At the VentureLab, we believe that, as a young entrepreneur, you have the desire, the ideas, the energy and the vision to shape a new world. All you need to develop
your project and gain self-confidence (essential when starting out) is a little experience, a network and some recognition! To meet your needs, the VentureLab has put together a team of sixteen coaches.
They all have substantial experience of being an entrepreneur. One of these coaches will be assigned to you when you start your journey. As yourmentor, they will offer you what you need the most: experience and contacts.
Committed to helping the next generation and eager to pass on the entrepreneurial torch, your coach will be someone you can count on if you have doubts, challenges or problems to solve!
After studying economics, Fabienne worked as a journalist at the Belgian business newspaper L'Echo and in other media, before taking over the Namur-based family business, the Bister mustard factory, and becoming “Madame Moutarde” for 30 years. She has also built a mustard factory in Champagne and created a non-profit organisation which arranges visits to 35 Walloon businesses. Fabienne sold her business in December 2019 to a young Belgian entrepreneur. She studied coaching at BAO in Brussels, and was awarded a certified coaching diploma in May 2021. She
joined the VentureLab because she loves seeing the go-getter attitude and entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation.
Hubert is the founder of Finalyse, a company specialising in financial risk management. Always on the lookout for new trends, such as the sustainable economy, smart cities and renewable energies, Hubert specialises in business services. He has been a coach at the VentureLab since 2014.
Michel is the founder and CEO of Accent Languages, a B2B language training company based in Liège, Antwerp and Lille. Passionate about new technologies, he also founded a company that develops smart e-learning solutions and has been a director of several associations.
The CEO of Ortis (natural health products), which was his family business until 2017, Michel has worked in every role: production, sales, marketing, HR, lobbying. Shareholder/Director of various companies which share the common value of sustainability, Michel is passionate about entrepreneurship and fascinated by those who dare to take on the challenge. He is also a consular judge at the Commercial Court of Eupen.
Ex-Executive Vice President of Capgemini, Pierre reoriented his career in 2019 with the aim of passing on his 40 years of experience in industry, and strategy and transformation consulting to up-and-coming entrepreneurs and managers of VSEs and SMEs in order to help overcome their many challenges with creation, growth, digitalisation etc. To accomplish this, he works as a coach, consultant and administrator via his company PLACS. His preferred sectors are the digital, energy, water and engineering sectors, but he is comfortable working in others such as the construction, chemical, retail, services, food and automotive sectors.
A scientist by training, Frédéric has nevertheless had a career full of great opportunities that led him to became a co-entrepreneur in a variety of fields, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, publishing and water treatment. Each project came with its own discoveries, lessons, enriching exchanges and also pitfalls. Having the opportunity to share these experiences with young entrepreneurs is something he finds simply amazing.
Olivier has worked in IT for more than 20 years. Passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship as well as all aspects relating to transition management, he is the co-founder of Newpharma, one of the administrators of Histoire d’un grain and one of the founders of La Smala. His hobbies include design, contemporary art, graphics, architecture, photography and permaculture (among others).
His expertise comes from significant hands-on experience in project and business development, challenge management, international marketing and sales, communication and business diagnostics. Alain has a solid technical background thanks to his training as a civil engineer and experience accumulated during the first part of his career, as well as strong leadership qualities combined with a facility to work as part of a team.
Charles is an entrepreneur in the engineering industry (SA Emi, a CMI subsidiary) and in the culture, tourism and film industries. He is the founder of the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (FIFF) and of a cinematographic and industrial consultancy company. Charles is the manager of a resort (hotel, brasserie and restaurant) in Val de Poix (Ardennes). He has been a coach at the VentureLab since 2016.
Luc is a cultural entrepreneur, creator of the European youth card, the “chèque-livre” book voucher system, the Brussels book fair, the “Je lis dans ma commune” initiative and several publishing houses. He has been a coach at the VentureLab since 2014.
Vincent is an entrepreneur and Managing Director of SMEs in the Liège region that work in the field of engineering manufacturing and water engineering, and which are either undergoing restructuring or growing from 10 to 110 people. He has experience in international development (Balteau, Britte, Durlem, Galère, etc.). Vincent currently works as an independent company director.
Jean-Marc waited 38 years to create BetterStreet, his first business, the idea for which emerged during a startup weekend in Liège. Today, he is on his 4th business. He would have loved to have been able to start his journey earlier “but at that time, the VentureLab did not exist”. Today, one of his life missions is to help other people experience a successful entrepreneurial journey. Alongside his activities at the VentureLab, he manages WikiBuild.io and supports entrepreneurs and executives in achieving their professional and private goals through a one-on-one coaching service.
Quentin was born into an entrepreneurial environment and began his career abroad, doing various commercial activities and working as a project manager. After having spent this time on 4 different continents, Quentin returned to Belgium to take over the family business. For 11 years, he grew his business before merging with a larger group. While still working as a CEO, he also holds directorships in various other IT-related organisations. Some of the subjects that fascinate and engage him the most are human relations, strategy, change, and the efficient integration of technologies into processes
After an early career in automotive design (R&D manager at Ligier, Carat Duchatelet and Lotus), Olivier joined the equipment manufacturer Delphi 30 years ago and managed international engine component programs. The latest programs include the development, industrialisation and start of production of a direct fuel injection system fitted to the majority of PSA Group’s engines. He is keen to offer his project management experience from design to industrialisation in order to help young entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.
After a decade working as a sales consultant and as a business expert for an employer, Rachel created Proselect. In 2016, after 10 years as a ‘solitary’, efficient and dedicated manager, she decided to bring Proselect to the international market and joined the Proman group (a French family-run temporary employment group), fully handing over the reins at the end of 2021. Today, she supports entrepreneurs in the creation of their business and in the management of change, and has created the first TêteCoeurCorps forum, an unmissable event! www.tetecoeurcorps.eu
