Name: 🚀 DEL20 Innovation Café – Let’s meet again!
Start: 2025-10-21
End: 2025-10-21

Curious how leading companies in Belgium are experimenting with AI, IoT, robotics and more without competitive pressure? DEL20 is an open innovation ecosystem by delaware where organizations collaborate to explore new technologies, share insights and accelerate digital transformation.

On October 21, we’re bringing the DEL20 community back together, a pioneering and dynamic setting that reflects the energy and forward-thinking spirit of our ecosystem. At the DEL20 Innovation Café, you’ll hear real stories from ongoing innovation experiments, learn from a thought-provoking keynote by Erwin Verstraelen, and get a glimpse of what’s ahead in 2026. Most importantly, you’ll connect with peers who believe in learning by doing and innovating together.

Whether you’re already part of DEL20 or just getting to know us, this is the perfect opportunity to see the community in action — all within an inspiring space that truly reflects the spirit of transformation.

What to expect

Inspiring keynote: Our keynote speaker, Erwin Verstraelen, will discuss how digitalization, AI and innovation are turning the smart port vision into reality.
Progress on the DEL20 experiments: At SuperNova in March, we selected seven standout DEL20 Experiments. Now, you’ll hear directly from the clients leading these initiatives as they share their progress, insights, and early results.
A look ahead at the DEL20 Cycle for 2026: Get an overview of what’s ahead, including key deadlines and a streamlined new process. We’re teaming up again with SuperNova and FTI to create an impactful cycle.
Networking & refreshments: After the presentations, connect with fellow innovators over food and drinks. This is your chance to share ideas and potentially spark new collaborations.

reserve your seat now

Erwin Verstraelen

As Vice President Innovation, Erwin is the driving force behind the port’s transformation into a true innovation hub.

Together with his team, he has spent the past five years testing and validating cutting-edge technologies like drones, smart cameras, autonomous ships and digital twins — all key building blocks of the smart port of tomorrow.

Erwin is also co-founder of The Beacon, a thriving ecosystem where startups, scale-ups, researchers and academics join forces to turn Internet of Things ideas into real-world impact. As a board member in multiple organizations and a sought-after keynote speaker, Erwin is a well-known voice in the world of innovation.

What defines him best? Probably his own favorite quote:

"In life, there are problems, challenges and opportunities. That’s actually three times the same thing — only the mindset is different."