Speaker

Wim Sohier

Science & Technology Counselor - Americas - Flanders Investment & Trade

Biography

As Science & Technology Counselor, Wim was appointed in 2014 by Flanders Investment & Trade to stimulate strategic relations between Belgium and the Americas.
In addition to heading the diplomatic representation in San Francisco, his specific focus area's include Information Technology, Semiconductors and Aerospace. In the 10 years leading up to 2014, Wim held product marketing roles in tech corporations such as Barco, Technicolor and Philips.

Wim, Dutch for William, graduated as Electrical Engineer at University Ghent in 2005. After pursuing a PhD in the field of Image Processing, he left Europe to establish a strategic relations office in Hsinchu, Taiwan for IMEC, a leading research institute in nanotechnology. He is a Laureate of the Prince Albert Fund Fellowship, where he met his wife Sophie. He chairs the Ghent University Alumni US West. Wim is a father and investor in 2 promising scale ups : his daughter and son.

Talk(s)

4:50 PM

Panel on exploring challenges and opportunities for deep-tech venturing in South Korea and South East Asia

The potential impact of deep-tech startups is profound, as they aim to address some of the most pressing and complex challenges in fields such as health, mobility, energy, and computing. These startups leverage advanced technologies, scientific breakthroughs, and innovative engineering to create disruptive solutions. However, bringing such solutions to market involves overcoming significant challenges, including bridging the gap between innovative ideas and practical, market-ready products, gaining access to the right infrastructure and expertise, and securing strategic partners and investors who understand the deep-tech landscape.

In recent years, South Korea's deep-tech ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, positioning itself as a significant player in the global market. This growth is driven by robust government support, a strong industrial base, and a growing number of venture capitalists and startups. South Korea is home to global industry leaders which are heavily investing in R&D and venture initiatives, further advancing deep-tech innovations.

This panel will delve into the opportunities for deep-tech startups in South Korea and Southeast Asia, focusing on building a solid business foundation, including market validation, investor relations, access to technologies, expertise, and infrastructure, as well as leveraging a global network to ensure long-term success. Panelists will discuss strategies to accelerate the deep-tech venturing landscape and explore the unique advantages and challenges faced by startups in this dynamic region.