Norah studied a 3-year MSc and a 2-year MSc in Bioscience Engineering Agriculture at UGent and Wageningen University, followed by an additional 1-year MBA at EADA Business School. Having lived and studied in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, she began her career in the Food & Beverage sector as a Global Management Trainee at AB InBev, later advancing into Sales as Group Account Manager at GIS International.

Today, she is working on sustainable food solutions for the future as a PhD in Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University, alongside developing Carotein®, a startup that turns air into food.

She brings a no-nonsense approach, a broad perspective on both entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and hands-on experience in launching a spin-off.

Jan Geert brings valuable entrepreneurial and business expertise, demonstrated through his role as the owner of BlueBots, a company developing autonomous robotic boats for real-time environmental data, and his work at YES!Delft, one of Europe’s largest high-tech incubators. His experience spans cleantech, medtech, robotics, AI, and beyond, making him a key player in the tech innovation landscape.

With a proven track record in founding and scaling tech ventures, he brings an entrepreneurial mindset and deep strategic insight into lifecycle funding and securing top investment deals. His international perspective, gained through working across diverse industries, combined with his strong network of investors, startups, and innovation hubs, makes him a valuable asset.

His hands-on experience, strategic vision, and global outlook make him an ideal board member, helping to drive our mission forward and support the next generation of entrepreneurial researchers.

Nele Jacobs is a dedicated PhD entrepreneur and educator with a strong background in both business and higher education. As the owner of FARESA, an evidence-based psychological centre in Hasselt, Belgium, she leads a company that provides a range of services and products focused on mental well-being.

Beyond her entrepreneurial work, she is an adjunct professor at Vesalius College in Brussels, a prestigious business school founded by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Boston University. In this international environment, she shares her expertise, guiding and inspiring the next generation of students.

Her unique combination of academic insight and hands-on business experience allows her to bridge the gap between theory and practice, making her a valuable contributor to our mission.

Shai Vyakarnam, PhD, is a pioneer in entrepreneurship development, with extensive experience at leading institutions including Cambridge, Reading, and Cranfield. He specialises in helping managers and technology-driven business owners unlock value, transform ideas into actionable proposals, and gain the confidence to scale their ventures.

With a rich background in mentoring hundreds of entrepreneurs, he has also advised policymakers, conducted impactful research, and shared his expertise as a keynote speaker, conference chair, and panellist in over 20 countries since 1987.

Shai is an Associate of the Senior Common Room at King’s College, Cambridge, and a trustee of The Gen-Initiative, supporting community development in India.