Wouter Vertogen

Ever wondered what it really takes to launch a science-based startup? 🤔 UtrechtInc & PLNT’s four-week Ideation Program could be your answer. This free online evening course is designed to help you explore how your research can make a real impact. You'll join an expert session every Monday and an optional progress session each Wednesday, both from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It’s flexible, free and fits into your schedule. Who should join us? 🔬 If you're an employee from one of Utrecht’s top knowledge institutes (Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis (WKZ), Prinses Máxima Centrum voor kinderoncologie, Hubrecht Institute, or HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht) Utrecht), this program is for you! Meet your program leads! 👋 💡 Sven van der Vlies, Program Manager and Talent Scout at PLNT Leiden💡 With a background in medical sciences, Sven is passionate about helping researchers take their first steps into the startup world. He has worked with early-stage founders from idea to validation, especially in science-based and impact-driven fields. "I’m genuinely excited about this program because it’s the perfect way for researchers to explore entrepreneurship without needing a full business plan or a team right away. It's all about curiosity, connection, and building confidence. I love seeing participants go from "I'm just exploring" to "I think I’m onto something!" in just a few weeks." Fun fact? Sven can solve a Rubik's Cube pretty fast; problem-solving under pressure is definitely his thing. 💡 Nanna Victoria Rasmussen, Program & Event Coordinator at UtrechtInc💡 Nanna is new to both UtrechtInc and the Dutch startup ecosystem, but she brings six years of valuable experience working with early-stage startups in Denmark. There, she managed a startup grant and focused on guiding startups through their entrepreneurial journey. "I'm so eager to be part of the Ready to Start team and gain insight into the unique science-based ventures here in Utrecht and Leiden. Plus, I can't wait to connect with the experts we invite to share their startup journeys." Fun fact? Nanna loves doing ceramics and has a unique collection of coffee cups, some of them homemade! ✨A success story: from program to company! ✨ "Elena started her journey through the Ready To Start program, and now runs her own company, StemX Bio, and laboratory at PLNT Leiden & BioPartner 3." ➡️ Register on our website for free (limited spots available). #ScienceStartup #UtrechtInc #Entrepreneurship #ResearchImpact #IdeationProgram

22

Exploring AI Creativity: From Image to Video! I started with a simple image of an Oraimo headset and teamed up with ChatGPT to bring it to life! First, we created a vibrant image of an African youth enjoying the headset. Then, we crafted a detailed prompt to test video generation across three AI platforms: Gemini VEO3, Envato, and Freepik. Each tool brought its own superpower, which one is your favorite? Check out the video to see how each platform transformed our initial image into unique video creations! #Elzenitho #aicreation #freepik #envato #veo3 #videogenerator #ai #designbender #naijadesigner

15

3 Comments

One year of Kehillah Studios. One year of building the future of African Storytelling. A year ago, we officially began the Kehillah Studios creative community with a simple but bold belief: African stories deserve global screens. In just one year: • We hosted a 5-day online Creative Festival (October 2025) featuring 16+ speakers across Nigeria and the UK — including industry legends like Esther Kemi Gbadamosi and Ferdinand Adimefe. • We launched our first Animation and Filmmaking Workshops (November 2025). • We held our very first Creative Hangout last month — strengthening real-life creative connections. • We’ve grown to over 600 community members on WhatsApp across disciplines. But our greatest achievement is not numbers. It’s identity. At Kehillah Studios, we are building a home for Black creatives — animators, filmmakers, designers, and storytellers who carry the fire of our cultures. We are raising creators who will: – Shape original characters our children can see themselves in – Preserve heritage through animation, film, sound, and design – Rewrite the global narrative about Africa with authentic, unforgettable work As we enter Year Two, we are building stronger systems, deeper training, and greater global impact. If you are part of our community, please complete our Anniversary Feedback Survey. Your voice will help shape the future of this movement. This is only the beginning. https://lnkd.in/eZhrAzyj #KehillahStudios #AfricanCreatives #CreativeInfrastructure #AfricanStorytelling #AnimationAfrica #FilmCommunity

