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• 827065 type NewsArticle news.
• 827065 isDefinedBy 827065 news.
• 827065 subject "https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent" news.
• 827065 description "This succesful accelerator program has already guided more than 1500 start-ups over the past ten years." news.
• 827065 identifier "827065" news.
• 827065 image _DSC0807.jpg news.
• 827065 inLanguage "en" news.
• 827065 isPartOf 615 news.
• 827065 isPartOf 629 news.
• 827065 keywords "6799" news.
• 827065 url launch-your-global-journey-start-it-kbc news.
• 827065 dateModified "2025-02-21T21:07:11+00:00" news.
• 827065 datePublished "2024-08-29T12:05:02+00:00" news.
• 827065 headline "Launch your global journey with Start it @KBC" news.
• 827065 articleBody " <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--table-of-contents paragraph--view-mode--full"> <nav class="table-of-contents" aria-labelledby="table-of-contents-header"> <div class="content-container"> <h4 id="table-of-contents-header">On this page</h4> <ul class="three-column"> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#what-sets-the-program-apart">What sets the program apart</a></li> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#the-benefits-of-local-collaborations">The benefits of local collaborations</a></li> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#about-the-selection">About the selection</a></li> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#companionenergy">Companion.energy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#outkept">Outkept</a></li> <li><a href="/en/lod/news#planet-b">Planet B</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <p><span lang="EN-GB">You can register for the next cohort until September 17, earning you a ticket to their ‘Hall of Fame’—think of <strong>Aikido Security, OTIV, Companion.energy, Nona, Outkept</strong>, and <strong>Planet B</strong>. </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Once selected, you will receive a year of coaching to scale and (further) market your product, the opportunity to connect with a global network, and cross-pollination at the busiest coffee machine in Ghent. </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">But how do you prepare for this selection process? We asked <strong>Lode Uytterschaut</strong> (CEO) and <strong>Ludo Dhelft</strong> (Business Coach). Experienced experts <strong>Jonas Verstraeten</strong> (Companion.energy), <strong>Simon Bauwens</strong> (Outkept), and <strong>Tibbe Verschaffel</strong> (Planet B) are also happy to share some tips.</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1"> <ul class="grid-2"> <li> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=-3C__w5k" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=ZU0su4Mp 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=uWpkbVqk 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=ZU0su4Mp 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=uWpkbVqk 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=QRkWK_ec 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=SeHzEUIL 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="614"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=NtwRqufs 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=bTmw1TeX 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="485"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=t3b3210M 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=_H3fdj2I 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="384"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1840" height="1228" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/_DSC0807.jpg.webp?itok=SeHzEUIL" alt="Start it@KBC" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="quote-wrapper"> <div class="quote"> <blockquote> <div class="content"> <p> As a starting baker, you can apply for a loan that gets approved before you start. But as a starting start-up, you simply don’t get a loan. </p> </div> <footer> Lode Uytterschaut, CEO </footer> </blockquote> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <p><span lang="EN-GB">In recent years, the number of start-ups in Ghent has steadily increased. And it’s a good thing, too, because a decade ago, very little was happening around start-ups, even nationally. “That idea matured in my mind while working at KBC,” says Lode. "Iminds was here in Ghent, but that was it. Especially innovative entrepreneurs were left out in the cold and heard ‘no’ everywhere. We wanted to change that together with those entrepreneurs. We didn’t know what kind of program, but we looked at what these entrepreneurs really needed. Fortunately, the ‘De Boerentoren’ building became available after the crisis, where everything started. We could use one floor there and guide six start-ups. We were on the 19th floor, and that was, literally, our only offer at that time: a room with a view’.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Our primary focus are those innovative entrepreneurs because experience disappointment, time and time again. As a starting baker, you can apply for a loan that gets approved before you start. But as a starting start-up, you simply don’t get a loan. Mind you, that’s justified, of course. You first have to prove that there is indeed a market for it. For a baker, the market is already there.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p><h2><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>What sets the program apart</strong></span><a class="ck-anchor" id="what-sets-the-program-apart"></a><span lang="EN-GB"></span></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB">The program at </span><a href="https://startit-x.com/en/accelerate/start-it-kbc"><span lang="EN-GB">Start it @KBC</span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> is where it is today, thanks to the input from the start-ups. “What sets us apart from the rest?” Lode repeats. “First and foremost, we offer all this for free, which is quite unique. And as a start-up, you also remain 100% company owner.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">“In addition, you get access to an extensive network,” Ludo adds. “The coaches will always know someone who either knows your market inside out or has worked with a similar product. We also have many alumni around, as the program lasts a year, and we work with two selection rounds per year. So, there is always a six-month overlap. This interaction is unique: the ‘newbies’ learn from the ‘veterans’, and the alumni are immediately up to speed with the new ideas. And all of this happens at our coffee machine. The number of business plans this machine has overheard, you can’t even imagine."