Erik De Keyser is co-founder and chairman of Qonic NV (2021). Qonic is a Cloud-based software platform with 3D direct modeling and deep collaboration for all stakeholders in the design, construction and maintenance of building- and infrastructure projects.
Before founding Qonic, Erik was CEO of Bricsys (2002 – 2020). Bricsys develops BricsCAD (.dwg based). 1200+ third-party applications are ported from AutoCAD platform to BricsCAD platform. BricsCAD is distributed in 80+ countries. Bricsys developed a 3D direct modeling engine in BricsCAD, resulting in the release of BricsCAD BIM, BricsCAD Mechanical and BricsCAD Sheet Metal. Bricsys was acquired by Hexagon in 2018.
Erik was Vice President of the ODA (Open Design Alliance) from 2010 until 2018.
In 1990, Erik was the founder and CEO of BRICS NV. Brics developed 3D modeling software BricsWork for AES from Skidmore Owings & Merril. In 1995, Erik developed BricsWork for MicroStation. BricsWork was renamed to TriForma and sold to Bentley in 1996.
From 1997 to 2001, Erik led BRICS, which became BricsNet NV. They were responsible for the development of BricsNet Architecturals (BIM) based on .dwg. The company did an IPO on Nasdaq Europe in 1999.
Erik holds a Master Degree in Architecture (SHIAS Gent, Belgium). He worked at Arch. Studio Walter Bresseleers (currently known as ELD), focused mainly on office and industrial buildings, in the period between 1977 and 1984.