Belgium Startup Awards

The Belgium Startup Awards is a dynamic initiative dedicated to uniting and celebrating the Belgian startup ecosystem. Through an engaging 8-episode journey, the Awards showcase the evolution of startups from initial selection pitches to intensive masterclasses, culminating in a thrilling live pitch competition with a grand prize of €100,000. This comprehensive season offers an in-depth look into the challenges and triumphs of Belgian startups, highlighting their innovation and resilience. Recognizing that the Belgian startup landscape is often supported at the regional level, the Belgium Startup Awards aim to bridge these divisions by fostering a cohesive national community. The challenges faced by startups are universal, regardless of their regional origins. By facilitating the sharing of solutions and experiences, the Awards strive to strengthen the entire ecosystem, promoting collaboration and mutual growth. Belgium is home to a wealth of talented individuals. By creating opportunities for these innovators to connect, share insights, and collaborate, the Belgium Startup Awards seek to accelerate the growth and impact of the national startup scene exponentially. This initiative is spearheaded by Nicolas Debray, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background in digital marketing and education. Nicolas began his digital career at Google Belgium in 2007 and later co-founded Semetis with Gabriel Goldberg. Under their leadership, Semetis grew from a two-person team to a market leader in digital marketing, managing over €100 million in media for Belgium's largest companies. After selling Semetis to Omnicom in 2015 and integrating it until 2019, Nicolas has been actively involved in education at institutions like ULB and Solvay, and has invested in approximately 20 tech startups, serving on the boards of many. His commitment to fostering the Belgian startup ecosystem is evident through initiatives like Speed Scaling and the Belgium Impact Startup Awards. With the Belgium Startup Awards, Nicolas aims to unite all stakeholders in the Belgian startup ecosystem, building bridges and creating value for the many. The success of the Belgium Startup Awards is deeply rooted in collaboration. The trust and support of partners are instrumental in bringing this vision to life, underscoring the power of synergy in driving the Belgian startup ecosystem forward.