BETTER WITH CELLOWS

Necessity is the mother of innovation. Cellows’ origin is no different. In the early 2000’s, co-founder and engineer Kris Bogaerts built and maintained a database of all his clients’ assets to optimize his work. Clients became interested in what he had built. Collaborative capabilities were added and the groundwork of Cellows’ Collaborative Asset Lifecycle Management (CALM) software platform was laid. Later Kris reached out to Erik Avonts, Patrick De Block and Ward Elst, all managing partners at Narato, to bring his idea to fruition.

Adding the C to the ALM The above processes are pretty standard for asset lifecycle management tools. For Cellows one element was missing: collaboration. Assets are never standalone items and neither are departments nor companies. According to us, you can only properly manage your assets and maximize their potential by working on it together. Which is why we deliberately added the C to asset lifecyle management and made it the star of our software.

Why do you need to manage assets? Machines, people, documents… all a company’s assets that hold potential added value. Maximizing that potential all depends on how items are managed throughout their lifecycle. To do so companies need processes in place that extend the lifecycle, boost performance, prevent breakdown, save maintenance costs, support in regulatory compliance and provide accurate information at any given moment.

CONCEPT

DELIVERY

DESIGN

CONTROLS

DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

CONSTRUCTION

MAINTENANCE

UPDATES

DISMANTLING

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Kris Bogaerts

Full control over your assets from start to finish Our vision on asset management has culminated in our Collaborative Asset Lifecycle Management software platform. Our tool creates a digital twin of your assets to which you can append every minute detail in a uniform and efficient way. You can collaborate in a central digital dossier with all stakeholders throughout every phase of an asset’s lifecycle from conception to end-of life.

Patrick De Block

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Erik Avonts

The power of Cellows With our CALM software platform, we solve quite a few grievances of companies managing multiple assets. First, we digitize all information about assets and make them available in a central data store. Gone are the days when you have to combine digital files with paper binders and the expertise locked away in someone’s head. Next, we bring in the collaborative aspect. All stakeholders have access to the same data and can add to it throughout the lifecycle, making the performance of an asset database a shared responsibility. Our first two advantages result in unprecedented accuracy in the details of assets. When adopting our software for data on an asset, users can rest assured it’s correct, which will prevent unforeseen costs due to incorrect information. Finally, as you can easily access the details kept in our tool, you’ll save plenty of time. Moreover knowing that Cellows can act as a data source and can be used as an add-on for existing and running systems.

Ward Elst

How it works The digital twins in our tool can be expanded gradually as needs arise. Let’s take a pen as an example. As a first step, you can create a ‘pen’ as a single object. You have the option to add lifecycle data to this object such as knowledge libraries, nomenclature, technical details and more. Further down the line, you might want to split the object into components. In a pen’s case, this can be ‘tip’, ‘grip’ and ‘barrel’. To each of these levels you can again add information. If needed, these objects can once again be split into subcomponents such as ‘spring’ and ‘ink cartridge’. By working in hierarchical levels, we create a cluster of related components, giving you an overview of the relationships between objects.

Contact us to learn how Cellows can help you. Kris Bogaerts Cellows BV Kapelsesteenweg 60 – 2930 Brasschaat BE 0757.612.857 Tel: +32 475 95 01 77 Email: kris@cellows.be

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EXPECT ME

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP HOTELS AND THEIR GUESTS TO REALIZE THE ULTIMATE HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE BY ROOM ALLOCATION. What we are doing Regardless of whether it concerns a business trip or a holiday: a hotel room preferably meets the expectations from your initial booking as much as possible. To assist hotels in offering that ideal image and to help prevent disappointment and dissatisfaction among their guests, we have launched a digital tool that allows hotel guests to select and guarantee their specific hotel room based on a detailed floorplan and room overview for only a small supplement. By linking that information to other characteristics, hotels can work more efficiently, increase their guest experience and achieve greater returns.

Roeland’s story, founder from Expect Me Everything started with a road trip with my wife through Italy. Due to my experience in the hotel industry, choosing the perfect hotel is very important to me. I’m a real hospitality addict and only want the very best for my family: beautiful hotels, great rooms, nice views… After an eight-hour drive, we arrived at the first hotel. We enjoyed a warm welcome but when the door for our room opened, we were in for a great disappointment: the promised sea view was blocked by a tree. What an anti-climax! I will never forget my wife’s disappointed look at that moment. From my experience in hospitality, I started thinking about how I could protect others from this disappointment. The evacuation plan you

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find in hotels on every floor brought me up the idea of developing a tool that allows you to select a hotel room according to your wishes. “If I had been able to view that floor plan in advance, I could have chosen a particular room myself. I would happily have paid a supplement for that.” We are used to this when travelling by plane, why not in a hotel?

The Platform There are already a number of digital tools that hotels use to upsell guests to a higher room category in the booking process. Expect Me deviates from this because we focus mainly on room allocation within the same category from your initial booking. Thanks to the detailed information we provide for the guest they can make a perfect room choice. As the guest is taken through an intuitive step-by-step process, it is presented with different upsell opportunities along the way. A couple of days prior to the guests arrival, Expect Me receives the booking information from the Property Management System. Expect Me sends the room selection link to the guests, so that the guests can browse through all available rooms and additional services. After the confirmation, Expect Me automatically updates the booking information with the selected room number and added services.

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Roeland Verhamme, CEO

Frank Smits, CTO

Verhamme who has years of experience within hotels from international chains. After a couple of years he felt that it was time to move on and started his own first company in a small castle near Antwerp. It is clear that he has experience in entrepreneurship and hospitality but he has no clue how software works.

Our third co-founder is the technology group Road21. With their strong network of +20 startups, together with the in-house knowledge and access to technology resources they play an important role within the growth of Expect Me.

One of his strengths is bringing the right people together. Alone is just alone. You need a strong team, you need to be able to brainstorm about certain challenges. For the technical operation of our software we count on our co-founder and CTO Frank Smits. Frank is an IT architect with more than seven years of experience with cloud technology. He is a man with a clear vision of the future, a good friend of Roeland and has a lot of experience in the IT world.

Another important factor that accelerates our growth is our strong established advisory board we can count on, consisting of world-class individuals. And last but not least we are part of imec.istart, the #1 accelerator program in Europe for tech startups. Via imec.istart, Expect Me gains access to an international network of experts, investors, mentors and coaches who help boost the growth of the company.

During the process all data is encrypted and no personal data will be saved unless it’s approved. Our customers expect us to ensure that data is handled very carefully, both from a security and privacy perspective. For this reason we have designed Expect Me from the ground up according the latest industry best practices around security and privacy.

About us Our company was founded in 2020 by three ambitious founders. The idea of Expect Me started with our founder and CEO Roeland

Expect Me Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich, Belgium Email: roeland@expect-me.com expect.me.software expect-me

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THE FASHION DEPARTMENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS ANTWERP THE FASHION DEPARTMENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS WAS FOUNDED IN 1963. IN THE EARLY YEARS, THE ACADEMY MAINLY FOCUSED ON FINE ARTS BUT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MARY PRIJOT AND MARTHE VAN LEEMPUT, IT QUICKLY GREW INTO A FULL-FLEDGED FASHION EDUCATION INSTITUTION.

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Two important milestones have changed fashion history forever. First, the rise of the Antwerp Six, all alumni of the Antwerp Fashion Department. The Six — along with Martin Margiela — were a quirky group of designers: they made a name for themselves in the early 1980s with their contrarian views on fashion, averse to what the commercial fashion dictated and limited. Their international success and reputation was the culmination of the vision and the approach of the Fashion Department, which gained international fame and recognition. Second, from 1985, the Fashion Department entered a new era under the leadership of Linda Loppa. She put the emphasis on not only a greater individual expression of the students but also on international orientation, and especially on boundless conceptual creativity. Thanks to her, the conceptual and experimental education was emphasized. Since 2006, and until today, the Fashion Department of Antwerp continues to produce a countless of talented conceptual designers under the guidance of Walter Van Beirendonck, one of the members of the Antwerp Six.

Programme Fashion is packed with social, societal, cultural, artistic and aesthetic ideas. It occupies a prominent position in our culture and economy, defines a period and can be both controversial

and revolutionary. In this sense, a fashion designer leaves his or her mark on his or her time. The Fashion department of the Antwerp Academy is internationally known for its idiosyncratic approach to fashion as a creative process. This charisma creates a great international appeal, as a result of which the majority of our fashion students come from abroad.

Each student is supervised individually and enters into dialogue with a team of lecturers who are experts in their field. Together with an international group of fellow students they offer the polyphonic sounding board for personal insight and creative growth. Drawing is a crucial part in developing the concept, visualizing the ideas and designing the collection. In addition, the thorough study of materials and techniques plays a crucial role. The student pores over fashion-related subjects such as fashion graphics, coupe, modelling and knitting. In addition, workshops, study trips and projects are regularly organized. Research methodology, art history and art theory offer a theoretical foundation, as do specific subjects such as fashion history. Through personal research into and analysis of the various technical, social and artistic aspects of fashion, the student develops a concept and then uses sketches and other visual techniques to develop it into a stimulating and personal collection. We stimulate the future fashion designer to think critically, develop a personal signature and work autonomously. Creativity and authenticity are central to this. Our graduates are artistically, technically and theoretically prepared to find their way as independent designers or to work in a design team.

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ANTWERP FASHION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES GRADUATION WWWSHOWWW IN RESPONSE TO CURRENT SITUATION Since corona came along, our well-known and highly reputed SHOW had to find a new plan in the digital era. Attracting over 5000 visitors worldwide, the SHOW was a yearly feast of Fashion in Antwerp. But as COVID-19 restrictions were causing cancellations of public events worldwide, the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp decidedly moved forward with a new and innovative way to show off its student’s end-of-year and graduate collections. After the Academy’s rapid pivot to virtual classes and online mentoring sessions, the next logical step was a digital Antwerp fashion runway for all to see.

WWWELCOME On the 27th of June, at 20:00h CET, WWWSHOWWW went live on www.showww.be, cross-pollinating tech with fashion tradition. Apart from the presentations of designs by 122 Bachelor students and nine (9) graduating Masters in the age of physical distancing, global top-tier fashion industry names united with the Fashion Department to make this year’s edition as memorable as it is groundbreaking. The WWWSHOWWW platform was built on the collaboration between the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and creative agency Random Studio. Challenged by the Fashion Department to provide a virtual contemporary environment for the physical creations brought to life by the students, Random Studio worked to translate the future-facing vision of the department into 360 storytelling for a global audience to savour. Through abstracting conventional physical show mechanisms Random questions the current format and explores the potentional of future shows in the digital space. Icing on the cake is the presentation of the Masters, where we teamed up with fashion photographer and director Björn Tagemose and visual production company Shoot the Artist, unfurling the graduate collections digitally in the setting of the historic Handelsbeurs in Antwerp. The full programme spanned an entire evening, a catwalk of computerfiles representing the finest of worldwide design talent (from all 122 BA and 9 MA students) quality-stamped by the Antwerp Fashion Department. The scene is set for a feast of inspiration and a gateway to fashion’s future, open to all.

PROGRAMME • • • • • • •

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1BA - SKIRTS, DRESSES, JACKETS 2BA - EXCERCISE HISTORICAL COSTUME 2BA – COLLECTIONS 3BA - WORLD COSTUME 3BA – COLLECTIONS MASTERS MA FASHION SHOW

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WWWSHOWWW - DIGITAL PLATFORM OF THE ANTWERP FASHION DEPARTMENT ATTRACTS 30,000 VIEWERS FROM MORE THAN 80 COUNTRIES. On Saturday 27 June 2020 the WWWSHOWW went live for a worldwide network of fashion lovers. In two days time, more than 30,000 viewers were front-row witnesses of the innovative approach of the Antwerp Academy (10,744 visitors watched live). Fashion students showed their work on a virtual catwalk, that brought drawings, photos and videos to life with hi-tech and various ‘camera positions’. The collections of the nine (9) graduating Masters were not only present in the digital environment, the public was given an unprecedented insight into the world of the young fashion masters: via ‘Blind Date video calls’ the students talked with fashion legends such as Raf Simons, Demna Gvasalia, Stephen Jones and Christian Lacroix about their collections. Icing on the cake was the

transformation of the Antwerp Handelsbeurs into the perfect setting for their inspiring ‘grand finale’. This virtual fashion spectacle was created within the Antwerp Fashion Department. Conceived in a minimum of time and with a maximum of effort and creativity, the WWWSHOWW shows to be an important experiment for the future.

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JASNA ROK

WHY IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL ALL WEAR ONE SMART GARMENT ON EARTH AND IN SPACE

Braight, part of the fashion on brainwaves collection. Visualized brainwaves in real time by a dress that changes colors.

Jasna is fascinated by space and the idea of having one unique garment which becomes a living organism on its own, an extension of our bodies which creates a new way of human communication that reshapes our responses to our innermost feelings, a brand new dimension of interaction. She dreams of having one garment that rules them all! Jasna Rok is not a product-based company but believes in services. Jasna Rok goes from speculative concepts towards future applications. Therefore in the near future, where this one garment that rules them all, doesn’t exist yet, but every new innovation is “lego” stone towards that future. On a higher level, I believe the fashion industry and its economic system will need to change as a whole. It’s been a while where we’re feeling this system is about to collapse, racing against time to finish collections for the next season, top fashion designers committing suicide, and tons of clothing being buried beneath the ground because we have too much.

Photographer: Lies Willaert

Photographer: Ellie van den Brande

Jasna Rokegem. Photographer: Kyky Kong Kong

Jasna Rokegem is an award-winning pioneer combining innovative fashion and cuttingedge technology. She founded Jasna Rok, the first FashionTech design lab in Belgium, which was created to reconcile advanced technologies with interactive fashion and does so by collaborating with technology partners globally. Her visionary thinking helps decisionmakers in different industries imagine how to come up with more sustainable solutions. She has been working with companies and leaders of Nokia Bell Labs, Volkswagen, Nasa... just to name a few.

MindLight, the first brain jewellery to train your brain to focus.

If we really want to think about sustainability, which we should as fashion is still one of the most polluting industries in the world, I foresee one garment, one item that is able to adapt itself to the wearer and grows along with it. This one piece of garment will not replace all jobs, but will simply have another business model. In a world where we are more disconnected from each other, we lose the sensation of the people around us. Today, technology should

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Jasna is an expert in emotion tech combined with FashTech. With her first collection Fashion on Brainwaves she provides neural feedback by measuring how the wearer feels. Brainwaves are visualized in real-time in a garment that changes color, form and shape. Jasna’s last project (Re)Connect created as part of her artist in residency with Nokia Bell Labs is another great example of this. With (Re)Connect we’re creating new modes of empathic communication. By building the first emotion identifier we enable humans to create more tangible connections and teach them how to apply this newly gained knowledge on themselves and others. This sentient garment will act as a smart fashionable augmented skin, enveloping its wearer with an intimate and expanded perception of himself/herself (health, emotions, thoughts), people, things, the world, and other communicating garments. All the physical senses such as haptic and tactile interfaces will be explored to create novel modes of communication. When we see and understand ourselves clearly, we are more confident and more creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. High self-awareness makes us more successful.

MindLight Photographer: Ellie van den Brande

connect us more to each other, but in reality, it separates us more than ever. Herein lies a paradox that can be solved by adding more personalized layers to our new methods of communication. Instead of sending emojis, pictures or words. A new way is needed, a new interface.

