NIEUWS
NIEUWS
Nieuws updates
Greener, cheaper and frustration-free: Pleevi revolutionizes workplace EV charging Brussel, 30 Januari 2025 – Electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise, especially as company cars. Employees and visitors alike charge their cars on company premises. This charging is highly diverse: ranging from short to long periods, with varied charging demand during times when green energy availability and cost fluctuates. Pleevi, a spin-off of VITO (partner in Energyville), has developed AI-driven software that not only facilitates greener and more cost-efficient charging sessions, but also seamlessly integrates other energy sources, such as solar energy and stationary batteries. In addition, the system goes beyond real-time input, leveraging weather forecasts and the predicted background energy consumption. With the goal of achieving emission-free mobility and the European requirement that 87% of all consumed electricity must be renewable by 2040, the bar has been set high. Mobility is a significant part of this challenge. While substantial efforts have been made to make EV charging infrastructure ‘smart,’ these systems often only prioritize cost and energy savings. Pleevi goes further by prioritizing both driver comfort and charging reliability at the forefront as well. Pleevi's crystal ball Pleevi’s platform considers not only local energy generation and dynamic pricing but goes much further. “The unique aspect of Pleevi is that our entire charging process is not only based on real-time information but also incorporates what the next hours will bring,” explains Wout Lagae, Co-founder and CEO of Pleevi. “By forecasting energy flows 24 hours ahead, Pleevi’s AI-driven optimisation ensures efficient energy usage without overloading the grid. For instance, on a sunny morning, we can account for abundant solar energy expected later in the day, as well as wind energy forecasts. Our algorithm also factors in the energy needs of the main building on a given day. This helps determine how much energy will be available for charging infrastructure. On a Friday, when many employees work from home, the capacity will differ significantly from a busy Tuesday when high energy demand is required both in the parking area and the building. This allows us to offer not only cheaper but also greener charging sessions.” Pleevi’s technology is already operational at sites in Belgium, Germany, and France, demonstrating its scalability and effectiveness across diverse markets through partnerships with major players such as Phoenix Contact and VMA (part of CFE Group). Investors believe in Pleevi Pleevi has set ambitious goals, aiming to manage 25,000 charging points by 2027. Investors are already convinced of its potential, contributing €1 million to scale this innovative technology across Europe. Marc Mommaerts (Managing Partner Angelwise), Chairman of the board, shares: “Pleevi’s smart EV charging tackles a critical energy challenge. It optimizes renewable energy use, strengthens grid stability, and prevents overloads. With top-notch technology Pleevi delivers strong ROI while solving a clear societal and energy problem.” “As the energy transition accelerates and the world embraces rapid electrification—driven largely by electric vehicles—flexibility in our power systems is becoming essential. Pleevi positions itself as a crucial enabler by providing cutting-edge APIs that empower charging point operators to deploy innovative solutions faster and more effectively. Their technology is a key driver of the smarter, more sustainable infrastructure we need for the future. I'm happy to be part of the story and look forward to it.” – Loïc Bar, investing Business Angel. The Pleevi team Wout Lagae - Co-founder & CEO Robin Vanderschueren - Co-founder & CTO For more information please visit: https://www.pleevi.ai/ Contact Wout Lagae Co-founder & CEO +32 479 27 61 89 wout.lagae@pleevi.ai Sidestory: A spin-off from VITO As a leading Flemish research institute, VITO developed advanced, intelligent algorithms that form the backbone of Pleevi’s solutions. These algorithms enable Pleevi to tackle complex energy challenges by optimising EV charging with minimal energy costs, ensuring both sustainability and efficiency. Drawing on its expertise in energy optimisation, VITO also played a key role in validating the technology. Angelwise : Angelwise is an early stage investment fund that mainly focuses on supporting startups and young companies in the next stage of their growth, preferably together with business angels or other early stage funds. ( www.angelwise.be ) Seeder Fund : A venture capital fund accelerating early-stage financing for promising digital entrepreneurs. ( https://www.seederfund.be ) Noshaq Energy : A public investment company driving regional economic development in the energy sector. ( https://noshaq.be ) QBIC : Qbic is a sector-agnostic seed and early-stage venture capital fund, focusing on creating impact through the transformation of technological breakthroughs into sustainable business. This operation benefits from support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund. ( www.qbic.be ) Loïc Bar (Business Angel): Founder and CEO of Opinum, a leader in energy data management, contributing expertise in data-driven energy optimization.
