Sport

  • Vincent De Gryse: The 34 Million Euro Border Empire, from KV Kortrijk to Stop & Shop

    Vincent De Gryse, unexpected heir to KV Kortrijk, has turned a sporting legacy into a business opportunity. He became majority owner of the club after the death of his brother, eventually selling it for 3 million euros to Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan in 2015. At the same time, De Gryse built up a commercial empire with his Stop & Shop stores, strategically located near the Franco-Belgian border. Specializing in the sale of tobacco and alcohol, these stores target an international clientele attracted by low prices. This dual strategy has enabled De Gryse to accumulate a fortune estimated at over 34 million euros, illustrating his flair for cross-border business opportunities.

  • Johan Verstrepen: From Cycling to 1.6 Billion Euro Industrial Empire

    Johan Verstrepen, born in Herentals in 1967, embodies success in both sport and business. Initially a successful professional cyclist, he went on to establish himself as a visionary entrepreneur. Under his leadership, Aliplast, now Corialis, grew from a value of 10 million to 1.6 billion euros. Nicknamed "the king of takeovers", Verstrepen navigated through multiple changes of ownership, retaining a significant stake and guiding the company to spectacular growth. With a personal fortune estimated at over 300 million euros, he is a prime example of the successful transition from top-level athlete to leading industrialist.