The document is an activity report for DigitYser that summarizes their activities from 2017-2018. It describes DigitYser as a meeting place for tech communities that facilitates entrepreneurship through an accelerator program, co-working space, and hosting corporate events. It provides training in digital skills and makes Brussels a tech hub by hosting international events, maintaining a strong web and social media presence, and receiving press coverage. The report outlines their achievements such as hosting over 200 events and supporting over 200 startups in their first year.
3. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 3
‘‘ ‘‘PHILIPPE VAN IMPE
THANK YOU BRUSSELS;
WHAT AN IMPRESSIVE
SUPPORT WE RECEIVED
FROM THE ENTIRE
ECOSYSTEM
T
his report summarizes all the activities of
the first year and I could not be more proud
and thankful for all the help we received.
Our clubhouse has now become a roaring place
full of digital startups, expert communities and
innovation workgroups focussing on AI, VR, Iot
and Blockchain. It is used by many companies
for innovative ‘offsites’ and workshops. We host
technical trainings, master classes and hands-on
workshops. Next Tech Communities can use the
space for free to organise meetups. Digityser is
the best space in Brussels to boost innovation and
organise hackathons.
Over the past year, we employed, trained and
coachedlongtimejobseekers,students,volunteers,
young graduates. We also offered traineeships to
help tomorrow’s working people grow and learn
in a nice start-up environment. We boosted digital
innovation, by organizing hackathons. We helped
train the new data science professionals, Java
developpers and the VR specialists of tomorrow.
We made Brussels shine by hosting international
conferencesandsharedknowledgewithworkshops.
We acted as a bridge by organising jobfairs, linking
companies with promising startups and bringing
the universities in touch with the business
world. We promote social responsibility in
our organization and believe we can have
a considerable social impact on the Canal
region. We facilitated company creation with
coaching sessions and were instrumental
in the creation of réseau entreprendre
North. We had great support from the press
with articles in de Tijd, L’Echo and Le Soir
mentioning DigitYser as «the Clubhouse of
the tech communities of Brussels» and were
assisted by numerous volunteers.
It was also a year of transformation of the
venue where we upgraded a cold and empty
building into a meeting space for tech
entrepreneurs bursting with energy and
projects. We build modern meeting rooms,
installed video recording facilities, managed
to stream the content of the meetups online
and provided a space for the cyclists to
shower after their ride to work.
Digityser is now yours to use, I’m looking
forward to meeting you here soon.
4. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
4
IOT
AI & DATA SCIENCE
GDPR & Privacy
Open DATA
VR/AR BLOCKCHAIN
01 WHO WE ARE
D
igitYser is the meeting place for
communities. It is the clubhouse of tech-
savvy entrepreneurs. We are the Digital
Flagship of Brussels where communities gather
to learn, create and implement innovative digital
solutions based on new technologies.
5. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 5
O
ur organization was created by people
but also for people. More than just a
business, it is a community made by
a myriad of different actors. It is the meeting
point of many individuals who all have one
thing in common : an interest for the digital
field in today’s world!
volunteers
start-ups
mentors
communities
partners
trainers
THE PEOPLE
THE ECOSYSTEM
7. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 7
02 WHAT WE DO
W
e facilitate entrepreneuship,
promote #digitalskills and make
Brussels shine as a Tech Hub
for startups in Europe. We are a platform
to connect all the actors of the tech
communities together - through meetups,
international meetings, hackathons, hands-
on workshops, master classes and corporate
events.
FAIRE RAYONNER! »
Facilitate -Train - Make Brussels shine
5 EUROPEAN DATA INNOVATION HUB ASBL/VZW
T
he European data innovation hub was launched by Minister Alexander De Croo, State Secretary
Bianca Debaets and AXA CEO Frank Koster in May 2015. This non-for-profit organisation
is the legal structure gathering the data science communities of Belgium. AXA was the first
sponsor and provided us with professional office location of 600m2 and 12 training rooms in Brussels.
Our mission is « Educate, inspire, empower scholars and professionals to apply data sciences to
address humanity’s grand challenges» Our aim is to promote the value of analytics & open data,
organise events, hands-on sessions, master classes and bootcamps to boost the #digitalskills of our
members and to close the gap between academics and businesses.