Obsessed founders: some observations
Angelwise product and tech event: Keynotes & networking Yesterday, Voizine was buzzing with energy as we hosted an exclusive event for technical and product leaders from our portfolio startups. The day was packed with insightful keynotes, engaging roundtable discussions, and valuable networking opportunities over lunch. Bart Adams (xyzt.ai), Valéry Mainjot (Cikisi), and Tim Vandecasteele (ex Silverfin & die van de boekhouding) took the stage to share their expertise on product management, scaling teams, and implementing RAGs (Retrieval-Augmented Generation). Their real-world experiences sparked meaningful conversations and left attendees inspired to drive innovation within their own organizations. A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to making this event a success! Stay tuned for more exciting gatherings as we continue to foster growth and collaboration within our community.
Telemar announces agreement to install and maintain Sealution’s shipboard data collection technology 11.11.2024 –Telemar, the leading provider of smart maintenance and remote access technologies, has signed an agreement with Sealution to support plug-and-play data collection for vessel operators. Sealution’s Connectivity System combines the reliability of the existing cabling used on shipboard fire detection and alarm systems with an onboard gateway to collect and transmit data, improving the robustness of onboard networks and enabling granular data collection from a wide array of equipment and IoT devices. Under the terms of the agreement Telemar will offer installation, service and maintenance of Sealution’s Type Approved solution. Telemar already provides data collection from bridge navigation technology for maintenance and analytics. The partnership with Sealution creates the possibility to gather data from propulsion and other critical systems for maintenance and troubleshooting. Telemar specialises in Smart Maintenance and management of bridge electronics, providing proactive remote and in person support with focus on mitigating risk and reducing down-time. Its engineers can access onboard systems to diagnose performance issues and perform a higher number of first-time fixes using remote access without the need to wait for the next port call. More information on: Info
Documentation within any browser-based application DScribe, a leader in documentation solutions for BI reports and datasets, is marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide "documentation anywhere." Founded three years ago with a clear goal to help organizations document their business intelligence (BI) efforts more effectively, dScribe has continually evolved to meet customer needs. Last year, they introduced a browser extension that allowed users to embed documentation directly within BI reports, which led to rapid adoption across organizations. Building on this success, dScribe is now expanding the capabilities of its browser extension. Soon, users will be able to integrate documentation seamlessly within any browser-based application, including ERP systems like SAP S/4HANA, MS Dynamics 365, various cloud solutions, and custom-built applications. This new feature aims to simplify onboarding, support, and guidance for users across multiple platforms. For those interested in experiencing these new capabilities, dScribe is offering a beta version this August. To get started, organizations can book an onboarding session by contacting support@dscribedata.com .
Ghent-based Scale-up Azumuta Expands to the U.S. Ghent-based tech scale-up Azumuta is opening its first office in the US. In the prestigious innovation hub Newlab in Detroit, founded by car giant Ford. Azumuta develops digital environments for the manufacturing industry: workers see digitally what they have to do and are guided during their work. The American manufacturing industry is recovering after difficult years. The U.S. is therefore a huge growth market for Azumuta. Azumuta Enters US Market The Ghent-based tech scale-up Azumuta is opening its first office in the US, situated in the prestigious innovation hub New Lab in Detroit, which was founded by automotive giant Ford. Azumuta specializes in developing digital environments for the manufacturing industry, enabling workers to digitally see what tasks they need to perform and receive guidance during their work. The American manufacturing industry is recovering after several challenging years, making the US a significant growth market for Azumuta. The company’s expansion into the US this fall was further solidified when Azumuta was unexpectedly selected for a spot in the prestigious