Investoren & Festivalunternehmer – Finanzierung der Zukunft
Lohnt es sich heute noch, in die Festivalbranche zu investieren? Festivals und ihre Ökosysteme gehören nach wie vor zu den am schnellsten wachsenden Bereichen der Kultur- und Eventindustrie. Weltweit entstehen Startups, die mit neuen Technologien wie KI-gestützten Tools oder andere innovativen Services, die die Branche transformieren. Dieses Panel blickt hinter den Vorhang: Wann werden Investor*innen auf Festivals und Event-Startups aufmerksam? Welche Rolle spielen Business Angels, Seed Rounds und Venture Capital? Und wie können Investoren dazu beitragen, dass aus einer Idee mit Leidenschaft ein international erfolgreiches Unternehmen entsteht?
Anstatt auf Übernahmen und Marktverdrängung zu schauen, richtet das Panel den Fokus auf die positiven Seiten: Wie können Investitionen Festivals und Unternehmen stärken, ihre Entwicklung beschleunigen und nachhaltiges Wachstum ermöglichen? Von den ersten Seeds bis hin zu erfolgreichen Exits, wir diskutieren Chancen, Herausforderungen und Best Practices für die Zukunft von Festivals als Business und Investment-Case.
Das Panel wird von Lindi Delight (MW:M) moderiert und bietet Einblicke von Gérôme Vanherf (ikii Studio), Olivier Van Orshoven (Startup.Flanders) und Eva Vergles Kooistra (Botschaft des Königreichs der Niederlande).
Moderation
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Lindi DelightTransformation Coach | Conference Curator
Lindi Delight
Lindi Delight is a transformation architect and dual-certified coach guiding creative leaders and organizations through growth and reinvention. With nearly twenty years in global music and culture, she brings expertise in conference design, agile project management, and fostering inclusive cultures. With a background in promotion, event production, brand expansion, and DEI, she stands out as an innovative force whose strategic vision continues to redefine leadership within the creative scene.
Speaker
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Eva VerglesEmbassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
Eva Vergles
Startup Liaison Officer, supporting Dutch Startups and Scale-ups on the German market.
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Olivier Van OrshovenStartup.Flanders
Olivier Van Orshoven
With over 25 years of international experience in tactical and operational sales and marketing, Olivier has built a dynamic career across both start-ups and multinational organizations. He is the founder of several successful international start-ups and scale-ups based in Belgium and Switzerland.
In 2018, Olivier joined the Flemish Foreign Direct Investment agency, Flanders Investment & Trade, where he founded Startup.Flanders — a division dedicated to helping start-ups and scale-ups expand globally and positioning Flanders as a leading start-up region.
To further accelerate innovation in entertainment technology, Olivier launched EntertainmentLAB in 2024. The initiative supports founders reimagining live events, nightlife, and immersive experiences through mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to Europe’s top festivals and venues. EntertainmentLAB is backed by Tomorrowland, leading industry partners, and premier venues.
Olivier holds degrees from the University of Leuven and the London School of Economics (LSE).
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Gérôme Vanherfikii
Gérôme Vanherf
With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the creative industries, I’ve dedicated my career to building bridges—between entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, academics, public institutions and creatives. My work focuses on shaping ecosystems where culture, technology, and business intersect to create real impact in the experience economy.
I’ve co-created and led national and international innovation programs in music, entertainment, and sports (Wallifornia MusicTech, SportsTech Belgium), supported founders, advised corporates, and helped creative industries embrace emerging technologies and new business models. As former CEO of La Grand Poste, one of Belgium’s flagship hub for creative entrepreneurship, and innovation lead at VC fund LeanSquare, I’ve worked at the crossroads of investment, strategy, and cultural development.
Today, I’m the co-founder and CEO of ikii, a creative and collaborative venture helping reshape the future of live entertainment.
I also serve on the advisory board of KIKK Festival, one of Europe’s leading events for digital and creative cultures. I co-founded MusicTech Belgium and MusicTech Europe, two key initiatives supporting the MusicTech ecosystem across the continent. I’m also a board member of Capitane Coop, a belgian cooperative reshaping how music is produced and distributed through fairer, community-driven cultural models.