In the European startup and venture capital space, there is an abundance of amazing female entrepreneurs, ready to take on fresh opportunities and enrich the current environment. We have already discussed the leading women from the Balkan states and Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, Slovenia, Serbia, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Western Balkans, Poland and Austria.
Now let's turn our attention to Belgium and get to know the Top Women from Belgium's VC and Startup Ecosystem!
Aline Muylaert
Co-Founder & Commercial Director, Citizenlab
Aline Muylaert is Co-Founder of Citizenlab - a community engagement platform used by +300 cities and governments to reach out to more citizens, set up and manage efficient participation, and drive better policy decisions. Aline and her team's mission is to build stronger democracies by making public decision-making more inclusive, participatory, and responsive.
In 2018 Aline was chosen as Forbes 30 under 30 Europe in the category Law & Policy.
Amélie Matton
CEO, Ecosteryl
Amelie Matton is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Currently, she is Chief Executive Officer of Ecosteryl, which machines are treating & recycling infectious medical waste all over the world. Ecosteryl aims to eradicate the environmental and health problems, associated with medical waste in the world.
Anais Bouzidi
Co-Founder, Impact Shakers
Anais Bouzidi is another impactful woman on our list. Since 2018 she is working for NedWorks as a Google Digital Atelier - Trainer & Coach, where for 7 months she was coordinating #DearLocal program. #DearLocal was a wonderful Google x Nedworks initiative that was offering the opportunity to entrepreneurs in specific municipalities to transform their companies with digital tools.
Since 2018 holds the position of Co-Founder at Impact Shakers, which mission is to tackle complex societal challenges through inclusive entrepreneurship.
Ann Van Gysel
CEO, Medvia
Ann Van Gysel is CEO of Medvia. Medvia fosters unique innovations in healthcare by facilitating and supporting collaborations between companies, knowledge centers, universities and healthcare institutions. An industry-driven network, we fund projects within research and medical sectors that provide solutions to unmet medical needs.
Throughout her career, Ann has been contributing to the Belgian and Flemish life sciences ecosystem, as Head of Communications at VIB, Managing Director of flanders.bio, and as co-founder of arasystem.com and founder of Turnstone Communications and BioVox.
Bieke van Gorp
Co-Founder & CBDO, Fibricheck
Bieke Van Gorp is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of FibriCheck, a software-only, platform-agnostic solution that is compatible with existing and upcoming mobile and wearable systems. FibriCheck is able to provide cost-effective healthcare solutions for the entire patient lifecycle by leveraging scalability and accessibility of both medical-grade and consumer-grade platforms. In 2022, she established Extra Horizon, a regulated back-end-as-a-service platform that helps to save time and money in the development of medical applications. Initially created as FibriCheck's back-end (Qompium), it soon became clear that Extra Horizon could be of great benefit to many companies creating and selling medical applications. Since 2022, Bieke has been part of the Board of Strategic Advisors at Catapult, where she aids EIT Health's leadership team in finding ways to boost the program.
Claire Munck
CEO, BeAngels & Managing Partner, ScaleFunds
Claire Munck is the Chief Executive Officer and Director at Be Angels, a business angel group located in Belgium. In 2013, Claire became a part of the Board of Business Angels Europe, an alliance of angel investing that encompasses Europe's leading national federations of angel groups. She spent almost a decade with EBAN, the European Trade Association for Business Angels, Seed Funds and other market players. In addition, she managed and was a part of the founding team of the WBAA – World Business Angels Association. Claire is also a founding Executive Committee Member of the Global Business Angel Network, which is a component of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Prior to that, Claire worked as a project manager for EURADA – European Association of Regional Development Agencies. She graduated from McGill University, the European Communication School and the Free University of Brussels.
Conny Vandendriessche
Co-founder Coformaco
Conny Vandendriessche is a self-made entrepreneur in the human resources. Her passion for entrepreneurship spans 25 years. She founded my first company, Accent Jobs, when she was already 31. In 2013, she passed on the leadership baton at Accent to found Stella P., a platform that connects entrepreneurs with boards of directors or advisors. In 2022, Vandendriessche published '𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨', which relates the stories of 12 female entrepreneurs from various locations. Presently, she is the CEO of 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐨 and a board member of numerous organisations, including House of HR, Trustteam, Televic and Bryo. Additionally, she is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Vlerick Entrepreneurship Academy.
