West Coast Meets West Coast
Four Founders, Four Paths to Growth
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to co-host, together with POM West-Vlaanderen, a breakfast session during the Belgian Economic Mission to California.From the iconic Ferry Building, with a magnificent view over the San Francisco Bay, we brought together Belgian and Californian entrepreneurs for a conversation on what it takes to grow: West Coast meets West Coast.
2 Coasts – 4 Founders – 4 Perspectives on Growth
Each of the four founders shared a different story of ambition, resilience, and adaptation:
Lieven Danneels, Co-CEO & Co-owner at Televic. He built a solid European business before expanding to the U.S., where two subsidiaries now employ 40 people. His story highlights the importance of a strong foundation and the lessons required to lead a global company.
Emmanuel Flaam, CEO & Co-Founder at Netalux. After growing rapidly across Europe, Australia, and Canada, he is now launching in the U.S., opening the company’s first American office and aiming to establish local manufacturing by 2026. His journey shows the power of commitment and long-term vision (read full press release).
Anke Audenaert, CEO & Co-Founder at Aptly. Having lived 25 years in Silicon Valley, Anke built and sold businesses and is now redefining online education. Through Aptly, she partners with platforms like Coursera to create award-winning programs. Her story demonstrates the impact of a strong network and the fast-moving pace of Silicon Valley.
Pim Tuyls, Founder and former CEO at Intrinsic ID. Founded his company in the Netherlands, scaled it in Silicon Valley, and was acquired by Synopsys in 2024. His move to California placed the company at the heart of the semiconductor world and shows the pivotal impact of having a local presence.
Key lessons that apply to any Business:
Across industries and continents, these founders shared valuable insights relevant to any growth journey:
Respect the magnitude of your market. Big opportunities demand focus and preparation.
Make expansion a strategic choice, not a spontaneous move.
Show commitment and go all in.
Build and nurture your network proactively.
Adapt to diverse cultures and communication styles.
Funding can accelerate your trajectory, but bootstrapping gives you freedom to experiment.
Dare to fail. Every setback is a learning step.
Adopt a “what-if-this-works” mindset.
Don’t wait for perfection: launch, learn, and refine.
Be proud and enthusiastic about what you do.
The Overarching Lesson
“There is no single path to success.”
How your story unfolds will depend on your market, industry, and the products or services you offer. There are many ways to build a successful business. Every entrepreneur’s path is unique. You can and should listen to others for inspiration and lessons learned, but your own journey will look different. What matters is not copying a model that worked elsewhere, but building one that fits your strengths, values, and opportunities.
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