Microsoft Innovation Center Brussels

Who I am:

From the start of my professional life, I have been involved with young companies and entrepreneurship. It all started with my experience at Microsoft where I was in charge of European Programs around ICT Skills training and later involved with the Microsoft BizSpark Program, a program aimed at helping ICT entrepreneurs. Finally, before joining the agency, I was Senior Associate at APCO Worldwide, a Communication and PR Agency.

I help ICT companies flourish in the Brussels region, helping future entrepreneurs navigate through what the region has to offer and coaching high potential companies into growth. Me and my team are also involved in animating the Cluster SoftwareInBrussels, gathering more than 100 companies involved in ICT in the Brussels region.

4 pieces of advice:

1. Know your customers: This is the number one advice we give to young starters… Too many people develop their project without validating the costumer pain and extracting scenarios. Involving your costumers at all stages of your development will ensure you a success in the long run and save you from lots of pain.
2. Get a POC quick: Demonstrate how your concept will play out in the real world: look at market demand, feasibility of the project, projected cost and any other factor that will impact your project. Once done, analyse this information and establish if your project makes sense.
3. Define a clear value proposition: Sounds like a basic advice? Well, many of the entrepreneurs we meet forget that, at the end of the day, it’s all about monetizing your idea… So if you value proposition isn’t clear, who will pay for your product/service?
4. Think outside of Belgium: Your market is the world! If your product doesn’t scale, why bother? Not having local/national competitors doesn’t mean that you have no competitors… Just because it’s hard to penetrate the local market, it doesn’t mean there is no market for your product.

Why the MIC Brussels Boostcamp:

Any place that offers a 4 month intensive training program for startups is a must in the Brussels region. Indeed, people with ideas need help in building stronger business plans, a stronger marketing plan and a financial plan that makes sense. Furthermore, people need also help in surrounding themselves with the right support and join a local community of entrepreneurs. Well, with its qualified coaches and motivated and skilled participants, the MIC offers exactly that. The unique approach of learning through discussions groups and one-on-one sessions with mentors allows for a progressive learning path… and a lot of fun! Also, all graduates from the program are invited to join the Cluster SoftwareInBrussels and can participate to all our trainings and networking activities.

Juan Bossicard ICT Business Unit Manager The Brussels Entreprise Agency Innovation Sectors Department Avenue du Port 86C, B211- 1000 BruxellesT +32 2 422 00 41 - F +32 2 422 00 43 www.abe.irisnet.be – www.softwareinbrussels.be Suivez-nous sur :