In June 2017 we moved to DigitYser and broadened our activity domain to all tech communities.
The current focus is on AI, Data Science, Iot and blockchain.
8. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
8
FACILITATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
1. ACCELERATOR
DigitYser is in the middle of the digital and
entrepreneurial Brussels ecosystem. It is a
meeting place where entrepreneurs of tomorrow
can discuss their ideas and benefit from
professional expertise. Expert sessions and
master classes are organised for startups in order
to support them.
Startups can benefit from our accelerator
services, including:
• strategic review of the business plan;
• opening of the address book;
• contact with prospects;
• contacts;
• recruitment facilitation.
This past year, 4 startup companies have
benefitted from this access to our services.
These are: Altheria Solution (VR), Digital Armada
(Growth Hacking), Liiatech (IoT), Elewa Coding
Camp (IT Bootcamp).
2. CO-WORKING SPACE
DigitYser also offers a place for startup
companies to facilitate their growth, identify
and recruit new talent and get in touch with their
customers. It creates synergies between start-
ups from similar or related sectors and offers a
friendly atmosphere, in the heart of Brussels
More than a dozen startup companies have
already benefitted from a privatized work space
and the possibility to use our conference rooms.
Other companies were able to access this co-
working place service by providing a democratic
monthly rental fee of 50 (students and interns)
to 150 euros (new tech start-ups).
The common hallway was made open and free
from 9 am to 5 pm to any project holder in
need of a quiet place with wireless internet
connection and free coffee or tea all day and
offers an inclusive space where freelancers and
entrepreneurs can meet, sit together and share
ideas.
9. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 9
3. CORPORATE EVENT SPACE
DigitYser has many modern, stylish and elegant
meeting rooms equipped with a video system.
DigitYser is conveniently located in walking dis-
tance from Central & North train station of Brus-
sels. The entrance of the Yser underground sta-
tion is in fron of our door.
Training rooms are available for rent for confe-
rences, meetings, lectures and other events.
DigitYser provides companies the opportunity
to host your meetings, conferences, cocktails
or workshop in an unformal yet professional
environment.
The service also offers the opportunity to re-
cord the conferences for archives or broad-
casting and to live stream the event on so-
cial networks or on any website. Flipcharts
and furniture can also be provided.
We have solutions from innovation days
to cocktail evenings or hackathon.
For afterworks and ‘team building’
events, do not miss our rooftop with
breathtaking views over our capital
city!
The entire building benefits from a
high speed wifi network.
We offer a light catering service for
companies: coffee, tea, but also
light snacks and other services. We
can also provide full catering and
entertainment from simple break-
fast to chef-on-site dinner.
10. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
10
1. TRAINING
DigitYser is a training center for companies and individuals, where workshops, training
sessions and bootcamps take place all year round in various fields related to digital inno-
vation.
WE OFFER workshops,
training sessions and bootcamps
PAST TRAININGS
• R-ladies (6 sessions)
• Data science bootcamp 2017 (24 sessions)
• Summer coding camp (4 week sessions)
• AR co-learning session (5 sessions)
• VRLab (6 sessions)
• Blockchain garage (6 sessions)
• Blockchain bootcamp (3 sessions)
• Software sandbox (4 sessions)
• Software by design (10 sessions)
• Graph Data (2 sessions)
• Impala Bridge - kids coding camp (5 sessions)
• Coding club - teen coding camp (start in 2018)
• IoTlab (3 sessions)
• Elewa Javascript bootcamp (2 months of session)
TRAININGS TO COME
• Data science bootcamp 2017 (24 sessions)
WE TRAIN #DIGITALSKILLS
11. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 11
HACKATHONS THAT TOOK
PLACE AT DigitYser
• VR painting Jam (AR, VR),
• GSK hack days (chatbot - DAta / AI),
• LegalHack (GDPR),
• MusicAI (AI),
• HackFamily (focused on the inclusion of
WomenInTech),
• HIVHack (bigData)
DigitYser is also the
host (or co-organiser)
of many social events
that are aimed at getting
together and creating
synergies between the
many actors of Belgian
digital entrepreneurship,
businesses and individuals.