Christina Takke
Managing Partner, V-Bio Ventures
In 2015, Christina Takke created V-Bio Ventures and has held the position of Managing Partner since then. Prior to starting V-Bio Ventures, Christina spent more than a decade and a half in European Venture Capital, working as a consultant, analyst and investment manager. Before that, she was a partner at Forbion Capital Partners, where she was in charge of several successful investments in biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies. Christina has a scientific background, having earned a PhD in Developmental Biology from the University of Cologne, Germany and a MSc in Biology from the University of Darmstadt, Germany.
Cristina Soviany
Founder, Features Analytics
Cristina Soviany is an experienced business owner who has a track record of working in the IT and services industry. At present, she is the founder of Features Analytics, which offers AI-driven surveillance services to financial organisations. The eyeDES® platform, which was developed with ideas from cancer detection, is a one-of-a-kind AI technology that helps detect trading abuse in the financial markets. Prior to this, she gained her professional experience as a Senior Researcher at Advanced Medical Diagnostics and a Research Scientist at Philips Applied Technologies.
Danaë Delbeke
Founder, Indigo
Danaë Delbeke's impressive background in business administration and entrepreneurship, along with her innovative mindset, has been a key factor in her success. In 2002, she attained a Ph.D. in Applied Sciences from Ghent University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics and two Bachelor and Master of Applied Sciences/Engineering in Photonics. Over the past twelve years, she has established seven high-tech photonics companies. At the moment, she is the founder of Indigo Diabetes N.V. (Indigo), a pioneering creator of medical devices for those with chronic diseases.
Dewi Van De Vyver
Founder, The Dewi Corp.
At Flow Pilots, Dewi serves as the CEO and is responsible for managing digital innovation projects from start to finish. The organization uses cutting-edge digital technologies to simplify and improve the lives of its users. To complement her Master's Degree in Communication Science, Dewi pursued additional courses in economics, graphic design, and IT management. The combination of these different fields of knowledge has been an incredible source of inspiration in her role as CEO. On the side, Dewi is also part of the panel of the Tech45 technology podcast.
Ellen Sano
Managing Director, Yuki Belgium
Ellen Sano is the Managing Director of Yuki - the very first self-learning community-driven, fully automatic accounting software in the world. The company’s mission is to make accountants and entrepreneurs work smarter, more efficiently & with a bigger value-add. She graduated from the University of Antwerp and Antwerp Management School.
Emna Everard
Founder & CEO, Kazidomi
In 2016 Emna Everard launched Kazidomi.com, an e-shop that delivers the best organic products to clien’t door. Kazidomi's mission is to enable everyone to take care of themselves on a daily basis, through healthier products and fairer practices, in an ecology of savoir-vivre that is more respectful of ourselves and the world around us.
Moreover, Emna is CEO of Bébé au Naturel and a Board Member Decathlon Marketplace at Decathlon International. She graduated from the National Taiwan University and Solvay Business School of Economics and Management.
Ilham Kadri
CEO, Solvay
As the Chairwoman of the Executive Committee, a Board Member, and CEO of Solvay, Ilham Kadri has had a successful career in both public and private companies. She was most recently the CEO and President of Diversey, a global leader in hygiene and cleaning, food safety and infection prevention. Her prior roles were in Business Leadership, Sales, Marketing and Research & Development for companies such as Huntsman, UCB-Cytec and Shell. Additionally, she has a degree in chemical engineering and a doctorate in Polymer Reactive Extrusion.
Inge Geerdens
Founder, CVWarehouse.com
Inge Geerdens is an entrepreneur at heart. She is the Founder CEO of CVWarehouse.com which is a software company (e-recruitment/ATS) helping organizations worldwide manage and measure their recruiting efforts. She is very passionate about her business and committed to leading it to success. Previously, she was a founder of Executive Research, a headhunter agency. Moreover, Inge is a frequent keynote speaker, columnist and guest lecturer. She has won several awards, including 'Female Entrepreneur of the Year' in Belgium and 'Best Elevator Pitch' at the European Venture Contest.
