LEJON KICK OFF: Entrepreneurship with guts (NL/ENG)

🪩 THEME: ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH GUTS 🪩

Are you a young person in Leuven with entrepreneurial ambitions? Or are you simply eager to learn more about business strategy, marketing & sales? Then don’t miss the LEJON KICK-OFF!

This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to and learn from a number of entrepreneurs who dare to take bold steps!

📅 Date: October 14, 18:30
📍 Location: M Museum, Leuven

🕒 Programme:

• 18:30 – 19:00 Welcome & registration
• 19:00 – 19:30 Choose-your-talk 1
• 19:45 – 20:15 Choose-your-talk 2
• 20:15 – end Networking reception with drinks & snacks

Choose-your-talk options:

• Julie Vets from GoFluo

What does it take to launch a product that nobody has heard of yet? Julie shares how she turned a niche idea into an international brand and the obstacles she encountered along the way. From product development and brand positioning to sales and financing, she offers an honest look at what innovation really means in practice. A story about daring to start, learning quickly, and continuously searching for the right product-market fit.

• Thomas Butstraen from Maurice & Nora

How do you find a problem that is big enough to make you take the leap and quit your secure corporate job? Thomas went out into Facebook groups and onto the streets to find out for himself — and discovered a gap in the market. The platform that grew from this now connects more than 5,000 students with older people and families, and he built it himself using AI. He shares how he made it happen step by step, where and why he pivoted, how he integrated a B2B model into his two-sided business, and what “hire fast, fire fast” really means in practice. 

• Tommaso Bordoni , tailor @ Bordoni 

What if success doesn’t look like the typical entrepreneur’s journey? Tommaso Bordoni shares how you can find your own path, turn your passion into your work, and be successful without necessarily building a huge company. With sales as his specialty, he shares honest insights on entrepreneurship, convincing people, and creating opportunities. An inspiring story about having the courage to define and follow your own version of success.

• Jorrit Heidbuchel from Ellio

“What happens when two automotive engineers decide to build a speed pedelec? Find out in this session with Jorrit Heidbuchel, co-founder of Ellio, which grew from a prototype in a garage into a successful manufacturing company. From convincing the first customers and attracting investors to the challenges of production and scaling up. Expect an honest story packed with practical insights and valuable lessons.”

After the inspirational talks, we’ll connect at the bar with some drinks & bites.

This is your chance to meet like-minded young people and connect with Leuven’s entrepreneurial community!