Where will Jasna Rok be in five years? She wants to go to the moon! As you may know, Space X has sold its first tickets to a Japanese billionaire visionary who wants to take artists into space. As we speak Jasna signed in to become part of the crew. She’d like to wear one of her Emotional Intelligent garments, and leave one on earth. This way she will be pioneering in intergalactic communication!

(Re)Connect is the first emotional intelligent garment in the world, accomplished with Belgian partners: Nokia Bell Labs, SMC, Wulf Fx, Trideus

(Re)Connect exhibited at Nasa’s museum in Houston, Space center Houston

Awards

Photographer : Lies Willaert

Graduating just six years ago, Jasna Rokegem already has a strong vision on the garments of the future and how it will add value to our daily lives. Her vision did not go unnoticed: she has been nominated as an Innovator under 35 by MIT Technology Review, received the award as a leading woman in STEM, she has been selected as Global Entrepreneur (subsequently representing Belgium at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India). In 2019 she had an exciting stop at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Having already visited the NASA Headquarters four times and collaborated with them, her work was exhibited at Nasa’s museum Space Center Houston in 2020. In that same year she won the technology award in Belgium follow up of Lieve Scheire.

Jasna for Bloovi : our Belgian Space star, invited by Nasa in 2018 and celebrated as our first female pioneer in building the next generation of spacesuits.

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Jasna Roks work will be powered by Fujitsu in 2021

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JASNA ROK LAB

Photographer: Kyky Kong Kong | Make-up: Laura Nobbe | Hair: Intohair

OPERA ON BRAINWAVES

Opera on Brainwaves is a unique augmented opera experience that will take you on a journey of exploration into the self and the other, into emotions and technology through Smart Fashion.

Opera on Brainwaves is a boundary-pushing artistic collaboration between two pioneers: opera singer Elise Caluwaerts and fashion tech company Jasna Rok Lab. For this unique project, they join forces to combine the beauty of a highly regarded and established artform with cutting edge technology. Through a process of research and prototyping, they will create a unique piece that will link the emotions of the singer and audience through neuroscience and heartbeats. Opera is a highly emotional experience for an audience as well as for performers. It is an art form that impresses with extreme technical skill and breathtakingly intense aesthetics, but mostly it’s a multi-sensory means of making sense of the painful, glorious, complicated truths about the human condition and is therefore universal. This makes opera the perfect companion on a journey of exploration into the self and the other, into emotions and technology.

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We have the ambition to visualize this through an interactive dress the opera singer will wear during the performance. It will show real-time emotions and states of mind with scientific data generated by an EEG sensor. The audience will be able to see these emotions reflected in the dress and will thus have an augmented empathetic experience, by feeling empathy and identifying with the “real” emotions of the performer, e.g. stress, concentration, joy, etc and at the same time, they will feel the emotions reflected in and generated by the music. This project will amaze and wow audiences all over the world by pioneering the combination of the intense art of opera, classical music, emotion tech, art, technology, brainwaves, and science. This interactive dress offers a singular moment in time to reconnect with ourselves and travel to an alternate, magical reality where we can connect with the innermost feelings of ourselves and the performer. It is an intimate experience. With the support of the City of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp, Flanders, Artes law, Starsky, Imec, Flyinggroup, Glassroots and the Port of Antwerp.

Elise Caluwaerts, Antwerp Elise is a renowned soloist both in Belgium and abroad. She began her singing career as a baroque singer, and later expanded her repertoire to the romantic and contemporary genre. Her love for challenging repertoire – ranging from opera to multidisciplinary projects – led to various creations and remarkable collaborations with internationally renowned composers and ensembles. Elise is highly in demand as a soloist with leading ensembles and orchestras. She juggles a creative career, with multidisciplinary projects at the same time as being a classical soloist and often curator for classical music events. In 2022 she will be an artist in residence with the California Symphony for which she has programmed a full season. In 2021 she will produce a new multimedia project around female composer Alma Mahler in collaboration with the Mahler Foundation as well as two new film projects on classical arias together with Dutch filmmaker Lucas van Woerkum who founded the Symphonic Cinema.

Jasna Rok Lab, Antwerp Jasna Rok Lab is the first FashionTech design lab in Belgium, which was created to create international art and technology projects. The founder Jasna Rokegem has been working with Nokia Bell Labs, Volkswagen, SAP, Nasa, GE,... and has been showcasing her work at many events within different fields such as fashion weeks all over the world, technology conferences as SXSW, Tedx, and been featured in several documentaries as ARTE, VPRO, Canal Z,... In 2022 Jasna Rok Lab will be featured in the documentary of RTBF C’est du belge, build Opera on Brainwaves, be part of the first fashion and technology camps for youth in Antwerp, exhibitor in the newest exhibition of the Fashion Museum Hasselt, expo : “Active Wear”, and many more international projects, events and expo’s depending on the covid situation.

Award Opera on Brainwaves was selected by the public for the Fedora Digital Prize 2021.

Jasna Roks work will be powered by Fujitsu in 2021

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COLLECTOR ITEMS AND MADE-TO MEASURE GARMENTS INSPIRED BY TECHNOLOGY. Flora Miranda is a future-forward couturier based in Antwerp, emphasising the importance of digital identities, intangible and yet seemingly predominant in our daily lives. Whether introduced as a method like 3D-scanning, 3D-printing, laser-cutting, machine learning or generative design, technology is an essential medium in the designer’s work. Since January 2018 Flora Miranda’s seasonal collections are presented during Haute Couture week in Paris. Each of the collections advocate for fashion as an art form, experimenting with new technologies not only conceptually but also in the construction of the garments. Like the traditional couturier, Flora Miranda designs and makes bespoke garments – with the help of new technologies and automation processes.

Mission – Vision

As a graduate of the Antwerp Academy of fashion and coming from a family of artists and musicians, Flora’s mission is to bring art to fashion. Seeing computer programming as a creative tool, her vision is to transform into a creative software company. She sets the first step into this direction with “IT Pieces”: Garments that are generated based on personal data, as a proposition to a 100% automated pipeline from design to production. 180

Bespoke dress for private collector. Shoes in collaboration with Rene Van Den Bergh

Collaboration with American internet artist Signe Pierce. Image by Laetitia Bica

HIGH FASHION – HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Image by Ronald Stoops

Our Clients

Collaboration with Mark Florquin

Especially those artists who have perfected the bridge between radical art and popular reach (Lady Gaga, Arca, Sita Abellan, M.I.A., Sevdaliza, Atari Teenage Riot, Deichkind, Miley Cyrus) have found Flora Miranda’s pieces ideal to shape messages together for today’s world. Private clients, who look for deeper layers within pieces of fashion, and museums who collect garments that represent an outlook on current society, have become fans of Flora Miranda’s work.

Public clients include Renault, Lenovo, Unmade, Ballet Of Difference and Rado:

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Collaboration with Esther Stocker.

“In 2017 I won the Rado Starprize in Vienna, after creating a dress for Rado’s boutique window. The attention of passer-bys to the window was overwhelming. After receiving the award by Rado, the brand asked me to design a limited edition watch with them. Rado was my perfect match to cooperate with – we both stand for material innovation and certain sophisticaed aesthethics. The fusion of our skills prove itself as the watch received a Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.”

floramiranda.com studio@floramiranda.com

Courtesy of Christian Wijnants

STUDIO. PELICAN AVENUE

IS A DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIO FOR LUXURY KNITWEAR. Formed by two creative minds of different backgrounds, Austrian and American, we fuse over six years of shared industry experience. Among our past projects are designs and developments for Marine Serre, Christian Wijnants, and Peter Pilotto. With Studio. pelican avenue, we work to preserve and further deepen the knowledge of textile craftsmanship being made in Belgium today. We truly believe that through technical innovation, creative solutions and a shift in consumer behavior, Europe can remain a relevant player in the textile industry. Innovation is not only found in design, but can also be found in the way a garment is created, often driven by ecological or sustainable motives. At Studio. pelican avenue, we are committed to thinking outside the box to create innovative knitwear. Our hands-on approach pushes the technical limitations in knitwear to find surprising, often unexpected results. Knitwear is prone to all kinds of experiments as you don’t work with finished fabric, but must design with a combination of yarns and stitches to make the knitted fabric. We use innovation as a starting point for the invention and discovery of new styles to offer our clients. By capturing the feeling of their collection, we freely translate print inspiration across stitch, gauge, color, and yarn. This free association leads to a wide exploration between stitch technique and style development. As a small independent studio, the costs of recycling and textile innovation can be prohibitive, but we want to think about creating unique pieces that respect the world around us. Our clients are asking more and more for ecologically responsible knitwear. Studio. pelican avenue ‘s approach to sustainability isn’t limited to using organic yarns, but breaks down and reinvents the whole process of garment making. By using upcycled and regenerated materials, we have greater control on the starting point of where materials originate. Each end garment becomes truly unique, as used sweaters are first deconstructed and then patchworked and repurposed into new, contemporary styles. We use innovative knit construction methods to join and unify the upcycled panels into one design. By definition, there is a limit to the number of pieces we can make with upcycled materials. When they are gone, they’re gone, but this also means there is no excess waste made by over production. Our knit laboratory in Antwerp houses many sustainable and organic yarn qualities for our clients to choose from, but lately

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Photo AKAstudio - Collective

we are expanding our search for sustainability into using old ‘deadstock’ yarn. Quite a lot of yarn is sitting unused in the back of knit factories that will eventually break down and rot, thus the term ‘deadstock’. A lot of excess happens in the production of new yarn as there are set minimum amounts that must be dyed even if the amount ordered is less. We source a particular quality of deadstock yarn for our clients and propose designs using what’s available. It’s a bit of a puzzle to source and piece together the available yarn with our design ambition, but this challenge is what creates such a successful, exciting end garment.

Photo Sonny Vandevelde

Courtesy of Christian Wijnants

Studio. pelican avenue was founded by Carolin Lerch and Tess Olson in 2015. Carolin studied at the Antwerp Academy of Fashion and was working in the studio of fashion designer Bernhard Willhelm before founding the fashion label pelican avenue. Tess Olson graduated from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago before moving to Antwerp to join Carolin.

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SHAVATAR

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“IT’S OUR AMBITION TO ELIMINATE ALL SIZE RELATED RETURNS IN THE ONLINE FASHION WORLD.”

Fashion E-Commerce has been booming worldwide for a few years now, and the Covid-19 crisis has only reinforced this trend. In Europe alone, about 14% of fashion retail is sold online, and it is expected to grow on average 9% per year by 2023. However, finding the right size online remains a difficult task for many consumers. About 50% of all returns in online fashion sales are related to wrong sizes and fits. That’s where Shavatar comes in. With its technology, consumers can generate their own, realistic 3D avatar that recommends the right size and fit on selected clothing.

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Femke Danckaers Co-Founder & CTO It all started with the PhD research of Dr. Femke Danckaers at the Vision Lab Research Group, a cooperation between University of Antwerp and the imec research Institute. Femke developed an algorithm that allows to predict the human 3D body shape based on eight (8) input parameters, with an average accuracy of 7mm compared to a real body scan. So no need for a scanner! Femke: “When I first developed the algorithm, I was primarily thinking of the sustainability aspect of this tool when applied to online shopping. But quickly we realized the potential was way bigger.” The technology is now available as a plug-in to fashion webshops. When using this sizing technology, retailers will not only be able to avoid costly returns - they will also benefit from higher conversion rates in their webshops, as consumers will be more likely to order online when they feel comfortable to immediately pick the right size. And what’s more: the Shavatar model allows to generate deep, true-to-life insights on the typical body dimensions of a fashion brand’s shopping target group, in a way the design team can use it to further optimize the fit of their collections.

Geert Mertens Co-Founder & CEO

Geert Mertens, Co-Founder: “As our technology is based on detailed and accurate body dimensions, it will be the perfect foundation for our ultimate goal: real-time and realistic fitting of outfits on your own 3D body shape, in a way consumers get to see how they will look wearing a particular outfit, without having to physically put it on.” And how about the potential of the technology beyond the fashion industry? Femke: “There are plenty applications we can think of, such as the fitness industry. However, there are about 140.000 fashion webshops in Europe only, so we’ve got some work to do…”

Shavatar Tel: +32 468 27 54 37 Email: hello@shavatar.me

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

JEWELRY DESIGN 186

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BILA

BE BRILLIANT, GO FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE. CHOOSE MASTERY, STYLE AND ESSENCE.

Many people want their jewellery to remind them of a special moment in their lives. But the jewel they end up with is often one they came across randomly in a shop. We believe that a piece of jewellery only becomes truly lasting and unique when its very creation is inspired by that special occasion. By giving or wearing a Bila jewel, you are continuously reminded of a state of mind that moves you. This creates an immense value: you have something very personal, something that no one else can buy. With the ‘Personal Design Experience’ the customer creates a masterpiece together with the designer. The process begins with a few targeted questions.

People are brilliant and create masterpieces if you ask them the right questions and really listen to them’ says Caroline Bila of Bila Jewelart. 188

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JEWELRY DESIGN INSPIRED BY YOUR STORY MASTERY, STYLE & ESSENCE

 A couple who choose wedding rings that slide into each other. He is not allowed to wear jewellery at work. Now he can leave his ring with her.

 Grandparents for whom the design process was a wonderful experience they enjoyed with their grandchildren and who designed jewellery that lasts for generations.

 A best man who gives a groom cufflinks with his future wife’s fingerprints. At the back he embedded Alexandrite and desert sand of the Marathon des Sables they ran together.

 A mother who carries the fingerprints of her deceased son close to her. This gives her the courage and strength to grieve.

 Architects who give their contractors cufflinks with the Antwerp skyline on them: old Antwerp on one cufflink and the new skyline they are building on the other.

 A man who choose to wear a wedding ring on his watch because he is a watch collector and does not wear rings.

 A man who really wants to make an impact with a custom-made engagement ring that speaks a thousand times more than the most beautiful love letter.

 A woman who gives her husband (who does not wear jewellery) a handmade belt with a beautiful text inside, finished with a fully personalised buckle.

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In short, a jewel only becomes truly exquisite when the story behind it feels right. A Bila jewel captures the essence in the style that matches the person.

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Bila Jewelart - Jewel Design Inspired by Your Story. During her training as psychologist, she studied jewellery design at the Academy Roger Avermaete and later qualified herself further as a jeweller-goldsmith. She then made her way into the business world, exploring other paths. But realizing she missed the real conversations with people and her creative outlet, Caroline decided to leave the corporate world behind and to focus on designing jewellery that connects with important events in the lives of people around her.

INNOVATING ANTWERP TODAY A true symbol of the diamond trade, Antwerp has been home to jewellers and diamond merchants since the sixteenth century. Approximately eight out of ten diamonds in the world pass through Antwerp at least once in their lifetime. Today, it is choked by franchised shopping chains that appear everywhere and produce confection jewellery with little variation. Yet now more than ever, people are looking for distinctiveness, for something that moves them, for something unique.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THIS CONCEPT Caroline Bila, the woman behind this concept, sees endless possibilities and does not stop until everything is just right. The jewel must evoke the right mindset and the design must be spoton. She goes further than anyone else to achieve the exceptional. For her projects, Caroline often works out new techniques, which give the most refined results. She also collaborates with experts in Belgium and abroad in leather craftsmanship, heraldry and family arms, lapidary art, woodworking, exclusive gemstones and more. Caroline Bila is able to let the jewel speak for itself, if in all grandeur or in all simplicity. She makes sure every piece fits the wearer and matches her or his story. Bila Jewelart is a unique concept.

