StartLAB.BRUSSELS

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup - Being an entrepreneur is often seen as exhilarating, freeing, and full of potential. But behind the success stories, there’s another reality—one we don’t talk about enough. Burnout, stress, and isolation are far too common in the entrepreneurial journey. The reality is that 1 in 3 entrepreneurs will experience burnout in the first 5 years of their journey. (QuickBooks 2023 Global Entrepreneur Survey) Entrepreneurs often pour everything into their projects—sacrificing their well-being for success. But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Why is entrepreneurial distress so common? 💸 Financial instability & constant uncertainty 🔀 The blurred line between work & personal identity 💼 Overworking & difficulty maintaining balance 💪 The pressure to always appear strong and in control 🧑🤝🧑 Isolation—feeling like you have to navigate everything alone Yet, asking for help remains one of the biggest challenges. Many entrepreneurs fear losing control or showing vulnerability. But acknowledging struggles isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward sustainable success. 💡 So, how can we create a culture that supports entrepreneurs? 🔹Encourage open conversations about mental health in the startup world 🔹Normalize seeking help—mentors, coaches, and mental health professionals exist for a reason 🔹Promote prevention, not just crisis management—mental well-being should be part of every founder’s strategy 💬 Let’s start the conversation: Have you experienced (or witnessed) the mental health challenges of entrepreneurship? What strategies have helped you (or someone you know) maintain balance? Drop your thoughts in the comments. 💙 #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #Startups #FounderWellbeing

🔥 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠… 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥! 🚀 On February 20th, we played cupid—not for love, but for startups and coaches. 💡❤️ Here’s how it went down: ✅ 1-minute entrepreneurial pitches, a great pitch isn’t about time—it’s about making every second count. ✅ Coaches did the same—because finding the right mentor is a two-way street! ✅ Networking chaos: Entrepreneurs hustling, coaches scouting, connections sparking. ✅ The final twist? Everyone wrote down their top 3 choices— because the right match can shape an entrepreneur’s journey for years to come. 📊 And here’s why this matters: 70% of startups that receive mentorship survive past five years—double the success rate of those that don’t (Mentorink). Having the right coach isn’t a luxury; it’s a game-changer. So, did we create the perfect founder-coach power couples? Only time will tell… but one thing’s for sure: great matches are made when ambition meets experience. 💬 Entrepreneurs: Who’s been your most valuable mentor so far? Coaches: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given? Drop your stories below! 👇 Want to give back, share your experience, and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs? We’re always looking for new coaches to join our community! Leave us a message if you’re interested. #networking #startups #mentorship #founders#Coaching #Entrepreneurship Huge thanks to our program managers for making this happen! Eléonore van der Loos Victoria Lavenne Jesse Renard

What Do 107 Startup Applications Tell Us About the Future? 🔍 We received 107 startup applications—and the level of ambition is truly impressive. After a tough selection process, 49 projects made the cut, each tackling different challenges. Here’s what’s trending: 🚀 AI-powered innovation – Startups are leveraging AI in smarter, more impactful ways across industries. 🏡 Big changes in real estate – Real estate is getting an upgrade, from smarter transactions to sustainable solutions. It’s clear: entrepreneurs are thinking bigger, smarter, and more scalable than ever. What trends are you seeing in the startup world? What big problems do you hope to see solved? Let’s discuss! 👇 Eléonore van der Loos Jesse Renard Victoria Lavenne Caroline Cogels Agathe Piette Lea Buddingh

Join us next week for the Apero Pitch - Cultural & Creative Entrepreneurship event! 🎤🎨 On February 27th, discover 4 student entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors, get expert advice, and enjoy networking with Brussels-based incubators. 👉 Free registration in the comments 📅 Feb 27th | 📍 Palazzo - Creative Workspace | 🕒 6 PM Note: Event in French. #Entrepreneurship #Creativity #Networking #Brussels