</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1"> <ul class="grid-2"> <li> <div class="quote-wrapper"> <div class="quote"> <blockquote> <div class="content"> <p> All of this happens at our coffee machine. The number of business plans this machine has overheard, you can’t even imagine. </p> </div> <footer> Ludo Dhelft, Business Coach </footer> </blockquote> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=XWw_Zxs0" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=3IbvTPjr 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=2bS-xvg2 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="491"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=3IbvTPjr 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=2bS-xvg2 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="491"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=OHRkVc_X 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=5l5-O00f 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="690"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=USrSzKfz 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=9TSxYBts 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="545"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=WoRPfgVF 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=0c62rlGi 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="431"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1840" height="1380" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/IMG_4564.jpg.webp?itok=5l5-O00f" alt="Start it@KBC 2" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <h2><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>The benefits of local colla</strong></span><a class="ck-anchor" id="the-benefits-of-local-collaborations"></a><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>borations</strong></span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB">“We also work very closely with other partners within the local ecosystem,” adds Lode. "Ludo is on the jury of </span><a href="https://www.gentrepreneur.gent/"><span lang="EN-GB">Gentrepreneur</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. With </span><a href="https://www.wearenoa.be/?utm_term=netwerk%20ondernemen&utm_campaign=NOA%20naam%20ads&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=4902878901&hsa_cam=21384507524&hsa_grp=162278478174&hsa_ad=702844084222&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-836027271491&hsa_kw=netwerk%20ondernemen&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuMC2BhA7EiwAmJKRrM6jD2UMp2naNh408D9d11mhQijliPrl5Fpiez3WDw488bJn3fZYBRoCCUgQAvD_BwE"><span lang="EN-GB">NOA </span></a><span lang="EN-GB">(formerly Netwerk Ondernemen) and </span><a href="https://www.imecistart.com/en?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuMC2BhA7EiwAmJKRrI7hjhpem9401rzfB2AQY9QOaai8zVr_YmYb40XS6wWi_moP3QMlERoCVa4QAvD_BwE"><span lang="EN-GB">imec.istart</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">, we’re also involved in </span><a href="https://thegrowthcollective.be/"><span lang="EN-GB">The Growth Collective</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">We’ve noticed that the start-ups here in Ghent are already at a certain maturity level. There’s imec.istart and DO!Gent here, which goes hand in hand with a lot of student entrepreneurship. By the way, the latter is the best way to start entrepreneurship, in my opinion. You gain experience and still have that safety net, as you have fewer obligations than when you are older. I always said that working at a start-up is the best way to know what it’s like actually to have a start-up. But that’s not true, because you just have to do it. What’s the worst that can happen to a student entrepreneur? That you lose time. But in the meantime, you are much further along your learning curve."</span></p><h2><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>What you need to know about the selection</strong></span><a class="ck-anchor" id="about-the-selection"></a><span lang="EN-GB"></span></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB">How can you increase your chances of being selected? “Well, you need to have an innovative product or offer,” says Ludo. “You need to be able to go to market within a year. It doesn’t have to be a finished product; we are here to strengthen the foundations. And it must, of course, be scalable.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">“Our focus is really on the market,” explains Lode. “Many start-ups succeed or fail based on ‘time to market’. So, it’s not about the team or money but about the timing of entering the market. Therefore, having a clear view of this and assessing it well is crucial. This might also be a USP of the program. Many accelerators focus on attracting investments. But that is, in our opinion, not the right way. Start-ups always find money if they can show that they're entering the right market at the right time, with the right team and the correct solution.”</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">“We also pay attention to personality during the selection,” says Ludo. “Can we coach them? Can we inspire them? If you, for example, cannot handle the jury’s questions, then you cannot handle your audience's challenges or the coaches' feedback during the program.” “Indeed,” Lode agrees, “that's even more important than the idea. Look at Crocs, and they have also been successful. (</span><em><span lang="EN-GB">laughs</span></em><span lang="EN-GB">) We think seeing how entrepreneurs sell their ideas and what problems they solve is important. During those two days, we see 150 start-ups, and it’s really about the persuasiveness and authenticity you bring yourself.”</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1"> <ul class="grid-2"> <li> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=PUpN8k79" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=eiZ3ec9A 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=R8FdqJDw 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=eiZ3ec9A 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=R8FdqJDw 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=nwW6lmZ9 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=OtSxq8zk 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="613"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=UBFVHUkc 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=W-iMMJF4 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="484"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=mfrxYYH9 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=P1z8wOgv 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="383"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1840" height="1226" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Start%20It%20%40KBC%20-%20%40rafthomas.photography-121.jpg.webp?itok=OtSxq8zk" alt="Start it@KBC 3" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="quote-wrapper"> <div class="quote"> <blockquote> <div class="content"> <p> During those two days, we see 150 start-ups, and it’s really about the persuasiveness and authenticity you bring yourself. </p> </div> <footer> Lode Uytterschaut, CEO </footer> </blockquote> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <h2><a class="ck-anchor" id="companionenergy"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Companion.energy</strong></span></a></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB">Let’s take a look at the other side of the table. One of the selected start-ups is </span><a href="https://www.companion.energy/"><span lang="EN-GB">Companion Energy</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. They’ve just completed a successful funding round of €2.1 million and are growing rapidly. “We mainly signed up because we were looking for a network, support, and office space," says co-founder <strong>Jonas Verstraeten</strong>. “In the end, we learned so much, like the structure they offer. You are encouraged to set goals and regularly report back on them. That ‘external accountability’ helps to set clear goals for yourself. It also just feels good to be able to rely on other starting entrepreneurs who face similar challenges. So I would recommend it to any starting entrepreneur, absolutely!’”