Dr Kris Naudts trained as a medical doctor and psychiatrist in Belgium, with periods of study in South Africa, Israel and the UK. He began his career in academic psychiatry at the prestigious Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London and later assumed the role of medical director at a private psychiatric hospital in the capital. Kris holds five degrees - in medicine, general and forensic psychiatry and psychology, and a PhD in neuroscience - and has won several awards. He was included in the Marquis Who’s Who for contributions to the field of medicine and to the betterment of contemporary society.

Kris left the medical profession to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship, culture and creativity and founded Culture Trip, a travel, entertainment and media startup. After several years of bootstrapping, Kris raised more than $100m in funding to propel Culture Trip into its next phase of growth. He speaks (and reads) Dutch, English, French and German. When not working, you can find him reading, travelling or in a theatre, jazz club or art gallery.

Gained all-rounded experience in international business expansion and development, strategic planning, strategic partnerships, B2B and B2C sales, customer acquisition, and growing communities.

Started career in the international business in the USA then moved to Brazil for almost a decade to roll out operations of several European companies. After that joined a strategic management consulting company first as a sales and marketing consultant in Sao Paulo, later as the Head of Sales in the UK.

After 10 years in the corporate world became an entrepreneur, launched few businesses, built a Forbes award-winning startup and exited another one to investors. Last career pivot merged the best of the corporate, startup and entrepreneurial worlds when embarked on spearheading WeWork expansion across the EMEA region. Currently, manage one of the largest WeWork asset portfolios in the UK and Ireland.

Continue supporting entrepreneurs through mentoring, investing and leading a Startup Grind chapter.

Lived in 5 and visited over 50 countries. Speak 5 languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Slovak, English and native Czech). Practice martial arts, love snowboarding, diving, fitness & healthy lifestyle. Vegan athlete.