Vlerick Group

CorWave is a company focused on developing innovative implanted cardiac support devices aimed at improving the quality of life for patients suffering from heart failure. Its flagship product, the CorWave LVAD, employs a unique undulating disc wave pumping mechanism, which replaces traditional high-speed impellers used in current continuous flow rotary pumps. This design significantly reduces trauma to blood, thereby minimizing complications such as clotting and bleeding. The CorWave pump generates a pulsatile flow that closely resembles the natural heartbeat, addressing a key limitation of existing LVADs that provide only continuous flow. Additionally, the device's low power consumption and compact size facilitate its potential for complete implantation, enhanced by a wireless energy transfer system. Through these advancements, CorWave aims to alleviate the burdens associated with heart failure and invasive surgical procedures.

Onto offers an electric vehicle subscription service, providing insurance, breakdown cover, charging solutions, and road tax in a single, hassle-free package. Founded in 2017, the company is based in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Magnax is a company that specializes in yokeless axial flux technology, which is used to create high power density motors for electric powertrains and aerospace propulsion systems. Their innovative motors are designed with a patented cooling system that maintains low stator temperatures, enhancing robustness and efficiency. This technology reduces core losses through the use of oriented electrical steel, allowing manufacturers in the e-mobility sector to develop lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles. Magnax operates through strategic subsidiaries, such as Traxial, which focuses on ground-based e-mobility applications, and Axyal, which targets the aerospace market, each requiring tailored approaches to effectively serve their respective industries.

Ninepointfive is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Belgium, founded in 2019. It co-invests with corporate partners to support tech startups from pre-seed to maturity, combining venture capital with corporate acceleration to drive growth. The firm works with brands such as Beiersdorf, Telenet, and Agfa to provide strategic value, resources, and market access for portfolio companies. Ninepointfive focuses on sectors including energy, information technology, B2B software as a service, and materials and resources, seeking startups with scalable technology and practical applications. By leveraging corporate networks and investment expertise, it helps founders move from early validation to scale in a pragmatic, value-driven approach.