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21 Nov 2018
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Internationalization for MedTech and BioTech start-ups

General info

Wednesday 21 November

17:00 Closed feedback session with organizers
18:30 Open networking walking dinner

Organized by Leuven MindGate with support from Provincie Vlaams-Brabant

Free

You can sign up for the final session, meant for anyone interested in the program, via the online registration page or via events@leuvenmindgate.be. You can find specific information for the evening here.

Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
Provincieplein 1
3010 Leuven
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Flanders is exceptionally strong in the Life Sciences sector. This position can be further strengthened through internationalization.

The seminar series "Internationalization for Medtech and BioTech Start Ups" is designed to give hightech and knowledge-based start-ups, scale-ups, and KMOs the necessary tools to plan and implement a successful internationalization strategy.

The course comprises 8 sessions (each a half day long) in which participants can connect with each other. Speakers and case studies will guide them as they share their experiences.

8 INTERACTIVE SESSIONS TO TAKE PART IN

Session 1: Business Strategies for Internationalization

Thursday 29 March 2018 – Innovatie- en Incubatiecentrum, Leuven

  • What are the various options, pros and cons, dos and don'ts, and impacts for your organization. In this session particular attention will be paid to:
  • Customer expansion and follow-up from Flanders; engaging agents, resellers, and distributors, international branch network expansion; joint ventures with international and/or local partner(s).

Cases: Jurgen Jacobs, CEO Qaelum and Vanessa Vankerckhoven, CEO Novosanis
Speakers: Wim Pappaert, Adviseur Exportvaardigheden FIT and Luc Kindt, CEO LK Investment

Session 2: Strategic Partnerships, Important Legal Aspects, and Contract Fundamentals

Tuesday 24 April 2018 – Technologiepark, Zwijnaarde (Gent)

  • Specific elements concerning export requirements, such as dual use restrictions.

Case: Dirk Loeckx, CSO Epihunter and Annie Van Broekhoven, AmatsiQBiologicals
Speaker: Anne Roucourt, Legal Partner Baker Tilley and Jérôme Van Biervliet, Head of Business Development, VIB

Session 3: Regulation Frameworks and Strategies Regarding International Product Launching

Wednesday 30 May 2018 – Leuven

  • Regulatory frameworks for medical devices in the EU and the differences with the US and Canada.
  • Also to be discussed: reimbursement, data protection and privacy with regard to medical devices, biologics, advanced therapies, and more...

Case: Timothi Van Mulder, Quality Manager Novosanis
Speakers: Ruth Beckers, Founder Qualix and Dirk Loeckx, CSO Epihunter

Session 4: Focus on Internationalization in the United States

Monday 11 June 2018 – Provinciehuis Vlaams Brabant, Leuven

NB: Sessions 4 & 5 will be combined into one longer session, namely from 12h00 to 18h00

  • How to overcome "not invented here" syndrome.
  • Which cultural differences/business approach differences should be taken into account, especially as a hightech-focused company?
  • Which internationalization options are best for a hightech company in the US?
  • Specific requirements respecting HRM and business structure?

Case: Dirk Smeets, VP of Clinical Applications, Icometrix
Speakers: Jan Wauters, Technologie Attaché FIT and Luc Kindt, CEO LK Investment

Session 5: Focus on Internationalization in Asia

Monday 11 June 2018 – Provinciehuis Vlaams Brabant, Leuven

NB: Sessions 4 & 5 will be combined into one longer session, namely from 12h00 to 18h00

  • Which cultural differences/business approach differences should be taken into account, especially as a hightech-focused company?
  • Which internationalization options are best for a hightech company in Asia?
  • Specific requirements respecting HRM and business structure?

Case: Bob Koninckx, CEO eSATURNUS
Speakers: Ben Kloeck, Technologie Attaché FIT and Luc Kindt, CEO LK Investment

Session 6: Focus on Internationalization in Europe

18 September 2018 - Corda Campus Hasselt

  • On which criteria do you base geographic priotizing?
  • How to overcome "not invented here" syndrome.
  • Which cultural differences/business approach differences should be taken into account, especially as a hightech-focused company?
  • What internationalization strategies are best for a hightech company in Europe?

Cases: Lars Grieten, CEO Fibricheck and Alexander Van Damme, Bedal
Speakers: Luc Kindt, CEO LK Investment

Session 7: How Do You Finance Internationalization?

9 October 2018

  • Specific support measures and organizations in Flanders, shareholder and investor roles, international partnerships and joint ventures.
  • Speeddating with investors
    Opportunities to meet investors and ask them specific questions

Investors: Capricorn Venture Partners, LRM, Qbic, PMV, FPIM, imec.xpand, and Fund+
Speakers: Katrin Geyskens, Capricorn Venture Partners and Katleen Vandersmissen, LRM

Session 8: Feedback Session and Evening Networking Session

21 November 2018 – Leuven

  • Participants can give feedback to the organizers in a closed session
  • In an open session, participants and Leuven MindGate Members are invited to network and celebrate their achievements whilst enjoying a walking dinner