The Eurostart Venture Awards 2025 are set to showcase the new generation of innovators, featuring some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds across Europe. A key element of the competition’s success lies in its panel of expert judges. This year, we welcome a diverse and accomplished jury, each bringing a wealth of knowledge to the evaluation process.
Thomas Depuydt – Investment & Business Expansion Expert
Returning for a second year as a Eurostart Venture Awards juror, Thomas Depuydt is a seasoned investment and growth strategist. With a career spanning mergers and acquisitions, early-stage investment, leveraged buyouts, and private equity, Thomas has extensive experience in guiding businesses through every stage of their investment cycle.
His expertise covers technology, consumer products, and retail. He has successfully driven value creation through board representation, post-merger integration, cost efficiency, and business acceleration. His return to the jury promises insightful discussions and a keen eye for high-potential ventures.
Sophie Lemarchand – Investment Analyst, ETF Partners
Sophie Lemarchand joins the jury with a passion for sustainability-driven innovation. As an Investment Analyst at ETF Partners, she focuses on identifying and scaling businesses that not only achieve commercial success but also generate a significant environmental impact. Her expertise lies in supporting entrepreneurs who align profit with purpose, fostering growth in companies that drive sustainability.
With a deep understanding of high-growth startups and their scaling challenges, Sophie brings a strategic perspective to the jury. Her knowledge extends across various cutting-edge industries, including foodtech, quantum computing, and AI architecture manufacturing.
Thomas Smet – Head of Innovation Banking, KBC
Joining the jury for the first time this year, Thomas Smet brings a wealth of experience in start-up financing and entrepreneurial mentorship. As the Head of Innovation Banking at KBC, Thomas plays a pivotal role in structuring tailored financial solutions for start-ups and scale-ups, enabling their expansion through KBC’s international network.
Beyond his banking expertise, Thomas has spent over five years mentoring emerging businesses through Start it @KBC, one of Belgium’s largest accelerator programs. His deep understanding of financial risk, coupled with his ability to craft bespoke financing solutions, makes him a vital addition to this year’s panel.
Emilio Cuevas – Ecosystem Innovation & Growth Specialist
Also returning for a second year, Emilio Cuevas brings his extensive experience in supporting early-stage companies and fostering innovation ecosystems. Based at UCL Innovation & Enterprise, he delivers Innovate UK Business Growth services, helping start-ups secure investment and scale effectively.
Emilio’s career began in law, specialising in Banking & Finance and Capital Markets. He co-founded a law firm in Mexico, before transitioning to London to pursue further studies at UCL. There, he shifted his focus to the start-up ecosystem, using his legal and financial expertise to guide companies through investment rounds and strategic growth.
