Canvas | Community | The Beacon

Headquartered in Leuven (Belgium) and with research sites across Belgium, in the Netherlands, Taiwan and the USA, an rep offices in China and Japan, imec leverages its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of about 4,000 expert scientists, to drive open innovation across the globe. They unite world-industry leaders, Flanders-based and international companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers, for R&D in nano-electronics and digital technologies, including advanced semiconductor scaling, silicon photonics, smart health, smart energy, smart mobility and smart cities solutions, artificial intelligence, beyond-5G and sensing technologies and more.

Next to its R&D offering, imec also leverages its expertise and large international industry network to support smaller organizations that have limited in-house R&D resources as well as larger companies with their innovation process from initial idea to fully functioning product, from the design of a product or chip, to prototyping, testing and optimizing, and manufacturing.

Finally, imec supports tech start-ups and scale-ups with a tailored offering. The imec.istart program is a business acceleration program that provides tech entrepreneurs with specialized coaching, facilities and overall support to help them grow their businesses, while the imec.scale-ups program focuses on larger innovative tech scale-ups looking to conquer the European market.

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Commissioned by the Flemish government, Lantis is building connections that make the city and region flourish. Lantis is responsible for the realisation of the Oosterweel connection, which will increase prosperity and improve the quality of life. Lantis is contributing to this by promoting mobility, including the construction of numerous bicycle connections and multimodal junctions on the city outskirts of Antwerp.

Lantis strives for operational excellence in order to carry out projects as efficiently as possible and deliver quality. Thanks to intensive cooperation with the surrounding area, the organisation works transparently and with a focus on results. Innovation and transformation ensure future-oriented projects with a lasting impact on the dynamics of the region. This is the Lantis way of successfully realising large projects in an urban environment.

Lantis stands for Liveable Antwerp through Innovation and Cooperation and is a public limited company. The day-to-day management is in the hands of the management committee led by managing director Luc Hellemans. David Van Herreweghe chairs the board of directors.

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As Europe’s second-largest port and largest integrated chemical cluster, the Port of Antwerp Bruges is a major lifeline for the Belgian economy: annually around 238 million tonnes of international maritime freight are handled. The Port of Antwerp Bruges accounts, directly and indirectly, for a total of around 143.000 jobs and more than €20 billion added value.

Innovation and digitisation enable our mission to be ‘a home port for a sustainable future’ as we aim to flexibly respond to a rapidly evolving maritime market. By supporting The Beacon, we want to ensure that our port platform finds relevant points of contact and vice versa. Furthermore, we want to facilitate the exchange effect created through the ecosystem being built around The Beacon.

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The city of Antwerp welcomes businesses, researchers, citizens and city officials to experiment with smart technologies that aim to make urban life more enjoyable and sustainable. Antwerp is a living lab where solutions are tested and co-created with its inhabitants. The city is home to highly innovative businesses and with 171 nationalities that live in Antwerp, it is above all a very diverse, and international city. The Ecosystem in Antwerp is developing rapidly, over the past years the amount of start-ups and scaleups in Antwerp doubled.

Innovative companies are the driving force behind the Antwerp knowledge economy. Their growth is crucial for our future. The City of Antwerp therefore strongly believes in the power of digital networking and is developing an ecosystem for digital innovation in which large and small businesses, startups, scaleups, researchers and capital providers with an interest in the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence can meet each other. Thanks to the cross-pollination that occurs in The Beacon, innovative products are developed that are relevant to Antwerp’s ‘smart city’ ambitions and to our financial stakeholders: industry and logistics.

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The University of Antwerp is a research university where pioneering, innovative research is conducted at an international level. Research and education are closely linked, with 20,000 students and 6000 staff spread across our nine faculties. As a driving force in the Antwerp innovation ecosystem, innovation is a constant focus.

The Beacon is the university’s pioneering pre-incubation structure for the domain of Metropolitanism, Smart City, Mobility & Logistics. It houses the IDLab research group and the Design Sciences Hub.

The IDLab research group of the University of Antwerp and imec performs fundamental and applied research on Wireless technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. IDLab, headed by prof. Steven Latré, targets the most daunting challenges industry is facing to deliver digital transformation, connecting everything and extracting high value from data. Bringing researchers and industrial partners together at the same location facilitates knowledge transfer and enables the cross-fertilization and co-creation insights on smart cities, IoT and AI towards the industrial partners in The Beacon.

The Design Sciences Hub of the Faculty of Design Sciences is an interdisciplinary innovation and valorization lab. They offer design solutions for urban challenges and wicked problems in the triangle of urban planning, built environment, and urban health.

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Emissions Reporting for Maritime Shipping & Logistics

Emissions Reporting for Maritime Shipping & Logistics

"Please report CSRD / CBAM / ETS / GLEC compliance" - say what?

A sea of regulations—and everyone’s asking the same question: where do we even start?

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The maritime shipping industry is facing an overwhelming wave of sustainability regulations, from the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Navigating these complex requirements can feel daunting, and many businesses are left wondering what steps to take.
At Dockflow, we’re introducing our CO2-tracking feature for ocean-going containers, a tool designed to help shippers and logistics providers manage carbon reporting. But we know that this is just one part of the bigger challenge. This event aims to provide much-needed clarity by offering an overview of the key reporting frameworks, calculation methods, and compliance requirements that are reshaping maritime logistics. If you're feeling unsure about where to go next, this session will offer practical pointers to help you get on track.