ORIGIN OF BILA ‘I see design as a way of communicating. I love to step into a story and to be of value in someone’s life,’ Caroline Bila says. With Bila Jewelart, Caroline combines two passions. Her fascination for people is matched by her desire to capture: their lives, visions and thoughts in a unique design. Driven by these two passions and the many people she has met along the way, Caroline launched:

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Mr V.: Finally a place with real attentiveness for you. Walking into a jewellery shop and buying a piece of jewellery is a first-level luxury experience for me. This goes so much further, Bila Jewelart is the ultimate treat!’

In today’s Antwerp, a designer like Caroline Bila is more welcome than ever. She represents expertise, style and essence. She also pushes for innovation, knowing that this is what people want. In this context, Caroline revived the age-old Japanese forging technique mokume gane. She

brought heraldic master engravings back to Belgium. Her concept has proven to be a huge asset on the international. Nothing is more appealing for a London gentlemen’s club than ‘Antwerp Fine Jewellery’, or more specifically, a classy cachet ring made in Antwerp with traditional knowhow.

Mrs S.: ‘So special to be able to carry my husband close in this way. It is exceptionally beautiful and unique how this piece gives me warm thoughts and strength.’ Sarah & Yves : “You’re not just wearing jewellery, but a beautiful memory, a warm story, something unique from someone you want to cherish.” Emmanuel : ‘It is simply phenomenal how I can prompt all the right thoughts by looking at this man’s cuff.’ Raphael : ‘Most men like me find it extremely difficult to give a woman a beautiful piece of jewellery. Thanks to Caroline’s approach and her personality, this came naturally. I was able to propose to my wife with a sensational ring and story.’

Bila Jewelart Antwerp (by appointment only) Tel: +32 478 953 532 Email: caroline@bila.be @carolinebilajewelryart bila.caroline

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

TRAVEL & TOURISM 192

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REINVENTING BUSINESS TRAVEL

Reinventing business travel in the middle of a crisis wasn’t easy.

Anyone who claims that business travel has become completely obsolete has probably never made a successful business trip.”

Being located in Essen, with the bustling international business community of the Port of Antwerp in our backyard, we were in the best position to make it happen. With our team of passionate travel professionals, we immediately realized that there were opportunities here. With the motto “never waste a good crisis”, a healthy dose of perseverance and a positive mindset, we got to work and reinvented business travel. Globally, Covid-19 caused an unprecedented decline of more than70% in travel. With the rise of telecommuting and video meetings,business travel seemed doomed but from our years of expertise, we know better. We believe that anyone who claims that business travel has become completely superfluous has probably never made a successful business trip. Building in-person connections is more important than ever.

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MORE PRODUCTIVE AND IMPACTFUL Online meetings will continue to play an important role during the preparation and handling of the real face-to-face meetings. Business travel will therefore only become more productive and impactful,and we are here to help. The new normal in (business) travel rests on four pillars: security,digitalization, flexibility and sustainability. At Uniglobe E-Travel, we aim at helping business travellers become more productive and have an even bigger impact when travelling. Based on our drive and belief in the resilience of the travel industry,we have continued to develop our vision of adapting business travel to today’s trends.

SAFETY FIRST From our coordination center, we closely monitor all measures surrounding travel so that we can always provide our customers with the most up-to-date information! We can be reached 24/7 in case of any problems because taking this burden off our customers is our passion!

BEST-IN-CLASS TECHNOLOGY WITH A HUMANTOUCH

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medium-sized and international companies that want to manage their business travel in a cost-efficient, secure and streamlined way. Simple bookings can be handled entirely by yourself through the platform, but for more complex matters you can still contact our team. You can also count on extra quality control and advice.

With Ubi, we offer a state-of-the-art reservation tool for small, medium and international companies that want to manage their business travel in a cost-effective, secure and streamlined way.”

FLEXIBLE SERVICE PACKAGES Our customers have a choice of service packages and subscriptions,which can be fully personalized and tailored to your organization. We take into account the uncertainty that comes with travelling during Covid. For example, don’t pay a subscription when you can’t travel.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE We partner with CO2-Logic to offer travel that allows for CO2 compensation. By offsetting CO2 emissions, families in developing countries gain access to energysaving solutions, renewable energy sources and more importantly, a better future. This is thanks to investments in a social-economic and sustainable development with low CO2 emissions. With E-Travel, we are ready for the future and eager to support our customers in their success!

Evelyne Schwarzbich, CEO E-Travel UNIGLOBE E-Travel Stationsstraat 22 2910 Essen Belgium Tel: +32 (0)3 667 29 29 Email: business@etravel.be

etravel.uniglobe.be

With Ubi (Uniglobe Booking Intelligence) we offer a state-of-the-art booking tool for small,

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SOCIAL INNOVATION 196

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HELPPER

MEET HELPPER, THE ONLINE PEER-TO-PEER PLATFORM THAT BRINGS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO THE HOME CARE INDUSTRY. INFLUENCED BY THE SOCIALIZATION OF THE TRADITIONAL HOME CARE SERVICES, THIS INNOVATIVE SHARING ECONOMY PLATFORM STRENGTHENS AND COMPLEMENTS THOSE SERVICES AS WE KNOW THEM TODAY

Helpper was founded in 2017 by Antwerp entrepreneur François Gerard after a situation that affected him very personally. His father was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an incurable muscular disease. During the search for solutions to grant his father the best care and support, François’s family regularly encountered the limitations of traditional home assistance services. These services couldn’t always provide an answer to his father’s varied and individual needs. Fortunately, his father could always count on a neighbour who regularly lent a helping hand with all kinds of daily tasks. This personal experience inspired François to create Helpper. What once started with a knock on a neighbour’s door has now grown into a peer-to-peer home service platform that connects thousands of neighbours. Through Helpper’s online meeting platform the most vulnerable of our society, such as elderly and people with a disability or a chronic disease (“helppies”), are connected with a community of thoroughly screened neighbours (“helppers”) who gladly come to

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their aid for daily tasks. Helpper facilitates the creation of long-lasting and local collaborations between helppers and helppies by taking care of everything that is not the practical help itself, such as screening, insurances and payments. In order to seek assistance from a helpful neighbour, the helppie simply needs to create an account on the Helpper platform listing his/her request for help. Once registered, the helppie receives immediate access to the online community with an overview of all screened helppers in the neighbourhood. With Helpper, the helppie is always in control of the assistance that is offered. He/she decides who comes, and when and what is needed. Helppers’ business strength stems from the combination of the personal services of a start-up, the experience of experts, and the reach of major players. Helpper is also actively supported by (local) governments and health care organizations, because it offers a way to make home assistance affordable for society.

François Gerard, Founder

More info www.helpper.be/innovate-antwerp or scan QR code

Furthermore, residential care centres, home nursing teams, pharmacists and social services are also part of Helppers’s active partnerships. As of January 2021, Helpper operates in Flanders and Brussels, with a community of 18.000 helppers providing over 40.000 hours of support every month. Helpper is currently preparing the roll-out in the entire country, as well as the expansion to other European countries.

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CITY PIRATES

FOOTBALL THE ENGINE - SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT THE FUEL & DIVERSITY - THE POWER! Where others see problems, we see opportunities. We believe that if we give these youngsters the trust, the warm welcome and the structure they need, they can and will amaze us. And what better way to make the connection than through football? And it works. We currently reach 1400 Pirates on a structural basis, aged between 5 and 25, boys and girls; 100 nationalities. What binds them in the first place is the love for the game. We have a team of seven social workers. Based on the trust that is built through football we can visit the players at home. During such a visit parents ask us questions about administration, job search, debt mediation, the school results of their kids, violence… Because of the vulnerable and complex context the youngsters grow up, we also try to assist the parents in their pedagogy. Although our youngsters have the dream to become a professional football player, we need to be realistic. Most of them won’t make it to the professional football player league. That is why we focus on their school results. We get in contact with their schools, we do follow ups on their results and the youngsters get homework assistance at the club. School results always come first. City Pirates is a social football project in Antwerp, Belgium. We believe that football can change the world. We are active in five complex areas (Merksem, Linkeroever, Luchtbal, Deurne & Dam). Areas that are known for poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking… The youngsters growing up in these areas are often vulnerable and connected to the streets.

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But that’s not all. We also give other competence workshops like acquiring digital skills, music and dance workshops in our River Side Studio, assistance in finding a (student) job, cleaning the neighborhood, organising European Eramus+ Projects, and are actively present on the public squares in various neighborhoods. City Pirates is a project for, of and together with the youngsters. We really want them to participate in the project. We also motivate our youngsters to take certain responsibilities in the club. They can become a volunteer, coach, referee, part of the youth council… In a strong community, everyone helps each other. We expect that our youngsters help others. For example, if we helped certain players to find a student job, we expect them to assist the

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younger ones later on. In this way, we can grow as a sustainable project. Whereas football binds our youngsters in the first instance, we find that being a Pirate becomes a positive identity for the youngsters that nurtures a sense of belonging. As a Pirate we are all equal, and we can all be who we really are. It also comes with responsibility. Each one of them is an ambassador of the project. If they misbehave in public, at school, or during a student job, they misbehave as a Pirate, and we will be able to start the conversation. They are a part of City Pirates and they need to want to grow together with the project. Many youngsters in the city of Antwerp want to become a Pirate. We see the effect on our waiting list. Currently there are 700 children on

our waiting list. A challenge we want to be able to tackle in the future, but which is of course connected with resources. City Pirates wants to become a leading example of how football is used to change the position of vulnerable children. Not by holding their hands, but by giving them responsibility, belonging and chances. They have the talent; the world just needs to be able to see it. We hope we convince more clubs to follow this vision and are already sharing our methods with some of them.

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CHAPTER NINETEEN

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 202

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DUVAL UNION INNOVATIVE MARKETING

CAROLE, WHAT IS YOUR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE? Entrepreneurs today face more aggressive competition from international players. So you need new solutions to solve new problems. This is why, together with my partner Frederic Vanderheyde and our team, I set up DUVAL UNION Innovative Marketing. Together, we help our clients find practical and feasible answers to the new challenges of strategic marketing, innovative communication and disruption.

“The best competition is still no competition”.

Carole Lamarque (CEO, Founding Partner) & Frederic Vanderheyde (COO, Founding Partner)

We design innovative marketing strategies to grow exponentially and stay on-trend in an increasingly competitive world. We have built our business model around it, so that we can help entrepreneurs to achieve and maintain a unique position in the market. The extremely successful viral business strategy for growing exponentially is called ‘Zoonotic’. In this new winning business principle, two success-formulas we know are combined into one new outcome. An outcome so innovative that it takes over the world. This roadmap is written out in full in my 3rd book Zoonotic, available from Lannoo Campus.

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WHAT IS YOUR VISION AND MISSION? I sleep, dream, eat marketing. The passion for this profession is also our vision. Our mission is to optimise the marketing efforts and skills of entrepreneurs in such a way that they make a greater contribution to sales. In doing so, it is important that we define what growth means together with the client.

“Optimising your marketing campaigns with a pressure on your budget is a hell of a challenge in competitive times.” The more we share our knowledge, the more impact we have on our customers’ markteting power. So our mission is to transfer knowledge. Giving more guarantee and reassurance on all their marketing and communication decisions, we win the trust of our client. This is also a saving, because you put the euro right where it will have the most impact. Time is money. So we will also save it by accelerating the learning curve of the concerned team.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM INNOVATIVE MARKETING AND WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? When it comes to innovative marketing, we emphasise the latest winning business principles. Most people have a set of tools, but they don’t know “what they don’t know”.

“The question is, what should we be doing that we’re not doing yet?”

YOU HAVE DEVELOPED A MODULAR TOOLKIT, HOW DOES IT WORK?

We are happy to answer that. We put everything into our T-profile. Because we have a bottomless marketing knowledge.

We have launched our Innovative Marketing School. Why did we develop this service? Marketing is becoming increasingly complex. Marketing has long been more than the 4 P’s. Not only will you optimise time, energy & budgets, your marketing pay off optimally. You will also have fun, because that too is essential in a good learning process.

We place digital media at the centre of the integrated marketing plan, with distinctiveness as the key success factor. We can easily conceptualise 360° marketing campaigns that effectively reinforce revenue targets and build brand images.

“We love becoming the Netflix of marketing.” Become a member of our Innovative Marketing School where you get unlimited access to a library of marketing insights. Day by day, which you can implement in your own marketing plan. All the innovative marketing knowledge you can imagine is brought together in one place. Via self-study, video lessons or personal one-to-one coaching, you educate yourself.

Guyotdreef 67 2930 Antwerpen Tel: +32 478 337 000

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XXLSign

THE ADDRESS FOR ORDERING YOUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING QUICKLY AND EASILY!

What do you need as a real estate professional? Just real estate boards and project boards in a visually attractive set-up that helps to put your real estate in the picture in an eye-catching manner. XXLSign is an experienced player in the market of real estate advertising. As a professional and recognised signing company, we design, realise, place and return real estate and project billboards.

Our advantage! We make it easy for you Want to work with us? That is easy! You can order your visual communication material digitally via your own access to our customer portal, which is super easy and will not take you more than a few minutes to place your order.

But it doesn’t stop there! Our follow-up is also completely digital. In your account, you can follow up on your orders, request returns, check your credit, as well as checking your invoices. You will also receive interim messages so

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that you know exactly what is happening. With XXLSign you sleep easy and you will not lose valuable time by following up on statuses via phone or e-mail. Our customer portal is always open, 24/7. You order when and where you want. And if you have a question you would like to discuss over the phone? A team with experience and knowledge in the field is ready and available for you.

Extensive choice of configurations At XXLSign you have a wide choice of configurations at competitive prices. Immo signs on poles, facade advertising, container frames or flags, we have the right solution for every situation. In one go you can also order bottom signs and arrows to clearly indicate the location of your premises. We also have rock-solid set-ups for project signs: from constructions on wooden posts, on tube frames and stretched project signs. No time to lose! We can place your sign on site within 48 hours, and our own graphic workshop will make sure it looks neat too!

Need other tailor-made signing solutions? XXLPrintshop, has the IT solution for you Company identity monitoring

Do you need outdoor advertising such as yard signs and banners, or indoor advertising and office decoration or window stickers? XXLSign is ready for you. Ask for a quotation via support@xxlsign.be.

The XXLPrintshop marketing portals are an online system for all companies that have to maintain an extensive company identity. The marketing portal is a closed working environment where you can consult, adjust and order your own communication products after logging in. Thanks to the built-in editing programme, you can personalise your printed materials and receive a print-ready PDF that can go straight into production. Less stress for everyone!

Order and manage your real estate and project signs directly online at www.xxlsign.be or just give us a call? +32 3 500 87 07

XXLSIGN LOVES GREEN XXLSign places more than 2,650 billboards per year. Where possible we reuse these materials. We store the signs and poles in our workshop and keep them carefully for the next use. We use environmentally friendly “Greenguard” inks to print the panels and the wood of our poles comes from responsible forest management with an FSC label.

Imagine: the graphics department of your company has just successfully completed a rebranding exercise. The documents are circulating in the company, everyone can continue with the source files. After only a few days, control has disappeared completely. Both internal and external people start working with the files and move the logo to the other side, try a different colour... A marketing portal is more than an online house style manual. It is an online platform where everyone you give access to can use the source files and can adjust their own files according to the rules.

