No rollercoaster could match the excitement at Next Gen Fest in Walibi, where Vlajo vzw, together with Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and VOKA Managing Director Frank Beckx, announced the Youth Enterprises of the Year 2026. Four young teams took home the title after being
selected from around 30 finalists, in front of an audience of more than 2,000 visitors.
The winners were selected by a jury of experts from the business and financial sectors, including representatives from VLAIO, Voka, BNP Paribas Fortis and Deloitte. The projects were evaluated on innovation, entrepreneurship and societal relevance. The following winners were selected:
DATEWATCH: Feeling safe should never be optional, according to Lindsay Verswyvel, a nursing student at Thomas More. After experiencing a date that did not go as expected, she came up with the idea for DateWatch. This discreet wearable device with an emergency button allows users to quickly call for help by sharing their live location with trusted contacts. Combined with an app offering prevention and reporting tools, DateWatch provides a sense of safety before, during and after an incident.
More info: www.datewatch.lovable.app
BREVON: By tackling high CO₂ and fine particle levels, Seppe, Robert, Gabriel, Navjit and Inaya — four Business Economics students at Hasselt University — aim to create healthier, fresher and more productive workplaces. Through their Small Business Project Brevon, they developed a smart modular air system that combines technology and natural elements to purify air in an innovative way.
More info: www.instagram.com/info.brevon
PACKO: Receiving packages safely and worry-free? Carl, Kobe and Thibault — three Business Management students at UCLL — make it possible through their Small Business Project Packo. They developed a compact, theft-resistant bag for secure doorstep deliveries, enabling couriers to work faster and more efficiently. As a result, every delivery becomes simpler and more reliable.
More info:
www.linkedin.com/company/pack-oh-so-safe/
DINAMYK: Combining sports, health and environmentally conscious entrepreneurship in one product? The students behind Mini Enterprise Dinamyk from Sint-Vincentiuscollege have made it possible with their innovative mushroom-based protein powder. The powder is rich in vitamins, contains no saturated fats and supports post-exercise recovery. It is also particularly suitable for people with diabetes, as its high fibre content helps reduce blood sugar spikes.
More info: dinamyk-together.web.app
We look forward to meeting all of the teams in Riga, Latvia for #Gen_E 2026!
