MEET THE HARDTECH INNOVATION MENTORS - PART 4
STARTUP MENTORING IN FOCUS -
TIM DIERYCKX
In this last part of our mentor series, we’re excited to introduce Tim Dieryckx. As CEO of Voxdale, Tim collaborates with hundreds of hardware companies each year, and he’ll be lending his expertise to the newly-selected teams in the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator, guiding them as they build product-market fit and refine their hardware offerings.
Meet our startup mentor Fernando Germán Torales Chorne. Learn how Fernando helps our accelerator program participants with his deep understanding, knowledge and insights into hardware development and tech startup founding.
With the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator kick-off coming up soon, we’re gearing up to welcome startups from Batch 4 next week. As the kick-off preparations continue, Tim Dieryckx shares his insights on what it means to guide these new participants over the next seven months and help them strengthen their hardware products.
Creating a vibrant ecosystem is central to our mission, which is why we’ve partnered with mentors like Tim who bring a wealth of experience to guide teams on their journeys. Voxdale, one of our long-standing partners, specializes in hardware and IoT product development, offering comprehensive services in product design, development, and prototyping.
WE HELP TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Our mission aligns with that of Voxdale: helping hardtech startups succeed and expanding the ecosystem. “The challenge is to make hardware no longer hard,” says Tim Dieryckx, CEO of Voxdale and a mentor in our Hardtech Innovation Accelerator.
“At Voxdale, we’ve spent nearly two decades designing and developing products to meet the unique needs of startups, scale-ups, and multinational companies. Our team of experts, designers, and engineers brings both creativity and technical expertise to support every stage of the development process.”
Tim’s expertise, rooted in the energy sector, extends to mentoring teams in product-market fit, creative dealmaking, and leadership. “At Voxdale, we work with over 100 startups and innovators each year, across a range of industries. This broad experience helps us quickly spot gaps and challenges, allowing startups to focus more effectively,” he explains. “We help to ask the right questions,” adds Tim, noting that his role as a mentor is not just about giving answers but about empowering teams to find their own solutions.
KEY FOUNDATIONS FOR STARTUP SUCCESS
For Tim, two key aspects of founding a startup stand out:
- Product-Market Fit: “The biggest challenge many startups face is finding product-market fit. We encourage them to start sales efforts and work on deal-making as early as possible,” Tim explains.
- Funding: “Securing funding is another major hurdle. We support startups in strengthening their pitch and sales story to boost market traction. As they make progress, funding often follows. After that, it’s about getting out in the field and focusing on sales and deal-making,” he adds.
MENTORING FOR IMPACTFUL INNOVATION
Tim’s passion for mentoring is centered on fostering innovative, sustainable, and entrepreneurial products. He values the challenge of coaching startups, sharing valuable frameworks, and helping them broaden their networks.
“I love that I’m always learning — from other mentors, through workshops, and of course, from the startups themselves. The program’s dedicated focus on hardware is something I really appreciate,” Tim shares.
He notes that hardware-focused programs come with distinct challenges compared to software, including differences in business cases and go-to-market strategies. “The program has evolved significantly. Each year, we see stronger teams and better products, and the expanded network has really enriched the experience.”
GET READY FOR INTRO WEEK WITH BATCH 4 STARTUPS
Already next week, we will announce the selected climate-focused hardware startups chosen for Batch 4 of the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator. You’ll have a chance to learn more about the innovative solutions they are developing, each designed to tackle the toughest challenges on the path to net-zero emissions.
We’re looking forward to supporting this new group of startups in a program focused on sustainable product-market fit, fostering a collaborative ecosystem, and connecting them with highly-skilled mentors like Tim from Voxdale. Tim brings extensive experience in product development and hardware innovation, and his ability to navigate the complexities of hardware startups, combined with his passion for creating sustainable and entrepreneurial products, will be invaluable as the teams develop their solutions and build market traction.
Stay tuned for more updates from the kick-off week.
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