10

1 Comment

Africa's future is being built in spaces you may not always look inside. Architecture studios, VR labs, sound booths, and even on the mic. Think of Sumayya Vally, blending cultures through architecture, or Judith Okonkwo, making sure XR tells African stories first. Linda Dinah is breaking barriers in sound design. And Toyin Ojih Odutola? She's sketching portraits that flip power and identity on their heads. These women aren't just "in the room" — they're changing the blueprint. The question isn't where are the women building Africa's future? The answer is: right here. Explore more here: https://lnkd.in/dgBp6kbd #AfricanCinema #FilmScore #AfricanFilm #Timbuktu #Sarafina #Atlantics #FilmScoring #CinemaLovers #AfricanStorytelling #FilmMusic

7

The Future of Design Is Here… and AI Is Taking Over A few years ago, if someone told us that AI would help design visuals, we probably would’ve laughed. Today? At Grow Rwanda, we use it daily. Not as a replacement, but as a creative partner.  ↳The Game Has Completely Changed The design industry is in the middle of a revolution. AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore — it’s transforming how we brainstorm, create, and deliver. Here are a few tools redefining the process: 🔧Relume AI – Builds sitemaps & wireframes instantly. No more staring at blank pages. 🔧Uizard & Visily – Converts sketches or screenshots into editable designs on the same board. Boom. Done. 🔧Builder.io & Dora AI – Turn text prompts into production-ready websites. Developers love this. 🔧Looka & LogoAI.com – Logos, color palettes, brand kits… instantly. 🔧Adobe AI & Figma AI – Pixel-perfect edits and generative magic for every tiny detail. Designers no longer waste hours on repetitive edits or resizing — 👉AI handles the grunt work so we can focus on concepts, storytelling, and impact. What used to take a full day in Photoshop now takes 15 minutes — and that’s not an exaggeration.  ↳Our Wake-Up Call We tested AI on a brand mockup. It wasn’t perfect… The result wasn’t perfect, but it gave creative direction faster than it took to sip a coffee. That’s when it clicked: 👉 AI doesn’t replace creativity — it AMPLIFIES it.  Now, our workflow looks completely different:  →AI helps us visualize ideas instantly.  →We refine, adapt, and infuse human emotion into every design.  ↳ What This Means for Designers  →Adapt or get left behind. Those who guide AI will lead the next creative era.  →Human touch still matters. AI can’t feel — emotion is what makes design powerful.  →Collaboration is key. The best designers will master co-creation with machines. 💭 How will AI change YOUR design process in the next 2–3 years? Drop your thoughts 👇

16

🚀 EXCITING UPDATE: Stroomup Testing Phase 98% Complete! 🎉 We're almost there! The journey to launch Africa's first comprehensive social media and streaming platform is nearing completion. ✨ What makes Stroomup revolutionary: 🔹 Built-in Monetization System - Empowering creators to earn from day one 🔹 Advanced Algorithm - Connecting you with content that truly matters 🔹 High-Level Security - Your data and privacy are our top priority 🔹 Seamless Streaming - Share your talent with the world 🌍 This isn't just another platform - it's a movement to amplify African voices, stories, and creativity on a global stage. 💡 The testing phase has exceeded our expectations, and we're putting the final touches to ensure you get the best experience possible. 📱 Stay tuned... The countdown to launch has begun! #Stroomup #AfricanTech #SocialMedia #StreamingPlatform #TechInnovation #AfricanInnovation #StartupJourney #ComingSoon #DigitalAfrica #CreatorEconomy

1

Emmanuel Omokhegbe and Muze Studios are dedicated to helping startups transform innovative concepts into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and generate early revenue. The company focuses on guiding founders from the initial stages to achieving product-market fit (PMF). Emmanuel's passion for startups is rooted in his own experiences as a founder, driving his commitment to supporting others in their entrepreneurial journeys. Muze Studios operates as a software company with a strong emphasis on this crucial phase of startup development. Curious to hear about how other founders are achieving PMF. #startups #MVP #productmarketfit #founders #entrepreneurship #softwaredevelopment Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gcFe_dPn For more info on OpusClip, check this link out: https://lnkd.in/eqVwPwFr

8

2 Comments

Combination of assistive technology and EdTech is essential in enhancing digital accessibility and inclusive education among learners with diverse disabilities.