This is why several meetups
and job fairs are regularly
organized within each field of
the digital world.
HACKATHONS
A hackathon is a competition
between teams working
together on real projects in order
to boost product development,
entrepreneurship and innovation.
During this event, all types of
different people such as beginners
or professionals, students or
experts come to participate to co-
create, innovate, learn and meet
each other. During the past twelve
months, 6 different hackathons took
place in our building.
2. KNOWLEDGE SHARING
12. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
12
MEET-UPS, JOB FAIRS AND OTHER EVENTS
DigitYser is all about giving an opportunity to all actors of digital entrepreneurship to create an
ecosystem together by allowing them to participate to meetups, conferences, and jobfairs.
Examples of past events:
100 people attending 800 people attending
220 people attending 350 people attending
200 people attending 50 people attending
13. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 13
WE MAKE BRUSSELS SHINE
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
WEB PRESENCE
PRESS
1
2
3
The flag has been planted into the
many and diverse specialized fields of
technology, in this art-Deco/modernist
setting in Brussels. This is done through
three different ways: by hosting and
organizing international events on digital
innovation, conducting a wide social media
campaign, and being represented in the
national press.
14. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
14
Since its creation, tech experts from across
the world have planted DigitYser on the
map of places facilitating the sharing of
knowledge and development of business
initiatives. The following organizations
used DigitYser to host their events.
1. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
The global regulator of the web -
the W3C - has organized its annual
global event on WebVR (AR / VR)
at DigitYser. This style of event
usually takes place in the Silicon
Valley or with manufacturers.
1
2 Laval Virtual - the pioneering
European VR / AR organization -
kicked off its European Bus Tour
3
The Washington Chamber of
Commerce workshop «privacy by
design»
4 GSK Vaccines - the European
innovation hub - organized a
3-day #AI & #IOT hackathon
5
Janssen - Johnson & Johnson’s
global pharma spearhead based
near Antwerp - launched its hackathon in partnership with DigitYser on AIDS (HIVhack).
6 DiSummit - the 4th conference on the Belgian DataScience community organized its
speakers’ dinner (VIP banquet 80) at DigitYser, a week before the actual event at the ULB
(800 people).
7 Itmo, one of the top 5 IT universities in Russia, conducted a workshop on augmented reality
in conjunction with 5 other European universities at DigitYser.
15. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 15
@DIGITYSER
5000 FOLLOWERS
@DATASCIENCEBE
6000 FOLLOWERS
@DIGITYSER
1255 FOLLOWERS
DIGITYSER
803 FOLLOWERS
THE DATA SCIENCE COMMUNITY
2900 GROUP MEMBERS
DIGITYSER
1718 FOLLOWERS
DATA SCIENCE COMMUNITY
4000 FOLLOWERS
DIGITYSER.ORG
1500 TO 1300 VISITORS/MONTH
DATASCIENCEBE.COM
10 000 VISITORS/MONTH
DIGITYSER
100 TO 500
VIEWS PER VIDEO
THE DATA SCIENCE
COMMUNITY
600 SUBSCRIBERS
2. WEB PRESENCE
17. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 17
03 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
The number of digital-oriented events that DigitYser hosted in
its facilities since it moved to its extraordinary actual venue.
They include various meetups, workshops, conferences, hands-
on workshops, master classes and many more!
AUGMENTED REALITY &
VIRTUAL REALITY
12,6%
BLOCKCHAIN
7,5%
DATA & AI
35,1%
GDPR
4,2%
IOT
2,8%
NETWORKING
17,3%
OTHER AND
PRIVATE
EVENTS
20,5%
REPARTITION OF THE EVENTS by field - JUNE 2017 to JULY 2018
214
The number of startup companies that joined
us within our building, allowing them to deve-
lop as a start-up company and giving them the
opportunity to strive in the marketplace.
16
The number of people that were once or are
still active at DigitYser. Their dedication made
this great adventure possible!14
SOME STATISTICS
18. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
18
One year has passed since the opening. It is
also a great opportunity to look back and
appreciate how farwe have done in a few figures.