Joining us with expertise:
Quentin Donnadille - Policy Advisor - Maritime Logistics, Sustainable Logistics, Road Freight at CLECAT - European association for forwarding, transport, logistic and Customs services

Wouter Lox and Roel Van Lerberghe - Sustinera - Advising companies on sustainability, CSRD-reporting, auditing and sustainable stakeholder communication

+ TBC

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2024
Time: 18:00 CEST
Location: The Beacon, Antwerp (with a livestream option available)
Register: https://dockflow.com/emissions-reporting-for-maritime-shipping-and-logistics-event
Attend in person at The Beacon in Antwerp or join us via the livestream. We’ll feature expert external speakers who can shed light on these pressing issues and help you understand what’s really expected.

What You'll Learn:
A clear overview of the CSRD, CBAM, and ETS regulations and what they mean for maritime logistics.
Insights into CO2 tracking calculation methods, including COFRET, GLEC, ISO 14083, and EN 16258.
Guidance on how to start aligning your business with the latest sustainability frameworks and avoid the most common pitfalls.
How Dockflow’s CO2-tracking feature can support your compliance efforts as part of the bigger picture.
Who Should Attend:
Freight forwarders, shippers, and logistics service providers struggling with the complexity of emissions reporting.
Sustainability officers, compliance managers, and those tasked with meeting environmental regulations.
Anyone unsure of how to navigate the ever-expanding list of EU and US climate disclosure rules.
How to Attend:
In Person: Be part of the live discussion at The Beacon, Antwerp.
Livestream: Can’t make it in person? Join us online and stay informed from wherever you are.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of regulations, this event will help you understand where to begin.

Invite link: https://dockflow.com/emissions-reporting-for-maritime-shipping-and-logistics-event

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Interview COO Robin Pauwels

The new Innovantage episode, featuring Robin Pauwels, COO at The Beacon | Innovation Community .Maxim Golikov and Robin Pauwels will discuss AI's impact on personalized education, healthcare modernization, and community engagement.

The expert guest is the Chief Operating Officer at The Beacon | Innovation Community , a community builder, and a former big data developer, Robin Pauwels.

In this episode, Maxim Golikov and Robin Pauwels will cover the following topics:
💭 How AI enhances personalised education experiences
💭 The role of AI in modernising healthcare systems
💭 Innovative ways AI is used in community engagement

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The Captains Table 2024 Challenge

🌟💫 Applications now open for The Captain’s Table 2024 Challenge! 💫🌟

✅ Environment
We are looking for companies that make real money by slashing hashtag#carbon, hashtag#methane, and other hashtag#greenhouse gases, and from fixing our hashtag#oceans and hashtag#waterways. Solutions can range from capture, storage, efficiency enhancing hardware and optimisation. If it helps hashtag#maritime meet our hashtag#emissiontargets, or clean up our environment, we want to hear from you!

✅ Social Impact
No one should get left behind as we transition to a clear and more digitalised way of working. We need solutions that support workers through the transition with consideration to hashtag#education, hashtag#training, hashtag#reskilling, and hashtag#safety.

✅ Governance and Risk Management
Business is risk management. We are seeking smart technologies that hashtag#automate, hashtag#streamline hashtag#riskmanagement to reduce errors, increase efficiency and align with organisational goals.

✅ Digitalised Supply Chains
If you have been following our posts, you know we believe that hashtag#digitalised hashtag#supplychains are essential to creating a more resilient and cleaner supply chain. We seek solutions that digitalise and automate supply chains, enhancing efficiency in hashtag#inventorymanagement, hashtag#portcall hashtag#scheduling, hashtag#etradedocs, hashtag#efinancing, hashtag#dataexchange, hashtag#routeoptimisation and hashtag#procurement.

If you are developing a truly innovative technology that everyone says is awesome, apply now via our new and revamped website:
https://captainstable.hk

Deadline: 31 August 2024

For enquiries, email: [email protected]

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Sigli en Sensotec breiden AI-samenwerking uit

Sigli, een digitale transformatie partner, en het Belgische bedrijf Sensotec verlengen hun samenwerking voor onbepaalde tijd na vijf succesvol jaren. In die tijd heeft Sigli Sensotec ondersteund bij verschillende projecten, waaronder AI-ontwikkeling en het maken van leerhulpmiddelen voor mensen met visuele of cognitieve beperkingen. Deze doorlopende samenwerking is erop gericht om de AI-mogelijkheden van Sensotec verder te verbeteren en de functionaliteiten ervan uit te breiden.

Sensotec werkt dagelijks aan het verbeteren van leerhulpmiddelen voor mensen met visuele of cognitieve beperkingen. Met de steun van Sigli, een Litouws bedrijf dat bekendstaat om zijn expertise in digitale transformaties en AI, heeft Sensotec verschillende innovatieve tools ontwikkeld. Een opmerkelijk project is Web2Speech, een AI-gestuurde browserplug-in die webpagina’s hardop voorleest en samenvattingen markeert. Sigli en Sensotec hebben deze tool ontwikkeld, samen met een spraakserver, woordenboek, spellingcontrole en beeldwoordenboek om de gebruikerservaring te verbeteren.

