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