BookWidgets was the company which won the prestigious "Start it @kbc" award. Ava & Trix won the Audience award sponsored by KBC Brussels. Founder Bart Buckinx received the prize thanks to the progress he made over the past few weeks in presenting, or ‘pitching’ his company in front of an audience. The three hundred business managers and investors present voted for Jill Vanparys from Ava & Trix as the winner of the Audience Award for the best pitch.
During the start-up pitch day, entrepreneurs had to convince three hundred fellow critical entrepreneurs with their business idea in the space of three minutes.14 start-ups took on this challenge at the first Start it @kbcDemo Day in 2017. As part of the accelerator programme, they had been coached over the past few weeks by experienced speakers and actors coached in their speaking skills in preparation for the Demo Day.
The aim of the new Start it @kbc accelerator programme is to encourage start-ups to present their company in the best possible way to potential clients and investors in true Silicon Valley spirit. Lode Uytterschaut, founder of Start it @kbc said “The first contact is often crucial as an entrepreneur, so it’s very important that you convey your story well. A good pitch forces you to sharpen the focus of your story and to get to the essence in just a few minutes.”
Most progress and best pitch
Bart Buckinx presenting his winning pitch.
Bart Buckinx from BookWidgets won the award that came with a €5,000 cash prize. His company helps teachers to create fun and interactive lessons suitable for tablets. Bart Buckinx, said that "As an entrepreneur you experience highs and lows and this Start it @kbc Award means a highest high for our team. We learned a lot from participating in this event, and truly enjoyed taking part. We will use our award to support new challenging interactive lessons for students and teachers."
KBC Brussels also presented the Audience Award for the best pitch of the evening to Jill Vanparys from Ava & Trix. This start-up also received €5,000. The videogame Ava & Trix helps schools to stimulate children’s interest in science and technology.
At the event, Damien Van Renterghem, CEO of KBC Brussels elaborated further on the accelerator programme: “KBC Brussels believes it is very important to support the start-up community in Brussels. Via this unique event, start-ups have the opportunity to meet 300 business managers, and as a Brussels-based bancassurance provider we know better than anyone how important it is for an entrepreneur who is just starting out to build a network in the capital. This is why KBC Brussels is delighted to present the Audience Award and thus do its bit for the Brussels entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
The Brussels Times