Corporate identity products in one portal Stock management without the hassle Completely automated system XXLPrintshop for all visual communication with service and support.

De Hoeve 1 2390 Malle Tel: +32 3 653 08 99 Email: info@xxlprintshop.be

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JEM FIND CLARITY IN MARKETING CHAOS.

JEM is a full-service digital agency that’s been purpose-built to help organizations thrive in an increasingly complex landscape. We’ve been serving our partners from our offices in Antwerp since 2010. We combine the toplevel strategy you’d find at an established consultancy with the implementation and technological capabilities you’d find at a leading agency. Made up of some of the brightest minds on the web, we humanize modern marketing, cutting through the noise to bring clarity to our clients. The marketing landscape is constantly evolving. Every day there are new technologies, new opportunities, and new tactics you can employ to engage with your audience. But knowing where to be and how to act can be overwhelming – being everything to everyone isn’t always the answer. Instead, the key is to change perspective. To take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

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SCAN THE PICTURE We believe in focus. In cutting through the noise to find clarity. It’s about doing the right thing, not just anything. We work to understand the entire scope of an organization and the specific target audiences so that we can not only recommend the right solutions, but implement them consistently across all mediums reinforced with our innovative algorithm that will guarantee success. By taking a strategic approach we’re able to help organizations see the whole forest before picking the right trees: identifying the channels and tactics, adjusting the algorithm in order to generate leads and implementing the technologies that will drive your business forward. jemprod jemproductions.be

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Managing Directors Jennifer Menten and Wouter Frans

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SIMBA AT SIMBA WE ASK OUR CLIENTS ONE SIMPLE QUESTION: “ARE YOU READY TO ROAR?” “With Simba, the founder Ruben Baestaens, launched a European pilot project. Simba makes many entrepreneurs’ hearts beat faster with the tagline <Design as a service> . Simba Service is the first graphic design concept in Belgium that offers unlimited and high-quality design work for companies at a fixed rate. The concept is born out of the frustration of working with a freelance designer or an agency. It puts an end to designs with low quality, high costs and long delivery times. It is a service that many companies need. It is often too expensive to work with a freelance designer or to employ a permanent designer. Thanks to Simba, the era of high cost design is over.

Design as a subscription

For a design service in the form of a subscription, we have based ourselves on the SAAS model for software. Design as a service has become a reality because of Simba.” How does it work? Through the platform, you can easily request unlimited designs. The first time you request a design, you will be assigned too one of our in-house designers. He/she provides you with all your future designs. Your personal in-house designer gets to know your company and your expectations. In this way, we guarantee the highest quality for our customers. In addition, our customers receive their designs between 48 and 72 hours, depending on the type of subscription they have. It seems like a logical evolution, but this way of working does not yet exist in Europe. Simba will match you with one of our designer thanks to a simple matching formula. At Simba, quality and customer satisfaction are of paramount importance. This way we can work together to get the design that you really need! So we ask you one more time: “Are you ready to ROAR?”

Ruben Baestaens Zaakvoerder Tel: +32 479 188 008 Email: ruben@simbaservice.be

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CHAPTER TWENTY

MEDIA, EVENTS & NETWORKING 212

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DPG MEDIA WE BUILD CREATIVE MEDIA STORIES THAT MATCH THE RHYTHM OF THE FUTURE

DPG Media is active in news media, TV, radio, periodicals, and online services in 3 countries: Belgium, The Netherlands and Denmark. Our media enrich people’s lifes by informing, inspiring and entertaining them. We believe that informed consumers and strong communities contribute to a better world. We offer the most effective and reliable media. We are committed to building an enduring, successful media business that is positive, creative and competitive.

Christian Van Thillo Executive Chairman DPG Media

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There are very few media companies with a portfolio this diverse, but we believe that the multimedia approach is the way to go, and we strive to be the “local champion” in any geographical market we’re active in. As a group, we want to have the required scale to be able to invest in the best technology, so we can serve our end users and advertisers on the best and most attractive digital platforms. DPG Media Belgium is the leading media group in Flanders. It knows how to reach viewers, surfers, readers and listeners with impressive stories, lightning fast news and fascinating entertainment. Since January 1 2019, MEDIALAAN and de Persgroep Publishing have joined forces in one media company. In this new house, television, newspapers, radio, magazines, telco and online services have come together to build creative media stories that match the rhythm of the future. The beating heart of the Belgian group is formed by our core media brands such as VTM, Het Laatste Nieuws, Qmusic, Dag Allemaal, De Morgen, Humo, VTM NIEUWS ... In addition, online services (Tweakers, Spaargids.be, Mijnenergie.be, Livios and Independer) are a growing sector within our organization. Together, our 35 media brands reach more than eight out of ten Flemish people every day.

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The trick is to keep our conventional media strong, and to work hard to grow successfully in the digital market. We’re making increasingly better-looking digital media, our knowledge of online marketing and advertising has rocketed, and, with a few big takeovers, we’ve got all the assets we need to accelerate. The transition strategy at the heart of our digital acceleration focuses on scale (leveraging the scale to maximise synergies), redesigning the core (perpetuating the success of the brands by investing heavily in digitisation) and new business (growing the online services). By transforming our organisation from the inside out, we are an example of how legacy formats can reinvent themselves for the digital era.

The numbers don’t lie DPG Media’s efforts to keep up with the pace of change are paying off. Our company is growing digitally in the double digits: in terms of reach, usage, logged in reach, readership, advertising revenue and online services. HLN is the digital news leader (website and app). It reaches 2.6 million people a day and HLN LIVE gets 280 thousand views per day. In barely two years, we managed to convert VTM from a very classical TV channel into a dynamic TV and video company, with products such as VTM

GO. VTM GO has grown by 57% in 2020 in unique monthly users for its long form videos, while short form video views have grown by 68% (across channels). 21% of our radio public listens online.

Agile leadership is key Rapid change demands agile leadership. DPG Media’s agile teams work autonomously, grouped around different domains. Best practices are shared within the community and different teams can consult the community on how to approach different issues. Working in cross-divisional teams enables rapid change across the organisation. It’s also key for the business and IT sides to determine the digital agenda together. Ultimately it’s about looking beyond traditional silos and collaborating towards ambitious targets driven by consumer needs. DPG Media Mediaplein 1, Antwerp, Belgium

We’ve got all the assets to accelerate our digital transition” – Christian Van Thillo, Executive Chairman DPG Media 215

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BLUE MOON

BLUE MOON IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE AUDIOVISUAL SUPPLIER. OUR COMPANY BREATHES AV.

BLUE MOON specializes in the technical and audiovisual (AV) support of (corporate) events, fixed installations and custom projects. With more than 25 years’ experience and over 1600 projects each year, our 30 motivated employees demonstrate on a daily basis their passion for AV. The BLUE MOON headquarters are situated in Aartselaar (near Antwerp), and we have a commercial office in Brussels, located centrally in Belgium. This allows us to easily service customers throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Our employees are driven by passion and stay true to the BLUE MOON fundamental values:

AV SUPPORT FOR EVENTS BLUE MOON guides you through the entire audiovisual project: before, during and after the event. During your event, our team of reliable AV technicians will assist you and your speakers in a professional, calm and friendly manner.

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Gregory Buytaert, Managing Partner

The audiovisual environment can be complex. It can be overwhelming for customers to find different suppliers for their event. BLUE MOON offers full coordination of the technical equipment, being your single point of contact for all technical needs. We attach great importance to the safety of our employees and clients. Therefore, BLUE MOON has been VCA/SCC* certified since 2014. This underlines our continuous commitment to highquality work.

FIXED AV INSTALLATIONS Fixed AV installations are at the core of our activities. We maximize the quality and profitability of your event venue or meeting room. Having thickened our portfolio up to 50 brands, we can offer the perfect solution to your needs. Our strong team of specialized technicians do not only install the equipment, but also ensure an efficient after-sales service. Maintenance and repairs are done locally or, if necessary, in our technical workshops. Our added value in the complex audiovisual environment? We focus on simplification of complex AV-environments and remote monitoring for preventive maintenance.

and enrich their digital archive. Some can even compile their own Netflix! Corporate television is born! However, building studios is one thing; making corporate TV shows is something else. Therefore, we expanded our team with directors, content creators and project managers. We organized trainings and designed technical sets. BLUE MOON was fully operational and ready to go in less than two months. Our online event adventure started in May 2020 with a first studio in Antwerp but expanded quickly to other locations. Today we have 15 different studios in and around Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Waterloo and Zaventem.

Mathieu D’Hondt, Managing Partner

BLUE MOON is THE one-stop-shop for online and hybrid events. BLUE MOON offers its clients the whole package. In need of content, an online platform, or a make-up artist? Name it, and BLUE MOON takes charge of it. In times of crisis, our company’s positive and innovative mindset paved the way for BLUE MOON to become the most relevant post-Covid AV Company. Our doors are open, and we cannot wait to be the partner for your next (online) event. See you soon!

READY FOR A NEW WORLD BLUE MOON had a stable and extensive identity as a foundation for corporate events, fixed installations and custom projects. When the worldwide pandemic turned the events sector upside down, BLUE MOON was forced to reinvent its strategy. So we did! We noticed that, especially in times of crisis, companies still wanted and needed to communicate. The question was: how? BLUE MOON built several event studios for live streaming. With live shows or pre-recorded presentations, companies can now communicate

BLUE MOON HQ Kontichsesteenweg 48 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium Office +32 3 454 33 35 Email: info@bluemoon.be BLUE MOON Brussels 173-177, Rue Bara 1070 Brussels, Belgium Office: +32 2 898 36 00 Email: brussels@bluemoon.be bluemoon.be

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SHOOTTHEARTIST IS A 5D PRODUCTION COMPANY WE CREATE AND PRODUCE FULL 360° VISUAL SOLUTIONS AND STORYTELLING FOR LUXURY BRANDS, AGENCIES AND MAJOR ARTISTS WORLDWIDE.

La Perla Fashion film

We are multiplatform content creators. One format or all combined, we master the art of visual storytelling over all media. Mind blowing stage concepts, projection mapping, virtual reality, interactive content, holographics, commercials, social content, 3D audio, AR, VR, interactive or just good old analogue film.

SCANDINAVIA By melting refined Parisian and Belgian heritage into Scandinavian minimalism and technology, we have created our own visual signature.

MUSIC

S H O OT T H E A RT I ST

SHOOTTHEARTIST has worked on artistic cooperations with artists like Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Grace Jones, Editors, Justice, John Fogerty, David Guetta, Juliette Lewis, Tiësto, The Hives, Willem Dafoe and many more. The cooperation ranges from art films to complete art direction of shows, music videos and artwork.

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FASHION Being based in the contemporary fashion capital Antwerp, we have had the opportunity to work with many of the iconic and cult designers the town has put on the international stage. These cooperations later propelled us to a lab for top names in the industry like Vanity Fair and Louis Vuitton. We develop fashion films, digital and physical shows, visual sales tools and even complete games for the industry. Master Show for the Royal Fashion Academy of Antwerp

AUTOMOTIVE Major brands like Porsche and Volvo have found their way to us for digital and visual tools with a high end fingerprint. The synergy with these international brands and their agencies have led to some of the most effective and successful projects in the industry.

Porsche – digital experience and commercials

OUR STYLE The deliberate mix of designer fashion, music scenography and digital & visual art has enabled SHOOTTHEARTIST to create unique visual esthetics on 360° concepts.

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Elite model look world Shenzen

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HOTEL & CONGRES TER ELST

A PLACE TO ENJOY THE PEACE AND QUIET YOU NEED IN GREEN SURROUNDINGS, AND ONLY A STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM THE HEART OF ANTWERP.

After Hotel & Congress Ter Elst was taken over in 2011 and thanks to a full transformation of the company, it became one of the major key players in the Meetings & Events industry in the Antwerp region. “We don’t do anything else, we just do it a different way”

What does Ter Elst offer? Ter Elst is a 3-star hotel located in Edegem (nearby Antwerp) with a 4-star service. The property includes 53 hotel rooms, 1 apartment, a large garden and 400+ free parking spots. Ter Elst offers the largest and busiest Tesla charging spot in Belgium, with 18 Tesla Supercharging stations (expandable to 24) and 3 universal chargers free of charge for our guests.

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The hotel is popular for its many facilities. On site there is a David Lloyd fitness club which our Hotel visitors are welcome to use. The premium club includes a fitness club, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and wellness. The bistro Bar Bell offers fine dining in an informal atmosphere. Since 2020, a gastronomic Thai restaurant ‘Yac Thai’ has been added to the hotel’s facilities and has already received a public award in Gault Millau. The hotel is therefore the preferred location for national hockey teams and other sports clubs such as the Anderlecht Football Team, the Bora Hansgrohe and Quick-step cycling team. Additionally the hotel includes, alongside the 3000m² of congress and events space, a large auditorium with 400 seats. Throughout the years, Ter Elst has built-up a recurring and stable client base with several top clients eg. PHP, Baloisse, Prebes and Jaguar. The congress center is well-known to welcome many car manufacturers as the Expo hall is used as a training setup for the yearly “auto-salon” in Brussels. During the Corona period, we were able to respond quickly to altered market needs thanks

to our flexible business model. Our Expo hall has been transformed into 2 smaller event halls of 500m². In collaboration with our technical partner Blue Moon, one of these spaces was converted into Blue Moon Studios@Ter Elst. These 5 modular high-tech studios offer a perfect solution for online or hybrid events, 100% Covid-Proof. Thanks to this rapid adjustment, we were one of the first locations offering this service. Voka, Medical congresses, national and international companies, as well as our first Prime Minister having already had the opportunity to experience these studios.

Thanks to the wide range of meeting rooms we were able to continue working. Depending on the applicable Covid guidelines, meetings could easily be converted to online or hybrid events. Therefore guests can choose to attend the meeting interactively online, or participate in the conference for a limited group on site. ‘We can receive your guests safely via live streaming, as well as personally and safely onsite.’ We are looking forward to welcome you at Ter Elst! Tom Hendrickx General Manager

Hotel & Congres Ter Elst Kattenbroek 1 2650 Edegem - BELGIUM Tel: +32 3 450 90 00 Email: info@terelst.be Email: sales@terelst.be hotelterelst terelst

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THE SCIENCE PARK UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP

MEETING AND SEMINAR FACILITIES: IMPRESS YOUR CUSTOMERS AND ENJOY IN THE BEST CONDITIONS The Science Park University of Antwerp (see more information on pg. 88) in Niel is a unique location for innovative, research-driven companies active within Health & Environment. This dynamic campus is in full development, located in a green oasis. POM Antwerp, the owner and developer, is strongly committed to creating a motivating, inspiring work environment that offers companies, from start-up to multinational, every opportunity to grow successfully.

In addition, you can also visit the Science Park for all your courses, network events or board meetings. Enjoy the green, inspiring environment in the midst of innovative start-ups. Discover our facilities, our bright foyer with the cosy coffee bar Harriet and our supportive services, so that you can make a success of every professional event.

Some of our meeting and seminar facilities at a glance Auditorium Beagle & Foyer The Beagle was the ship on which Charles Darwin made his voyages of discovery that led him to pioneering ideas around natural selection and evolution. It is also the name of the auditorium in incubator Darwin (see more information on pg. 88), the beating heart of the Science Park. Comfortably equipped and with plenty of daylight, the goal of this Beagle is also to inspire people to new insights. The imposing window, with a view of the breath-taking lake, also lends extra cachet to any event. The auditorium seats 72 people. Obviously there is a lectern, but also sufficient space to enable a panel discussion. This room is therefore extremely suitable for trainings, presentations, lectures or press presentations. Adjacent to the auditorium you will find our bright and spacious foyer where you can receive your guests, take a break or have a network reception.

