https://www.instagram.com/vito.research/
https://www.facebook.com/VITObelgiumVITO, the Flemish research and technology organization, spearheads sustainable innovation through robust applied research and strategic collaborations. Our vision is to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable world by leading the way in these three areas: 1. sustainable resource economy 2. climate adaptation & mitigation 3. sustainable living Leveraging our partnerships with universities, industries, startups, and governments, VITO delivers its mission through four strategic goals: 1. Developing entrepreneurial mindsets: Positioning entrepreneurship as a mindset and set of behaviors that can be adopted by all. 2. Identifying & supporting entrepreneurial talent: Making our entrepreneurial support services easily accessible, ensuring emerging innovators are aware of the practical support available to them. 3. Empowering entrepreneurs: Providing access to our innovation-led opportunities with an unrivaled package of support at the heart of the cleantech ecosystem, accelerating them towards investment and growth. 4. Scaling innovation-driven enterprises: Addressing the early-stage funding gap through significant expansion of our investment capabilities. The annual Love Tomorrow event, in collaboration with Tomorrowland, celebrates technology and innovation, drawing over 5,000 visitors and offering a platform for showcasing pioneering projects. Our internal bootcamp program facilitates the conversion of research into societal benefits, supporting the practical transformation of ideas into viable projects. Our VITO Venture Studio is a flagship initiative that has birthed an average of two spin-offs annually, boasting a remarkable five-year survival rate of 93%. Meanwhile, VITO4STARTERS pitch competition supports cleantech entrepreneurs by providing access to a vast network and technological expertise, with over 100 startups registered and nearly 30 pitching their ideas. Through these initiatives, driven by our Venturing Department, VITO sets new benchmarks for research institutions, proving how collaborative innovation can drive societal advancement. We are dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial skills and bridging the gap between academia and industry, positioning VITO as a leader in cleantech innovation and sustainable development.
CATEGORY WINNER
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
VITO; Pioneering innovation in cleantech & sustainable development
CATEGORY WINNER Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
Peoples' Choice Category Winner
VITO is an RTO with ties to all Flemish universities; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of Antwerp, Ghent University, UHasselt & KU Leuven. - Belgium
"Empowering sustainable innovation and cleantech ventures"
Engage on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/vito4starters(VITO4STARTERS)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilswuytens/(Nils Wuytens)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-eevers-9555501/(Walter Eevers)
(VITO)
Summary
Key People
Nils Wuytens
Program Director VITO4STARTERS
VITO
Walter Eevers
Director Research & Valorisation
VITO
Bart Swaelens
Investment Manager
VITO
Tim Op't Eyndt
Venture Development Manager
VITO
Charlotte Struye
Program Manager VITO4STARTERS
VITO
Acknowledgements
A massive thank you to our dedicated team at VITO, whose relentless pursuit of innovation drives our success. We extend our gratitude to the various departments within VITO, including the various R&D departments, supporting offices, and business developers, whose efforts are integral to our mission. Special thanks to our Venturing department for their vital role in supporting and nurturing cleantech entrepreneurs.
We are also deeply appreciative of our partners, including all Flemish universities, industry collaborators, and governmental bodies, for their unwavering support and collaboration. A heartfelt thanks goes to the startups and entrepreneurs who inspire us with their groundbreaking ideas and commitment to sustainability.
Additionally, we value the contributions of our extensive network of entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, who work with us to provide support at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
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IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
A prime example of our impact is the joint spin-off between VITO and Antwerp University, "Immunespec," which emerged from our VITO Venture Studio. The entrepreneurial minds behind Immunespec developed a novel immune monitoring technology that enhances the precision of immunotherapy treatments, initially conceptualized during one of our internal bootcamp sessions.
Supported through rigorous workshops, mentorship, and access to VITO’s cutting-edge facilities, Immunespec transformed their research into a market-ready solution. The guidance from the VITO Venture Studio was instrumental in maturing this startup. Our mentors provided strategic advice on product development, market positioning, and regulatory pathways, while our workshops offered practical insights into business planning, intellectual property management, and fundraising strategies.
Within the first year of launch, Immunespec scaled up production and attracted many new clients, rapidly establishing a strong presence in the industry. Immunespec’s success story exemplifies how VITO’s ecosystem fosters innovation, translating scientific research into real-world, impactful solutions that address global health challenges. The startup’s rapid growth and market penetration are testaments to the robust support system provided by the VITO Venture Studio, highlighting the critical role of comprehensive guidance and resources in transforming groundbreaking research into successful commercial ventures.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Our journey at VITO has provided several critical insights into fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Firstly, a holistic support system is essential. This means not just offering funding but also providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. A diverse support system enables startups to navigate the complex landscape of bringing innovative ideas to market.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration has proven invaluable. By integrating expertise from various fields, we create a richer, more innovative environment that spurs creativity and practical solutions. Encouraging open communication, collaboration, and experimentation among different departments and external partners fosters an ecosystem where groundbreaking ideas can flourish.
Leadership in innovation requires fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking and values learning from failures. Establishing a culture where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a setback is crucial. This can be achieved through transparent communication, continuous feedback loops, and celebrating small wins to maintain team motivation.
Breaking down hierarchical barriers is vital. Innovation thrives when ideas are encouraged from all levels of the organization. Establishing open forums and channels for all employees to contribute their ideas ensures that valuable insights are not lost due to hierarchical constraints. Recognizing that great ideas can come from anywhere within the organization promotes a culture of inclusivity and collective problem-solving, driving forward our mission of sustainable innovation.
Effective leadership also involves maintaining a strong alignment between the organization’s mission and daily activities. Clear, consistent communication of goals and values ensures that every team member understands and is committed to the overarching objectives. This alignment drives sustained focus and impact.
Investing in continuous learning and development is another key lesson. Providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities helps team members stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Looking ahead, VITO aims to further enhance its innovation ecosystem by focusing on two key initiatives: maintaining and fostering a continuous and bottom-up intrapreneurship culture and transforming VITO4STARTERS into a comprehensive accelerator program for European tech startups in sustainability.
Firstly, we plan to intensify our efforts in cultivating a continuous intrapreneurship culture within VITO. This involves creating more opportunities for employees at all levels to propose and develop innovative ideas. We will establish dedicated support structures, including mentorship programs and innovation labs, to guide these intrapreneurs through the process of turning their ideas into viable projects. By encouraging a bottom-up approach, we aim to harness the full creative potential of our teams, ensuring that innovation remains a constant and integral part of our organizational culture.
Secondly, we are transforming VITO4STARTERS from a pitch competition into a full-fledged accelerator program. This new format will provide more extensive support to European tech startups working in sustainability sectors. The accelerator will offer a structured program that includes personalized technological support, seed funding, tailored mentorship, access to VITO’s advanced research facilities, and networking opportunities. By doing so, we aim to foster the growth of startups that are not only innovative but also capable of making significant contributions to sustainability and technological advancement in Europe.
These initiatives are designed to ensure that VITO remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. By promoting intrapreneurship and supporting emerging startups, we are committed to driving meaningful impact and leading the way towards a sustainable future.
