Hack Belgium Pre-Event Workshops
Join us on the 2nd of February for a mind-blowing exploration of the newest disruptive technologies, how they can be used to tackle society’s challenges and radically transform your business.
You’ll dive right in with lightning-fast brainstorms and an immersion in startup-inspired innovation, and meet kindred spirits during superb networking at the Hack Belgium launch party.
Don’t miss it, register today - there is room for only 100 participants!
WORKSHOP PROGRAM
13:00 Welcome Coffee & Snacks
13:30-14:30 - TWELVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE CHANGING EVERYTHING
Experts from across Belgium’s top universities, research institutes and fab labs will introduce recent developments and the cross-sectorial implications of the 12 most disruptive technologies today.
You’ll learn about new practical applications for advanced materials, artificial intelligence, genomics, robotics, energy storage, Internet-of-Things, additive manufacturing, virtual & augmented reality, renewable energy technology, blockchain and drones.
14:45-16:30 – PURPOSE DRIVES IDEAS: IDEATION WORKSHOPS
Five simultaneous workshops (you’ll have to choose one) will dive deep into technology-driven opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in key sectors (Food, Make, Clean, Health, Work).
Each workshop will explore the opportunities (and the dangers) in a sector. Workshops will be supported by a panel of experts representing science, startups and large businesses. You’ll learn a lot, but most importantly you’ll generate new ideas for these sectors together with your peers – and you’ll get instant feedback from the experts.
FOOD
How do we tackle rising tide of obesity, reduce the environmental footprint of food production and manage the mountains of food waste? And how do we keep delighting consumers with healthier, more sustainable and yet ever more tantalising and convenient food?
In this workshop, you’ll learn about the explosion in food-related data and how such data will change market dynamics and open opportunities for healthier, tastier and more personalised diets. You’ll learn about new protein sources, production methods and business models that are challenging long-established industrial practices.
MAKE
How do we counter the rapid decline of Belgium’s industrial base and build a smarter, more sustainable make industry?
In this workshop, you’ll explore the opportunities in additive manufacturing, internet-of-things, robotics and artificial intelligence to create radically different products, processes and business models. You’ll learn about the wealth of resources we have available right here for R&D and rapid prototyping.
CLEAN
We still face a huge task of cleaning up our air, soil and waters; we have to create a more sustainable, circular economy.
In this workshop, you’ll explore the potential of smart energy networks, energy storage, solar technology and blockchain to revamp the energy system. We’ll look at biodegradable and other advanced materials. And we’ll learn about eco-design methods and other initiatives to boost eco-innovation.
HEALTH
Our healthcare system will come under increasing strain as it tries to cope with the challenges of an ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic illness and a shortage of healthcare workers.
In this workshop, you’ll learn about the technological advances in biosensors, artificial intelligence and genomics that will enable a radical transformation of the way we, as a system but also as individuals, manage our health.
WORK
More than 8% of the working-age population in Belgium is unemployed and 18% of young people aged 20-24 are not currently working or unemployed, described by some as a “lost generation”. Such high unemployment rates also exist among older people and people with a migrant background. And this while there are acute shortages in some areas of the labour market. Belgium is clearly struggling with severe skills mismatches and our lack of interest in entrepreneurship isn’t helping either.
In this workshop, we’ll explore how new learning technologies, matchmaking intelligence and entrepreneurial incubation models can transform the world of work.
17:00-17:30 – GOING BEYOND IDEAS: AN INNOVATION TOOLKIT
Hackathons and Design Sprints are hugely popular among startups, and increasingly among corporates too. With good reason, since these startup-inspired methodologies deliver outstanding results fast.
In this session, Belgium’s top corporate innovators and Hackathon/Sprint facilitators will show you how they apply these methodologies to solving a wide range of problems – from new product development to business model innovation and culture change. It’ll be the perfect preparation for Hack Belgium, Belgium’s most ambitious hack fest ever.