Julie Foulon
CEO, Girleek
Julie Foulon is not only a Community Leader, entrepreneur, and co-founder of MolenGeek, but also the founder of GIRLEEK, a digital training center that aims to make new technologies available to all women by providing them with innovative teaching methods.
She graduated from SKEMA Business School with a specialization in Market Finance.
Katrien Herdewyn
Founder, Elegnano
Katrien Herdewyn is a Founder of Elegnano, startup that offers elegant and luxurious shoes for women with a touch of nanotechnology
In 2010, she attained a master's degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from the University of Leuven after graduating as an electrical engineer. She then began a Ph.D. in Sciences while studying Footwear Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sint-Niklaas. She also took specialized courses in Fashion Footwear Design at London College of Fashion in the UK, Polimoda in Italy, Prescot & McKay in the UK, and SLEM in the Netherlands. In 2013, she was nominated for the Global Footwear Design Award. In 2014, she became the only Belgian finalist for the renowned Muuse x Vogue Talents - Young Vision Award Accessories.
Katrin Geyskens
Partner, Capricorn Partners
Katrin Geyskens is a Partner and Member of the Executive Committee at Capricorn Partners. Moreover, she is a Board Member at GUBERNA and a Member Of The Supervisory Board at EIT Digital. Katrin was elected as Industry 4.0. "Inspiring Fifty Women in Tech Belgium 2020". She accomplished MBA at The University of Chicago Booth School of Bussiness.
Leen Segers
Founder & CEO of LucidWeb, Co-founder of Women in Immersive Tech
For more than 14 years Leen has been part of the B2C and B2B SaaS software industry, having co-founded several startups, launching an NGO, and being involved in two exits (Tech.eu acquired by Webrazzi; Kaltura exited via an IPO). Presently, she has become an investor working with Miles Ahead, a venture studio dedicated to responsible AI & Deep Tech in Ghent (Belgium), and also serving as an advisor to Field of View Ventures, a pan-European fund that supports startups constructing the Metaverse.
Leslie Cottenjé
Chief Executive Officer, Hello Customer
Leslie started her career at Vlerick Business School. 10 years of experience in Customer Experience and building companies, first at hers digital agency, later with Hello Customer, of which she is still the CEO. Hello Customer is a fast-growing SaaS company, founded in 2015, with 55 employees, 100+ customers across Europe.
Leslie has been awarded and praised throughout her career: Startup of the Year in 2016, Nominee ICT lady of the Year in 2015, Nominee Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, Inspiring 50 for Belgium in 2020.
She is active in various initiatives, such as Birdhouse Start-up accelerator, Guberna - building better boards or Vlerick Business School (Entrepreneur in Residence).
Liesbeth Buyck
CEO Stormbee
Liedbeth is a Founder and CEO at Stormbee, which is a pioneer in mobile LIDAR technology. The company engineers, designs and manufactures customised application solutions in-house.
At 2010 Liedbeth founded Think 3D, which aims at a strong expertise in 3D laser scanning for the industrial market.
Maggy Baetens
Founder & CTO, Araani
Maggy Baetens is an experienced founder with a demonstrated history of working in Video Analytics and Fire Safety. Currently, she is a Founder & CTO at Araani. Her areas of expertise are R&D, Product Development, Company Strategy, Pre-Sales, ISO Standards, and Marketing.
Marijke Keters
Country Manager Belgium, Mirion Technologies
Career Markije Keters’ began in Canberra Semiconductor (now Mirion Technologies) in 1991 where she was working as a researcher. The transition to product management in 1997 saw her take on increasing responsibility. In 2009, she was offered the chance to lead a team, and this was the experience that taught her to be firm in her convictions and trust her capabilities. Since 2019, this has been combined with the management of the Brussels sales and service office. She is responsible for the standard HPGe and PIPS detector manufacturing site in Olen, Belgium, and the Benelux Sales and Service center in Zellik, Belgium. With her enthusiastic and knowledgeable team, she develops detectors that satisfy customers' needs and supports the full range of Mirion DMD products in the Benelux region.
Martine Tempels
Executive Vice President, Telenet Business
Marie Tempels is the Founder of CoderDojo Belgium, a global movement of free, volunteer-led, community-based programming clubs for young people.
