Roel Vandenbulcke

TLDR

Roel Vandenbulcke is founder and CEO of Hysopt, an Antwerp-based HVAC system optimization software company founded as a University of Antwerp spin-off in 2013.

Overview

Roel founded Hysopt alongside Wouter Hendrickx and Peter Hellinckx following his PhD at the University of Antwerp, where he identified critical inefficiencies in how HVAC systems are designed. He developed mathematical and physical models to simulate the dynamic behavior of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems during design stages, and commercialized these as cloud-based engineering software.

Hysopt's platform enables HVAC engineers and building managers to design and optimize systems with precision, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The company has raised $7.78M across two funding rounds and reached the finalist stage in Construction Tech Review's Top HVAC Solution Company in Europe 2021. Hysopt's platform has been used to simulate real-world projects including the London Underground heat network.

Career Highlights

• Founded Hysopt in 2013 as a University of Antwerp spin-off based on PhD research
• Raised $7.78M in two funding rounds
• Hysopt's software was used to simulate optimization of the London Underground heat network

Connections

Based in Antwerp, Hysopt is part of the Flemish cleantech and university spin-off ecosystem. Connected to Cleantech Flanders network and the broader Belgian cleantech investment community.