Copus Start-up Challenge
Wanted: labour market innovators
Do you have an innovative HR solution to our labor market challenges?
Then be sure to join our challenge and win a substantial boost for your start-up!
What is this Copus Start-up Challenge?
Creating opportunities for talents, developing skills, closing the gap between candidate and employer – elements that play a key role in tomorrow’s labour market. That requires innovative ideas. For new HR services and products. With passionate entrepreneurs.
Are you one of those fresh HR winds who is fully committed to tomorrow's jobs?
Then Copus Group, the group above Vivaldis Interim, among others, is looking for you.
Because as an international HR group, we want to give young innovators a chance to grow. Call it an accelerator, incubator or transformer: let’s raise your ‘baby’ together!
What’s in it for YOU?
Our coms manager and inspirer of the challenge Régis Birgel explains why you should definitely join our challenge!
Mentoring
Regular coaching sessions with the various experts in our group – from marketing to finance. You can build on our experience!
Cash award
A cheque for 5,000 euros – always nice to help ease the cost of growth a bit!
Facilities
An inspiring workplace for 4 people and meeting space in the beautiful offices in the heart of Antwerp!
Visibility
Attention in the specialised press – including a podcast on ZigZag HR – building your network and contacts with decision makers
The jury
All submissions to the Copus Start-up Challenge are judged by a select group of five experts from different fields, but all with a strong link to HR and entrepreneurship.
Click on the judge’s photo to visit his or her LinkedIn page.
Brecht De Mey - CFO Copus Group
After studying Applied Economics, Brecht started his professional career in 2010 at consultant EY, first in the audit department before moving to the transactions department. After seven years, he continued his career at aluminium giant Corialis, to take up the role of CFO at Copus Group in 2021. Here, Brecht is now the driving force behind the further expansion of the group, where he both coordinates acquisitions of relevant national and international players and manages the incubator for promising ideas from HR entrepreneurs.
Peggy De Prins - Academic director Master in Strategic Human Resource Management at Antwerp Management School
Peggy De Prins is a professor in the field of sustainable HRM and employee relations. She conducts research on changing industrial relations and social dialogue, the future of work and quality of work. These are also the core themes of her teaching activities at Antwerp Management School.
Peggy De Prins is a much sought-after speaker on these topics and she is also the author of two practice-oriented books on sustainable HRM and sustainable cooperation between labour and management.
Yin Oei - CEO Living Tomorrow Group
Since August 2022, Yin Oei has been CEO of Living Tomorrow Group, where she aims to connect and inspire people, driven by her passion for innovation. Yin Oei joined Living Tomorrow in 2019 as chief strategy officer, after a career of almost 20 years in the IT sector. As country manager Belgium for Cegeka, she was nominated by Data News for ICT Woman of the Year as recently as 2018.
Thomas Neirynck - CEO SalesNote
Thomas Neirynck started his career in the HR sector, where he gained experience in talent management and personnel processes. After founding and selling two startups, he and Koen Victor started SalesNote, an AI assistant that automatically converts (recruitment) conversations into structured data for integration into systems such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). With this, they help companies recruit smarter and more efficiently through automation and valuable insights.
Lesley Arens - Founder #ZigZagHR
Lesley Arens is founder of #ZigZagHR and a leading figure in the Belgian HR landscape. With more than 15 years of experience and a sharp focus on future-oriented HR, she inspires professionals and leaders to modernise HR strategies. Through the #ZigZag HR Bookazine, podcasts, events and a vibrant #ZigZagHR Community, she creates platforms for knowledge sharing and innovation. She is also a sought-after speaker and author on strategic HR policies.
We are counting down to our exclusive HR Start-up Challenge on 12th December 2024
Three steps to success
Submissions
Send us your application no later than 29 November.
Selection
The jury considers all entries.
Finale
The 3 selected will pitch their idea live to the panel of experts on 12 December.
It's your move
Convinced? Taking part in the Copus Start-up Challenge is easy. Complete the entry form and present us with your innovative HR solution in a video message (max length 3 minutes, max file size: 20 MB).
We are very eager and are already looking forward to your response!
By 4 December at the latest, you will know whether you are among the nominees for a place in the finals.
Please read the contest rules in advance.
Questions? Shoot!
We are happy to answer your questions in person.
Contact us via the button below.