From Legaltech to Beer: Gilles Mattelin on Building & Selling

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-06-03

Most people would kick back after selling two companies. Not Gilles Mattelin. After selling Intuo to Unit4 and Henchman to LexisNexis, he didn't slow down. He launched 100IN, an AI-first venture capital fund that backs 100 pre-seed tech startups. His approach? Invest fast, support founders hard, and ditch the slow, old-school VC model. He also builds consumer brands like Tout Bien Pils and La Patate with Average Rob. You might wonder: legaltech to fries, SaaS to beer? There's a thread running through it all. Strong branding. Community building. And the ability to move quick. ### What Really Happens After an Exit In this episode, we get real about what an exit actually feels like. When do you sell? When do you hold? And how does it feel to let go of something you built from scratch? Gilles talks about dealing directly with people like Marc Coucke, the Ghent tech ecosystem, and how exit capital flows back into new founders. It's not just about the money. It's about the mindset. You build, you sell, you start over. You think bigger. You move faster. And you keep daring.  ### AI in Venture Capital We also dig into AI's role in VC. How far can you automate sourcing and screening? Gilles believes speed beats perfection most of the time. He's building 100IN to make quick decisions and give founders real support, not just a check and a handshake. - **Quick decisions:** No endless meetings. Get in, assess, move. - **Real support:** Not just capital. Help with branding, community, execution. - **AI-driven:** Use tech to find and screen deals faster.  ### The Fun Factor One thing Gilles keeps coming back to: entrepreneurship has to stay fun. That's not just a nice idea. It's a strategy. If you're not enjoying the ride, you won't have the energy to keep going through the hard parts. "Build, sell, and start again. Think bigger. Go faster. Keep daring." ### Why This Matters for US Entrepreneurs If you're running a business in the US, there's a lot to learn here. The Belgian tech scene might be smaller, but the lessons are universal. Don't get stuck in a slow model. Use AI to move faster. Build brands that people actually care about. And never lose sight of why you started. Gilles proves you can jump industries without losing your edge. Legaltech to fries. SaaS to beer. The principles stay the same: strong brand, tight community, fast execution. ### Final Thoughts This isn't your typical success story. It's about the messy, thrilling reality of building, selling, and starting all over again. If you're ready to think bigger and move faster, this episode is for you. For more episodes, visit the Belgian Entrepreneurs podcast.