Boardroom Toxodon If you want to impress, organize your meetings in our Boardroom Toxodon. A beautiful, panoramic view immediately

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creates an excellent first impression. Think of meetings, workshops, and break-out sessions for up to 12 people. The bright space, beautiful interior and the range of drinks or snacks from bar Harriet guarantee a successful meeting. WiFi, screen, beamer and whiteboard are included in the Boardroom as standard.

Bar Harriet If you want to be able to focus for a 100%, relaxation is essential from time to time. The Science Park is adjacent to the nature reserve Walenhoek, 60 hectares of greenery gives you the opportunity to walk or cycle. But there is more, Coffee Bar Harriet is a dynamic meeting place for you and your customers. You will also bump into the companies at the Science Park. And of course you will find the very best coffee.

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Bar Harriet - take a break with a delicious cup of coffee Named after Harriet, one of Charles Darwin’s house turtles, our coffee bar is the perfect place to calm down. You can enjoy invigorating coffee, delicious tea and delicious & honest soft drinks, while you read the newspaper or a magazine. From our terrace you have a beautiful view of the water; the perfect place to clear your head.

In the pipeline The Science Park continues to expand. The next building will feature additional conference and training facilities in various sizes and configurations. In this way, our range will be even better suited to customer demand.

Are you looking for an inspiring, fully-equipped place for your meetings, events or seminars? Book our facilities and make a success of every professional event. See you soon. Science Park University of Antwerp Galileilaan, 2845 Niel, Belgium Tel: + 32 3 443 04 00 Email: darwin@wetenschapsparkuantwerpen.be IncubatorDarwin coffeebarharriet wetenschapsparkuantwerpen.be

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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS 224

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANTWERP ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DEMAND DRIVEN

With over 1,500 locations spread across the entire globe, Chamber of Commerce is one of the most powerful brands in the world. It is a name that opens doors and connects entrepreneurs from all over the world. For over two centuries the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds a unique position as one of the few non-subsidised organisations within that network. With its 60 members of staff and 3000 plus active member companies, the Antwerp Chamber has grown to be one of the country’s largest multisectoral employer’s organisations. Since membership to our Chamber is non-compulsory this could only be achieved through constant questioning of our relevance and through adapting our service range to ever changing needs, as any other commercial company would. Hence our business model is 100% demand-driven, dictated by the needs of our entrepreneurs. With our start-up-coaching, growth accelerator and peer learning-networks we reach more than 250 companies every year. We connect them with successful peers and leading innovators. We inspire them with tech conferences. And we guide them in their digital transformation.

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OUR STORY It all starts with a plan! Under the guidance of McKinsey & Co, we created Roadmap 2025: an outline of how we work and what we fight for. McKinsey has been helping us identify our region’s Unique Selling Points (USPs) as well as its most important economic stakeholders, through an international benchmarking exercise. They also shed a light on any potential lack of knowledge or expertise as well as international trends that could pose a threat to the region. 10 years ago, fiscal matters and labour costs would have been at the top of the agenda. But today, our main concerns have shifted towards digitalisation, an ageing population and energy transition. The 30 plus project proposals and ideas that emanated from Roadmap 2025 are the result of a reunion of stakeholders in which solely CEOs, experts and academics from our broad network took part: a very select party of 100 people whose daily job is to manage international companies such as Johnson & Johnson or BASF, cultural organisations such as the Royal Ballet of Flanders, and renowned knowledge institutions such as IMEC or the University of Antwerp. Roadmap 2025 is, in this regard, the compass that guides the way we work; it is a strategic meditation instrument that helps us streamline the services we offer our members. Over the years we have developed several programs for young and fast-growing entrepreneurs to participate in. These programs

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have been designed to fit the life stage in which their business is in and focus on the specific needs and challenges that may occur in these phases.

Guiding start-ups We define those phases as follows: pre-startup, start-up, scale-up, and fast grower. In a pre-start-up phase, we work around developing and validating a business idea. It is important to us that these ideas are innovative and have growth potential. Entrepreneurs who are in this early phase can join our tailored program that focuses on developing a market-ready

Inge Onsia, CEO of fashionbrand Essentiel Antwerp gets a mention on our Wall of Fame

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business model. In the following life stage, we offer a program for start-ups in which we guide them in their first steps in the market. We draw up the trajectory together with the participants to meet their current needs. However, we find that the following topics often recur in this phase: finding the right sales channels, pitching for stakeholders, drawing up a financial plan and branding.

Growing businesses When a business is still young, but has already had a steady launch, they are able to join our program for scale-ups. In this program we put the emphasis on the first steps to growing a business. The participants are guided through a well-defined trajectory that is built up with the support of experts who share their experience about expanding their business. In addition to that program, which already focuses on growth, we have another one that focuses on the specific challenges associated with rapid growth. This growth accelerator consists of sessions that highlight topics such as sustainable business development, forming organizational structures and internationalization. All of our programs incorporate learning on multiple levels. Depending on whether the fixed workshops of that program cover all of the individual needs of the participant, we have coaches assigned to them who are ready to provide additional individual guidance in between group sessions. These individual sessions become more intense for each advanced stage of the businesses’ life. We strongly believe in peer-to-peer learning and sharing experiences. This is another way in which we guide entrepreneurs, by bringing them together so they can connect and have a network that they can turn to. As well as connecting young entrepreneurs with each other, we also connect them with experienced entrepreneurs. They can share their entrepreneurial experience with those who are just now entering the world of entrepreneurship. As such we provide our participants with multiple possible sparring partners with whom they can challenge their ideas.

Luc Luwel, CEO of the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and Industry

By providing these different programs with multiple levels of guidance for young entrepreneurs, we want to give them the opportunity to develop their innovative ideas and technologies and introduce them to the Antwerp ecosystem of entrepreneurship.

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Innovation and digital transformation Our city possesses great expertise on innovation and digital transformation and our goal is to locate where it is and define how to use it to the fullest. We aim to put companies that want to innovate or digitize in touch with the parties that can make this happen on different levels. Through different trajectories and activities, the Chamber wants to guide organizations to taking their first steps towards digital transformation. This can be done on a small scale with experts guiding you individually or through events on a large scale where you are immersed in a bath of knowledge about the movements and trends in the industry and the possibilities of technology. A dedicated coordinator takes it upon themselves to accomplish this. In our Roadmap 2025 we also emphasize our role as a liaison between knowledge institutions and corporate life. A few years ago, together with the University of Antwerp, we set up the collaboration platform Antwerp Smart Region Link. It is our mission to link academic researchers to more than 3000 companies, represented by the Chamber, in order to boost innovation in the region and beyond. We collaborate in jointly set priority domains by the University of Antwerp and the Roadmap 2025, such as blue chemistry, smart logistics and health innovation. In line with these initiatives, we organize a number of large events each year to stimulate collaboration and trigger new ideas. The Tech Summit, hosted by

Filip Smet CEO of Road21

Paul Stoffels, Chief Scientific Officer Johnson&Johnson was keynotespeaker on our Antwerp Innovation night

Michiel Vallee, Dockflow

Testimonials

“Entrepreneurship is a process of constant learning and adaptions. We’ve found a perfect environment in Antwerp and its supporting ecosystem. The Chamber has guided us through stages like idea generation and getting a first client, to supporting HR challenges once the company started to grow. The power of their network had a great impact.” - Michiel Valee, Dockflow

“The start-up program established the foundation of entrepreneurship for me, which is why I recommend every company within Road21 to participate in the trajectories. For a company to successfully go from 0 to 1, participating is a must.” - Filip Smet, Road21

the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and Industry each year wants to put various topics linked to technology and innovation in the spotlight one by one. We give space to academia and experts to come and speak on these topics. In this way, we want to encourage companies to keep up with today’s technologies both to relieve themselves of tasks that can be automated as well as to protect themselves against the dangers posed by new innovations. Last but not least we launched a new flagship event hosted by Antwerp SRL: the Antwerp Innovation Night. In the first edition, Antwerp.SRL gathered all the innovative players in the region for a fascinating evening with keynote Paul Stoffels (Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson). The evening was concluded with the presentation of the first AHA! award, a prize for innovative researchers and companies from the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp colleges on one side and the business community on the other side.

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CONNECTING THE BUSINESS WORLD A STABLE AND COMMITTED ORGANISATION

World Trade Center Antwerp – or WTC Antwerp – is one of the oldest and most active business clubs in the region. It is a meeting platform for effective networking, both nationally and internationally. WTC Antwerp provides B2B activities, company visits, and interesting events that promote professional networking and the exchange of experiences. WTC Antwerp relies on the efforts of volunteers who do not have any commercial intentions. Many members join spontaneously because of the professional stability radiated by the organisation and the commitment it shows its members. Each World Trade Center (WTC) is an apolitical organisation that unites more than 500,000 companies from around the globe that are active in international trade. The WTC concept transcends geographical or political barriers and is based on a unique philosophy expressed by: • promoting support and cooperation among members; • promoting international, national and regional business relationships; • supporting the business community and making facilities available; • providing training opportunities. International support Companies with international ambitions can call on WTC Antwerp as an intermediary. The forum will guide you if you are looking for an answer to the following questions: • Are you looking for the right contact person abroad? • Would you like to meet a foreign WTC specialist? • Would you like information on international trade partners and fairs? • Are you looking for a favourable hotel, meeting or office facilities?

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One central point of information WTC Antwerp brings together business people and government services involved in national and international trade and interests. It is a one-stop information hub where business people and entrepreneurs have access to a full range of services such as market research, WTCA Online, a business centre with relevant services, business training, business missions and a business club for regional and national networking. What services are available to all WTC members worldwide? In the broadest sense, a World Trade Center concentrates all services related to international trade in one place. Call on WTC for: • Trade information: Providing data on trade contacts, trade proposals, trade regulations, trade tariffs and trade missions. • Office units: Short- or long-term rental, both for national and international members. • Courses: Organising practical and customeroriented seminars and training programmes on current topics of international business.

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• WTC Clubs: Private business clubs providing lounge and dining service for members and their guests. • Meeting and conference facilities. • Space for trade fairs and exhibitions. • Trade missions: At regular intervals in cooperation with other WTCs. • Export assistance services: Practical trade assistance for local manufacturers and service providers. Innovation Through our cooperative networks we help to generate new knowledge, stimulating and reinforcing innovative attitudes within member companies. Moreover, WTC Antwerp is renowned for its networking culture, for stimulating innovation...through the interaction of a wide variety of experts and professionals with different backgrounds and different mindsets, giving our members access to widely divergent approaches and ideas.

stimulating collaboration and the speedy expansion of new products and services. Business services tailored to your needs World Trade Center Antwerp is in full growth. Every day, new members strengthen the capabilities of our organisation and the options we are able to offer. Training days? Affordable office buildings? International business trips? Market information? Important contact information? Exclusive discounts on conferences? You’ll find everything you need via WTC Antwerp. Join today.

As part of a global organisation, with extensive knowledge and regional, national and international relations, WTC Antwerp helps companies share experiences and insights,

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LADIES’ CIRCLE 55 I.O. ANTWERP

‘FRIENDSHIP AND SERVICE’ IS THE MOTTO OF THE LADIES’ CIRCLE, A SERVICE CLUB FOR WOMEN AGED UP TO 45

Our organisation was founded in England in 1959 as a female alternative to the Round Table. Today, Ladies’ Circle has more than 12,000 members worldwide, spread over 40 countries. In Belgium alone, we have more than 680 members. Ladies’ Circle recently re-established a club in Antwerp. For years, there had been no Ladies’ Circle in the koekenstad or ‘city of biscuits’. This all changed after launching a call for a new Circle at the

end of 2020. Over 20 ladies from Antwerp responded with great enthusiasm, and together we are working on the development of this brand new service club. Officially, we are still i.o., ‘in formation’ and our Charter meeting is planned for September 2021. From then onwards, we will be a fully-functioning Ladies’ Circle. And we are here to stay! Who are the Antwerp Ladies? Aged between 27 and 44 years old, we are active in various sectors - often as entrepreneurs or in management positions. Some of us are mothers, others are not. We have the most diverse hobbies and lifestyles. What binds us, is the awareness that we are all lucky in life.

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Each of us wants to turn that awareness into action. In the words of Kamala Harris, the first female VicePresident of the United States: ‘What is important for my daughter to know is that... if you are fortunate enough to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well.’ Ladies’ Circle may not be new. So why does Ladies’ Circle 55 Antwerp i.o. deserve a place in a book about innovation? In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, we dared to start a new service club with a group of women, most of whom had never met each other before this initiative. We used Zoom meetings to get acquainted - there were over 90 women at the online kick-off meeting!

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For our confirmation meeting and very first fundraiser, we teamed up with BelRoy’s, Antwerp’s best cocktail bar – and Gault & Millau cocktail bar of the year 2021 – to distribute 812 of their most delicious cocktails (by post!). We provided an aperobox for all our members and invited actor Manou Kersting to announce the winners of our tombola. Together, we do everything we can to kick-start our circle, even though the coronavirus provides constant practical challenges. The aims of Ladies’ Circle are: • to promote friendship and understanding between its members through better knowledge of each other; • to encourage a sense of responsibility, by stimulating social, humanitarian and cultural activities; • to promote the association’s image in Belgium and throughout the world; and • to achieve these objectives by organising meetings, lectures, exchanges and discussions

All Ladies’ Circles organise a monthly statutory meeting where local, national and international agenda items are discussed. In addition, different circles organise fundraising activities for our charities. Each club has its own social project, but Ladies’ Circle also supports fantastic projects nationally and internationally. Anyone who has seen our Antwerp Ladies in action over the past few weeks, will see that we are thriving! We look forward to taking on any challenge that may come our way.

Ladies’ Circle 55 Antwerpen lc55antwerpen

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SINC, STUDENTS FOR INNOVATION & COOPERATION, IS A STUDENT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO INFORM, INSPIRE AND ACTIVATE STUDENTS TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS AND CULTIVATE THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Founded in 2014 by students with a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation, the goal was and still is to help all students – regardless of study – to become entrepreneurs. Throughout the college years of the founders no specific student organization could help with starting up a business. This is why SINC was founded. An Antwerp based student organization to support, inspire and fuel students to start their own business. Meanwhile they are building a network of student entrepreneurs to further support each other.

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In recent years SINC has evolved from a small students association to a large community of entrepreneurs and like-minded people, while still carrying on their largest mission: inspiring, informing and activating students. Every year, SINC organizes different events for students to get familiar with entrepreneurship. These events can be split up into three main domains: inspirational talks, workshops and activating events. This way, SINC fills every student’s specific needs or interests. These events could not be organized without hard work from these dedicated student-volunteers and the extended network of partners, built over the years.

Inspirational talks The inspirational talks are the base entry level of events. They are aimed at all students, even those without any entrepreneurial knowledge. The purpose of these events is to stimulate curiosity about entrepreneurship and let them discover new technologies, innovations and businesses. During these events, experts share their knowledge about fascinating topics and innovative solutions to the world’s current struggles. Events like ‘Hits & Misses’, ‘Marketing 360’, ‘Student Today Founder Tomorrow’ and others have helped thousands of students in discovering their entrepreneurial mindset.

Workshops When inspiration and excitement results in the exploration of entrepreneurship, our second pillar kicks in: being a platform for information.