Hun samenwerking heeft onlangs een intuïtieve interface opgeleverd voor kinderen en studenten met leerproblemen. William De Prêtre, hoofd AI bij Sensotec, schrijft hun snelle en efficiënte ontwikkeling toe aan de professionele expertise en het enthousiasme van het team.

Thomas Simono, Managing Director Benelux bij Sigli, gelooft dat hun gezamenlijke inspanningen met Sensotec een voorbeeld zijn van hoe AI de maatschappij inclusiever kan maken. Door leerprocessen te verbeteren, willen ze de slagingspercentages van studenten met een beperking verhogen. Sigli evalueert of AI een bedrijf ten goede kan komen door de beschikbaarheid van gegevens, procesworkflows en het potentieel voor automatisering te onderzoeken. Ze houden ook rekening met de betrouwbaarheid van gegevens, ethische richtlijnen en aankomende regelgeving, zoals de AI Act, te beginnen met een AI-gereedheidsbeoordeling.

De uitgebreide samenwerking tussen Sensotec en Sigli belooft hun innovatieve vermogen te vergroten, waardoor onderwijs en de maatschappij toegankelijker worden voor een bredere groep studenten.

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Follow Engineers of Tomorrow, an innitative from the University of Antwerp

Engineers of Tomorrow vormt een ecosysteem dat een platform biedt aan studenten, ingenieurs, alumni en bedrijven om elkaar te ontmoeten en van elkaar te leren. Of je nu een student bent, een ingenieur of een vertegenwoordiger van jouw bedrijf, ontdek wat EoT voor jou kan betekenen.

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Nieuw consortium 'Hubs4Growth' geeft boost aan slaagkansen van startups en scaleups in Vlaanderen

Hangar K, The Beacon, Leuven MindGate, WinterCircus Gent en Limburg Startup bundelen de krachten onder de naam Hubs4Growth. Dit nieuwe consortium ambieert om met deze samenwerking op Vlaams niveau een significante impact te creëren op het startup-ecosysteem in Vlaanderen. Naast een uitgebreid netwerk en veel ondernemersexpertise pakt Hubs4grotwh uit met een sterk aanbod van gezamenlijke evenementen, workshops en accelatorprogramma's die worden uitgerold met de steun van VLAIO, met als doel om startups sneller doorheen de typische groeipijnen te helpen en de overgang van lokale speler naar (inter)nationale speler vlotter te laten verlopen.

Hubs4Growth verenigt de belangrijkste startup en innovatie-hubs van Vlaanderen, met de gezamenlijke missie om de concurrentiepositie van Vlaamse startups en scaleups te versterken en toekomstbestendige innovatie te bevorderen. "Naast voordelen als een groter netwerk en meer beschikbare expertise, levert de samenwerking op Vlaams niveau nog andere belangrijke voordelen op voor startups en scale-ups", zegt Jan Paesen, Managing-Director Leuven MindGate.

Marc Beenders, sr. corporate community manager Limburg Startup: "We werkten een mooi aanbod uit voor startups en scaleups. Zo rollen we 'Pitch your seat' nu op Vlaams niveau uit. Dat is een programma van 6 maanden waarbij 30 deelnemers kunnen rekenen op 4 inhoudelijke sessies, met een focus op de product-market fit. Verder krijgen zij gedurende die periode een vaste stek bij één van de 5 incubatoren uit het Hubs4growth-netwerk én individuele begeleiding." Start-ups die willen deelnemen aan Pitch your seat, kunnen zich tot 15 september kandidaat stellen via de website van www.Hubs4growth.eu. Pitch your seat is de eerste concrete samenwerking die vandaag gelanceerd wordt. Er is plaats voor 30 startups die gedurende zes maanden onder de vleugels van Hubs4Growth wordt genomen.

Internationaal incubatorennetwerk
Verder werkt Hubs4growth samen met incubatoren in het buitenland, zoals Brightlands en Brainport in Nederland, Budding Innovation in Singapore, EuraTechnologies in Frankrijk, Digihub in Duitsland, Belcham in de US en Brinc in China. "Via ons programma Take a seat kunnen startups en scaleups 30 dagen lang vanuit een buitenlandse incubator opereren. Ook daar zorgen wij dan vanuit Hubs4growth voor de nodige begeleiding, ondersteuning en contacten", licht Valerie Hellebuck, manager bij Hangar K toe.

Gloednieuw zijn de Spark!-sessies waarbij telkens 10 start-ups mogen pitchen voor een jury van tech-ondernemers. Startups die op zoek zijn naar funding, klanten of talent kunnen de sterren van de hemel pitchen tijdens deze sessies. Tot slot zal Hubs4growth ook jaarlijks 12 inhoudelijke sessies organiseren onder de naam 'Techxperience'.

Ines Sylverans, General-Manager The Beacon: "Je kan dus stellen dat deze samenwerking op Vlaams niveau een belangrijke stap is richting een meer geïntegreerd en krachtig ondersteuningssysteem voor innovatieve startups en scaleups waarbij ook nadrukkelijk ingezet wordt op ervaringsuitwisseling."

