Startup Funding

**FRANCAIS**: Je démarre une **rotation thématique** tous les mois autour du domaine de l'entrepreneuriat. Pour ce mois, d'août, je propose: **Le freelancing en Belgique** (avantages et désavantages). Etes-vous un freelanceur ou non? Partagez vos avis avec le groupe. On prendra aussi le temps nécessaire pour apprendre à se connaître via une session de réseautage! Si vous souhaitez apporter/partager quelque chose pour manger/boire, n'hésitez pas! Rendez-vous au Cinquantenaire en-dessous de l'arc: [Cinquantenaire (Bruxelles)](https://goo.gl/maps/B4hEv3uyDVKD1Uap6) **ENGLISH**: I am starting **each month a topic** related to entrepreneurship. This month of august, the topic will be : **Freelancing in Belgium** (advantages and disadvantages). Are you a freelance or not? Share your insights with the group. We will take this time for getting to know each other throughout a networking! If you feel like bringing/sharing something to eat, don't hesitate! See you at 50naire next to the arch: [Cinquantenaire (Brussels)](https://goo.gl/maps/B4hEv3uyDVKD1Uap6)

## Escape Brussels for a Sunny Coastal Sunday 🌿 Need a break from the city routine? Join Sunday Vacations for a relaxed coastal escape to the beautiful Zwin nature area near Knokke-Heist — one of Belgium’s most scenic seaside landscapes. This experience is all about slowing down, enjoying nature, meeting new people, and spending a meaningful Sunday outdoors with an international community of expats, locals, and solo joiners. We’ll follow the shorter 9.2 km Zwin walking loop, a beginner-friendly route surrounded by dunes, coastal scenery, peaceful walking paths, and fresh sea air. During the walk, we’ll enjoy a relaxed beach picnic and social time by the sea. Sunny weather is expected — perfect for a spring nature escape. ☀️ ## Event Type 🌿 Curated Experience ## Highlights - Scenic 9.2 km coastal nature walk - Beginner-friendly hiking pace - Beach picnic & seaside relaxation - International & expat-friendly community - Solo joiners welcome - Nature escape from Brussels - Meaningful conversations & relaxed social vibe - Slow Sunday outdoors ## Plan / Itinerary ### Morning 📍 Meet at Brussels Central Station (in front of Starbucks) ⏰ Meeting time: 08:30 🚆 Train departure: 08:43 We’ll travel together toward the Zwin coastal area near Knokke-Heist. ### During the Day - Start of the 9.2 km Zwin walking route - Relaxed social hiking pace - Coastal scenery & nature viewpoints - Beach picnic stop - Free time to relax, connect, and enjoy the sea atmosphere ### Evening Return to Brussels by train after the beach stop and group relaxation time. (Exact return timing may vary slightly depending on the group pace and weather conditions.) ## Meeting Point 📍 Brussels Central Station In front of Starbucks Please arrive on time — trains will not wait. ## Price / Contribution ### Sunday Vacations Member Pricing - Ambassador Members → Free - Voyager Members → Free - Explorer Members → €5 contribution 🚆 Train tickets are paid individually by participants. We strongly recommend checking SNCB weekend discounts and Train+ offers before booking. VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code. ## Membership ### Sunday Vacations Memberships - Explorer → starting at €5/year - Voyager → starting at €50/year - Ambassador → starting at €150/year Sunday Vacations is a community for internationals, expats, and locals who want to discover Belgium and beyond through meaningful shared experiences. ## Who This Is For This experience is ideal for: - Nature lovers - People looking to meet new people naturally - Anyone wanting a peaceful Sunday away from the city No hiking experience required. ## What to Bring - Comfortable walking shoes - Picnic/snacks - Water - Sunscreen - Light wind/rain layer - Portable charger (recommended) - Positive energy ✨ Please check your preferred weather forecast source before departure and dress accordingly. ## Important Notes - Beginner-friendly experience - Distance: approximately 9.2 km - Dogs are not allowed - Participants are responsible for booking their own train tickets - WhatsApp coordination group will be shared before departure - Sunny weather is expected, but conditions may still change - Respect for nature and group atmosphere is important ## Legal Disclaimer Sunday Vacations / UJAMAA ASBL acts as a community organiser and not as a travel agency. Participants remain individually responsible for: - transportation, - personal insurance, - physical condition, - and personal belongings during the activity. Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the Belgian legal volunteer insurance framework. This experience may involve third-party transport providers including SNCB. ## Call to Action Ready for sea air, nature, and good company? Come spend your Sunday exploring one of Belgium’s most beautiful coastal areas with a welcoming international community. 🌊🌿 Solo joiners are always welcome. RSVP early so we can coordinate the group smoothly.