Our Key objective is to multiply the sources of
revenuegenerationinordertobelessdependent
on regional subsidies. Having more companies
using our premisses for meetings and events
will guatantee our long term sustainability.
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Regional Support
Revenue
Costs
Year 2020Year 2019Year 2018Year 2017
Profit/loss analysis - regional support fades by year 3
We could not be where we are right now after one year without the help of the Région Bruxelles-
Capitale. This support of 400k€ spread over 3 years (250k,100k & 50k€) financed the launch of
DigitYser. Since we aim at reaching break-even in a time lapse of maximum three years, we plan to
gradually replace this public support by corporate sponsorship and revenue generated by rental,
events and training.
BREAK-EVENANALYSIS
The vzw European Data Innovation Hub asbl is a registered non-for-profit VAT liable organisation.
VAT 0630.675.984
19. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 19
Cost structure
Revenue structure
HR (4 FTE)
Taxes + Cadastre
COST STRUCTURE
Training
Events
Rental
Partners
REVENUE STRUCTURE
Utilities
20. Activity Report
2017 - 2018
20
In order to limit our negative impact, several
good practices were implemented in different
fields.
We strongly encourage all employees and start-
ups hosted in our building to leave their car at
home and take public transportation or bike
instead. Our building is fortunately placed
right in front of one of the metro station exits of
Yser and very close to other connexions (North
Station, Tram 51). A parking and charging
station for your bike is available in the basement
so you don’t ever need a car!
We think reusable
We choose organic and locally grown food. When
catering service is needed, Digityser usually
asks our talented host cook Liliana to prepare
some delicious organic meals. When a specific
request is made, we usually make arrangements
with one of the many external caterers from
the Kanaal region. In all cases, to reduce our
meat-related footprint on the planet, we aim
at offering at least one vegetarian option in all
catering services.
Water fountain
In order to reduce furthermore our plastic
consumption,wewillswitchthisyearfromplastic
bottles to a cheaper and more durable option by
installing a water fountain with reusable cups.
Rooftop
The fifth floor offers a great space on the rooftop
if the employees ever need to catch some air
outside to work or smoke.
Use of recycled paper
Amongst many more obvious positive aspects,
the benefits of the digital revolution also
includes the reduction of paper dependency. By
the end of 2018, Digityser will only put recycled
paper at disposition for the printers of the whole
building.
03.3 IMPACTONTHEWORLDSOCIALRESPONSABILITY
A
t digityser, we believe that any choice
that any organisation - profit or non-
profit oriented - creates implications on
its whole ecosystem, and therefore it gives any
organization the opportunity to do good and to
turn this choices into positive effects. Whether it
is about choosing the right suppliers, customers,
or even the organic tea that is shared with
the staff, even small and almost unsignificant
positive action can result into strong actions.
ENVIRONMENTAL & HEALTH IMPACT
21. WHERE IDEAS BECOME BUSINESS
#DIGITYSER 21
Since Digityser is the clubhouse of the tech
communities of Brussels and therefore was
created by and lives through its many different
communities, we also have the responsibility to
give back to society by helping the ones who are
most in need.
• We employ and train jobseekers: we offer FPI
(Formation Professionnelle Individuelle en
Entreprise) jobs to 3-5 job seekers per year,
we work with the CPAS/OCMW of Brussels
for our cleaning and building maintenance
services and have for the moment one full
time article 60 working with us.
• Most of our trainings and workshops are free
for jobseekers and young graduates.
• We promote #womenintech activities e.g. by
hosting the R-Ladies,
• We invite kids to participate to workshops in
order to trigger their digital passion.
Digityser would not be the same without its
magnificent building located just by the Canal
in the very center of the capital of Europe. This
is why all activities this year were guided by
a common desire to create a significant and
durable social impact on the Canal region.
• We promote the surroundings businesses
by aiming to source all our supplies locally
within 500 m. Together with the Réseau
Entreprendre North, we offer coaching to
local businesses.
• Togetherwith the King Boudewijn foundation
we also invite young university students
from large familes to come and study in our
offices during the exams and we coach them
in Math, Statistics, coding, …
Next to the ethical purchasing strategy we
also use the power of our communities to
make a positive impact in the worlds’ biggest
challenges:
• 2016 - 1 day hackathon for the Red Cross
• 2017 - 36h Hackathon called denguehack
teams predicted the next dengue outbreak.