By offering various workshops in cooperation with our partners, SINC assists their partners to inform students on the different aspects of starting their own company. From legal and financial advice, to implementing frameworks and tools. Every aspect of entrepreneurship can be discussed. This resulted in over 150 studententrepreneurs supported throughout their journey so far.

Activating events Curiosity. Check. All information aboard. Check. For some students, the entrepreneurial mindset and practical information is enough to make them a valuable asset in any business later on in their professional careers. But for some students, the entrepreneurial dream goes further than that. At this point, it is necessary to help students with the launch of their own business. As part of Antwerp’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, SINC can offer their students

mentorships and boot camp programs to help them kick off their business successfully.

Community Throughout its seven years of existence, SINC has built an extended community of local student-entrepreneurs. This SINC-community exists of over 100 students who started their own business during college. Thanks to the strong network of partners, these young entrepreneurs can be supported by tailored support and network events to connect with potential partners and investors. Will a unicorn emerge soon from this community? The future will tell.

Future Entrepreneurship SINC’s flagship event is Future Entrepreneurship. A major technology & innovation conference with various international speakers. This inspiring event aims to introduce students to the world of tomorrow and how entrepreneurship shapes the future. Different speakers cover themes such as artificial intelligence, the future of health, smart cities, sustainability... and so many more. Moreover, these students will be able to get to know various innovative companies by visiting a job fair. This way students get acquainted with and are able to actively contribute to the world of tomorrow. Building the future starts here. In 2021, the fifth edition of Future Entrepreneurship took place. Although with the Covid-limitations, the SINC team succeeded in organizing a virtual experience by expanding the event to a three-day edition.

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GUMPTION

TACKLES DIGITAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES WITH CO-CREATION

The health crisis has presented companies with new challenges. The appetite for digitization is now larger than ever before. Start-ups play an important role as drivers of innovation. Gumption is an innovation hub and ecosystem for young companies. The group’s 20 companies focus on business challenges and IT solutions, such as customer and employee experience, optimization and automation of business processes, secure and high-performance IT infrastructure, and data-driven policy. Gumption has a stake in every company. Founder and managing partner Bart Embrechts talks about the group’s co-creation strategy.

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Why are businesses joining Gumption? Bart Embrechts: Since its start in 2012, Gumption has focused on creating a full service for member companies. Gumption represents a solid backbone for these companies, which guarantees continuity for their clients. It offers businesses financial support, strategic advice, and shared services. This allows start-ups and early-stagers to focus on their growth. This model is interesting for start-ups, because young companies often find it difficult to attract large companies or governments as clients. These organizations choose suppliers based on as many guarantees as possible, which a one-year-old company is hard-pressed to offer. The group is able to ensure cross-fertilization and open client doors more rapidly. Relationships don’t have to be built from scratch.

From left to right: founding fathers Nicolas Van Odijk, Dieter Oversteyns, Olivier Leroy and Bart Embrechts

Gumption launched in the market with the slogan ‘Co-create the Future’. Where does this positioning come from? Embrechts: A review at the end of 2018 for a large Belgian client in the steel industry set us on that track. They were looking for an alternative to consulting agencies with expensive theories and poor results, or too little down-to-earth mentality. Our pragmatic approach combined with extensive expertise could be a differentiator for them. We joined forces with four companies of the group: TheValueChain’s SAP experts, the supply chain architects of valueXstream, the BI specialists of Bmatix and the software testers of Brightest. For a whole month, our organisation was turned upside down, but our collective thinking proved convincing. At the start of 2019, we gave shape and a resonant name to our new strategy: Co-create the Future. The Gumption approach appears to intrigue many customers today. The Co-create the Future story is helping us create new opportunities for all of the companies and employees in the group.

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With our slogan, we want to emphasize our innovative strength as a group and our cocreation capacity. We look at challenges from a 360° approach and use our combined strengths optimally. The companies are well aware of each other’s qualities. They share the same values. They don’t compete with each other: cooperation is a key component. Gumption’s role: getting our young companies to the table when their contribution adds value for the client. We believe in the innovative power, agility, creativity, and commitment of our young lions. ‘’Interconnected small is the new big.”

Any examples of cocreation projects?

Why? Embrechts: Co-creation is the way to meet the challenging problems of our time, such as accelerated digitization, the climate crisis and the pandemic. Complex issues require solutions beyond the walls of regions, companies, departments, and professional specializations. In innovative digitization, you need both specialists and holistic thinkers in a variety of disciplines. At Gumption, we bring these talents together under one roof.

Embrechts: In 2018, pgb-Europe, a specialist in fasteners and fixings, got a web shop up and running. For this, they needed an intermediate layer to enrich and manage the product information from SAP. These enriched data make the product more attractive to the customer. For example, in the e-shop you show a video or add a longer article description. Via a product information management system (PIM) you add these data to the enormous portfolio in the ERP. The PIM system came into being thanks to the efficiently combined know-how of four Gumption companies. Customer experience specialist Oddball developed the system in close collaboration with supply chain architect valueXstream. Brightest tested the functioning and performance. Infrastructure specialist Rank 1 gave support for seamless management in the cloud. Innovative strength is often at the crossroads of expertise. A good example is MobieTrain, a mobile-first learning platform breaking through internationally. Microlearning’s success is due to its user experience. And so MobieTrain involved UX specialists in the development from the start. Behavioral scientists, gamification experts, software testers. Co-creation, with the aim of providing employees with an optimal total experience. All specializations of Gumption companies. An example in e-mobility. As all company cars must be electric by 2026, the demand for

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charging stations in cities and municipalities is skyrocketing. CenEnergy, a Gumption company, specializes in smart charging infrastructure and management. One of the bottlenecks is that posts are often occupied by cars that are not charging. In 2020, Geosparc launched a technology that solves this problem. A driver receives a message when his car is fully charged. As a government or company, you can make your parking policy enforceable.

As a client, how do you find your way at Gumption? Embrechts: The group is organized around three hubs. Digital transformation is all about target groups: clients, candidate employees, end users. They are central to our business model. As a company you do everything you can to offer these target groups a compelling experience, so that they choose you and become your ambassador. That also means the acceleration of your processes, their seamless harmonization, and the automation of tasks. You need to take quick action based on a keen insight into data. And you have to keep your people working safely on well-organized and powerful infrastructure.

What are the plans for the future? Embrechts: To continue to build on our success. We will keep investing. In sales and marketing, to get our co-creation story out there even more. In people. In recruitment and growth. In 2020, the group crossed the milestone of 500 employees. We ended the year with a consolidated turnover of €67.5M. Our goal is to double that in the next five years. And we are well on our way.

Our hubs reflect these challenges: the creative hub; the business & operations hub; and the smart hub. To you as a client, this structure offers something to hold on to.

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START IT @KBC OPENING DOORS FOR INNOVATION

Start it @KBC is a unique no-strings-attached startup accelerator supporting and promoting innovative and scalable entrepreneurship. As the largest startup ecosystem in Belgium representing around 1,000 coached startups, this rapidly growing community offers access to vast expertise, an enormous global network and state-of-the art work spaces.

A unique proposition Start it @KBC was founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs Lode Uytterschaut, Katrien Dewijngaert and Patrick Van Loij with the support of KBC Bank, which provided its first co-working spaces. While it was not the first or last startup accelerator in Belgium, what made it stand out was its 100% founder centricity. The founders built the program from the bottom up together with the first startup batches and keep expanding it based on co-creation with their startup community. Participating startups owe absolutely nothing to Start it @KBC or its partners, making it the only no-strings-attached accelerator on the Belgian market. The only things asked of startups are dedication and an open mind, as well as a willingness to pay it forward.

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As a non-profit organisation, Start it @KBC partners like Accenture, KBC, Start it X and many other partners that want to evolve their innovation strategy are not in it for the money, but for the shared mission of boosting innovation and entrepreneurship and making a positive impact on the economy and society in Belgium. Startup founders begin their journey at Start it @KBC with an intensive, challenging oneyear acceleration program, built by startups for startups. Around 120 entrepreneurs join each year, going on to build up a trusted network of experts, mentors, investors and other founders. As part of the global GAN community of accelerators, Start it @KBC startups benefit from a wide range of opportunities and the possibility of scouting markets around the planet.

The value of community The single most valuable thing Start it @KBC offers founders is its expansive network, which would take startups many years to build up on their own. The accelerator focuses on crosspollination not only between startups and scaleups, but also between investors, experienced mentors and experts. Over 200 partners and mentors representing a wide range of industries dedicate their time to advising startups, providing the precious perspective of those who have also been in the trenches.

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Start it @KBC currently provides co-working space for its startups in six cities in Belgium and is expanding abroad to cities like Prague, Budapest, Gyor and New York. The business coach is the first point of contact for the startups, referring them to the right expert or mentor and providing a shoulder to cry on. Over the years Start it @KBC has evolved to further respond to what startup founders are looking for, as well as increasing their emphasis on supporting female founders. They were the first accelerator in Belgium to put in place special programs to boost female entrepreneurship, with the most impressive results.

No limits to your ambition Start it @KBC welcomes startups from all industries, as long as they contribute positively to humanity and the world. It represents over 30 industries from sustainable transport (Streetwaves) to marketing (CityCubes), smart drones (Skyebase) to healthtech (Noman Technics), including many social entrepreneurs (Eight, Give a Day, Helpper) creating products and services to improve people’s lives. There are two pitch waves per year to attract and select new startups which the accelerator guides through the stages of ideation, building, going to market and scaling.

If you are developing innovative products or services and have the drive and potential to scale your business, Start it @KBC is there to open the door for you.

Start it @KBC Sint-Pietersvliet 7 2000 Antwerpen Email: startit@kbc.be

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MCA – MARITIME CAMPUS ANTWERP

©KCAP

MCA IS A ‘DO’ CAMPUS & COMMUNITY WHERE BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY & KNOWLEDGE ARE LINKED TO STRENGTHEN AND FURTHER DEVELOP THE MARITIME SECTOR. IT’S A PLACE WHERE COMPANIES COME TOGETHER TO COOPERATE, INNOVATE AND CREATE NEW SOLUTIONS TO APPLY THEM IN A VERY PRACTICAL WAY

MCA will be a new public hotspot in Antwerp where everyone can have something to eat and drink while relaxing and experiencing the maritime sector. The aim of MCA is to connect entrepreneurs who develop sustainable and water-related businesses. MCA Community is broad and focuses on joining forces between the various actors in the maritime sector at European level. MCA Campus accommodates organisations ranging from larger companies to start-ups, educational and research institutions. Several facilities are made available for this purpose: co-working spaces,

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project spaces but also several R&D halls, labs and studios. Sustainability is one of the pillars of MCA: making shipping clean and sustainable. MCA Campus shows the way by transforming an old industrial area into a sustainable, future-proof and innovative site with a mix of economic activities and a public hotspot, surrounded by nature. Because co-creation and innovation are part of MCA’s DNA, the facilities are designed to enable exactly that. Great quality, hospitality services and a stimulating community create a stimulating environment for people to be creative.

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•

• • • •

Public hotspot in Antwerp: MCA will become a new hotspot in Antwerp with cultural activities and catering establishments Campus: MCA accommodates organisations ranging from larger companies to start-ups, educational and research institutions and training facilities. Ecosystem: MCA focuses on joining forces between various actors from inside and outside the European maritime industry The beating heart of maritime Europe The maritime knowledge cluster for Europe in Antwerp Technology & innovation Matchmaker & bridge builder: the triple helix story & the cooperation between industry, academia, R&D & government

©KCAP

MCA REPRESENTS

MCA’S DIFFERENT OBJECTIVES ARE • • • •

Strengthening the maritime sector Stimulating and applying knowledge, technology and innovation Cleaner and more efficient maritime sector Showing the ins and outs of the future maritime industry to the public

MCA FOCUSES ON Efficiency & effectivity Economy Ecology Safety & wellbeing Ship management

©KCAP

• • • • •

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ROAD 21 WE ARE YOUR ROAD TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

What Road21 does Road21 is the caring mother of a multitude of companies and entrepreneurs, which focuses on three (3) main activities: • Road21 Services: for clients looking for a “speedboat”- partner which can help them to innovate, create and launch new business models and solutions within their Digital Transformation needs.

• Road21 Ventures: where we launch new product and service companies from ideas generated internally or by partnering up with entrepreneurs. We provide our hands-on support and in-house services to accelerate the growth of these ventures. • Road21 Family: supporting entrepreneurs by providing them access to our Road21 ecosystem of services: from funding/subsidy services till technology resources, coaching, housing, HR admin, accounting, marketing, etc.

and the cross-fertilization with other group members enables everyone to grow personally, as well as their business significantly.

Road21 focuses on the growth and development of its entrepreneurs and companies. The combination of each companies’ complementary expertise, large network

The story behind Road21

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Every Road21 partnership is built on the same cornerstone: one shared vision and set of values. For all our clients, Road21 is committed to go above and beyond to ensure they are completely satisfied, supporting them on their quest to become #1 in their respective fields.

In 2015 Filip Smet started Lemon Companies as a hosting company which quickly evolved into a broad technology provider. Five years

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From top to bottom: Jeremy Schuermans, Filip Smet and Fabian Van Kerckhove of double-digit growth later, he decided to join forces with Fabian Van Kerckhove, with whom he had co-founded several companies already, and who at the time was running a family business focused on the distribution of mineral fillers named SOD.DEL. Their mutual and complementary passion for entrepreneurship resulted in the birth of Road21. In January 2021, the pair became a triplet when Jeremy Schuermans joined the company. His corporate background among the likes of Procter & Gamble and Unilin Flooring helped the newly erupted group to further skyrocket into an umbrella of service companies and start-ups. The name Road21 (road to one) refers primarily to unification (road to one company), but can

also be connected with other connotations like ‘road to growth for each company in our family’ or ‘the road to innovation’.

Our core values: • Positive impact • Having fun • Building up Knowledge

Industries in which Road21 is active Road21 is always looking for the next big idea, regardless of industry or work field. Though the nature of the venture’s history, a core focus remains on technology & innovation. Scale-up IT & technology player Lemon is successfully sharing experiences with promising ventures like Stretch (innovation), Code-Less (low-code and no-code development), and Are Agency (marketing). Other service nuggets and promising start-ups in various domains are equally getting ready to rock the world.

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Headquarters: The ClubHouse, Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich Year established: 2020 Employees: 120+ Number of companies: 38

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DE WINKELHAAK | HOUSE OF C WHERE CREATIVE PEOPLE CONNECT

Designcenter | De Winkelhaak had to finance its own operations and explicitly selected its shareholders in the business world. In this way the project became one of the first examples of a successful publicprivate partnership.

An independent needs study led to the concept and mission of Designcenter | De

Winkelhaak: above all it was to become a business centre for designers; an affordable, professional working environment that empowered entrepreneurs by focusing on interaction and job satisfaction, not just an office, but a community, where knowledge and contacts are spontaneously shared. This is still our mission.

In the late nineties the area around the Winkelhaak streets was dominated by prostitution, crime and drug use. The general public avoided the neighbourhood and the city was at the end of its rope. In 1999 the European Union, the Flemish Community and the City of Antwerp joined forces and committed themselves to launch a major cleaning campaign. The brothels were expropriated, the streets were rebuilt and a brand new modern building was raised. The revaluation of Antwerpen Noord had begun.

