WHAT WE BELIEVE IN

Why we think the world needs smart governance

The unprecedented acceleration of technological advancement in recent decades, revolutionizes healthcare, transportation, communication, and virtually every aspect of human life. However, this rapid change also presents significant challenges, including ethical dilemmas, societal disruptions, and growing concerns about risks such as data misuse and cybersecurity.

Europe, once a global leader in many industrial sectors, now struggles to regain its competitive edge. Striking a balance between value-driven regulation, the speed of innovation, and global competitiveness has become a pressing challenge. We believe that smart governance holds the key to achieving this balance.

Smart governance frameworks empower organizations to manage critical risks, such as data privacy, bias, and cybersecurity, fostering a safe environment for innovation. By integrating regulatory compliance early in the innovation process, smart governance enables enterprises to innovate confidently within legal and ethical boundaries.

Our purpose is to contribute to a human-centered approach to technological innovation that prioritizes societal well-being while driving sustainable economic growth. Smart governance is more than regulation; it is about creating a purposeful foundation that enables technology to serve and benefit everyone.

WHAT WE DO

Our mission

We are on a mission to empower enterprises to innovate responsibly with rapidly evolving technologies like AI. Through smart governance solutions, we help European businesses, particularly in traditional sectors, navigate regulation, manage risks, and accelerate innovation to emerge as leaders in an AI-driven future.

WHERE WE WANT TO BE

Our vision

We envision a world where technology is developed and used responsibly, allowing people to live without concern for its impact on their rights and freedoms. In this world, technology development and innovation serve a clear purpose and that is to benefit society.

Accelerate your innovation today

Would you like advice or begin working on a project?

Get in touch

info@thegoverners.eu

Meet our team

Koen Simoens

Co-founder

AI Governance & Cybersecurity Advisor | Former Sentiance COO | DPI Trainer | Birdhouse startup mentor

Koen is a technology and compliance expert with two decades of experience at the intersection of cybersecurity, data protection, and emerging technologies. He holds a PhD in Cryptography and an engineering degree in Computer Science from KU Leuven. Throughout his career, Koen has combined deep technical knowledge with a pragmatic approach to governance, helping companies navigate regulatory complexity while building scalable, trustworthy systems.

As former COO at Sentiance, a Belgian AI scale-up, Koen was responsible for Product Development, R&D, Customer Success, Compliance, and Operations. He played a key role in shaping and delivering the company’s motion insights technology, which is now used by banks, insurers, and mobility providers worldwide. His work enabled the company to meet the strict compliance and security requirements of global enterprise clients.

In addition to his role at The Governors, Koen teaches AI governance and risk management at the Data Protection Institute, and mentors early-stage companies on how to build enterprise-ready products without compromising on agility or innovation.

Lode Babi