"Door onze krachten te bundelen, willen we inderdaad mee de Vlaamse economie versterken. Enerzijds door startups en scale-ups te begeleiden bij het overwinnen van de groeipijnen die met een sterke en snelle expansie gepaard gaan, anderzijds door hen te ondersteunen bij de overgang van de meer lokale markt naar de internationale markt", bevestigt Bruno Vandegehuchte Head of Startup Campus Wintercircus Gent.

VLAIO, trotse partner van Hubs4Growth
Dat Hubs4Growth grote ambities koestert, blijkt ook uit het partnership met VLAIO. Marc Andries, Administrateur- Generaal VLAIO: “VLAIO wil ondernemers helpen groeien. Dankzij het partnership met Hubs4Growth kunnen we nu onze dienstverlening aan start-ups voortaan ook aanbieden via een netwerk van incubatoren.”

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einde persbericht
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Over de vijf Vlaamse startup-hubs die samen Hubs4growth vormen
1. Limburg Startup: De startup community van investeringsmaatschappij LRM is een katalysator voor ondernemerschap in Limburg en biedt een breed scala aan diensten en netwerkmogelijkheden voor startups. Limburg Startup verenigt de 7 Limburgse incubatoren: Corda INC, GreenVille, C-mine Crib, BioVille, Agropolis, DronePort en IncubaThor.
2. The Beacon Antwerpen: Gelegen in het hart van Antwerpen, is The Beacon een broedplaats voor technologiegedreven startups, met een sterke focus op Internet of Things (IoT) en digitale innovatie.
3. Wintercircus Gent: Dit iconische herontwikkelde gebouw in Gent is niet alleen een architecturaal pareltje, maar ook een bruisend centrum voor tech startups en creatieve ondernemers. Het vernieuwde Wintercircus verbindt creatieve en ondernemende geesten om samen na te denken over een betere toekomst voor de planeet en samenleving. Het kloppend hart, de Startup Campus, is er voor de meest innovatieve, door een jury geselecteerde tech startups.
4. Leuven MindGate: Leuven MindGate stimuleert innovatie en samenwerking tussen bedrijven, kennisinstellingen en de overheid in de regio Leuven, met een nadruk op gezondheid, hightech en creativiteit.
5. Hangar K Kortrijk: Als co-creatie hub biedt Hangar K in Kortrijk een unieke omgeving waar startups, scaleups en gevestigde bedrijven kunnen samenwerken en innoveren.
Over Vlaio
"Vlaanderen mag best wat ambitieuzer zijn als het aankomt op ondernemerschap. We hebben nood aan meer starters, meer groeiers en meer innovatie. Daarom wil VLAIO projecten op stapel zetten die ondernemers aanzetten tot, ondersteunen of begeleiden bij het ondernemen. Met onze partners bundelen we onze krachten en middelen. Hubs4Growth maakt deel uit van een netwerk van initiatieven waarvan je gebruik kan maken. Ontdek ze allemaal op www.vlaio.be/expertisedatabank . #SterkOndernemen

Hangar K, The Beacon, Leuven MindGate, WinterCircus Gent en Limburg Startup bundelen de krachten onder de naam Hubs4Growth. Dit nieuwe consortium ambieert om met deze samenwerking op Vlaams niveau een significante impact te creëren op het startup-ecosysteem in Vlaanderen. Naast een uitgebreid netwerk en veel ondernemersexpertise pakt Hubs4grotwh uit met een sterk aanbod van gezamenlijke evenementen, workshops en accelatorprogramma's die worden uitgerold met de steun van VLAIO, met als doel om startups sneller doorheen de typische groeipijnen te helpen en de overgang van lokale speler naar (inter)nationale speler vlotter te laten verlopen.

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Movify Meetup: AI, Design Systems & Human Centricity

For this first Antwerp Edition, we have prepared a panel of outstanding experts to discuss AI, Design Systems and Human Centricity. 🤖

The evening will start with Dirk Bollen (PhD), Senior Digital strategist, with an inspiring presentation on the importance of human centricity in service design. Arguing that we should take focused design approach to create AI-based applications.

Knowledge about user needs, behaviour and interaction between the user and AI system will be even more important to create a great customer experience in the near future. 👀

Stefanos Monastiridis and Arnaud Ostrowski, both senior Design System owners, will follow with their take on relations between AI and Design Systems to come.

They will explore the possible impact of AI on the challenges they met while establishing Design Systems in organisations such as Elia and bpost.

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Secure your Startup Booth at Slush Helsinki!

Startup.Flanders invites Flemish start-ups to participate in Slush, Europe's leading start-up event, which will take place in Helsinki on November 20 and 21, 2024. We are looking for 12 young, technology-driven companies that can deliver fast pursuing growth with a scalable business model.

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Interview COO Robin Pauwels

The new Innovantage episode, featuring Robin Pauwels, COO at The Beacon | Innovation Community .Maxim Golikov and Robin Pauwels will discuss AI's impact on personalized education, healthcare modernization, and community engagement.

The expert guest is the Chief Operating Officer at The Beacon | Innovation Community , a community builder, and a former big data developer, Robin Pauwels.

