Speaker

Olivier Rousseaux

Director Venture Development - imec

Biography

Olivier Rousseaux serves as the Director of Venture Development at imec, a global leader in nano- and digital technologies. In this pivotal role, Olivier and his team are at the forefront of creating groundbreaking deeptech ventures, leveraging imec's most innovative advancements.

Olivier brings a unique blend of technology and business expertise to the table. On the technical side, he holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from K.U. Leuven and has a distinguished background as the CTO of a fabless semiconductor startup. At imec, he has also led a research group specializing in wireless communications.

Complementing his deeptech background, Olivier boasts significant business experience. He earned an EMBA from the Solvay Business School and honed his strategic skills as a Strategy Consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. His extensive experience includes various executive roles in Business Line Management and Corporate Strategy at Commscope, a leading provider of telecom equipment.

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.