Please [register yourself on the website ](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/7QLiiTnqLMxNg6Bdm5Bm)to receive the details of how to join. This powerful healing technique removes the negative energies and blockages to then nbe replaced by life energy or prana. Organized by Juliana Cruz, a Pranic Healing practitioner for over 10 years. These donation-based sessions are in a group session, done by different practitioners who have learned Pranic Healing. The sessions take from 20 to 30 minutes. * **Sunday** **From 11:30 to 12:50** 20 - 30 min session per person First-come, first-served. This practice comes after a meditation (from 10:30 to 11:30) to receive and share energies of loving-kindness to the entire Earth. You can join by [registering yourself here](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/j5YTbU6YaGLgGOXyvMNn). With love, Juliana

**Activists need to work out!** Otherwise how do we outrun the police and fascists? In memory of the Nakba and to raise awareness of the ongoing colonial violence since 1948, we are organising a regular Sunday running at the Stadspark. Together, visibly, in solidarity with the people of Palestine. **Participation is simple**: Wear a keffiyeh, show up, run with us. We can start at *4km*, building towards *8km* over time (Nekba '48). No need for registration. **Where and when**: Stadspark, near the skate ramp. Every Sunday at 10am. Afterwards we can have a coffee or tea together. Everyone welcome, all paces.

Register yourself on the [website to receive the full details](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/j5YTbU6YaGLgGOXyvMNn). How can you benefit from learning more about karma and YOUR karma? Join us to learn more about karma and practices that you can use to improve your own life! The talk will be followed by a guided meditation to bless ourselves and the Earth, called Twin Hearts Meditation. WE NEED LOVE, THE WORLD NEEDS LOVE Sunday 10:30 - 11:30 Av Louise 505, Brussel Donation-based. There is a box at the entrance to receive your donation Register yourself on the link a the top to receive all the details This talk + meditation is followed by a Pranic Healing session, a powerful healing system to bring more inner peace, self-connection, and emotional and physical healing. You can register yourself the [healing session that follows here](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/7QLiiTnqLMxNg6Bdm5Bm). With love, Juliana

# Digital freedom isn't just for techies. It's for everyone. Join us for a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to adopt Europe-made **and/or** open-source day-to-day applications to gain independence from big tech providers. Concretely: 1. Understand which Europe-made **or** open-source applications exist in the market for *email, calendar, chat, browser, search engine, operating system, etc.* 2. Step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure. You choose which apps you feel comfortable testing! # Agenda 1. Welcome & Introduction (10min) 2. Short documentary on Digital Sovereignty (10min) 3. Hands-on workshop (90min) Together, we can move away from surveillance platforms toward open-source and privacy-friendly alternatives. Europe's digital future depends on choices we make today and it starts with the tools on your phone and computer. ## Inspired by Ghent’s Digital Sovereignty movement Inspired by FOSS workshops that have been thriving in Ghent, this event brings hands-on guidance to help you make the switch, step by step, at your own pace. # What to bring **Preferably**: Laptop. **Optional**: Phone or tablet & USB Stick (8GB) We will work with all types of applications *(email, calendar, chat, browser, search engine, operating system, etc.)* but **you choose** the ones you would like to adopt! # About the organizers This initiative is entirely self-funded, rooted in the belief that understanding our digital world should be open to everyone. ## Carolina Aguilar Carolina is an engineer by training who has spent a career at the intersection of data and artificial intelligence. Deeply committed to European Digital Sovereignty, she hosts this independent workshop to empower others with the knowledge needed to navigate and shape Europe's digital future. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-aguilar/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-aguilar/) ## Tom Michels Tom is a co-founder and community builder at Flordi (Ghent), a meeting place for changemakers who want to build a more just and ecological society. With a cafe, coworking, cohousing, market and events, the aim is to inspire, connect and co-create with people, businesses and organizations. Tom is convinced that when working together like we do with Free Open Source Software (FOSS), we can change the world! Since January 2025 Tom co-hosted around 20 FOSS-workshops together with the FOSS community in Ghent. This time, he's coming to Brussels to share with us the learnings from those events. [https://social.flordi.be/@tom](https://social.flordi.be/@tom) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-michels/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-michels/)

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Brussels.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

