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What happens when a promising startup meets a seasoned innovator? Mentorship can spark transformation and last week’s event was all about that. We hosted An Evening with Peru at our headquarters in Kortrijk, Belgium, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Hangar K – a vibrant co-creation hub at Kortrijk Weide where startups, companies, and public organizations come together to drive innovation. Hangar K’s dynamic ecosystem aligns with Barco’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and fostering innovation. Together, we aim to empower young entrepreneurs and spark meaningful collaborations that shape the future.
The evening brought together entrepreneurs from Hangar K and Peru Dharani, our Senior VP of Research and a board member of Hangar K. In the lead-up to the event, Hangar K startups – known as Krowdies – were invited to pitch their story and ambitions, explaining why they’d be a good match for a mentorship session with Peru. From those submissions, Play It was selected.
Based in Kortrijk, Play It develops interactive simulations and gamified learning paths focused on safety, well-being, cybersecurity, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Through standardized or custom-made games, they help companies train employees in an accessible and motivating way.
Play It stood out for several reasons. They’ve built a scalable B2B model that taps into the growing trend of gamified learning. Their solution fits perfectly within the rise of EdTech and other innovative domains. Plus, they’re at a pivotal moment – transitioning from startup to scale-up, with international ambitions
Mentorship was the central theme of the evening. After a guided tour of our refreshed Experience Center, the founders of Play It – Brecht Kets, Mike Ptacek, and Nouri Zouaghi – sat down with Peru for an open conversation about their company, the challenges they face, and their future plans.
“The mentorship session with Peru and the visit to Barco’s impressive Experience Center were incredibly inspiring. We left with a backpack full of ideas and one clear message: think beyond borders, dream bigger,” comments Brecht Kets, Co-founder of Play It.
Barco’s partnership with Hangar K is rooted in a shared commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. By connecting our expertise with entrepreneurs, we help foster meaningful growth and collaboration. Events like An Evening with Peru are a testament to how mentorship and exchange can spark new ideas and accelerate progress.