✨ 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 ✨ Last Thursday, we hosted a special Masterclass for our community, led by two expert trainers (Inesse Gannoun & Julie Denis ✨). The focus? Overcoming barriers and moving forward—because in entrepreneurship, action is everything. Without consistent action, there are no results. But what really holds people—especially entrepreneurs—back from taking action? Two key frameworks stood out: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐌-𝐁 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 & 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 We often believe we make rational decisions, yet biases can unknowingly limit us. Having a coach or mentor helps uncover and challenge these blind spots. Some key biases we explored: ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬 – Seeking evidence that supports our beliefs, even when alternatives exist. Coaches help by challenging assumptions in 1:1 sessions. ✅ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐲 – Holding onto an idea simply because we've invested time or money into it. Learning to let go can be a game-changer. ✅ 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐊𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 – The less we know, the more we overestimate our ability (and vice versa). This can fuel imposter syndrome, but awareness is the first step to overcoming it. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 & 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐛’𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 Everyone has a baseline level of strengths and abilities, but growth is a choice. The key is to: 🌱 See challenges as opportunities to grow. 🧠 Maintain a beginner’s mindset—stay curious, keep learning. 💡 Use the 5 Whys technique to uncover deeper insights and solutions. This session sparked insightful discussions, meaningful connections, and provided valuable tools to help coaches better guide entrepreneurs toward action and progress. Thank you to our incredible coaches for your insights, engagement, and unwavering support. Your role as reflection boards for entrepreneurs is invaluable, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our StratLab family. 🚀 #Coaching #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #Action #StratLabFamily Eléonore van der Loos Victoria Lavenne Jesse Renard Caroline Cogels Agathe Piette Lea Buddingh

🚨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 4 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲! 🚨 Are you ready to take the next big step? Our program is designed to help innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers like YOU bring their ideas to life. With expert guidance, invaluable resources, and a supportive community, this is your chance to build your start-up from scratch. Don’t wait—the deadline is just around the corner! ⏳ 👉 Apply before Sunday, January 26th, and take the first step in your entrepreneurial journey: https://lnkd.in/e82f2f9d #LastChance #3DaysLeft #MakeItHappen #entrepreneurship #startup #StartLab Caroline Cogels Eléonore van der Loos Jesse Renard Victoria Lavenne Agathe Piette Maarten De Ruyck Julie Janssens Lea Buddingh

🌟 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞! 🚀 Ready to bring your idea to life or take your start-up to the next level? Applications for our Test.Lab and Launch.Lab February/March 2025 programs are now open! 🌟 🌱 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭.𝐋𝐚𝐛: Transform your idea into a thriving start-up. 🚀 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡.𝐋𝐚𝐛: Scale your existing start-up to new heights. What’s in it for you? ✅ Action-packed workshops ✅ One-on-one coaching with seasoned mentors and experts ✅ Access to a dynamic coworking space in the heart of Brussels ✅ A supportive community of ambitious entrepreneurs ✅ Inspirational events to spark your innovation 📅 Key Dates for 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭.𝐋𝐚𝐛: Application deadline: January 26, 2025 Preselection: January 31, 2025 Jury Pitch: February 12-14, 2025 Selection announcement: February 18, 2025 Program start: March 2025 📅 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡.𝐋𝐚𝐛: Applications are open year-round, with interviews scheduled upon submission. 🌟 Ready to take the leap? Apply now: startlab.brussels/apply 💡 Know someone with a big idea? Share this post and help us connect with the next generation of changemakers. Together, we can turn bold ideas into incredible realities! Acerta, Daoust, PulseFoundation, BNP Paribas, hub.brussels, YET - Young Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow - hub.brussels, Le Wagon, Cité des métiers .Brussels, Student Entrepreneurs Club, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, UNIVERSITAIRE ASSOCIATIE BRUSSEL, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, CAPITAL vzw/asbl #startup #entrepreneurship #StartLab #Brussels #ApplyNow

Closing 2024 Strong, Ready for 2025! 💡 This week, we wrapped up an incredible semester with our Phase 1, Phase 2, and researchers during the final Coaching Nights of 2024. Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of judges, receive valuable feedback, and refine their ideas for growth. The dedication, progress, and innovation we've witnessed have been truly inspiring. We are so proud of everything they’ve achieved so far! 💪 As we close this chapter, we are already excited about what 2025 holds for these talented entrepreneurs. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to innovate and make an impact. 🚀 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧! 🚀 Ready to take the leap and join this thriving community of changemakers? We’re now accepting applications for our Test.Lab and Launch.Lab programs, starting in February/March 2025. 💡 Apply now: startlab.brussels/apply Whether you’re just starting or ready to take your business to the next level, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We can’t wait to welcome the next wave of entrepreneurs to StartLab! Eléonore van der Loos Victoria Lavenne Jesse Renard Caroline Cogels Maarten De Ruyck Agathe Piette Lea Buddingh Julie Janssens #startup #entrepreneurship #TestOrLaunch #Brussels #ApplyNow

✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! ✨ Two weeks ago, our annual Pitch XXL event took place at the iconic Flagey Cultural Center. And honestly, it took us a while to come down from the high of such an amazing evening! 🎉 THANK YOU to all our attendees—500 of you! Your energy and enthusiasm filled us with hope and inspiration for the future! 🎤 A massive shout-out to our incredible pitchers who stole the show with their fearless storytelling. Your passion and authenticity demystified entrepreneurship and inspired everyone to take bold steps toward their dreams. Bravo! You really are the heart and soul of the Pitch XXL and of the StartLab.Brussels Community. 🙌 And a big round of applause to our partners! This event wouldn’t have been possible without your support. From our financial partners—Acerta, PULSE Foundation, Daoust, and BNP Paribas—to the venue, catering, photographers, videographers, and more, it truly takes a village to pull off an event of this scale. (See all partners tagged below—check them out!) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧? 🔸𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨: The incredible turnout showed how powerful it is to create spaces where people can come together, share ideas, and build meaningful connections. 🔸𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦: Pitch XXL reminded us that showcasing stories of innovation inspires others to take the leap. 🔸𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵: Your insights will help us make Pitch XXL even better next year. Please share your thoughts in the comments. 🔥 Ready to bring your entrepreneurial idea to life? Applications for our Test Lab and Launch Lab programs are open until January 26, 2025. Whether you want to validate an idea or take your first concrete steps, we’re here to support you. 👉 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e82f2f9d Thank you all for making Pitch XXL a night to remember. Let’s keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive! 🚀 #PitchXXL #Entrepreneurship #StartLabFamily #Gratitude #StartupJourney #Innovation #Pitching Flagey, BRUT Food & Wine Bar, François-Xavier Rombouts, Quentin Ryckaert, Julie Rombaudt, Vincent Dussaiwoir, Linda Myncke, Caroline Haniszewski, Aurelien Marino, Diana Borcescu Antoine Kecskes, Méline Djender 🐝, Yaritza Laverde, Gauthier Bodart, Gregoire Heymans, Maxime Van Kerckhoven, Ferdaous L. & Hervé Maes, Quentin Caudron, Darya Shkarupina, Evelien Tempelaere Olivier Witmeur, Thomas Crispeels, Caroline Cogels, Eléonore van der Loos, Jesse Renard, Agathe Piette, Julie Janssens, Victoria Lavenne, Lea Buddingh Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles, UNIVERSITAIRE ASSOCIATIE BRUSSEL, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Solvay Business School (VUB),

“B2B sales isn’t just about closing: it’s about building trust and securing those all-important face-to-face interactions.” In collaboration with Start Lab ICHEC, VentureLab Belgium, and Yncubator, we gathered a dynamic group of entrepreneurs for an Interincubator Event last night, to explore key topics of the B2B sales funnel. Focusing on everything from prospecting to customer loyalty. We were lucky to have seasoned entrepreneurs share their insights during our conversation tables. A big thank you to Maxime Van der Meerschen from GiveActions, Anthony Koljaj from WeNap, Benjamin Hers from We Green Energy Solutions, Jasper Vandekerckhove from eBloom, Germain Deflandre from Elocos, Florian Etienne from Fika, Laura Dumont from Surveco, and Pierre Mason from Le Petit Namurois—your contributions truly made the event unforgettable! 🙏🏽 A few key takeaways that really stood out: 🔑 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. It’s about securing a face-to-face meeting. To secure this meeting, make sure to follow-up the real magic happens after the second or third message. Don’t hesitate to be bold—sometimes the best message is one that says, “I’d prefer a ‘no’ rather than no answer at all!” It saves time for everyone involved. 🔑 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. Whether it’s on LinkedIn, email, or the phone, stand out by making your message unique. Send a voice note or even a video! Show your prospect that you’re not just another sales pitch, but a person who genuinely wants to connect. 🎥 🔑 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲. Your product might not always be clear to your client at first, so prioritize getting in front of them. And if they invite someone else to the meeting? That’s a clear sign you’re on the right track. 🏆 🔑 𝐂𝐑𝐌𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫. Don’t wait—start using a CRM as early as possible to manage your leads. And remember, let your clients talk more than you do. Listen carefully, and tailor your approach based on their feedback. It’s one of the best ways to build trust and make sure to document all your interaction so you can personalize later interactions based on the infromation. 🔑 𝐁2𝐁 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞.  Don’t be discouraged if it takes time—sales funnels can stretch out over 600 days or more. But today’s connection could very well be tomorrow’s client. Patience and persistence are your best friends in the process. ⏳ To wrap up the evening, Nicolas Streel shared some great networking tips: tell stories, not pitches. People remember stories, not hard sales! A special thank you to Silversquare for hosting us. We can't wait for the next Interincubator Event! 🎉 #B2B #Sales #Networking #FunnelGagnant #Persistence #CustomerLoyalty #Startups #Entrepreneurship #CRM #LinkedIn #SalesTips #EventRecap