One week before the 20k of Brussels - we do a Brussels Runners Classic (straight from the archives) - 7.5km : past the Flagey ponds, into the abbey, to the bois de la cambre and back. Coffee/Drink at Cafe Belga after the run. The Details Meetup: 09:40 (for a quick briefing) Start Time: 09:45 sharp 📌 Meeting Point: Cafe Belga, Place Flagey 👟 Target Pace: strictly 6:15min/km 🏃 Distance: 7.5 km Effort Level: Conversational. If you can't speak in full sentences, we're going too fast! \# No Bag Drop

🏃‍♂️ Sunday Vacations | Train Together, Finish Together --- Thinking about joining the **20km of Brussels on May 31st**… but don’t want to train alone? 👉 Join our **after-work training group** and prepare together in a fun, social, and motivating atmosphere. Whether you're a beginner or already running regularly — **you’re welcome.** --- ## 📆 Weekly Runs (April → May) We train **twice a week after work**: ### 🔵 Once per week – Easy Social Run 👉 Perfect to build consistency and meet the group --- ### 🟣 Once per week – Long Run (Main Session) * Distance increases every week * Structured pace groups 👉 This is the **key session** to prepare for the 20km --- ## 🏳️ Follow Your Flag (Pace Groups) To keep things simple, we use the official **20km Brussels pacemaker system**: * 🟠 **Beginner (≈ 2h15)** Run/walk friendly — just aim to finish * 🟣 **Steady (≈ 2h00)** Comfortable and regular pace * 🟢 **Intermediate (≈ 1h45)** Faster group for those who want a challenge 👉 Not sure? Start easy — you can switch anytime. --- ## 📊 Long Run Progression We gradually build up to the race: 6 km → 8 km → 10 km → 12 km → 14 km → 16 km → 18 km 🔥 * lighter week before the race --- ## 🏁 Goal 📅 Sunday 31 May 2026 🎯 Run the 20km of Brussels — together --- ## 💡 What to expect * Friendly, international group 🌍 * No one left behind * Natural pace groups * Motivating and social vibe 👉 We start together, run in groups, and finish together. --- ## ☕ After the run Optional drink or snack — because it’s also about **meeting people and having fun** --- ## ⚠️ Practical info * Bring water * Wear proper running shoes * Join at your own responsibility * Beginners welcome --- ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations We are a **Brussels-based community** organizing social activities, hikes, and trips. 👉 This training is part of our mission: **bringing people together through shared experiences** --- ## 🔗 Participation To join, a **Sunday Vacations membership** is required: * Explorer (€5/year) → + €5 organizing fee * Voyager (€50/year) → no organizing fee * Ambassador (€150/year) → no organizing fee + perks 👉 Details: [www.sundayvacations.com/membership](http://www.sundayvacations.com/membership) --- 🔥 Don’t train alone — join us and enjoy the journey to the 20km!

Join the Brussels Runners this Sunday to kick off your morning the right way! Whether you are a regular or joining us for the very first time, we can't wait to hit the ground running together. 🏃‍♂️ The Game Plan We will be covering 14-15 km at a steady, comfortable pace of about 6:00 min/km. Expect a scenic, ever-changing backdrop as we navigate a mix of forest trails, dirt paths, and a few road sections. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature, connect with fellow runners, and make some new friends along the way. ☕ Post-Run Rewind Once the kilometers are in the bank, stick around! We will be grabbing an optional post-run coffee to refuel and chat.

What’s up Friends! 👋 If the weather behaves, we’re going for a chill drawing meetup: good vibes, new people, sketching side by side ✨ 📍 Where We meet at Park Cinquantenaire, in front of the "Tour de Tournai" 🏰 (the tiny castle-looking thingy). From there, we’ll pick a spot that feels right - usually somewhere outdoors 🌿 Can’t find us? 🤷🏻 Ping me here. 💡 The Idea Simple: we sit, we draw, we chat. No teacher, no pressure. Just people sketching next to each other and sharing tips if it happens naturally. Bring whatever you like: notebook + pen ✏️ or full watercolor chaos 🎨💦 All styles, all levels welcome. Don't forget to dress for the weather (we’re usually outside) and bring something to sit on - blanket, mat, foldable chair… whatever keeps you comfy. ⏱️ Timing We start at 14:00. Stay as long as you like. Joining later? Drop a message in the chat in case we’ve moved 😊 Once the sketches are done (or we need a break), we might grab a drink if we feel like it. 💸 Price Free. Just show up and draw. 🚦 On the waitlist but really want to join? Or got questions? DM me. 📢 Extra info might drop in the group chat or via DM 💬 Check your messages the day before so you don’t miss anything important 👀 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code: 👉 Draw what you want, how you want - no judgement 👉 Sharing tips = welcome, not expected 👉 Small groups = chill vibes 👉 Got cool materials? Bring them, flex them 👉 Keep your valuables close — it’s easy to get carried away 👉 Can’t make it? Cancel in time so someone else can join 👉 Don't show up if you are on the waitlist See you there 😉