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The second goal of De Winkelhaak was (and still is) to economically and socially boost the district by contributing to a positive image and attracting new people. The transparent new building was equipped with a large multipurpose space with plenty of daylight for organizing events and exhibitions to attract tourists as well as residents to the borough.

Still we felt it was too early to let go of the creative sector completely, there was still a lot of work to be done. Where we had focused on start-ups, incubation and promotion for 15 years, we now wanted to focus on the professionalization and maturity of the sector. Just like that De Winkelhaak evolved into a house of meetings and knowledge.

De Winkelhaak | House of C

The exhibition space was converted to make room for six meeting and event spaces that can be used by both internal and external companies. Overnight, it seemed, we rebranded and changed our name to DE WINKELHAAK | HOUSE OF C, where creative people connect.

In 2017 it was time to rethink our concept. After all, the goals of Designcenter | De Winkelhaak were largely achieved: the Antwerp creative sector was running at full speed and De Winkelhaak - as proof of concept - inspired numerous coworking spaces and coaching programs. The borough around De Winkelhaak had also become a fine mixture of colours, ages and spending power and the influx of young families was unmistakably a fact.

At the start of this overhaul, De Winkelhaak team’s nerves were tense. After all, converting the airy exhibition space could end up in architectural murder. Don’t forget that the building won several (international) awards

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for its architecture and its impressive but transparent presence in the streets. In the end we were very happy with the result. The transparency of the building has been preserved and the ‘display cases’ inspire more than ever to take a look inside to see what exactly is going on. The new meeting rooms are a feast for the eyes. DE WINKELHAAK | HOUSE OF C, now, is the operating base and meeting place for numerous innovative and creative companies and entrepreneurs and is in fact the epicentre of creative and innovative entrepreneurship in Antwerp, as well as a hotspot for intellectual cross-pollination.

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STOKERS A SPACE TO MEET A SPACE TO CONNECT A SPACE TO WORK

NEW IDEAS NEED OLD BUILDINGS – Jane Jacobs, urbanist

There might not be a more accurate description of the philosophy behind Antwerp’s notorious boiler room – and its resurrection into STOKERS, a creativity- and opportunity-sparking forum.. Affectionately referred to by locals as ‘stookplaats’ (the Dutch word for ‘boiler room’), this historyfilled facility originally fired up its furnaces to warm the wards of the surrounding hospital complex throughout the 20th century. The ‘Military Hospital Antwerp’ or ‘MHA’ was inaugurated in 1911 by Lieutenant Colonel Waffelaert and was built following the blueprints of French civil engineer Casimir Tollet (advocate of ‘pavilion hospitals’ and natural aeration & ventilation), in an eclectic style with neo-Flemish Renaissance elements. It included not only rooms for up to 120 patients (400 in case of disasters), but also outpatient departments, surgery rooms, a chapel, a monastery and housing for technical employees. All connected by glass hallways and an ingenious labyrinth of underground corridors and piping, through which constant warmth was spread by pumping steam from the boiler room. No wonder this marvel of a site was occupied twice by the Germans during both World Wars. After its abandonment in 1993, however, it was locked and left unused… until 2006.

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Starting then, the entire neighborhood transformed into an internationally acclaimed landmark and – due to the fact that it’s not directly accessible via public roads – a remarkable urban development called ‘Het Groen Kwartier’ (the Green Quarter): a car-free, hidden gem for families and businesses that share an impassioned desire to build and grow. Revived, energized and yet full of charm. STOKERS, situated at the architectural heart of it all, rose from its ashes and underwent a complete conversion that took several years: ambitious plans tend to cause fundamental challenges. The results speak for themselves… and are one of the reasons you’re reading this article, aren’t they? Today, the façade of the main building has been completely restored with strong attention to detail and respect to its historical value. The interior features an entirely new structure devised to meet the needs and expectations of today’s fast-paced entrepreneurs and creatives – or to satisfy the Instagrammable ‘ooh and aah’ criteria of event visitors.

Founder André Duval couldn’t be more thrilled: “The old boiler room was built to distribute steam. The new STOKERS is designed to breathe new life into business and social activities, thus sparking opportunities for anyone who pays our monumental facility a visit.” Are you stoked to swing by? Please do. SERVICES & AMENITIES • secluded and professionally-equipped areas for MEETINGS & PRESENTATIONS (4 – 40 pax); • hospitality facilities for (business) EVENTS & GATHERINGS up to 175 pax; • …or, given the Corona pandemic, a splendid environment to create LIVESTREAM SESSIONS & WEBINARS; • (remote) OFFICES & WORKSPACES; • a ‘CANTEEN’ - which includes our FOOD CORNER.

Stokers Artsen Zonder Grenzenstraat 31 2018 Antwerpen Tel: +32 3 302 30 40 Email: info@stokers.co

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PAMICA NV

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PAMICA NV IS THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF MICHEL AKKERMANS, LOCATED AT A STONE’S THROW FROM “ T EILANDJE” IN THE CENTRE OF ANTWERP.

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Michel Akkermans is a serial entrepreneur in fintech companies, private investor, advisor and board member serving on the boards of public and private companies and private equity funds. Amongst others, he was Chairman and CEO of successful companies such as FICS and Clear2Pay. After the global payment solution company Clear2Pay was acquired by FIS in 2014, he became an active investor and board member/chairman, as well as venture partner and Chairman of Volta Ventures. Pamica NV is an active investor in technology companies, often with a focus on financial technology. It makes a substantial contribution to its portfolio companies, assisting the founders and management in making technology choices, designing go to market strategies, pricing structures, identifying new markets and clients, while also helping with the human resources, attracting talent and help raise follow-up financing. Pamica NV also provides co-working space and infrastructure to its portfolio companies.

Michel Akkermans Chairman & CEO at Pamica NV

Geographically, the company operates globally. Pamica NV and Michel Akkermans are also active in the non-profit sector as board member and sponsor (Belcham, Imec, Middelheim Promotors,…).

Portfolio overview:

For an overview of the investment portfolio with a link to the respective companies, please visit www.pamica.be.

Pamica NV Rouaansekaai1, 2nd floor 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Tel: +32 3 202 40 30 Email: info@pamica.be

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VOLTA VENTURES

SEED AND EARLY STAGE VENTURE CAPITAL FOR INTERNET AND SOFTWARE COMPANIES IN THE BENELUX

Volta Ventures invests in young, promising internet and software companies in the Benelux. We provide capital and guidance to assist companies to grow from startup to scale up. We make a substantial contribution to our portfolio companies by working with the founders and management in designing go to market strategies, pricing models, identifying new markets & clients, while also assisting with the human capital development, attracting talent, and help raise follow-up financing. The combined Volta team, led by managing partners Frank Maene and Sander Vonk, has over 40 years of experience in Venture Capital, invested in over 100 companies, supported over 30 exits and has hands-on entrepreneurial experience in multiple exited ventures.

Frank Maene & Sander Vonk, Managing Partners

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At the Heart of the Innovation Ecosystem of Antwerp Volta Ventures is strongly involved in the Benelux innovation ecosystem, with a soft spot for the city of Antwerp. Volta holds an office at the river banks of the Scheldt at the heart of this local ecosystem. Volta has active relationships with the various relevant ecosystem partners such as universities, incubators (The Beacon, KBC Start-it) and accelerators (Birdhouse), where we actively engage through pitching contests, jury memberships, mentoring and other entrepreneurship stimulating activities. Volta Ventures further brings to the table valuable ecosystem stakeholders through its investor base including Government actors (Flemish, Brussels and Belgian) as well as investors and business angels with entrepreneurial and innovation backgrounds. Michel Akkermans, serial entrepreneur and Chairman and Venture Partner of Volta Ventures plays an active role in this entrepreneurial ecosystem.

A Soft Spot for Logistics Michel Akkermans, serial entrepreneur and Chairman and Venture Partner of Volta Ventures

We see great opportunities for further digitization and innovation in logistics and supply chain. The innovative ecosystem of Antwerp combined with the proximity of the Port of Antwerp ensures the City of Antwerp is greatly positioned to lead innovation in the “LogTech” domain. Volta Ventures brings great contribution to this domain through its logistics experience. Venture Partner Koen De Waele, has spent 15+ years in leading roles in Logtech (logistics technology). He held executive roles at Alpega and is the Chairman of Antwerp-based Logtech scale-up SupplyStack. Moreover, among its investor base, Volta counts several entrepreneurs active in logistics and logtech.

At the Service of Entrepreneurs

Koen De Waele, Venture Partner

Volta Ventures aims to support entrepreneurs and let them shine. We enable this through being: • committed investors: we don’t give up; startups are hard and so is venture capital. We are supportive in good times and bad. • fast and nimble: we move quickly so the entrepreneurs can focus on running their business. • networked and experienced: both the team and the angel investors of Volta have vast international experience in internet and software. We actively help entrepreneurs and start-ups to stay ahead, both locally and internationally. • active: Doing not just saying: We developed programs with industry experts to continually support our portfolio companies.

Several Volta portfolio companies are Antwerp based Sentiance turns motion data into contextual insights and uses behavioral change techniques to personalize engagement for safer and sustainable mobility and wellbeing experiences. SweepBright empowers real estate agencies to deliver exceptional customer experiences and become significantly more efficient. Cashforce is a ‘next-generation’ Cash management solution, helping finance/ treasury departments save time and money by offering accurate cash flow forecasting, flexible reporting & automation.

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Volta Ventures Email: info@voltaventures.eu

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TASTE WESTERLUND When tradition meets innovation

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Taste Westerlund is the name of the new family holding company founded by Jean-Jacques Westerlund in 2009. In 2008, the well-known Antwerpbased Westerlund Group was sold to Euroports, ending more than a century of the family’s involvement in marine terminal operations and logistics.

year when the company was sold to Euroports, it handled over 9 million tons through its several locations worldwide.

The Westerlund Group was a world leader in the handling and logistics of forest products serving paper – and pulp producers and consumers through its port terminals in Antwerp, Rouen, Tilbury and Changshu. The same

With TASTE INVEST we invest in innovative start-ups and small medium sized companies with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

The main focus of Taste Westerlund is real estate, private equity investments via Taste Invest and yacht chartering via Taste Yachting.

Brouwersvliet 19-21 2000 Antwerp Belgium

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KEGELS & VAN ANTWERPEN

Partner of choice for expats, diplomats and supranationals

Welcome to Belgium, more international than ever before. Aboveaverage work-life balance, high-quality education, great healthcare and personal security, make Belgium an excellent choice for you and your family.

Not only is Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen one of the leading insurance brokers for international healthcare programs, but we are also the specialist expat community in Belgium turns to for their insurance queries. With a range of products and services adapted for expats and diplomats, an office at NATO and more than 60 years of know-how, Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen will guide you through the specific Belgian rules and regulations. Count on our team to help you and your family get the right healthcare, car, fire & private life insurance and beyond.

Moving to another country is a very exciting step, but a lot of decisions need to be made before settling down. Certain insurances become compulsory once you become an official Belgian resident. At Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen, we understand your specific insurance requirements and the expat community in Belgium knows us. Continue reading to learn why you should choose our multilingual team of experts to guide you and get the best conditions Belgium has to offer.

Additional value and benefits As our customer, you will enjoy a great number of additional benefits such as: • Prevention: car accidents, theft, fire, work accidents. • Services: » Building inspections: annual electricity check, roof inspection, silicone bathroom control, etc. » Vehicle Pick & Fix: if your car needs a repair, no problem. We will collect it and provide you with a replacement until your car is fixed. » Helpdesk 24/7.

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Our mission is to make your life more easy. We insure and manage so you can perform.”

Luc Van Antwerpen (left) and Steve Sartor (right)

Control over your insurance, online From quotation to policy in a few clicks - you will be able to request it online without the need for human intervention. This doesn’t change the fact that we will always be just an email or a phone call away, but it does guarantee a fast, digital customer experience. My broker area will give you better control and access to all your insurance, policies, claims status, and communication.

Smarter and safer mobility Belgian roads will be even safer with a ProDongle. It is a safety stick that measures driving behaviour, improves safety and rewards good drivers with lower insurance premiums. You can use it on your personal car or to manage a company fleet. Users get driving reports with instructions to improve their driving, while the insurance company receives the data to match the premiums to the driving behaviour.

International support No matter where you have to travel, thanks to our international networks, you can always count on us to have your back and offer insurance solutions tailored to your needs. We are a part of Eclessia, GBN Worldwide, Globex and Unisonsteadfast.

Inclusive team of experts you can rely on Social responsibility is important to us at Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen. We started the Emino project to give opportunities to people with a work disability, people who have been out of work for years. We won Ecovadis’ silver award for corporate social responsibility. Scan the code to discover our video In Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen, you will always have an insurance partner you can rely on, come what may. We’re always near, managing your risks, turning the next steps into leaps. And turning words into actions. Because we do everything we say. That’s what we do. We insure and manage, so you can perform. Reach out to us today!

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Ijzerlaan 11 – 2060 Antwerp Tel: +32 3 645 60 46 Email: info@concordia.be

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What’s in our DNA? Four & Five is a future-oriented business law firm with a laser focus on IT Law and GDPR. Other practice areas of our niche-boutique are corporate, M&A, commercial and real estate. At Four & Five, we do things a little differently: we combine deep legal knowhow with a fresh forward-thinking mindset and a highly pragmatic approach whereby our clients and their business are centre staged. Where do you see yourself in four to five years? That’s what it’s all about for us. Short term? No, thanks. We’re in it for the long haul! We do not get a thrill from quick wins or fast projects. It is our aim to establish sustainable relationships with our (tech) entrepreneurs and our network: standing right outside the cockpit as not to overly interfere but peaking sufficiently inside and giving valuable advice in order to safeguard a fluent take-off and an even more successful journey for our clients. Dimitri Coun, Partner

Going back to our roots The seed to create an atypical firm was planted long before the first brick of Four & Five was laid. Anneleen Vander Elstraeten, our managing partner, worked for six years as legal counsel at Clear2Pay, the leading company in tech payments at the time. Throughout her career, it became clear that the law maker is not a business developer who we should follow

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blindly. Providing legal services shouldn’t start by putting on “legal glasses” but should start by putting the client, its (innovative) business and future on the mainstage. A tech client is in need of specific expertise backstage in order to fully empower its growth. The result: F&F, a firm built around innovation whereby smart legal solutions are tailormade to the needs of our evolving technological clients. Not thinking from old dusty patterns but taking on a proactive approach is what we thrive on.

What client’s say about us:

“Four & Five thinks along proactively when it comes to our projects.” Nicolas Christiaen | CEO Cashforce

“Four & Five completely changed our perspective on law firms.” Peter Soetens | CEO Intermodalics

“Four & Five provides a high level of pragmatism and professionalism.” Olivier Tilleuil | CEO Eyesee Research

Tessa Gijbels, Partner

Anneleen Vander Elstraeten Managing Partner

We drive to be an accelerator of the innovative process of our clients by taking away concerns and providing pragmatism. This allows our clients to find the proper investors and to grow in order to achieve a level or expand the level of valorisation and commercialisation. This may lead to a jump to our M&A department to sell the wonderfully blooming company for a nice update of the bank accounts.