In this episode, Maxim Golikov and Robin Pauwels will cover the following topics:
💭 How AI enhances personalised education experiences
💭 The role of AI in modernising healthcare systems
💭 Innovative ways AI is used in community engagement

Website

The Beacon gears up for 6 months filled with (networking) events

The Beacon is more than just an environment to work; it's a dynamic community designed to encourage interaction, collaboration and growth. Here are the members-exclusive events we have planned for the second half of the year:

1. Beacon Community Connect - August 1.
Begin the month with our online or in-person Beacon Community Connect event. This event is an excellent opportunity to meet our newest members and catch up with familiar faces. We encourage every business within our community to be represented to ensure a diverse and enriching networking experience. Whether you are looking for new partnerships or just want to expand your professional circle, this event is the perfect starting point.

2. Skybar Invites The Beacon Community - August 1.
Following the Community Connect, we would like to invite you to an exclusive after-work drink at the newly opened Skybar. With its stunning views and relaxed atmosphere, Skybar provides the ideal setting for informal networking. Enjoy a refreshing drink while connecting with other community members in beautiful, relaxed surroundings.

3. Slice & Strategize - August 14.
As a resident of The Beacon, your voice matters. Join us for Slice & Strategize, a unique event where we discuss what matters most in our building. This is your chance to share suggestions for our infrastructure as we unveil the new plans for The Beacon. It's a perfect mix of strategic discussion and community engagement, all while enjoying delicious pizza.

4. Beacon & Eggs | Community Brunch - September 12.
After the summer break, we invite the community to catch up with other members at our Beacon & Eggs community brunch. This event is our way to thank you for making The Beacon such a great hub. Enjoy a delicious brunch while catching up with friends and making new contacts in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

5. Halloween Horror Movie Night - October 23.
Celebrate Halloween with us at our horror movie night. Enjoy a series of chilling horror films together with fellow Beaconeers. Whether you bring a +1 or your trusty teddy bear for extra emotional support, this event promises a fun and exciting evening filled with fear and laughter.

6. Potluck Apéro - November 14.
Join us for our exclusive Potluck Apéro for members. Bring your favorite snack and we will provide the drinks and music. This event is a great opportunity to relax after work, share culinary delights and connect with other members in a casual, friendly environment.

7. WinterFest - December 12.
End the year with our annual WinterFest. Join us for an evening of networking activities, festive treats and warm memories. WinterFest is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead to the future together.

At The Beacon , we believe that strong connections are the foundation for success. By offering a variety of unique networking opportunities, we strive to create an environment where our members can thrive both personally and professionally. We look forward to welcoming our community at our upcoming events and continuing to build a supportive, interconnected community together.

You can find an overview of our events here: https://www.thebeacon.eu/innovation/
For access to the exclusive community events, check our internal communication channels or contact your Beacon-contactperson.

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NEW MEMBER: Skyscapers

We would like to welcome Skyscapers, our new member of the community!

Skyscrapers speeds up your digital product dev team with DevOps-as-a Service. It is based on a mature Cloud Platform design, excellent Developer Support and reliable Operations. We are specialist in AWS, Kubernetes and DevOps. Focus your development team, let us take care of the foundation.

Want to get to know them? Visit their company page on our portal or let Robin know if he can connect you!

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NEW MEMBER: Pronect

We would like to welcome our new member of the community Pronect!

Pronect combines digital tools and a comprehensive overview for effective Physical Security Management.

We help companies save money and time through our accessible, end-to-end enterprise security cockpit that provides the necessary transparency, automates key security activities, and prioritises user-friendliness. The scope of capabilities encompass all critical aspects of physical security management.

On top of streamlining existing workflows, we enhance them with smart capabilities to improve decision-making through superior information and smarter access to data, to cater to the dynamic and defensible needs of today's security landscape and business environment.

Want to get to know them? Visit their company page on our portal or let Robin know if he can connect you!

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Blockchain history by mintBlue - 50 million transactions in 24h

Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform mintBlue heeft een nieuw record in de blockchain geschiedenis bereikt door meer dan 50,53 miljoen transacties te verwerken in slechts 24 uur. Dit markeert het hoogste aantal transacties ooit verwerkt op de publieke blockchain. Deze prestatie bewijst de levensvatbaarheid van hun infrastructuur op schaal en staat gelijk aan ongeveer 2,1 miljoen transacties per uur of 35.000 transacties per minuut, wat de mogelijkheid van het platform bewijst om blockchain functies te ondersteunen, inclusief on-chain opslag, met extreme efficiëntie bij enorme volumes.

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Dockflow in Forbs under 30

Michiel Valee and Pauline Van Ostaeyen, united by a shared passion for digitizing the archaic maritime shipping industry, founded Antwerp-based Dockflow in 2019. Its AI-powered platform integrates data sources, enables real-time container traceability, and monitors CO2 emissions and carbon offsetting for the logistics market. In 2023, the startup tracked $16 billion in cargo value, serving over 15,000 companies with 2,000 active users. Valee brings blockchain expertise, while Van Ostaeyen, a Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award winner, leads with growth marketing and sales experience. Dockflow has raised $1.1 million in funding to date.

