What if agencies reached out to startups? This is the proposition of DJM digital through its DJM Lab division, which embodies this philosophy by offering startups the resources they need to take off, with an adapted cost structure.
Belgium is a country where quality takes precedence over quantity when it comes to startups. Already in 2022, investment in Belgian startups had doubled compared to the previous year, reaching nearly 1.5 billion US dollars. Despite a relatively small population of 11 million, Belgium still ranks 22nd in the world as a startup ecosystem in 2024.
At the heart of this innovative ecosystem, startups share common fundamental needs with well-established companies in Belgium. But despite the profusion of incubators and programs dedicated to the growth of young shoots, many entrepreneurs are looking for more specific orientations and skills. This is where the DJM Lab comes in, offering tailor-made support to transform innovative visions into tangible successes.
Why startups deserve the best resources?
1. Innovation without limits
Startups are the cradle of innovation. They deserve access to the best resources to transform their ideas into tangible realities. DJM Lab is committed to providing this access, eliminating the financial barriers that often hinder growth.
Through our offering at DJM Lab, a team of development technology and marketing experts is there to guide startups. Their needs are varied:
- We help them refine the proof of concept of their project.
- We develop specific technological solutions (web or mobile application, e-commerce, website)
- We provide them with UX/UI advice to optimize the user experience of their products or services.
- We define with them their market positioning and help them develop an effective distribution strategy.
- We offer them training and hacks in B2B or B2C communication strategy to help them achieve their goals.
In summary, the talents of our digital agency help entrepreneurs develop more quickly, with the right tools.
2. Collaboration between companies and startups
Collaboration between large companies and startups can be symbiotic. Startups bring agility and innovation, while large companies offer stability and resources. DJM Lab facilitates these alliances, creating an ecosystem where both can flourish.
Anthony Bragard, DJM Lab pole leader, comments: “We have contacts in various sectors, from construction to energy, including finance and AI. We want to build bridges between these varied environments in order to surround entrepreneurs with key profiles already established on the market for many years”.
3. Accelerating Business Success
Why wait years to succeed when you can accelerate the process from the birth of a project? With the right tools and support, startups can achieve their goals faster. DJM Lab aims to become that success accelerator, propelling startups to success and rapid growth.
The DJM Lab ecosystem: a hub of unparalleled resources
1. Tech and marketing expertise
Choosing the right technology to develop your project sustainably can be a real headache. It can also seem tedious to develop a powerful marketing communication strategy when your team is still very small and time is lacking. The Lab is there to understand the needs of each project leader and propose a strategy that is adapted to them.
Nous avons fait le choix de proposer nos services de manière fluide. Nous ne sommes pas un incubateur. Si un entrepreneur a un besoin tech ou marketing et un projet solide, nous souhaitons prendre le temps de l'accompagner. Au DJM Lab, il n'y a pas de date d'inscription ou de programme pré-fait ; juste du concret pour les aider au mieux dans la concrétisation de leur projet.
2. A proven go-to-market strategy
As mentioned above, the Lab does not just help project leaders develop their website, e-commerce or application. We also support the definition and implementation of their go-to-market strategy.
It is important to be able to meet the needs of users with an optimized and technically well-designed interface. And it is just as important to know how to distribute this platform and reach the right people. Digital is essential at the moment to grow your project. However, it is essential to know how to use it wisely. This is why the Lab provides support in both development and marketing.
Le plus important est de leur donner des clés concrètes à activer une fois leur stratégie go-to market réalisée. Nous voulons leur permettre d'activer leurs canaux de communication rapidement grâce à notre connaissance et bonnes pratiques, accumulées en accompagnant des entreprises actives depuis plusieurs années sur le marché.
“Pourquoi restreindre nos connaissances et notre vécu uniquement aux clients qui sont déjà bien établis et possèdent des ressources importantes ?”, se questionne Marie. “Nous développons des stratégies marketing full-funnel pour nos clients de l’agence et testons notre plan d’action dans divers secteurs. Nous apprenons beaucoup de notre travail quotidien et souhaitons en faire profiter les entreprises de demain”.
3. An inspiring base
The DJM Lab has taken up residence in the heart of Liège’s Creative District, the Grand Poste. The objective is simple: to encourage exchanges between the different startups supported by the Lab and to offer them a workspace where they can interact with DJM experts.
Anthony adds “our long-term objective is to create a pool of reflection and knowledge sharing not only with our talents, but also between the entrepreneurs supported by the Lab. By offering them this meeting place, we hope to encourage exchanges in order to continue to constantly test and optimize the solutions offered to startups“.
Le DJM Lab fait déjà ses preuves
A web app for parents of children with disabilities
The Lab has already had the opportunity to support several proven projects. Among its most beautiful achievements, we can mention l’Univers de Raph, which was a large-scale development project.
After a more than successful fundraising, Clara Vanoverschelde, the project leader, called on the Lab’s experts to develop a web platform that meets a crucial need: centralizing the resources available to parents of children with disabilities.
Its main objective is to provide a comprehensive solution listing the resources available to meet the specific needs of children with disabilities, ranging from activities to adapted equipment and support services.
An application for managing your own vegetable garden
Do you know how to plant cabbages? In addition to this legendary phrase in the French language, the Vegiwise mobile application holds a simple promise, but not without work: to guide the novice Vegiwise towards the success of their fruit and vegetable crops.
For accompanying this project in its realization, François Genot, UX/UI expert, worked closely with the Vegiwise team to refine the user experience of their product in its beta phase.”
The discussion also focused on the development of a go-to market strategy, as well as the development of their positioning and multichannel communication. To do this, a series of workshops was organized, benefiting from the expertise of Marie Schyns, Digital Strategist. A fruitful start to a collaboration!
An e-commerce dedicated to Afro beauty
Soraya and Melissa contacted DJM Lab via Start.Lab, the Lab’s Brussels partner, in order to boost sales of their e-shop. But Brown-T MarketPlace is much more than an e-shop. It is a real community celebrating the beauty of Afro-descendant women, offering environmentally conscious products specific to the needs of their target.
Through this partnership, Soraya and Melissa were supported in their e-commerce marketing strategy and in particular in the launch of their first paid campaign on the Google search network (SEA).
As a startup, it can be tedious to know where to start and which levers to activate first for a successful marketing strategy. This is why the Lab teams make a point of offering a concrete strategic approach to each project leader.
Are you a project leader?
Do you have a revolutionary idea and are you looking to make it a reality? The DJM Lab is your ally in this entrepreneurial adventure.
We invite you to visit the DJM Lab website to discover our services designed to propel your project towards success. Do not hesitate to contact our team of experts to benefit from personalized support and transform your vision into reality.
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