2

Ema Edosio Deelen tackles one of the biggest hurdles for African filmmakers: funding. While the lack of financial backing can be a barrier, Ema shares practical advice for filmmakers to overcome this challenge. She emphasizes that you don’t need the best resources to make the best film; you need the skill and the right mindset. Over time, as your work speaks for itself, the money will follow.   Watch the full interview now on YouTube https://lnkd.in/dcfEHnwn! Claude Mwamba #InsideNollywood #InsideSeries #BoutiqueMeetsGlobalScale #Kasala

13

Limitless Studios is building Africa's answer to Cocomelon with Omo Berry - 3D-animated content featuring Black kids with authentic African accents, songs, and cultural references. Is it possible to invest in kids’ entertainment the way we would invest in tech startups? Is there a business case? Find out in today's deep dive.

39

12 Comments

📣 Season 2 of The Africa2100 Podcast launches with Ethiopian-Dutch serial entrepreneur and investor Kanessa Muluneh—founder of several ventures and co-founder of Nyle, an investment firm supporting high-potential ventures across Africa. In this episode, Kanessa reflects on growing up in the Netherlands, returning to Ethiopia, and the identity shift and clarity that came from reconnecting with home. She also shares insights on building and investing on the continent, navigating risk, and empowering local talent. Season 2 focuses on Diaspora Returns—spotlighting Africans who left the West to build, lead, and create meaningful impact across the continent. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gMpbhsBv If the conversation resonates, please engage and share with your network.

70

1 Comment

We are excited to share that our co-founders, Chikondi Nkhoma and Roosevelt Kasimba Mwandira, are part of the selected Malawian team under Zomba Arts Platforms for Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies. Led by the France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi in collaboration with Electric South, the project brings together artists, technologists, and archives across Southern Africa to transform archival collections into immersive, living experiences. As part of the Malawi team, the work is being developed in partnership with Music Crossroads Malawi, using XR, PROJECTION MAPPING and VR to bring traditional folksongs and oral histories to life. On the project, Roosevelt Kasimba Mwandira joins as Lead Technologist, with Chikondi Nkhoma contributing as Assistant Technologist, shaping immersive and interactive experiences that place audiences inside Malawi’s musical heritage. Immersive technology is core to our work at 1inM, and this project reflects our focus on using VR, XR, and interactive systems to preserve culture and expand how stories are experienced. #Futures_Past #ImmersiveTechnology #VR #XR #AfricanHeritage #1inM

8

🔔 #OpenCall: African Academics in XR (AR/VR/MR) ARVR Africa is building a comprehensive directory of African XR academics to foster collaboration, highlight exciting work, and strengthen our ecosystem by creating visibility for those doing groundbreaking work in immersive learning. ⁉️Extended Reality (XR) is the umbrella term for Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR). 🔍 This call is for: ✅ Researchers using XR technologies in their academic work ✅ Lecturers incorporating AR/VR/MR into their teaching ✅ Academic professionals who use the immersive technologies ✅ Graduate students working on XR-related research projects Join our directory by completing this registration form https://lnkd.in/daUCGefi More information https://lnkd.in/diTZcaVG 🚀 Share with your network. Imisi 3D

46

9 Comments

The Creatives Festival 2025 Has Officially Begun! Few days ago, we kicked off our Pre-Festival Masterclass Series — a warm-up to build the knowledge bank of Sokoto’s vibrant creatives before the big day! Our first session, “Business Pitching for Creatives,” was nothing short of inspiring. Facilitated by the phenomenal Ms. Rashidat Umar Omeiza, the CEO of @oyinespecialfish — a serial entrepreneur, consultant, and empowerment advocate — the session opened our minds to what it truly means to build, believe, and pitch with purpose. 💡 She reminded us that growth starts with reflection: ✨ “Are you happy with what you’re doing?” ✨ “Are you ready to formalize your business?” Here are some golden nuggets from today’s class 👇 💼 Join the professional body in your sector — credibility matters. 📘 Document everything — sales, salaries, wins, and even your failures. 🌱 Grow intentionally — don’t just move, measure your movement. 🗂️ Practice what you learn; every training is only as useful as its application. 📊 When pitching, know your business, your customer, your environment, and your impact. 💬 A powerful pitch includes: Business Overview The Problem Your Solution Numbers & Market Traction And above all — formalize your business first before seeking grants. Start small, but start right. This is just the beginning of what’s to come as we count down to The Creatives Festival 2025 — celebrating creativity, connection, and global impact. 🌍✨ #CreativesFestival2025 #ideasmithinternational

4