MIC Brussels Boostcamp is a structured series of workshops and trainings that takes first-time entrepreneurs through all the key aspects of creating and launching a successful business.

Who should join Boostcamp?

Any technology startup in the Brussels region (or intending to establish a business in the Brussels region) can qualify.  

Ideally, you know very well what you’d like to do – or already have a working prototype.  Even if you’re not quite there yet we can still help you. 

We can also help the companies that have already been launched – launching’s the easy part, it’s making the business work that’s the hard part – and that’s what we focus on during the workshops and Expert Days.

By the way, “IT” can also be “ET” – “enabling technology”.  So, if you’re launching a web shop – you could still qualify.  

For example, in the first edition of MIC Brussels Boostcamp, 14 projects ranging from an IT startup in healthcare to a fashion designer took part in it.  See video of the Final by Télé Bruxelles here.

New, improved program

Second edition of has been developed in a closer collaboration with westartup.  It brings a new program and new experience designed around the feedback of participants of the first edition.  

Fundamentals of the course remain unchanged

- Free two-day introductory Business Model workshop during kick-off 

- 10 additional Workshops on how to pitch, to sell, to build a good marketing & financial plan, and to fine-tune business model

- 3 Experts Days during which participant gets 12 meetings with outstanding Experts from a variety of industries and professional backgrounds 

- Incredibly low fee – only € 500 for the 10 workshops and 3 Expert days

Schedule and content of the workshops 

Dates for some of the workshops still need to be confirmed – this post will be updated as soon as the new dates are available.  

Phase 1: Foundations of your business

May

Kick-off (full day): May 24 and 25

Content: program introduction, Business Models workshop, Short Pitch exercise with Ben Piquard, Bruno Wattenbergh and Leo Exter

June

Workshop 1 (half-day, afternoon): June 4

Content: choosing your market – research techniques and information sources with Leo Exter

Workshop 2 (half-day, morning – optional): June 11

Content: cloud, Windows AZURE, general technology Q&A with David Hernie.

Workshop 3 (half-day, afternoon): June 11

Content: bootstrapping and lean thinking with Leo Exter

Workshop 4 (full day): June 15

Content: marketing fundamentals for startups, product development from startup perspective with Leo Exter 

Workshop 5 (half-day, afternoon – optional): June 19

Content: Presentation of the Microsoft BizSpark program for startups. Hands-on session on the Microsoft Office 365 collaboration tool, by Jacques Denies.

Expert Day 1 (full day): June 25

Content: each participant/team has 4 in-depth meetings with Experts – experienced entrepreneurs, business practitioners and investors 

Workshop 6 (full day): June 28

Content: building financial model of your business

Phase 2: Launching your business 

September 

Workshop 7 (full day): September 5

Content: Sales foundations – constructing your pitch, best practices for novices 

Workshop 8 (full day): September 6

Content: Managing Sales – Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, key performance indicators, compensation and other management tools  

Workshop 9 (full day): September 11

Business Model Generation – progress review & fine-tuning workshop 

Workshop 10 (full day): September 14

Content: driving traffic to your website, increasing conversion, social media, email marketing and other digital marketing tools with Jean Derely

Expert Day 2 (full day): September 24

Content: each participant/team has 4 in-depth meetings with Experts – experienced entrepreneurs, business practitioners and investors 

October 

Workshop 11 (full day): October 1

Content: Finance – feedback on your business from an investor’s perspective, increasing value of your business before securing investment, etc. 

Expert Day 3 (full day): October 4

Content: each participant/team has 4 in-depth meetings with Experts – experienced entrepreneurs, business practitioners and investors 

Workshop 12 (full day): October 8

Business Model Generation – progress review & fine-tuning workshop 

Workshop 13 (full day): October 10

Content: Pitching – creating your story and delivering it in person (fundamentals of speaking in public) with Pierre De Greef

Workshop 14 (full day): October 11

Content: Pitching: constructing a competent 5-minute pitch presentation and practicing it with Leo Exter 

Final & Closing ceremony (half day): October 25

Content: presentations to the audience of journalists, investors and entrepreneurs, award ceremony

Practical details

All workshops and expert days will take place at the Microsoft Innovation Center in Brussels.

Address: Avenue des Nerviens 85, 1040 Etterbeek.

Timing: Full-day workshops will start with a welcome coffee at 9:00 and last until 17:30. 

Half-day workshops will start at 13:00 with a welcome coffee and last until 17:30. 

Language: all workshops are carried out in English.

Applying for Boostcamp

To take part in Boostcamp, you first have to join us for the free 2-day Kick-off on May 24 and 25.   As a number of spaces in the Boostcamp program is strictly limited, only some of the Kick-off participants will be invited to join Boostcamp. 

To register for the Kick-off, send an email to bcb1@mic-brussels.be with the following information:

- Contact details (First name, Last name, Mobile phone nr., Email address, postal address)

- Short description of your project (1 or 2 lines)

Boostcamp organizers Penelope Roux or Leo Exter will be in touch to ask additional questions if necessary and to confirm your participation in the Kick-off.

MIC Brussels Boostcamp Fees

Kick-off on May 24-25: free. 
Main part of the Boostcamp: € 500 for 10 workshops, 3 Expert Days and Final ceremony.