Bao Podcast

For episode 32 of the Bao Podcast, we invited a familiar face! Sunita Van Heers returns for a second episode. She’s the founder and managing director of SuReal. SuReal is a consultancy firm that supports companies and government agencies in making buildings and city projects more sustainable. Through a multitude of services such as studies, certification and project guidance in multiple fields (ESG, water, energy, waste, ecology), they guarantee an integrated and sustainable result. All this with one aim: having an impact on society.

Thomas Vandenbergh, General Manager of BESIX Technology and CEO of BESIX STAY, brings a wealth of knowledge with his PhD in engineering. He discusses transitioning from academia to industry and the challenges of commercializing innovations. Thomas dives into implementing BIM and leading a hospitality business during the COVID crisis, detailing lasting innovations like contactless services. He emphasizes BESIX's evolution towards open innovation and shares insight on investing in startups, urging smaller firms to hone in on niches and adapt to megatrends.

For episode 30 of the Bao Podcast, we invited Dennis Vangeneugden. Kepler is a new player in the housing market that introduces a new housing standard in terms of technology and energy. With an Energy Level of -15, KEPLER homes are extremely energy efficient that save consumers up to €3,000 annually on energy. Kepler's homes are built in a workshop in timber frame, and delivered to the site 48 days after the start of the project. With this innovative idea, they managed to turn an immediate consolidated turnover of 21.5 million euros in their first year.

For episode 29 of the Bao Podcast, we have another dual-guest episode for you, featuring Michael Lefeber and Ken Spranghers, co-founders of KOZO. Kozo designs and builds spaces that adapt to the people who buy them. Whenever something changes in their life, their house can change with them. Kozo’s innovative construction method ensures that you can choose to adapt your home. A small starter home can grow into a fully-fledged family home and then even evolve into a care home. On top of this, their unique demountable connection system enables an easier way to recycle the different elements at the end of their life cycle.

Episode 28 of the Bao Podcast marks a special occasion as we host our first-ever dual-guest episode featuring Peter Bertels, CTO, and Wim Pieters, CEO of CIRCL. CIRCL is reshaping the housing landscape with fixed-price, future-oriented single-family homes. Their unique approach integrates circularity and digitalization throughout the construction process. From digital design to a remarkable six-week construction period post-permit approval, CIRCL is at the forefront of efficiency and sustainability in the industry.

For episode 27 of the Bao Podcast, we invite Regina Zirion. Regina is Head of Sales at Cutr. Regina was born and raised in Mexico, she studied and worked there until she moved to Amsterdam in 2018. She worked for Uber from 2016, first in Mexico-City and from 2018 onwards in Amsterdam until she left the company in 2021 to join Cutr. Cutr is an Amsterdam-based company that was founded in 2021. At Cutr, experts from two worlds come together: software engineering and woodworking. As a team, they work on the latest technology to make custom woodworking faster, easier and cheaper. People can upload their designs on the Cutr website and will receive an offer in a maximum of 12 hours.

For episode 26, we invite Patrick Nijssen. Patrick is Head of Growth Benelux at NORNORM. NORNORM is a Danish company that was founded in 2020 by former IKEA manager Anders Jespen as well as investor and Skype co-creator Jonas Kjellberg. With 10 million tonnes of office furniture ending up in landfills every year in Europe alone, the founders aim to apply the circular economy model to office furniture by having companies subscribe to furniture instead of buying it. The company looks to create a fully recyclable solution for workplaces and reduce some of the burden on the planet caused by office furniture.

For our anniversary episode, number 25, we do a part 2 with one of our guests for the first time ever. He was our very first guest and now he's back: Idriss Goossens! Idriss has not stood still since the last episode, 2 and a half years ago. Today he's not only co-founder of PropTech Lab Belgium, but he also founded LuxPropTech, Relevation and RecAp, this last one is a joint venture between PropTech Lab and developer Revive. This may be a lot for you to take in, but the most important thing is to know that the main focus of these companies is to connect and accelerate companies (start-ups and investors) in the real estate sector. And we certainly dive deeper in it this episode!

For episode 24 of the Bao Podcast, we welcome Minne Warmenbol. Minne is a master in Architecture and co-founded BUURMAN 3 years ago. BUURMAN Antwerp is a circular construction market where reused building materials from the region are collected, processed and offered. In this way, they offer a logical and local alternative to burning or low-grade recycling of good materials. The materials come from all kinds of different parties - from museums to demolition companies - that are unable to repurpose them within their organisations. A collaboration with Buurman solves a waste problem and a sustainability issue for them at the same time. Apart from used material, they also repurpose uprooted urban trees. These tree trunks are processed into usable wooden planks, instead of being shredded in the regular, low-grade way.

Simon Maillet, the Group Sustainability Officer at Cordeel Group, brings a wealth of knowledge from economics and sustainability consulting. He dives into the innovative vertical integration strategy that helps the company build faster while minimizing risks. Simon shares his journey into sustainable construction and discusses the tight margins that often stifle innovation. With practical examples—from biodegradable fire extinguishers to energy-sharing initiatives—he highlights the importance of balancing sustainability with profitability. Plus, his personal commitment to minimalism and veganism adds depth to his professional insights.