Startup Innovation
E. Désiré Nzengou
Deep Tech Founder · Startup Coach · Innovation Ecosystem Builder
Sweden · Austria · linkedin.com/in/ednzengou · github.com/dnzengou
Turning radical ideas into fundable ventures — from quantum software to space resources, with 10+ years building innovation programmes across 3 continents.
Selected proof
- 3Ventures co-founded — quantum, health AI, consultancy
- 50+Founders coached · 200+ mentoring hours
- €2M+Programme budgets owned across EU and national initiatives
- 5Competition wins, including MIC Boostcamp Most Tech
Experience
Business Innovation Manager
GeoVille Information Systems GmbH · AustriaAug 2025 – Present
- ESA/EU bid management, EO technology commercialisation, space-resources partnership architecture.
Entrepreneur in Residence
Antler · SwedenFeb – May 2023
- Intensive deep-tech founder programme; co-founded QBabes (quantum computing).
- Validated business models; built founding team; top-quartile programme ranking.
Space Downstream Innovation Consultant
EUSPA · Czech RepublicDec 2020 – Jun 2025
- Jury member for space entrepreneurship competitions; coach and mentor for CASSINI ventures.
- Change agent for space-tech commercialisation across Europe.
Board Member & Advisor
African Blockchain Institute · Rwanda (remote)Nov 2019 – Apr 2025
- Strategic guidance on DLT education, governance frameworks, cryptocurrency, proof-of-origin, identity, and CBDC initiatives.
Senior Industrial Technology Expert
NIRDA · RwandaMay 2018 – Dec 2019
- Led STEM LAB and incubation for hardware/deep-tech startups; shaped national innovation policy.
- Designed and delivered hackathons; 15+ startups achieved first revenue, 3 secured follow-on funding.
Entrepreneur in Residence
SmiLe Incubator / Health2B · SwedenNov 2017 – Feb 2018
- Project-led MAMIO AI startup through Health2B acceleration — API integration, app prototyping, customer journey, prospect outreach.
Selected work
Desired Solutions — boutique tech innovation consultancy
Founded and scaled a technology innovation consultancy delivering data analytics, AI/ML prototyping, blockchain, and strategic advisory across Europe and Africa. Services: startup coaching, curriculum, tokenomics, data science, and BD innovation. Stack: AI/ML/DL, AR/VR, Web3, quantum.
QBabes — quantum software for industrial optimisation
Co-founded during Antler’s 4-month founder programme. Business model: quantum randomness for industrial optimisation in energy (SMR) and smart-grid design. Built the technical team, validated with 8+ enterprise prospects, investor pitch in the top quartile.
MAMIO — AI-powered medicine independence
Project-led an AI healthtech startup through 4-month Health2B acceleration at SmiLe (Medicon Village, Lund). Image-to-voice software for elderly medicine independence. Working prototype; customer discovery with 20+ elderly-care facilities; GTM for Nordic providers.
CASSINI Entrepreneurship Network
Architected entrepreneurship support under the EC’s CASSINI initiative. Designed Challenges, Business Accelerator, Matchmaking, and Hackathon programmes. Jury for 100+ proposals. Network connecting 40+ ventures with investors, corporates, and research partners.
STEM 4 INDUSTRY Rwanda
Conceived and operationalised Rwanda’s first national hardware/deep-tech incubation programme — STEM LAB maker space plus a 3-month acceleration track. Curriculum: Design Thinking, business modelling, pitching, prototyping. 6-person team, EUR 500K+ budget.
Competencies
- Venture building
- Business Model Canvas · Lean Startup · Customer discovery · MVP development · Pitch decks · Fundraising strategy
- Coaching & mentoring
- Founder coaching · Curriculum design · Workshop facilitation · Design Thinking · Agile / Scrum · Technology transfer
- Network & BD
- Partnership development · Ecosystem building · Stakeholder engagement · Public speaking · Grant writing · Proposal development
Education
MA Engineering Physics & Nuclear — ISIB, Haute École Bruxelles-Brabant, Belgium · 2009–2011
BA Engineering Technology — ISIB, Haute École Bruxelles-Brabant, Belgium · 2005–2009
Complex Adaptive Systems (Chalmers) · Management (ICHEC Brussels) · Quantum Computing (Coursera) · The Blockchain (UC Irvine) · Neural Networks & Deep Learning (DeepLearning.AI) · Google Cloud ML · Data Science (Johns Hopkins) · Agile / Scrum · Six Sigma Green Belt · IELTS C1
Fluent in French, English, and Swedish. Works across five languages and three continents.