Since many years, our partners positioned themselves as enablers within the tech industry as to bring together the right ideas and people. For instance, our managing partner was an original facilitator to help lift off Start it @ KBC. Furthermore, we are a (truly active) partner in the Darwin initiative of the Antwerp University: an incubator within a science parc where start-ups can share costs, grow and sprout. Anneleen is also a Board Member of the Beacon, a smart community focused on AI and IoT innovation domains of smart city, mobility and logistics. What we bring to table within the ecosystem? A fully loaded network of creative tech specialists, investors with an eye for promising projects, companies offering supporting services accompanied by a dash of legal advice accustomed to the companies’ needs. By being totally dipped in the tech hub, F&F is constantly learning about the innovative world which, in its turn, enables us to reverse the favour and provide even better services. A wonderful and fruitful two way partnership.

Supporting the Antwerp ecosystem Antwerp is the feeding ground for amazing innovative start-ups and established companies. A tech hub has emerged wherein a strong network is unthinkable and the need for connectors is high. Connecting dots is our natural reflex.

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CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

HR, COACHING & OTHER EDUCATION

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RIALTO RECRUITMENT AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE DRIVE INNOVATION: RIALTO EXECUTIVE SEARCH IS THE BRIDGE TO ACCESS THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

Rialto Recruiting is an Executive Search boutique, specializing in direct search for higher educated technical profiles (Bachelors, Industrial and Civil Engineers, Scientists and PhD students), but also commercial, management and CxO level profiles (including the search for members for Advisory Boards or Boards of Directors).

Rialto Recruitment NV Science Park University Antwerp Galileilaan, 15, B-2845 Niel T: +32 3 443 04 81 M: info@rialtorecruitment.eu W: https://rialtorecruitment.eu

My name is Patrick Van Lijsebetten. As an engineer, I know how hard it is to find the right talents for technical jobs. Most of the traditional recruiters promise the stars but only yield poorly qualified candidates. This is the reason in 2001 I decided to create “Rialto Recruitment” as a specialized Executive Search company.

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Technical recruiting is difficult because the innovation in industry is experiencing a rapid growth in demand for specialized talent. The time when talent came knocking at the door of companies is long gone. There are simply not enough skilled higher educated employees to meet this growing demand and companies end up having to compete for talent by offering higher salaries and more advantages. In other words, good talent acquisition within given time and money constraints may sometimes seem like wishful thinking. One of our best-kept secrets, however, is the quality and effectiveness of a successful recruitment process. We are always aiming for success, failure is not an option.

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A.I. TECHNOLOGY: THE WAY AHEAD Integration of Artificial Intelligence into our practice will improve our organization as these applications can analyse, predict and diagnose to help us make the best decisions. The thick cloud of navy-blue dots is blinking at the computer screen. There are thousands of them, and each dot is a person. A CV – to be more specific. In a blink of an eye, the computer is crunching through the database, searching for the words and patterns. It comes with the result – the list of top ten CVs of people with the experience and knowledge appropriate for the job description. This is not HR magic. It is the future of executive search. The technology serves our client’s purpose and benefits. The tools we use help to assess candidates in the quickest and most effective way possible. It also automates a candidate engagement process that goes beyond available automated emails or messaging workflows. More-over it allows us to contact again a targeted group of candidates whenever a new opportunity is available. AI saves the recruiter’s time, which can be spent on non-repetitive, quality services. Our recruiters can focus even more on the soft skills testing of the candidates and find out what the potential is in the near future to generate added value for our clients.

Patrick Van Lijsebetten CEO

We can be scared and try to hold onto traditional ways of doing things. But the future is coming, whether we are onboard or not. My favourite approach is to be excited, embrace the technology and utilise it for our advantage. I am proud that we choose to face the obstacles and are sailing the uncharted waters with AI. As I said before – we are blazing a technology trail.

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CVWAREHOUSE

ANTWERP-BASED INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM SMOOTHENS THE RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESSES

Antwerp, with its second largest European port, is one of the most important cities in European transport and logistics. This brilliant city is rich in tradition on the one hand and is sparkling with innovation on the other. The booming economy with plenty of opportunities also calls for a large, flexible and dynamic workforce. The ideal starting point for an equally dynamic, flexible and innovative organization such as CVWarehouse. CVWarehouse has evolved from the recruitment tool of a local recruiting agency to become an internationally renowned provider of a full-fledged online recruitment platform (SaaS). For more than 15 years, their ATS (Applicant Tracking System) has served hundreds of customer’s worldwide, drawing on an experienced team with deep knowledge of both recruitment and digital.

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CVWarehouse has offices in Belgium, Portugal and the United States, helping companies and their recruitment needs in over 20 countries in 10 different languages.

RECRUITING MADE SIMPLE AND POWERFUL An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a powerful tool that enables companies to manage vacancies and candidates efficiently. It helps companies to save time (and money) and allows their recruiters to focus on what matters most: selecting the best talent. The efficient handling and communication also allow organizations to position themselves as a strong brand in recruitment and as a top employer in general. This is further enabled by integrating the job pages with the company website in order to get a harmonious look-and-feel, and with the best-suited recruiting channels in order to offer its candidates a streamlined and smooth job application experience.

INNOVATION FOR USERS’ SAKE CVWarehouse strongly fosters innovation, but not for innovation’s sake. Every new feature, platform, interface… every single innovation is designed around the need of the customer, partner or a new trend within or outside of the recruitment industry. The rise of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, the growing concern around data privacy (see also our AR video for more information on how we deal with GDPR), the individual needs of each customer: we constantly face occasions that stimulate our drive for innovation.

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STELLAR LABS

BRING ON THE LEARNING REVOLUTION

Fast paced technological advancements fuel rapidly changing strategies, new business models and a growing skills gap. Already in Europe 40% of employers can’t find sufficient people with the skills to grow and innovate. And there is a projected shortage of skilled talent of 85 million people by 2030. The cost of inaction in G20 countries alone is predicted to cost $11.5 trillion. Change is happening at a fast pace and companies, society and people need to adapt and thrive in it.

As co-founders of Stellar Labs we travelled separate paths to gain our expertise. Raf Seymus is the Belgian entrepreneur with a passion for talent development and technology. His previous business became an award-winning company with a multi-million-euro turnover and 170 employees in just 6 years.

Stellar Labs is a start-up on a mission: to bring on the learning revolution by transforming people and organisations with the skills of tomorrow. Our core belief is that ‘the better people learn, the better the world will be.’

Stella Collins (UK) is a ‘Brain Lady’ and an expert on the practical application of science-based learning. She has trained tens of thousands of professionals and is the bestselling author of ‘Neuroscience for Learning and Development’, already translated into Chinese, Arabic and Italian. Our shared passion for people and performance brought us together to start Stellar Labs in October 2019.

But professional training has been ineffective, based on a pre-industrial model of throwing information at people and hoping it will stick. There is almost no transfer to the workplace, performance and behaviours don’t change and a lot of time and money are wasted.

Together we created a hybrid learning methodology to upskill people across multiple sectors to beat the skills crunch. With our team of learning specialists, Stellar Labs uses cutting edge technology and evidence-based techniques to get measurable results – every time.

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Our impact on the industry hasn’t gone unnoticed; we were shortlisted for the ‘Best Game Changer of the Year’ at the HR Excellence Awards. Our clients are international and innovative; companies like InnoEnergy, Bridgestone, Novartis, Swedbank, ASML, Seasalt and KalVista Pharmaceuticals. Our unique DNA starts with a focus on people – it’s their brains that change when they learn. And support from peers and supervisors gets them workplace ready. We stand on the shoulders of giants using evidence from neuroscience and behavioural science combined with practical, expert experience. Thanks to our robust MASTER learning process people are motivated to absorb information effortlessly, explore, practice and test their skills and transfer them into the workplace.

Technology enables us to upscale and innovate, putting learning straight into the hands of learners when and where they need it. Our digital platform, mobile app and smart chat bots are 24/7 accessible on all devices. Data drives progress, performance and personalisation and enables us to prove a return on investment. Our research with the University of Antwerp focuses on how data personalises the learning journey, optimizes learning transfer and delivers results. With our data driven Learning Audit we consult with global clients who are seeking to become learning organisations and we offer bespoke programmes tailored to our clients’ needs. But we don’t forget ambitious individuals who want to future proof their careers; for them we also create accessible public programmes. Our vision is to foster future stars!

contact@stellarlabs.eu

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FOCUS 4 U WE HELP LEADERS TO BECOME INNOVATORS. Does it feel like corporate innovation is far too slow and costs far too much? Many organizations and business leaders are struggling with this too. As innovation leaders in large organizations, we also experienced it first-hand. From this our company FOCUS 4 U was born. FOCUS 4 U is a boutique consulting company specialized in innovation strategy for IT and business leaders worldwide. We offer customised innovation programs to ignite creative leadership. These programs help organisations set up the right innovation pathways and reduce the risks and high costs of innovation experiments. What sets us apart is our unmatched experience in Business and IT, unique background in research and industry, as well as our practical, systemic approach to innovation.

Innovation is about imagination and execution.” Many organizations rightly recognize the growing need for corporate innovation programs that encourage both incremental and disruptive innovations. This demand for innovation has created a new focus on the role of IT and business leaders. Business and technology leaders transitioning into their new role of ‘innovators’ often lack the time and, often, skills necessary for development and implementation of a specific innovation strategy. We strongly believe that such skills must be mastered to achieve better results. As ‘innovators’, leaders are taking risks to do something that nobody in their organizations has done before. At the core of many of the less successful attempts to organise corporate innovation lie some common mistakes. We help business leaders to overcome such known pitfalls, by coaching them how to mitigate risks and manage their organizations under conditions of uncertainty. If you have “innovation” in your job title, it most likely means that you like building new teams, creating new products and new value. But the truth is, when it comes to corporate innovation,

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you should also excel at “scaling”. We assist you with the tools and techniques on how to consider scalability in your innovation projects and help you to navigate through the ‘red flags’ while trying to achieve your goals.

We love working in the open innovation environment of the Antwerp digital innovation ecosystem.” FOCUS 4 U was founded by Ilse Bracke and her partner in 2008. Ilse has over 15 years of extensive expertise in innovation strategy, corporate venturing, creating opportunities connecting research and industry, setting up strategic partnerships, building relationships with ecosystems, IP portfolio management and amplification, creating spin-offs and implementing systems to generate value out of data.

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We are specialized in helping companies to foster corporate innovation. We work with a proven systemic model approach to help accelerate value creation.

Working with Ilse was fun and professional, taking the innovation to the next level. She brought in many new perspectives that took the idea closer to the market.” Magnus Willner, Founder & CEO Mixtive AB, Sweden Curious how we can help you to expand your ‘innovation brain’? Let’s talk. Email: ilse.bracke@focus4u.be Ilse Bracke FOCUS 4 U

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STRETCH INNOVATION OFFERING SERVICES WHERE INNOVATION IS THE KEY COMPONENT. AS INNOVATION

ENTREPRENEURS, WE STRETCH SME’S BY SUPPORTING THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS

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We make sure that clients remain relevant in the future and we help them expand to their full potential. What makes us unique, is that we stay involved during the whole process, from ideation to validation and implementation. We will not only support businesses with the validation of an idea, but we expand our services all the way to the development and implementation. We are dedicated to the idea and committed to create an impact. We collaborate with our clients to discuss their needs and look for innovative opportunities. We avoid tunnel vision by keeping an open dialogue with the client and by making sure that everyone involved learns best practices from each other. There are many ways to implement innovation, and we are open to all types of solutions. Even though we are very flexible in our methods, our main focus is on business model innovation. We are able to define every aspect of the business model. Exploration, ideation, and we develop go-tomarket strategies. We offer three different paths to innovate a business. The first one is “Stretch Your Business”. Here, we start with analyzing a potential threat or problem. After we have concluded this analysis, Stretch will involve all stakeholders in the process that follows, from ideation to the launch of the solutions. Stretch maximizes impact of the solution with this approach. The second path that Stretch offers is called “Stretch Your Idea”. If a client has a specific idea in mind, we will accelerate the implementation process. After the ideation phase, we will research customer feedback, answer the vital business questions, and define the appropriate go to market strategy. The third, and last path that we provide is “Stretch Your Innovation Strategy”. Stretch will identify digital gaps in the existing strategy and eliminate them with innovative solutions.

Stijn van Daele

The difference between a leader and a follower is innovation.” – Steve Jobs

The young Stretch team has a passion for entrepreneurship and is eager to take on new challenges. Our Stretchers are driven by passion, curiosity, and creativity. They are the reason that Stretch exists and the providers of original solutions. We are committed to guide our clients all the way through innovative projects and determined to maximize impact.

Stretch Innovation Tel: +32 4/77.98.63.52 Email: stijn@stretchinnovation.be Groeningenlei 16, 2550 Kontich

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INDEX Agfa

Alderman Claude Marinower Antverpia Pharmacy Group

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Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM)

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Jasna Rok

176

Jasna Rok Lab

178

JEM Productions

208

Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KDG)

Ladies Circle 55

142

22, 76, 144

Jade Synergies

Lemon Companies

72 232 160

Antwerp Management School

Maritime Campus Antwerp (MCA)

24, 244

Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA)

Mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever

Antwerp University Hospital

Metamaze

164

Move to Cure

146

at.las

124

NatPat - Nationale Patroonsdienst

154

Begeuren®

152

Oxypoint

130

Bevoy

132

Pamica NV

Bila Jewelart

186

Port of Antwerp

BioNotus

134

Qallo®

136

16, 48

Quares

104

Rialto Recruitment

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AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

Blommaert Aluminium Constructions BluChem

68, 70

Blue Gate Antwerp

102

Road21

BLUE MOON

216

Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

BlueHealth Innovation Center (BHIC)

128

Science Park University of Antwerp

256 12, 38

26, 246 170 88, 222

Catalisti

SEAFAR

Cellows

17, 166

Shavatar

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City of Antwerp

1, 10, 28

City Pirates

200

CMB.TECH

19, 46

SHOOTTHEARTIST

218

Simba

210

SINC

234

Concordia Kegels & Van Antwerpen

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Start it @KBC

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Connective

158

Stellar Labs

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STOKERS

252

Stretch Innovation

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Container Quick-Lock CVWarehouse

50 270

Studio. pelican avenue

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DE WINKELHAAK | HOUSE OF C

250

Taste Westerlund

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DPG Media

214

The Beacon

D-CRBN

DUVAL UNION Innovative Marketing

21, 204

The Ecological Entrepreneur (T-EE)

eu.reca - European Respiratory Cluster Antwerp

122

The Grain

Expect Me

168

TRI-VIZOR

Flora Miranda

180

UNIGLOBE E-Travel

FOCUS 4 U

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University of Antwerp

Four & Five

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VOKA Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland

Global Village World Gumption HB Antwerp

3, 27 23, 238 20, 54

86 118 162 15, 52 192 11, 62, 80 14, 226

Volta Ventures

258

WALFiLii

108

WerfWater

116 25, 230

Helpper

198

World Trade Center Antwerp (WTC Antwerp)

Hotel & Congres Ter Elst

220

XXLSign

206

iFLUX

114

YUN Probiotherapy

138

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InnovationsoftheWorld.com

SHOWCASING THE BEST OF THE WORLD - CONNECTING MINDS - BUILDING COMMUNITIES

The Innovate series is a 300-page in-depth study and AR video series that showcases the people and companies that are leading the race within the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems of each city and industry. A book with augmented reality video, an online platform and a global network with a common goal of ensuring the brightest minds of the world connect and succeed.

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

DOWNLOAD THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AR APP TO VIEW 100 AUGMENTED REALITY VIDEOS IN THIS BOOK! To experience the future of print, download the Global Village AR App from the IOS or Android App stores. Open the App and hold it about 30cm above any page that contains an image with the “play” Icon.

Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page.

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