• 2017 - 1 day Smart Family hackathon focused
on the inclusion of WomenInTech
• 2018 - 36h Hackathon called hivhack.org to
map out the HIV Drug resistant areas
We have a bridge function where we bring the
ecosystem together. Our hub is also the first
networking space where business, startup,
academic and political decision makers meet
and discuss policy and best practices about AI,
Data, VR, Iot and Blockchain.
Ourorganizationasawholepromotesinnovation:
Our Brussels based hub is called digityser.
org and connects next tech entrepreneurs,
enterprises, startups, government, non-profit
organisations and the academic world active in
the data innovation ecosystem. We create and
manage a vibrant environment where experts
share best practices.
LOCAL IMPACT
GLOBAL IMPACT
ECONOMICAL IMPACT
SOCIAL IMPACT
22. CHALLENGES FOR YEAR #2
1. Develop with Technology Partners the office
of the future, a bit like the house of the
future but for businesses.
2. Promote Digitalskills by making it easier for
our training partners to use our facilities.
3. Facilitate Entrepreneurship by offering
more solutions for starters
4. Finetune the service offering for the
companies
5. Facilitate co-creation by bringing people
together
6. Do projects with a social impact
7. Create board of advisors composed of
stakeholders of the ecosystem and the
communities.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
22
We turned an empty building into a place bursting with energy. A home where tech
entrepreneurs meet companies to develop new ideas and create new businesses.
The region of Brussels Capital, Engie and Sofina can be proud of their investment in this
venue called by the press “The clubhouse of the tech communities”. The continuous support
and guidance of our partners makes DigitYser a long term sustainable project. The result is
a hub right in the centre of Brussels with direct access to metro Yser, a happy place where
everyone feels welcome to share their experience, knowledge, a place to network, to meet
new people, find inspiration and drive innovation.
Now that the initial promises are delivered, it is time to open up to new strategic business
partners. Don’t be surprised to see a major Telco, Bank, Industrial or Pharma company joining
forces with us soon.
04 CONCLUSION
Mr Tanguy Vanderlinden for embarking is this
non-for profit project with me.
Mr Juan Bossicard for believing in the impor-
tance of the tech communities
Mr Olivier Poulaert for guiding our agreement
with Sofina.
Mr Didier Gosuin for seeing the impact DigitYser
could have on Brussels.
Mr Harold Boël for offering us the nicest
co-creation space in Brussels.
Mr Philippe Van Troeye for co-founding this
project.
Fouad for building this nice clubhouse
Florence for the administrative support
Adélaïde for making corporate events possible
Ricardo for building a resilient IT infrastructure
Katia & Olivier for making the bootcamp possible
AND OF COURSE TO THE TEAM :
23. CORPORATE
EVENT
SPACE
at DigitYser
w w w. d i g i t y s e r. o r g
adelaide@digityser.org
events@digityser.org
+32 470 784 122
TVA 0630 675 984
- Released on 26/07/18 -
Host your meetings, conferences, cocktails or workshop in
an unformal yet professional environment.
We offer solutions from fully integrated days to cocktail
evenings or hackathon!
Beamer
Recording of your conferences for archives or
broadcasting.
Live streaming of your event on social networks or
on your website.
Flipcharts and furnitures
At walking distance from one of the main train
station (North Station) & good connexions to
transport and road networks.6 2
YSER
High-speed WIFI Coffee and tea
White board
DIGITYSER
CORPORATE EVENT SPACE
AVAILABLE IN ALL ROOMS
EXTRA-SERVICES UPON REQUEST
Catering and entertainment from simple breakfast
to chef-on-site dinner.
ADÉLAÏDE CESBRON
24. Boulevard d’Anvers 40
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel : +32 2 808 18 18 Email: info@DigitYser.org
THANK
YOU
Visit us, use us, treat yourself to some training,
check out our website digityser.org for the next
event or just call 02/ 808.18.18.
The vzw European Data Innovation Hub asbl is a registered non-for-profit VAT liable organisation.
VAT 0630.675.984