On Thursday, 16 October 2025, Foster hosted a new edition of its Lunch & Learn, bringing together a table of entrepreneurs around a topic that has become essential: artificial intelligence.
"If our Belgian SMEs do not transform by tomorrow, they will no longer exist!"
It was with this idea that the meeting began, which immediately opened the discussion on the challenges of adaptation and competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.
A cutting-edge entrepreneur
Valérie Zapico is an entrepreneur and expert in artificial intelligence, founder and CEO of the company Valkuren. For over ten years, she has been supporting companies from SMEs to large organisations in their digital transformation, using AI and data to enhance performance and decision-making. Engaged in the Belgian technology ecosystem, she regularly speaks on the challenges of AI adoption, digital sovereignty, and creating tangible value for businesses. Recognised for her pragmatic and field-oriented approach, she advocates for a vision of AI that is accessible, useful, and deeply rooted in business realities Valkuren.
A roundtable discussion among entrepreneurs
Around the table, participants from various sectors – IT, real estate, construction, food, consulting, commerce, or audiovisual. A diversity that enriched the discussions and allowed for the confrontation of very concrete realities.
In a friendly atmosphere, the discussions quickly went beyond preconceived ideas to focus on an essential question: how to integrate AI in a useful and relevant way into one's activities?
Demystifying artificial intelligence
One of the key messages of the meeting was to remind that AI is not limited to the most publicised tools.
"Chat GPT is just the tip of the iceberg," emphasised Valérie Zapico, inviting participants to adopt a more strategic approach.
Rather than starting from technology, she suggests starting from the real needs of the business:
"What are your challenges today? What tasks weigh on your teams? Then, we analyse how AI can free up time to create value."
A concrete approach that resonated with the participants.
A series that is just beginning
This Lunch & Learn was the second in a series that Foster intends to develop in the coming months. Through these meetings, the ambition is to regularly offer useful breaks, where one takes a step back, explores new perspectives, and nurtures entrepreneurial thinking.
Other meetings will follow soon, always with the same objective: to support entrepreneurs in their reflections and transformations.
👉 Don't miss the next Lunch & Learn!