About
Sven De Cleyn is Program Director at imec.istart, Europe's leading university-business accelerator. With over a decade of experience in the program, he works to support the creation and growth of innovative technology startups and academic spin-offs. His background includes research into high-tech and deep-tech entrepreneurship at the PhD level, followed by involvement in founding an accelerator program.
Experience
- imecimec.istart Program Directorcurrent2020 — presentFlemish Region, Belgium
- imecimec.istart Program Manager2016 — 2020Gent Area, Belgium
- imec.istartimec.istart Fund - Managing Director, Member of the Board & Investment Committeecurrent2017 — present
- istart.nl Seed Fundistart.nl Fund - Managing Director, Member of the Board and Investment Committeecurrent2022 — present
- imec.istart future fundMember of the LP Supervisory Boardcurrent2024 — presentAntwerp, Flemish Region, Belgium
- Stad GentMember of the Economic Boardcurrent2025 — presentGhent
- Minze HealthObserver to the Board of Directorscurrent2022 — presentAntwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
- EnproveMember of The Board of Advisors2013 — 2022
- SolviceMember of the Board of Directors2015 — 2021Gent Area, Belgium
- Vlerick Business SchoolGuest Lecturer2019 — 2020
- University of AntwerpProfessor in Entrepreneurship2005 — 2018Antwerp Area, Belgium
- iMindsIncubation Programs Manager2012 — 2015Gent Area, Belgium
- iMindsTech transfer manager2011 — 2012Gent Area, Belgium
- Karel de Grote-Hogeschool AntwerpenLecturer2006 — 2013Antwerp Area, Belgium
- Antwerp Management SchoolBootcamp coach - Master of Innovation & Entrepreneurship2012 — 2013Antwerp Area, Belgium
- XeikonStudent project2004 — 2005Antwerp Area, Belgium
- Oligosense NVInternship2004Antwerp Area, Belgium
Skills & more
Entrepreneurship62Start-ups45Innovation Management37Research17Technology Transfer10Business Development12Business Modeling4Coaching4Teaching2Business Planning4Business Strategy11Lecturing3
+7 more
Open InnovationSpin-offsUniversity TeachingManagement ConsultingEnglishDutchFrenchLanguages Dutch · English · French · German
- Private Equity and Venture Capital — Università Bocconi
- AI for Everyone — Coursera Course Certificates
- How to Finance and Grow Your Startup – Without VC — Coursera Course Certificates
- Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part II — Coursera Course Certificates
- Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part I — Coursera Course Certificates
From Sven's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Sven De Cleyn?
- Sven De Cleyn is Program Director at imec.istart, Europe's leading university-business accelerator. With over a decade of experience in the program, he works to support the creation and growth of innovative technology startups and academic spin-offs. His background includes research into high-tech and deep-tech entrepreneurship at the PhD level, followed by involvement in founding an accelerator program.
- Where does Sven De Cleyn work?
- Sven De Cleyn is Program Director imec.istart at imec.istart.
- Where did Sven De Cleyn go to school?
- Sven De Cleyn studied at University of Antwerp (PhD, PhD studies in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management); INSEAD (Value Creation for Owners and Directors programme); University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business (Venture Capital Executive Program, Venture Capital).
Same school
Also attended University of Antwerp46
Jan AvontsInvestment Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersWim Van LooverenFinance Director at Heran PartnersJoris MortelmansPartner & Senior Advisor at Heran PartnersKris VerburghPartner & Head of Science at BOLD LongevityChris ThoenChairman of the Scientific Advisory Board & IC Member (PeakBridge Growth II) at PeakBridge VCJohan van MilTeam member at Peak, an early-stage fund backed by entrepreneurs
+ 40 more
Also attended INSEAD805
Alexandre ProtCo-founder & CEO of QontoSteve AnaviCo-founder & President of QontoPatrick ClaessenPartner at Cottonwood Technology FundChris BischoffInvestment Team at General CatalystJan HammerInvestor at Index VenturesSandra SchwarzerInvestor at Index Ventures
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+ 799 more
Also attended University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business616
Mark FiorentinoInvestor at Index VenturesRishi ModiInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Yibo NianInvestment Director at Intel CapitalZhenyu TangInvestment Director at Intel CapitalHariFellow at Clear VenturesDennisDirector of Trading at Pantera Capital
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