New Lab, a business hub founded by Ford and Google. Connected Workforce Solutions Azumuta’s core offering is connected workforce solutions—software that assists and corrects workers during the production process. Operators on the factory floor receive instructions on what to do, along with support in quality assurance, competency tracking, digital checklists, and similar tasks. This approach is designed to increase factory productivity without adding extra pressure on workers, making companies more resilient to rapid market changes. CEO Batist Leman emphasizes, “You need support to keep up with quickly evolving production methods. Companies without a connected workforce solution will cease to exist. Companies that do have it, can strengthen their competitive position. Instead of taking eight months to reorient production, they can do it in a few weeks thanks to Azumuta. "This expansion came a bit sooner than we expected. On one hand, we followed our international clients to support them. On the other hand, we gain lot of interest from American companies that approach us. To capture that interest, we needed an office closeby. That this new office now comes under the wings of Ford and Google, is an extra confirmation of our software’s strength." Batist Leman Founder and CEO Azumuta International Clients This technology has already gained traction in Belgium, where companies like Atlas Copco and brewery Duvel-Moortgat are using Azumuta’s solutions. The move to the US, according to Batist Leman, was driven by both the need to support international clients and the growing interest from American companies. Leman notes, “This expansion came bit sooner than we expected. One one hand, we followed our international clients to support them. On the other hand, we also see a lot of interest from the US, from companies approaching us there. To capture that interest, we needed a closer office. That the new office now comes under the wings of Ford and Google is an extra confirmation of the strength of the software.” In Detroit, New Lab is part of the Ford Billion Dollar Campus, where Ford has made significant investments to create a comprehensive technology campus focused on manufacturing. Google, as a major technology player, is also involved in this project, further validating the importance of this manufacturing and technology hub. Azumuta plans to primarily house sales and support services in its US office, while development will continue to be based in Ghent. See the video on Kanaal Z: https://trends.knack.be/kanaal-z/z-nieuws/bekijk-gentse-scale-up-azumuta-breidt-uit-naar-de-vs/ Get in contact with Azumuta: https://www.azumuta.com/
Gentse retail startup Accurat haalt 1 miljoen euro op om Europa te veroveren Gent, 6 augustus 2024 – Het Gentse Accurat heeft met succes een kapitaalronde van 1 miljoen euro afgerond. Het bedrijf is gespecialiseerd in data-analyse voor fysieke winkels en zal met de extra middelen hun data-intelligentiesoftware Europees commercialiseren. Het Accurat-platform, gebaseerd op consumentenlocatiedata en artificiële intelligentie, biedt vandaag al Benelux-retailers in diverse sectoren precisie-inzichten om strategische beslissingen te nemen en hun prestaties te verbeteren. 80% van alle retailomzet gebeurt vandaag nog altijd in fysieke winkels. Ondanks de aanhoudende groei van e-commerce, draagt een aankoop op locatie nog altijd de voorkeur weg van de consument. Net dat kanaal laat zich moeilijk meten. Of beter: liet zich moeilijk meten. Dankzij het Accurat-platform kunnen retailers diepgaande analyses uitvoeren over verschillende aspecten van hun fysieke locaties. Denk aan het beter begrijpen van klantprofielen, het opstellen van een concurrentievergelijking, het bepalen van de locatie voor een nieuwe vestiging of het meten van de effectiviteit van marketingcampagnes. Door miljoenen datapunten te verwerken met geavanceerde algoritmen genereert Accurat zeer nauwkeurige inzichten die retailers helpen om hun strategieën te optimaliseren en vooruit te plannen. Grote namen zoals Delhaize, Lidl, Brico, Lunch Garden, Burger King of vanHaren verbeteren hierdoor ondertussen hun verkoopcijfers. Buikgevoel bevestigen Bart Muskala en Steven Van Canneyt, die Accurat lanceerden in 2019, benadrukken het belang van deze financieringsronde voor hun groei en marktpositie. Bart Muskala, CEO van Accurat, legt uit: "Dankzij deze investering kunnen we onze positie in de markt verstevigen en onze groei versnellen om retailers in heel Europa betere beslissingen te laten nemen op basis van diepgaande data." Steven Van Canneyt, verantwoordelijk voor de Accurat-technologie, voegt toe: "Ons product beantwoordt vele