This Sunday we will do around 10Km walk in the sonian forest starting from the parking by Bistro Pilko. The walk will look like this: https://mapy.com/s/nudoluhave After the walk we will stay for a drink/bite in the terrace of Bistro Pilko. For further details, you can contact me +32472828639

(Note: RSVPing here on meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To do that, you’ll need to register at our website, **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)**.) Tuesday, June 2nd, 5:00–8:30 PM Eastern Central Ohio Chapter Meeting IN PERSON IN COLUMBUS How I Get Private Lenders and Partners to Fund My Deals If you can’t fund it, you don’t have a deal. And right now, funding is where more investors are getting stuck. Private lenders are more cautious. Partners are asking better questions. And deals that look good on paper still fall apart when the money doesn’t show up. That’s why we’re bringing in a panel of investors who are actually getting their deals funded right now. You’ll hear how they’re finding money, structuring deals, and building relationships that lead to repeat funding. Here’s what you’ll learn: * Where they’re finding private lenders today * How they start conversations that lead to funding * What makes lenders and partners say YES * How they structure deals to be fundable * The biggest mistakes investors make when raising money * How to build repeat funding relationships **Early Session (6:00–7:00 PM Eastern):** **Having Trouble Finding Tenants? How Community Shelter Board Can Help** Nicholas Brenner will walk you through programs designed to help rapidly rehouse tenants, including financial support that can stabilize your rentals. **The Deal Room (7:00–7:30 PM Eastern)** Bring deals, funding needs, buyers, and problems. This is where connections turn into action. This meeting is for serious real estate investors nationwide, and we’re known for our high-content, real-life education and our nationwide community of dealmakers. Members and non-members at all levels are welcome. Register below to reserve your seat. Remember, to actually reserve your seat, you have to go **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)** and register on our website!

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

**Let’s kick off our very first CBUS Maker Meetup!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Karl Road Branch** in **Meeting Room 1**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** Space for this first meetup is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. We ask that you try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

[ECDI Pop-Up Market Official Registration Site --> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083) Celebrate Small Business Month by shopping local for food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts! Join us for the ECDI Pop‑Up Market, a celebration of local entrepreneurs during Small Business Month. Explore delicious food and drinks, discover handcrafted goods, and shop unique items from small businesses in your community. Whether you’re looking to support local makers, discover new favorites, or pick up a thoughtful gift, this market has something for everyone. **What you’ll find at the market:** * Local food and beverage vendors * Handcrafted goods and unique gifts * A chance to meet and support small business owners in your community * An easy, fun way to discover new local favorites [SCORE Central Ohio](https://www.score.org/ "https://www.score.org/") will also be on site to talk about their small business mentorship program. **Market Vendors:** Baked Goods * Shante Makes Body Care * [Bellas Natural Beauty Products](https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/ "https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/") Clothing & Accessories * [The Krafted Kollection](https://www.thekraftedkollection.com/ "https://www.thekraftedkollection.com") * [Loayza Elegant Jewelry](https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/ "https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/") * [Swahili House 254](https://www.swahilihouse254.com/ "https://www.swahilihouse254.com") Food/Beverage * [Aqua Pure Central Ohio](https://aquapurecentralohio.com/ "https://aquapurecentralohio.com") * [Better Beverage](https://betterbevshop.com/ "https://betterbevshop.com") * [Cherays Banana Pudding](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952 "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952") * [Dr. May's Thai Kitchen](https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu "https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu") * [Kronchy LLC](https://www.kronchys.com/ "https://www.kronchys.com") * [Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill](https://terra%20mezcal%20mexican%20grill/ "https://Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill") Packaged Food * [Grow to Eat, Eat to Live](https://growtoeattolive.com/ "https://growtoeattolive.com/") * [Underworld Feast](https://underworldfeast.com/ "https://underworldfeast.com/")  Since 2004, ECDI has assisted Ohio’s entrepreneurs through their one-stop-shop business services model, suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, regardless of what business stage they’re in. From providing capital to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, to providing focused, business-specific educational opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial skill sets, ECDI works with their clients to meet their specific needs. Whether you merely have a business idea or are opening up your fifth location, we have helped more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to take advantage of the services we provide.