Moreover, she is an Executive Vice President with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Besides running CoderDojo, Marie is a member of the Flemish STEM platform, a Board Member at The Pocket, and a Member Board of Directors at Melita Group.
Nadira Azermai
Founder Scriptbook & DeepStory
At the end of 2014, Nadira Azermai established a company named ScriptBook, which is a decision support system for the entertainment business that provides AI-driven script analysis, AI validation of creative content & box office forecasting. At the begging of 2022 Nadira founded another one AI-driven company - DeepStory, which is built around the cross-pollination between human creativity and artificial intelligence to create extraordinary stories and AI text adventures.
Previously for over 9 years, she was working as a Speaker with Expertise in: Generative AI in the entertainment field, AI based solutions in film and television and AI based storytelling & content creation. Nadira was featured on CNN, CNBC, The Times, The Guardian, Vogue, Variety, and has appeared on Stages, Panels and Podcast including Berlin Film Festival, Zurich Film Summit, Cannes Film Festival, American Film Market, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, and many more.
Ornella Perl
CEO, Spoddle
Ornella Peri is the CEO at Spoddle, an event marketing platform that intelligently matches brands with the right events. In 2017 she was also a Co-Founder of FSquared - a social network for women in tech that connected female founders with mentors and female investors. Ornella graduated from The London School of Economics and Political Science with a specialization in econometrics.
Sarah Levin Weinberg
Co-founder & CMO, Stellar
Sarah Levin Weinberg is the co-founder and Chief Magic Officer at Stellar, which offers a software and agency service solutions helping marketers do influencer marketing in a smarter, faster, better way. Previously, she was a CMO and Cofounder at Shopally - a set of mobile and desktop tools which was enabling social influencers to earn money thanks to the sales their posts inspire on Blogs, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and more.
She gained her professional experience working as a Global SEO Executive at Moster Worldwide and SEO Account Manager at Tradedoubler.
Ségolène Martin
CEO, Kantify
Ségolène is the cofounder of Kantify, a startup with the mission to improve human health thanks to Artificial Intelligence. She is an impact-driven professional who believes in the role of technology to generate positive societal impact. Besides developing Kantify, Ségolène is also a Member of the European Commission, Vice-Chair of the Brussels Lifetech Cluster which aims to facilitate and stimulate the attractiveness and success of high-potential HealthTech solutions, with a focus on social and environmental impact, and Expert to GPAI at the Global Partnership on AI, the International coalition developing and promoting responsible use of AI.
Valerie Zapico
Founder & CEO, Valkuren
Since 2014 Valerie Zapico is a Managing Partner at Valkuten which is a Belgium company specializing in leveraging business & optimize processes through the implementation of Big Data Solutions with Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
What is more, Valerie holds a Chapter Leader position at Women in Big Data Brussels, which aim is to Champion the Success of Women in the Big Data & Analytics Field. They are helping by Networking, Mentoring, Leadership Opportunities, Providing Technical Training, and Professional Development Workshops.
Previously, she was gaining professional experience as a General Manager at Valuetime and Managing Director at Valuis.
Yonca Braeckman
Founder & CEO, Impact Shakers
Yonca Braeckman is another impactful woman on our list. She is the founder and CEO of Impact Shakers, a global impact ecosystem tackling complex societal and environmental challenges through inclusive entrepreneurship. Moreover, Yonca is a mission-driven entrepreneur and investor in underrepresented founders. She helped build the Belgian and European tech startup ecosystems and is a sought-after startup mentor and jury member. She has advised and mentored hundreds of startups and considers herself a misfit champion. She was selected for the new group of Belgian changemakers “40 under 40” to help advance bold societal goals and was named as one of the "Top 100 most influential women in the European startup and VC ecosystem" in 2023.
Related Posts:
Top Women From VC and Startup Ecosystem In Austria (by Aleksandra Woszczyk, Vestbee)
Top Women From VC and Startup Ecosystem In The Western Balkans (by Katarzyna Groszkowska, Vestbee)
Top 25 Women From VC and Startup Ecosystem In Romania (by Aleksandra Wirth, Vestbee)
Top 30 Women From VC and Startup Ecosystem In Serbia (by Aleksandra Wirth, Vestbee)
