This is an interview conducted with Helen Tueni (HT) the founder of the start up Vucable. She worked with sustAIn.brussels in many different aspects, from following trainings, to receiving personalized guidance. This interview goes through her personal experience with sustAIn.brussels.
Q: Can you tell us about your work at Vucable?
HT: Vucable was funded this year, it is a very early stage startup. Our mission is to leverage digital transformation to create positive societal impact. I primarily offer expertise to citizen-serving organizations by implementing digital transformation projects and exploring how AI can enhance their operations. Additionally, I work on my own initiatives, such as mAIté. mAIté is an open-access app designed to provide essential information to individuals, helping them navigate the public service sector in Belgium.
Q: What are Vucable's core values?
HT: Our foremost value is a human-centric approach. Digitalization should support humans, not replace them. Over the last decade, a lot of organizations reduced or suppressed frontline staff upon digitalizing a product or process. However, the human touch and proximity these employees provided - helping citizens of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to communicate -- was lost. Vucable's purpose is to bridge the gap, ensuring that technology remains centered on human needs.
Another crucial value is equity and social justice. For instance, mAIté is specifically designed to help and serve vulnerable populations for free, reflecting Vucable's commitment to an equitable business model.
Q: What is your position within Vucable?
HT: I am the founder of Vucable, I hold a Master's degree in AI for the Public Sector, which gives me a deep understanding of AI along with a holistic perspective. I am able to grasp the technical aspects while also considering the ethical and responsible implications of digitalization decisions.
Q: How did Vucable and mAIté come to be?
HT: Vucable and mAIté were born from my expertise in Digital Transformation and my recognition of the unfairness that technology can sometimes perpetuate. My desire to create solutions that create a more efficient and human society led to the establishment of both the company and the project.
Q: How did you get connect with sustAIn.brussels?
HT: My initial connection was through Sirris, that I met during the FARI conference. Then, sustAIn.brussels provided the critical alignment I needed, helping me prioritize both ethical and sustainable aspects of digitalization.
Q: How did sustAIn.brussels help Vucable?
HT: sustAIn.brussels assisted with various aspects, including identifying funding, conducting market analysis, and outlining necessary steps to achieve my goals. I also participated in training sessions to ensure that sustainability values are integrated in my company and maintained over time. My collaboration with sustAIn.brussels offered professional guidance and support to establish a stronger foundation for Vucable. They helped address key questions such as, "What is my roadmap? What are my next steps? What could be the pricing model?"
Q: What hurdles did Vucable overcome during their partnership with sustAIn.brussels?
HT: Initially, I believed that my consulting work could support the development of mAIté. However, with advice from sustAIn.brussels, I began seeking funding to dedicate more time and resources to the project, which has been crucial for its progress.
Finding the Right Guidance: How Vucable Took the First Steps in Entrepreneurship