Bert Baeck

Nearly one in two European citizens believes their administration is too complex, heavy, and slow.   Behind that figure lies a social reality: trust in institutions is shaped by everyday interactions.   Modernization is not just about tech — it’s a democratic and social imperative.   Some administrations are leading the way. In Belgium, the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries has transformed its operations with Inetum Belgium. 🔹 100 calls/day now centralized via a single entry point 🔹 360° view of users with Salesforce Service Cloud 🔹 Agents freed from complexity, soon supported by AI 🔹 Faster responses, fewer escalations thanks to reliable data   Modernizing doesn’t mean digitizing for the sake of it. It means making life easier for citizens, restoring meaning to public service, and rebuilding trust in our institutions. François Fleutiaux Manuel García del Valle Carlos-Roca Kathy-Ann Quashie MBA Hemant Lamba Emmanuelle PAYAN David Gendry Thomas Breuer Ben Vicca Enver Basha Frederic Michelon

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Ghent-based EAGL has secured €825K to transform financial operations with AI agents. 🚀 Founded in April 2025, the company is building an AI-native platform that automates month-end close, audits, and reporting 💡📊 “Most finance teams are stretched thin, fixing problems instead of adding real value. Eagl turns days of manual checking into instant insights, empowering finance leaders to focus on strategic topics while auditors get cleaner books,” said Samuel Van Innis 🦅, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. The round was led by Syndicate One, CNBB Equity Partners, and prominent SaaS founders. https://lnkd.in/duNdhvyX

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Today, we are proud to announce a new chapter: Appbites is now Sigma Technology Southeast Europe. This rebranding reflects our closer alignment with the global Sigma Technology Group and our ambition to expand further in the region. 💬 “This rebranding is more than a name change. It’s a signal of our commitment to grow, integrate, and deliver world-class IT services from Southeast Europe,” says Arianit Pajaziti, President at Sigma Technology Southeast Europe. 💬 “Kosovo has one of the youngest and most tech-savvy populations in Europe. The team in Pristina brings exceptional talent and energy, and we see great potential in becoming one of the top three employers in Kosovo within the next three years,” adds Niklas Malmros, President of Sigma Technology Solutions Group. With its headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo, Sigma Technology Southeast Europe will continue to offer flexible delivery models — nearshore hubs, dedicated project teams, and individual specialists. Appbites - part of Sigma Technology Group #Kosovo #TechGrowth #ITConsulting #BalkansTech

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🚀 Antwerp’s Startup Ecosystem – Q2 2025 (Dealroom data)   According to the latest figures from Dealroom, Stad Antwerpen continues to prove itself as a thriving hub for #innovation, #entrepreneurship, and #investment. Here’s where we stand mid-2025:    ➡️747 startups with a combined ecosystem value of €5.4 billion ➡️37 university spinouts worth €720 million in total ➡️33 startups with female founders, valued at €600 million ➡️42 impact startups aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, together worth €516 million ➡️3 exits in Q2 2025 ➡️€17.7 million raised in 5 funding rounds during Q2 (mainly early-stage and Series B) ➡️Funding sources YTD 2025: 65.3% domestic, 13% USA, 11.7% Europe ➡️Top funded sectors (2024–2025): Health, Energy, Home Living, Transport, Media 💬Sacha Govaert of Antwerp's Health Hub dunden: “Antwerp’s latest startup figures are more than numbers, they show that health is one of our city’s most dynamic and well-funded sectors. At Dunden, we see this every day as health innovators join forces across industries, proving that bold partnerships and collaboration are the catalysts for sustainable growth and global impact. If you’d like to explore Dunden's health ecosystem - or simply grab a coffee and exchange ideas - you know where to find me .” Get inspired by a startup that turned local roots into global impact. 👉https://lnkd.in/eZD2ZgkR #AntwerpInnovationPowerhouse #Startups #Ecosystem #QuarterlyUpdate moonbird #dunden #dealroom #InvestInAntwerp #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Impact #HealthTech #SustainableGrowth

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Skaleet and Tesselate Group Together we have completed the deployment of a new Core Banking Solution for a European financial institution in Benelux. • Implementation delivered in under 12 months • Modular and API-driven architecture • Lending operations enhanced with Tesselate’s Marble platform • Already enabling hundreds of millions of euros in syndicated loans 👉 Discover more in the full press release: https://lnkd.in/e7NhRy_D #CoreBanking #CorporateBanking #DigitalTransformation

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Model Health, a software startup based in the US and Belgium has raised over €800,000 in pre-seed funding. The funding round was led by APEX Capital, with participation from Syndicate One, LeanSquare, and accelerator imec.istart. Antoine Falisse | Scott Uhlrich | Nicolas Bellemans| Koen Bosma | Tom Van Wouwe 🔗 Read full article link in comment #ModelHealth #MovementAnalysis #HealthTech #SportsTech #PhysicalTherapy #Rehabilitation #AIinHealthcare #MotionCapture #InjuryPrevention #AthletePerformance #funding #eustartups #news

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🔄 Recycling is only part of the solution I recently came across a thought-provoking article by VRT NWS that challenges several assumptions about packaging sustainability — including the belief that paper is inherently more environmentally friendly than plastic. The reality is more complex: it depends on design, coatings, and end-of-life performance. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGP9bTya (Dutch) The article also highlights a widespread misconception: that everything placed in Belgium’s PMD (Plastic, Metal, and Drink cartons) recycling bags is actually recycled. In truth, many items, even when sorted correctly, don’t make it back into the loop. Recycling plays a vital role in preventing waste from entering our environment. Where reuse doesn’t yet work, recyclable packaging is essential. But recycling alone won’t get us to a truly circular economy. At DW Reusables, we believe the cornerstone of a circular supply chain is reusable packaging — designed for durability, traceability, and multiple life cycles. It’s time to expand the conversation — from recyclable to reusable. That’s where real impact begins. #CircularEconomy #ReusablePackaging #SupplyChainLeadership #Sustainability #DWReusables

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