First Moves

Blockchain expert and Web3 pioneer Sunny Jiang shares how decentralisation and tokenisation could transform finance as we know it. From the United Nations to the UK and EU Parliaments, Sunny is helping shape the global future of tech and investing. She reveals how digital assets and emerging tech are reshaping investment and inclusion across continents.

Award-winning author and TEDx speaker Chris Fenning has trained over 75,000 professionals—including teams at Google, NATO, and JP Morgan—in how to communicate clearly at work. In this episode, Chris shares practical tools to simplify conversations, bridge the gap between experts and non-experts, and make sure your message lands the first time. Whether you're managing up or navigating team dynamics, this episode is your shortcut to better workplace communication.

How do we bridge the gap between people and technology? Yanick Dols, Business Developer at Brightlands Smart Services Campus, shares how he creates buy-in using narrative, emotion, and rationality. In this episode, we explore how he supports startups, scale-ups, and the tech ecosystem to drive innovation in Limburg. From building communities to navigating the intersection of technology and society, Yanick sheds light on what it takes to create innovation on a provincial scale.

Mike Verhiel, CEO of Psylaris, shares how his company is revolutionizing mental health care through VR-powered therapy sessions. From EMDR to exposure therapy and relaxation exercises, Psylaris helps therapists speed up interventions and reduce waiting times—making mental health care far more accessible and affordable. With +5,500 therapists, +850 organizations, and over 75,000 therapy sessions completed, the impact is clear. Mike also reflects on his turbulent journey from leaving a high-paying job to building a company that became one of the few Dutch startups accepted into Y Combinator, and beyond.

How can a region transform into a powerhouse for startups? Predag Koncar, Head of the Startup Program at Maastricht University, shares his journey from game developer to founder in Augmented Reality and now a key player in building the Euregio startup ecosystem.

Plus, an exclusive opportunity you won’t want to miss! If you're looking to launch or scale your startup, Predag has a special announcement that could change the game for you. Tune in to find out more!

Step into the world of startup competitions with this exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Brightlands Startup Challenge. In this special episode, hosts Sebastian and [your name] take you inside the event, speaking with participants, winners, and jury members. Discover what it takes to compete, the driving forces behind innovative startup ideas, and the key criteria that determine who walks away with the prize.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Hans Heijnen, the founder of Soapbox. From his early days as a university student to leading a 50-person team, Hans shares the lessons he learned on his entrepreneurial journey. We explore how Soapbox is creating meaningful connections between youth, education, and organizations to drive real-world impact—and the funny, unexpected moments that shaped the company's story.

In this episode, Thomas Übellacker, Co-founder and COO of Digicust, explores how AI is transforming industries and society. From automating customs clearance at Digicust to empowering organizations through Texterous, and fostering an AI-driven community at AIM to solve Europe’s pressing problems, Thomas shares actionable insights into AI's practical applications. We also dive into his journey into AI, coding, and his predictions for AI’s future impact over the coming decade.

Discover how Rong Wang, Co-founder and CEO of EGGXPERT, is reshaping the way we think about sustainability. From her journey as a biotech researcher to founding EGGXPERT, Rong shares how they upcycle eggshells into innovative solutions for industries like cosmetics, bio-fillers, and more. EGGXPERT is on a mission to create a circular industry by turning waste into value and disrupting traditional supply chains.

In this episode, Rong discusses the challenges of transitioning from researcher to entrepreneur, the strategic pivots her team has made to align with market needs, and how partnerships have helped EGGXPERT scale their vision. Learn how they are cracking supply chains one eggshell at a time.

Jens Thies, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Temple ORTHOBiologics, shares his journey from a university graduate to a leader in the biomedical science space and now entrepreneur. With over 20 years of innovation experience and 36+ patent families, Jens reveals the secret to successful innovation: falling in love with the problem, not the solution. Tune in for insights on collaboration, enjoying the process, and the transition from intrapreneurship to entrepreneurship.