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Real-time order execution with Vopak Liquid Terminals thanks to Nxtport International

‘With just one connection to the NxtPort International platform our global customers can now securely exchange data with our liquid terminals. This will enhance real-time order execution in the most #sustainable way.’ says Leo Brand CIO Vopak

Scalable and Proven Solution
Nxtport International is not just a concept but a #scalable, #proven solution already serving 120 customers across all continents. This broad adoption demonstrates the platform's capacity to handle diverse and growing demands, ensuring that as your business expands, Nxtport International can seamlessly scale to accommodate increased #data flows and more complex #logistics networks. Its global footprint underscores the platform's reliability and the #trust it has earned across the industry.

Specialized Focus on Liquid Commodities
With a specialized focus on liquid commodities, Nxtport International addresses the unique challenges and requirements of managing liquid logistics. This specialization ensures that the platform is finely tuned to support the intricacies of liquid transportation and storage, offering tailored solutions that enhance #efficiency , #safety , and #compliance for #chemical and #petrochemical companies dealing with these materials.

Nxtport International’s existing deployment showcases its scalability and its tailored approach to managing liquid commodities. As the chemical and petrochemical industry, along with the emerging #newenergy sector, continues to evolve, Nxtport stands ready as a key enabler of real-time communication, efficiency, and sustainability. Its proven track record, specialized focus, and adaptability position Nxtport as the go-to platform for companies looking to thrive in the dynamic global market while contributing to a sustainable future.

Geert De Wilde, CEO of Nxtport International adds : ‘#futureready for New Energies: As the industry evolves towards embracing new energy sources, Nxtport International’s capabilities on top of the Intertrust technology, extend to meet the emerging needs of this sector. The platform's #cybersecure #realtime communication features are perfectly aligned with the requirements for managing new energies, facilitating efficient, secure, and transparent data exchange among all stakeholders involved in the new energy ecosystem. This adaptability makes Nxtport International a future-proof solution, ready to support the industry's transition towards sustainable energy sources.’

In conclusion, Nxtport International is not just facilitating the current needs of the chemical and petrochemical industry; it is also paving the way for the #integration and #growth of new energy sectors. Its scalable, specialized, and future-proof platform offers a comprehensive solution that spans across traditional and emerging energy landscapes, underscoring its critical role in the industry's journey towards innovation and sustainability.

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Verhaert Innovation Day 2023 :: The rise of outcome-based solutions, your key to business success

Customers do more than just buy a product, they yearn for solutions that effectively address their specific needs. So how can you anticipate these buying motives to position your business for success? Join Verhaert ‘s Innovation Day in Kruibeke on November 21st for interactive demos, in-depth talks, and customizable toolsets. In 5 thematic tracks, you’ll get inspired by the latest innovation breakthroughs and firsthand experience how to master outcome-based solutions.

Embracing outcome-based innovation
Historically, companies pursued innovation by enhancing product qualities, improving affordability, or adding features. This way they wanted to create more added value or become more competitive. Today, a rising group of innovation leaders is shifting focus to elevating customer outcomes and experiences, by integrating the product as an asset into new business model innovations. That’s where outcome-based innovation takes center stage, where the spotlight shifts from the product to its service potential or enabling business model.

By aiming for superior customer outcomes, outcome-based innovation yields greater added value than any other type of innovation. But how does this translate into practice? It involves integrating new technologies, adopting circular economy, or embracing product-as-a-service (PaaS) innovation. The aim is to nurture products that surpass their traditional roles, amplifying their impact on the world during use.

5 thematic tracks, 10 interactive demos and in-depth talks
During Verhaert’s Innovation Day, you’ll discover the magic of outcome-based innovation, empowering the voice of your customers, harnessed through cutting-edge technologies. Choose the innovation topics that best fit your needs from 5 thematic tracks covering in-depth insights, exclusive demos, and customizable toolsets.

• TRACK 1: Fueling the future of robotics & AI
AI has created a tremendous boost in the field of robotic innovation. Thanks to advanced algorithms and machine learning, robots can not only navigate and interact with their surroundings but also understand them.
• TRACK 2: Rethinking the use case for value creation
Redefining your use case is the ultimate tool in beating your competitors. Get inspired on how including stakeholders can help you create new business and value opportunities through market and user insights.
• TRACK 3: Riding the product-as-a-service wave
In a world where new products and companies pop up every day, how can you strengthen customer retention? With a products-as-a-service business model, you deliver a complete solution instead of just a physical product.
• TRACK 4: Sustainability driving innovation
Every day, the call for environmental responsibility grows louder. Sustainable innovation secures long-term success while boosting your reputation. Learn how to create end-to-end holistic solutions for a better world.
• TRACK 5: Cultivating entrepreneurial champions
Curious about the latest tools for innovators to use Generative AI in your ideation or validation process? Interested in the most popular product and project management tools? Get a glimpse of the e-courses from Verhaert Academy!

