Ben De Smet

Time to stan Ben De Smet. This guy’s a straight-up tech creator who just jumped into the startup scene big time. He’s part of YC’s S24 batch, so you know he’s got that fire. But what’s wild is his process – it’s not just some typical coder story.

Ben’s got a legit academic background that’s super off the beaten path. He studied Dutch and Latin lit – yeah, old school classics – then went on to get a master’s in Gender & Diversity at Ghent University. Not your typical startup guy, right? But hold up, it gets even more interesting. He just finished a PhD, where he dug into how gender and sexual identities play out on music streaming platforms. Basically, he’s combining tech, culture, and social stuff in a way that’s rare as hell.

And he’s more than just about books and research. He’s co-founded Conveo, an AI startup that’s making waves now. From what I gather, Conveo’s doing some advanced stuff in AI, probably with a focus on culture and identity – no surprise given his background. Dude’s jumping from academia straight into the startup world, and he’s crushing it.

Plus, he’s got some writing creds, too – contributed to outlets like Humo and Humbug on film and pop culture. It’s clear he’s got a deep love for understanding how culture, tech, and society intersect. That’s his vibe.

So, what does this tell us? Ben’s not just some guy trying to make a quick buck. He’s driven by curiosity, a desire to understand the world, and a wish to push boundaries. His whole process screams that he’s all about blending the arts, social sciences, and tech to create something meaningful. Starting Conveo? That’s just the next step in a long, passion-fueled quest to build stuff that’s smarter, more human, and honestly, pretty damn original.

Long story short? Ben De Smet is one of those rare founders who’s not just about the hustle but about having an effect through deep understanding and bold tech. He’s a thinker, a doer, and someone who’s genuinely changing the game. Keep an eye on him – this is just the beginning.