(Sydney, 31 July 2024). This year’s Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business is being held in New Delhi, India in October. The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), which takes place every two years, is the platform for an overarching dialogue between Germany and the Asia-Pacific region, between politics and business. The APK aims to provide a new impetus for sustainable transformation and diversification. The conference is aimed at decision-makers from business and politics in Germany, the EU, and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The local participating chambers are from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Greater China: P.R. of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
In 2024, around 800 business and political representatives are once again expected to discuss current topics ranging from geopolitical challenges to market developments. The 18th APK, jointly organised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (AHK India), will take place from 24-26 October 2024 in New Delhi, India.
As an initiative to attract innovative businesses, this year will also be hosting the first Startup Award. The German-Asia Pacific Startup Award is presented by the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA). APA is a joint initiative of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV), the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA) and the Association of German Banks (Bankenverband). President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG, Dr Roland Busch, assumed the APA chairmanship in October 2021.
This year’s Startup Award focuses on AI as a core business model. AHK Australien encouraged Australia’s startup landscape to submit nominations to present Australia in New Delhi and take the global stage in front of senior business executives, potential investors and government representatives. Submissions were evaluated by AHK Australien’s Advisory Council, and we are delighted to announce our official Startup representative: Brain Vector.
Brain Vector is an innovative start-up revolutionising the approach to mood disorders and mental performance enhancement. Their cutting-edge technology, Virtual Reality Positive Memory Enhancement (VRPME™), leverages Emotion-AI for a fully personalised experience. It harnesses the power of positive affects, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in their happiest memories, thereby fostering a surge of positive emotions. This unique method is designed to combat mood disorders and elevate mental performance through algorithm-based therapy, offering a new horizon in mental health therapeutic and cognitive enhancement techniques.
“Brain Vector stands at the forefront of mental health innovation with the clever use of AI" says Dr Stephane Verhaeghe, CEO and Founder. "This recognition by AHK Australien is not just an award- it's a testament to the urgent need for innovative solutions in this field. We are excited to further our mission and bring personalised precision technology for brain health to the APAC market by representing Australia at APK’s Future AI Startup Award.”
Rebecca Lee, Chairwoman of AHK Australien’s Advisory Council, mentions “I was particularly excited to see a submission from a startup within the broader health industry. AI opens many new avenues across all sectors. I am proud to share that all the submissions we have received for representing AHK Australien at this year’s APK’s Future AI Startup Award were impressive, with each business standing out in unique ways. Brain Vector stood out for its profound impact on mental wellbeing with a positive and innovative approach. We look forward to seeing Brain Vector entering the global stage.”
In the next stage, Brain Vector competes against the nominees of the other AHKs in the region, before eight finalists will be announced in August 2024. All final nominees of each country are invited to join the APK in New Delhi in October and pitch their business on a stage in front of 800 business and political representatives.
The Story Behind Brain Vector
Brain Vector was born from an innovative approach to addressing mood disorders and enhancing mental performance using personalised emotion-AI - a unique lens on the global mental health crisis. Our flagship product, Virtual Reality Positive Memory Enhancement (VRPME™), harnesses Emotion-AI to create an immersive, personalized solution for mood disorders and mental performance optimization. The patented VRPME™ methodology seamlessly combines virtual reality and AI, dynamically adapting mental health treatments to individual needs in real time.
By seamlessly integrating existing treatments with cutting-edge technology, including virtual reality and AI, Brain Vector was born. Our flagship product leverages Emotion-AI to provide an immersive, personalised solution for mood disorders and mental performance optimization. At the heart of our innovation lies the patented VRPME™ methodology, which combines virtual reality and AI to dynamically adapt mental health treatments to individual needs in real time.
The journey of Dr Stephane Verhaeghe, co-founder of Brain Vector, began as a pilot in the Belgian Air Force, where he was inspired by complex technology and adrenaline. Choosing a different path, he re-educated himself as a neurologist in France and conducted groundbreaking research on a specific form of Parkinson’s disease in the West Indies. His expertise eventually led him to Australia, where he served as a Medical Director in neurological and rare diseases for the pharmaceutical industry. In 2023, he co-founded Brain Vector with Dan Stevens.
Dan Stevens, born with SMA type 3, a genetic condition affecting his physical abilities, developed a unique perspective from an early age. His innovative thinking enabled him to devise unconventional solutions to achieve his goals, which became his superpower. After founding his first company at age 15, Dan continued his entrepreneurial journey across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. His mission? To leverage technology to empower individuals towards healthier, happier lives.
Brain Vector not only pioneers AI algorithm-based therapy but also addresses crucial mental health care challenges. By reducing waiting times, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and lowering costs, we’re making a significant impact. Our AI platform streamlines operations for healthcare providers, ensuring patients receive top-quality care through continuous monitoring and adaptive treatment protocols. As the sole seamlessly integrated AI solution in mental health care, Brain Vector will significantly improve patient outcomes across the board.
Brain Vector has formed strong partnerships within Australia such as Mayes Healthcare whose team of experts and partnerships has extensive experience driving product success, delivering positive results through strategic thinking and operational execution. “We believe that the partnership with Mayes Healthcare has identified key markets to commercialise for success, and we have found their support invaluable” said founder Dan Stevens. Mayes Healthcare, a member of the German-Australian Chamber, has positioned itself as a leading innovation and delivery provider in the healthcare sector.
