Peter Hinssen

Peter Hinssen is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and thought leader who is passionate about radical innovation and the impact of digital technology on companies worldwide. Describing himself as a pathological optimist, Peter believes that businesses can and should help to build a better and brighter day after tomorrow. This philosophy reverberates throughout his 2025 book, 'The Uncertainty Principle', where he explores how leaders can navigate unpredictability and identify opportunities. Having given more than 1500 keynote presentations to some of the largest companies, including Apple, Google and Facebook, Peter is a trusted voice on digital disruption, AI, the future of business and more. 

After graduating from Ghent University with a Master's in Computer Science and Electronics in 1993, Peter spent more than 15 years leading technology start-ups. He gained early experience as a Research Engineer at Alcatel before founding e-COM in 1995, which was later acquired by Alcatel Lucent. Driven by a passion for innovation, he became an Entrepreneur in Residence at McKinsey & Company in 2000, while simultaneously serving as Chairman at Streamcase leading up to its acquisition by Belgacom. Alongside managing Newton Engineering, Peter went on to launch Across as Founder and CEO, while concurrently serving as Chairman of Porthus. He successfully guided this third venture to an IPO in 2006 prior to its eventual acquisition by Descartes, while also operating as a Director at ONE Agency. He later co-founded Uest, the company behind Embracelet, and more recently co-founded nexxworks and Wintercircus Ghent. Beyond his executive ventures, Peter has heavily focused on corporate governance and academia, as he serves as a long-standing board member at Mediahuis and previously served on the board of Belfius, while sharing his expertise as an Industry Fellow at MIT, a Visiting Lecturer at London Business School, and a Senior Industry Fellow at the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business.

In addition to his extraordinary career, Peter is the bestselling author of six business books, with his first, 'Business/AI Fusion', published in 2008 to guide readers on how to solve the conflict between business and IT. He further authored 'The New Normal' in 2010, followed by 'The Network Always Wins' in 2014 and 'The Day After Tomorrow' in 2017. His 2020 novel 'The Phoenix and the Unicorn' was officially nominated for the Marketing Book of the Year award by the Belgian Association of Marketing, as it explores the concept of companies that can rethink themselves in cycles like mythical birds. Peter's latest release, 'The Uncertainty Principle', was further shortlisted for the International Business Book of the Year 2026 award from The Business Book Award, showcasing the profound influence of his insights.

Having collaborated with Fortune 1000 companies and leading brands such as TSMC, PepsiCo, Decathlon, L'Oreal, BMW, Rolex, HSBX and Medtronic, to name a few, Peter brings a uniquely versatile perspective to his work. Reaching audiences around the world through social media, he has been recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice due to his ability to turn complex ideologies into accessible and actionable insights. Peter was also invited to deliver the TEDx talk "Re-Thinking Education for the Never Normal" in 2021, where he invited listeners to explore how education must evolve with the ever-changing world. Recently, at the 2025 Amsterdam Business Forum, he earned the highest speaker score in the event's history, achieving a remarkable 9.2 average rating. A serial entrepreneur, trusted board member, startup investor, and one of the world's expert voices on innovation strategy, technology, and leadership, Peter leaves an impact that lasts well beyond the applause.