Discover how to master outcome-based innovation during Verhaert’s Innovation Day on November 21st! Visit the event website for the full program and sign up by choosing the 2 tracks of your interest. 👉 https://innovationday.verhaert.com/

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Verhaert helps nurses from Wit-Gele Kruis develop an innovative all-in-the-box organizer

Wit-Gele Kruis West Flanders is committed to delivering high-quality care to patients in their own environment. To optimize the logistics of medical equipment for nurses, they’re launching a handy all-in-the-box car organizer. An idea originally conceived by a home care nurse and further developed with professional partners including Verhaert Masters in Innovation, a European service provider in innovation. Thanks to its innovative approach, Verhaert succeeded in identifying important, unprecedented facets related to the various stakeholders. This included going deeper into essential steps in the design process and taking into account current requirements for circularity.

Cooperation as a driving force for innovation, inside and outside the organization
Wit-Gele Kruis West Flanders believes it’s important that innovation stays close to the day-to-day lives of its nurses and helps to relieve them. The idea of a nurse to develop a new organizer that is orderly, practical, and hygienic was picked up by the organization. Through an intensive process, the idea was further developed in collaboration with a master's student in product development, MakerHealth Howest and Verhaert, among others.

The secret of successful innovation: a holistic approach
Creating products that meet the users’ needs, desires, and requirements, is valued highly at Verhaert. An extensive analysis of the needs of home nurses is therefore an important part of the development process. Structured workshops were organized with stakeholders from various domains to identify in detail both user needs and logistical and financial considerations during the design phase.

After an iterative validation phase of several prototypes, Verhaert proceeded to product engineering, optimizing the final production design. By considering technical, production-related, and user aspects, Verhaert ensured technical feasibility (viable) as well as successful fulfillment of users’ needs and desires (desirable). The organizer provides functional and ergonomically access to any type of care product and can be integrated with the nursing bag, making it the most practical and complete solution on the market.

A circular life cycle
The demand for environmental awareness is increasing day by day. Sustainability and ecology are important drivers in the product development process. The all-in-the-box offers an efficient storage solution design with a circular business model in mind. The product is fully geared toward circularity, with opportunities for refurbishment and 100% recycling. The organizer is made of mono-material, making recycling at end-of-life simple and feasible. Polypropylene with a closed cell structure, also offers durability and robustness with significantly less weight. In addition, flatpack delivery on a euro pallet minimizes fuel consumption and reduces CO2 emissions. Production is also set up with attention to the inclusion of social employment.

Innovative healthcare logistics gains a new dimension
The all-in-the-box solution optimizes the logistics process and reduces costs by limiting expired materials. Nurses are pleased too, as this solution allows them to focus more on patient care. This innovation extends to the broader healthcare sector, where, upon positive validation, the product can be made available to other (home) care organizations.

“The real added value of this development was born from our co-creative workshops. Each stakeholder, whether it was the care provider, logistics department, or financial services, provided unique contributions from their expertise. Thanks to this iterative approach with the integration of concept and prototype validation, we were able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together smoothly,” says Gerd Van Cauteren, Coordinator DesignLab at Verhaert Masters in Innovation.

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Unikoo lanceert CTO en CFO-as-a-Service voor startups, scale-ups en kmo’s

17 januari 2024 - Het huidige economische landschap stelt ondernemers op de proef. Denk maar aan de digitale transitie, wijzigende regelgeving, economische onzekerheid en stijgende lasten op arbeid. Start-ups, scale-ups en kmo’s vinden niet altijd de middelen, tijd of expertise om deze uitdagingen het hoofd te bieden. Dat merkte ook full service partner Unikoo: hoewel zij al een hele verscheidenheid aan expertise in administratie, HR, marketing en development ter beschikking stellen, klonk ook de vraag naar meer strategische ondersteuning het afgelopen jaar luider dan ooit. Een vraag waar Unikoo nu antwoord op biedt met de lancering van hun CFO en CTO-as-a-Service model.

Ondernemers hebben het niet makkelijk, zo blijkt ook opnieuw uit de meest recente KMO-barometer van Unizo. Bedrijven worstelen om geschikte arbeidskrachten te vinden en maken zich zorgen om hun rendabiliteit. Het aantal faillissementen steeg bovendien fors het afgelopen jaar. Ondernemers moeten op zoek naar de juiste mensen om hen door dit nieuwe economische landschap te helpen navigeren, maar in vele gevallen ontbreken de middelen om dit soort leidende C-level profielen aan te werven. Met haar CFO en CTO-as-a-Service modellen wil Unikoo deze ondernemers de hand reiken.

“CFO-as-a-Service (CFOaaS) en CTO-as-a-Service (CTOaaS), een model dat de laatste jaren steeds meer populariteit won, vormt een logische uitbreiding op onze bestaande dienstverlening. Onze klanten, vaak bedrijven in volle groei, kunnen nu bij Unikoo terecht voor zowel operationele ondersteuning als advies bij het oplossen van complexe beleidsvraagstukken, het maken van strategische keuzes of het plannen van klankbordsessies. We zochten én vonden twee kleppers van profielen die onze klanten kunnen verder helpen met uitdagingen op het hoogste niveau van de beleidsvoering”, aldus Kenn Wouters, zaakvoerder van Unikoo.