</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--full"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=PHyQq58G" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=TiFcDi3W 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=NRGSiUtO 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=TiFcDi3W 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=NRGSiUtO 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=L8ut21bi 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=pOL9eLfv 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="613"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=N4hCjSx- 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=3eYFrLzk 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="485"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=_VQe8KwK 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=mBfrmQdV 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="383"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1840" height="1227" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/companion.energy-By-Fredography-Full-9.jpg.webp?itok=pOL9eLfv" alt="Companion.energy" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <h2><a class="ck-anchor" id="outkept"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Outkept</strong></span></a></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Simon Bauwens</strong>, from </span><a href="https://outkept.com/nl/"><span lang="EN-GB">Outkept</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">, enrolled his start-up for coaching in preparation for a funding round. Besides that, they wanted to build more credibility within their relevant network. “We’ve learned so much”,’ says Simon Bauwens, “not only in terms of sales and product market fit but also ways to communicate with investors. I still benefit greatly from the templates we received during the program and, of course, from the relationships we built. The great thing about that network is that it is so large and diverse. You can perfectly connect with the people who are most relevant to you. For us, those were mainly other SaaS founders who had already completed a successful journey.’”</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--full"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=ZuaQw_IX" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=P4A2a5ct 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=woPp7RdT 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="328"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=P4A2a5ct 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=woPp7RdT 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="328"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=99CFmSuS 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=x6iW2J7l 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="460"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=xxnjBl2Q 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=COrmcxqX 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="364"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=_WMLsF0A 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=cu59wID3 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="288"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1140" height="570" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Co-founders-Simon-Bauwens-and-Dieter-Tine-1140x570-1.webp?itok=x6iW2J7l" alt="Outkept" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full"> <h2><a class="ck-anchor" id="planet-b"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Planet B</strong></span></a></h2><p><span lang="EN-GB">We also asked about the side effects of this program to <strong>Tibbe Verschaffel</strong> from </span><a href="https://planetb.life/"><span lang="EN-GB">Planet B</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. “I signed up because of the community and because I heard you could use a co-working space shared with other start-ups,” says Tibbe. “I remember being quite nervous about that conversation because I was only working on Bambooze at the time, selling bamboo straws. It was a real challenge to convince them that we wanted to build the ‘new school Unilever,’ but only with healthy products. By healthy, I mean for people, animals, and the planet. In the meantime, Planet B already has several brands, so we have really grown since then.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Once we were selected, we could have conversations with potential mentors. I remember talking to 14 people because I wanted to hear what each of them had to offer. One of the people I thought would never become my mentor eventually became our first business angel. So that was an instrumental contact. In short, it not only sharpened my general knowledge about entrepreneurship but also connected me with many interesting people.'"</span></p> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--full"> <div class="image-gallery--wrapper single"> <div class="image-gallery js-lightbox"> <a href="https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=tuYJcKNB" class="gallery-link" aria-describedby="image-gallery__open-gallery" > <figure> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=QqmQFW56 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=NRM6Po65 2x" media="(min-width: 1680px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=QqmQFW56 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=NRM6Po65 2x" media="all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)" type="image/webp" width="655" height="437"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=B7dITNNC 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=WlxUPLdU 2x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)" type="image/webp" width="920" height="613"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=pQehSuAt 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=PYvVr-6j 2x" media="all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)" type="image/webp" width="727" height="485"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=Cp00cyjY 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=w7sOMyVI 2x" media="all and (max-width: 575.9px)" type="image/webp" width="575" height="383"/> <img loading="lazy" width="1840" height="1227" src="/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/DSC01271%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=WlxUPLdU" alt="Planet B" /> </picture> </figure> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--full cta-block image-none link"> <div class="cta-block__content"> <div class="feature-block secondary"> <h2>Sign in</h2> <p>Do you want to accelerate the growth of your start-up?</p> <a href="https://startit-x.com/en/accelerate/start-it-kbc" class="button button-secondary">Register via this link</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--full cta-block image-none link"> <div class="cta-block__content"> <div class="feature-block secondary"> <h2>Discover Invest in Ghent</h2> <p>Are you eager to become part of this inspiring healthtech ecosystem? The team at Invest in Ghent is ready to help you start or scale your business in Ghent through our expert local guidance and introductions so your business can grow even further.</p> <ul class="links"> <li> <a href="https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent/contact" class="button button-secondary">Contact us</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/75060038/admin/feed/posts/" class="standalone-link">Follow us on LinkedIn</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> " news.
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