vragen van retailers. Dankzij Accurat kunnen ze hun buikgevoel voortaan bevestigen of, even vaak, ontkrachten. Met deze financiering kunnen we ons platform verder ontwikkelen en onze klanten nog meer antwoorden bieden." Marktonderzoek op steroïden Wat Accurat uniek maakt, is de snelheid en granulariteit waarmee analyses mogelijk zijn. En dat in tegenstelling tot traditioneel marktonderzoek. Bart Muskala benadrukt: "Als een supermarkt een BBQ-actie doet kan hij op maandag al bevestigd zien of die actie van het voorbije weekend aansloeg, terwijl deze informatie bij onze concurrenten vaak pas na 4 tot 6 weken beschikbaar is." Bovendien zijn onze analyses gebaseerd op effectief gemeten gedrag bij een groot aantal mensen, in plaats van gedeclareerd gedrag bij een kleine groep. Een klant van ons noemde het lovend "marktonderzoek op steroïden". Het aantal domeinen waarop een retailbedrijf inzicht verwerft is breed, blijkt uit de oplossingen die het Gentse bedrijf biedt. “Zo kunnen onze klanten op permanente wijze de evolutie van hun klantentrouw, bezoeksfrequentie in de markt en hun aandeel daarbinnen opvolgen”. Europese uitrol versnellen De financieringsronde, geleid door Angelwise en ondersteund door PMV en de bekende Gentse investeerders Lorenz Bogaert en Toon Coppens, die ook al in een vorige investeringsronde instapten, zal Accurat in staat stellen om de internationale groei en de verdere ontwikkeling van het product te realiseren. Ook retailondernemer Jonas Deprez en de nieuwe COO Bart Putteman (ex-C&A) stappen mee in het kapitaal. De investering zal worden gebruikt om de aanwezigheid in Europa te vergroten. Bart Muskala concludeert: "Het succes van deze financieringsronde bevestigt het vertrouwen in onze visie en ons product. We zijn verheugd om onze klanten te blijven ondersteunen met geavanceerde data-oplossingen die hen helpen om succesvol te zijn in een steeds veranderende markt." Marc Mommaerts, Managing Partner bij Angelwise voegt toe: “Accurat valt op door zijn combinatie van retail-expertise en het doelgerichte gebruik van geavanceerde algoritmes. Deze sterkte op twee domeinen zien we ook terugkeren in het founder-team. We zijn enthousiast over de toekomst van Accurat en zijn ervan overtuigd dat ze een leidende rol zullen spelen in het transformeren van de retailsector." “Efficiënte data-analyse wordt dé hoeksteen van succesvolle retail en de basis om te overleven in een nu al zeer concurrentiële omgeving. We zijn er dan ook van overtuigd dat veel retailers de Accurat-software met veel enthousiasme zullen onthalen en in het voetspoor zullen treden van de grote klantennamen die ze nu al in hun portefeuille hebben.”, aldus Roald Borré, Groepsmanager Equity Investments bij PMV. Meer informatie over Accurat. ai en de kapitaalronde? Neem contact op: Bart Muskala, CEO via bart@accurat.ai of bel +32 486 13 91 62 Bart Putteman, COO via bart.putteman@accurat.ai of bel +32 474 37 38 11 -- Over Accurat Accurat is een Belgisch big data bedrijf dat retailers helpt slimmere beslissingen te nemen. Door het in kaart brengen van het real-world gedrag van consumenten genereert Accurat waardevolle inzichten die ingezet worden door klanten als Delhaize, Lidl, Brico, Jumbo of vanHaren. Op die manier nemen ze onderbouwde beslissingen voor zowel tactische als strategische uitdagingen. Website: https://accurat.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accurat-ai/ Over Angel wise Angelwise is een early stage investeringsfonds dat zich er vooral op richt om startups en jonge bedrijven maximaal te ondersteunen naar een volgende fase in hun groei, liefst samen met business angels of andere early stage fondsen. De belangrijkste aandeelhouders van het fonds zijn PMV, COI, BAN Flanders en ruim negentig business angels. Het fonds is opgericht in 2021 en heeft 20 miljoen euro opgehaald om een ecosysteem van bedrijven te bouwen dat de digitale transformatie van de maatschappij mee kan realiseren. Voor meer informatie, zie www.angelwise.be . Over PMV De Vlaamse investeringsmaatschappij PMV geeft de toekomst van de Vlaamse economie vorm. PMV financiert beloftevolle bedrijven van bij de prille start, tot en met de groei en internationalisering. PMV biedt financiële oplossingen op maat aan alle ondernemers met een goed businessplan en een sterk managementteam. Zij doet dat met kapitaal, leningen en waarborgen. Daarnaast realiseert zij met en voor de overheid, en andere partners, projecten die belangrijk zijn voor de welvaart en het welzijn in Vlaanderen. PMV beschikt over een portfolio met 1,8 miljard euro in beheer. Meer info via www.pmv.eu
"If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
(African Proverb)