Nick Van Meerbeeck, voormalig Head of Controlling bij Port of Antwerp, zal de uitrol van CFOaaS op zich nemen. “Het voordeel van zulke samenwerking is dat klanten heel gericht advies kunnen inwinnen over een specifieke topic of voor uitdagingen waar ze op dat moment mee zitten. Ad hoc, dus zonder de aanzienlijke kost van een fulltime CFO op de payroll, maar wel op hoog niveau. Een CFO denkt mee met het management, stemt de financiële strategie af op de beleidsvisie, zorgt dat het bedrijf de juiste strategische prioriteiten stelt en neemt onzekerheid weg. Heel wat bedrijven zijn hiermee geholpen, zelfs met ‘maar’ een parttime ondersteuning van enkele dagen per maand.”

Voor ondersteuning op vlak van technologie kunnen bedrijven beroep doen op Cynric Huys als CTO on demand. “Veel bedrijven weten dat ze meer moeten inzetten op digitalisatie, maar vaak weten ze niet hoe ze hier effectief mee aan de slag kunnen gaan. Wij willen klanten op een flexibele en kost-efficiënte manier begeleiden in hun digitale uitdagingen. Niet enkel met advies, maar ook met hands-on operationele implementatie. Onze geïntegreerde aanpak breekt de zogenoemde silo‘s binnen organisaties en is gericht op bedrijven die willen inzetten op technologie, maar de middelen missen of niet weten hoe ze dit moeten aanpakken. Het CTO-as-a-Service model biedt voor hen een pragmatische oplossing aan een toegankelijk tarief.”

Startups, scale-ups en kmo’s kunnen beroep doen op de CTO en CFO als eindverantwoordelijke in het uitrollen van een impactvol project. Ze kunnen optreden als volwaardig deel van het managementteam, als partner die de belangen van de organisatie behartigt. Ook voor investeerders kan de inzet van een fractional CFO of CTO meer zekerheid brengen in het opvolgen van (nieuwe) business ventures.
Ook voor bedrijven die al een CFO of CTO in dienst hebben, kan de extra ondersteuning een sterke meerwaarde bieden. Als sparringpartner bijvoorbeeld, of wanneer de werkdruk voor de huidige verantwoordelijke tijdelijk te zwaar wordt door bijkomende projecten zoals een aankomende kapitaalronde of een digitalisatietraject. Extra C-level ondersteuning biedt ademruimte aan het management, iets wat in deze tijden zeker niet onbelangrijk is.

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Real-time order execution with Vopak Liquid Terminals thanks to Nxtport International

‘With just one connection to the NxtPort International platform our global customers can now securely exchange data with our liquid terminals. This will enhance real-time order execution in the most #sustainable way.’ says Leo Brand CIO Vopak

Scalable and Proven Solution
Nxtport International is not just a concept but a #scalable, #proven solution already serving 120 customers across all continents. This broad adoption demonstrates the platform's capacity to handle diverse and growing demands, ensuring that as your business expands, Nxtport International can seamlessly scale to accommodate increased #data flows and more complex #logistics networks. Its global footprint underscores the platform's reliability and the #trust it has earned across the industry.

Specialized Focus on Liquid Commodities
With a specialized focus on liquid commodities, Nxtport International addresses the unique challenges and requirements of managing liquid logistics. This specialization ensures that the platform is finely tuned to support the intricacies of liquid transportation and storage, offering tailored solutions that enhance #efficiency , #safety , and #compliance for #chemical and #petrochemical companies dealing with these materials.

Nxtport International’s existing deployment showcases its scalability and its tailored approach to managing liquid commodities. As the chemical and petrochemical industry, along with the emerging #newenergy sector, continues to evolve, Nxtport stands ready as a key enabler of real-time communication, efficiency, and sustainability. Its proven track record, specialized focus, and adaptability position Nxtport as the go-to platform for companies looking to thrive in the dynamic global market while contributing to a sustainable future.

Geert De Wilde, CEO of Nxtport International adds : ‘#futureready for New Energies: As the industry evolves towards embracing new energy sources, Nxtport International’s capabilities on top of the Intertrust technology, extend to meet the emerging needs of this sector. The platform's #cybersecure #realtime communication features are perfectly aligned with the requirements for managing new energies, facilitating efficient, secure, and transparent data exchange among all stakeholders involved in the new energy ecosystem. This adaptability makes Nxtport International a future-proof solution, ready to support the industry's transition towards sustainable energy sources.’

In conclusion, Nxtport International is not just facilitating the current needs of the chemical and petrochemical industry; it is also paving the way for the #integration and #growth of new energy sectors. Its scalable, specialized, and future-proof platform offers a comprehensive solution that spans across traditional and emerging energy landscapes, underscoring its critical role in the industry's journey towards innovation and sustainability.

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NxtPort International and Intertrust to Revolutionize Supply Chain Security with Digital Port Platfo

Antwerp and San Francisco — October 5, 2023 — Intertrust, the world's leading provider of security and interoperability technologies for distributed IT/OT services, today announced a partnership with digital platform operator NxtPort International, that will deliver a secure platform for increased transparency and automation for IoT-enabled ports. The partnership will enable global port operators to securely integrate multi-party digital data services and IoT devices made by different manufacturers, such as sensors and cameras, into their ports. The platform will allow ports around the world to establish data-driven operations based on reliable data - an essential function for today’s fast-paced shipping system of essential fuels from LNG to Hydrogen and Ammonia.

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