About us
The Beacon is an Artificial Intelligence & Internet of Things community that brings tech entrepreneurs, corporates, researchers and innovation actors together. The Beacon, smart innovation for the industry, port & logistics, mobility and smart city!
Our mission is to build an innovative business network around disruptive technologies, services and products in Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. With this we strive for value creation in industry, port & logistics, mobility and smart cities by bringing together relevant players in the domains. Thanks to the presence of the port, the industry and the city there is a positive impact on the time-to-market of these innovations.
The Beacon’s dedicated team
Wim De Waele
General Manager
Ronald Hermans
Business Manager – Community & Innovation
Manuella Foriers
Office Manager
The Beacon’s governance board
Dirk Diels
Director Business and Innovation
Erwin Verstraelen
Chief Digital Innovation Officer
Silvia Lenaerts
Vicerector Valorisation and Development
John Baekelmans
Managing Director Netherlands and Vice President
Ingrid Reynaert
Business Group Leader Smart Cities
Founding partners
Agoria
agoria.be
Agoria wants to develop an IoT/AI ecosystem at the Beacon by being a facilitator and strengthening the ecosystem by responding to technical and non-technical needs.
City of Antwerp
businessinantwerp.eu
As an ‘ecosystem builder’, Antwerp is a magnet for national and international companies that want to develop, test and sell digital products and services. In The Beacon, the City and its partners sow the seeds for a strong ecosystem, for the innovative products of the future, and for exciting jobs.
imec
imec-int.com
Imec is the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. In the Beacon in Antwerp, imec will host its ambitious smart city program, “City of Things”.
Port of Antwerp
portofantwerp.com
On the eve of a fundamental digital transformation, the Antwerp Port authority supports and facilitates the development and implementation of new Internet of Things (IoT) products and services.
University of Antwerp
uantwerpen.be
The University of Antwerp is a research university where pioneering, innovative research is conducted at an international level. Educational innovation is a constant focus for our 20,000 students spread across our nine faculties.