A tour in Ghent
Ghent is a historic city, but it's also a vibrant hub for technology. From Biotech to Healthtech, Digitech and Cleantech - the city's booming startup scene has it all. If you want your tech startup to take over the world, Ghent is definitely the place to kick-start your journey.
Facts & Figures
startups
investors
accelerators & incubators
Top 4 reasons to launch a startup in Ghent
Looking for a good reason to set up shop in Ghent, we’ll give you four:
1. Home to a major talent pool
Thanks to its distinguished educational institutions, Ghent has acquired a strong reputation as a place of knowledge and talent in Europe across the sciences, arts, and humanities. The city harnesses this wealth of knowledge, actively validating new insights and seamlessly transforming them into succesful business models.
2. Collaboration is key
Ghentians are stronger together. That’s why the city strongly focuses on participation, co-creation, living labs, and other initiatives that engage a wide range of industries and institutions. Its academic and research centers regularly work with businesses big and small to form partnerships and create solutions together.
3. Room to grow
With its tech industries and collaborative culture top of mind, the city of Ghent is constantly creating new spaces and low-regulation zones for innovation and business to flourish. Its goal: to provide an appropriate balance between life, work, and sustainability.
Its current business hubs in the south, north, and center of the city serve as basecamps for its many tech and business ecosystems, attracting international talent and providing excellent facilities for startups and scale-ups alike.
4. The next European Technology Capital
There’s certainly no shortage of ambition in Ghent. The city works hard to become a global tech leader by investing in technologies that have a positive impact on society (Cleantech, Biotech, Healthtech & Digitech) and developing flagship projects that help build the ecosystem of the future.
Does Ghent sound like the perfect home for your startup?
Unlock infinite possibilities in a city where innovation flourishes. Reach out to Startup.Flanders – we’ll help you join this thriving community.
The leaders of the pack: Ghent’s 4 key innovation domains
Ghent may be renowned among tourists for its medieval castles and historic city center. However, beyond this picturesque exterior is a dynamic tech scene, already recognized as world-class and a robust startup hub with international acclaim. Where will you fit in?
1. Best in Biotech
With a rich history of pioneering biotechnologies since the sixties, Ghent combines its expertise, talent and experience to attract international investors and skilled professionals. Its biotech sector is globally renowned and continuously aims for excellence.
The city hosts exceptionally innovative biotech organizations at the forefront of the industry, such as Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. They’re committed to solidifying Ghent’s position as a world-leading hub for biotech innovation.
#1 Golden standard R&D hub
#1 in waste separation in the world
#1 for integrated bioenergy production in Europe
7 out of 10 top European biotech businesses
3 biotech incubators from Flanders in European top 20
€ 2.5 billion annual investment
Biotech ventures receive exceptional support at …
… an array of remarkable incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs. To name just a few:
- Biotope by VIB: a pre-seed incubator program that supports early biotech entrepreneurs in building their startup.
- Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant: a state-of-the-art, independent, flexible, and multi-purpose pilot facility for process development, scale-up, and custom manufacturing of innovative biobased products and processes.
- EIT FOOD: an accelerator program for innovation in the food sector, aimed at building a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all.
2. Heroes in Healthtech
Thanks to a strong link between research organizations and business solutions, Ghent is expanding its health district to attract global attention. For example, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of American giant Johnson & Johnson, has built the first European production facility for CAR-T therapy here.
By setting up a test market and promoting the city's expertise, Ghent is poised to emerge as a thriving international healthtech hotspot, meeting the ever-increasing demand for innovative healthcare solutions.
#1 in the lead for llama-derived antibody therapies
1 university hospital and 3 general hospitals
#1 in speed of approval Phase 1 worldwide
2nd most clinical trials in Europe
+1000 A1 publications
+ 25,000 graduates yearly in health studies
Healthtech visionaries receive exceptional support at …
… an array of remarkable incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs. To name just a few:
- Blue Health Innovation Center by imec.istart: a unique combination of top players in healthtech who support the digital transformation of healthcare through digital innovation.
- MEDVIA: an industry-driven network that fosters innovations in the health sector.
- WATT The Health: a new co-work oasis for healthtech, medtech, and sporttech companies.
3. Champions in Cleantech
Ghent is the biggest cleantech hub in Belgium, driving innovation through a growing network of pioneers in materials, energy, water, and mobility. The city actively fills knowledge gaps in its cleantech ecosystem, contributing to the industry's growth while striving for carbon neutrality by 2050.
As a proud green city, and together with North Sea Port, Ghent explores new technologies to enhance sustainability and citizen well-being.
± 200 circular organizations
+1000 cleantech actors in Flanders
140,000 tonnes CO₂ reduction per year
€ 4.5 billion cleantech EBITDA value
64,000 tonnes fermented ethanol from steel waste gas
4,500 employees in city’s circular economy in 2023
Cleantech innovators receive exceptional support at …
… an array of remarkable incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs. To name just a few:
- CAPTURE: a disruptor for circular economy, offering integrated solutions related to resource recovery.
- Cleantech Flanders: accelerates the implementation of cleantech at startups through co-creation, collaboration, matchmaking, events and knowledge sharing.
- Circular Kickstart: first accelerator program focused on circular and sustainable entrepreneurship. For 20 weeks, 20 entrepreneurs receive personalized guidance, insights in global trends, mindsets and business models, and practical tools and tips for tackling complex challenges.
4. Dominant in Digitech
Positioned as a prime tech investment opportunity and digital startup city, Ghent acknowledges the importance of integrating digital products and services to enhance quality of life. Supported by public policy makers and visionary entrepreneurs, Ghent fosters innovation to seize the exponential growth potential of the digital industry.
The city's ultimate goal is to leverage technology's power in paving the path toward a prosperous future. Ghent is home to many digital unicorns such as team.blue and Deliverect.
#1 place for digitech starters in Flanders
imec.istart as the top of university linked business accelerators
> € 1 billion capital raised by digitech companies
15 companies on the FAST50 list
5th most university created spin-offs
40+ Netlog spin-offs
Digitech visionaries receive exceptional support at …
… an array of remarkable incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs. To name just a few:
- Wintercircus: brand new incubator for companies that work with data analytics, machine learning and AI. A meeting place for creativity.
- imec.istart: an enriching 12 to 18-month journey powered by imec, the world-leading research and innovation hub for nanoelectronics and digitech. Offers essential pre-financing and tailor-made support to transform proof-of-concept innovations into market-ready solutions.
- Home of AI: pushes AI technology adoption in Flanders by offering an inspiring co-working space to innovative start-up companies.
Does Ghent sound like the perfect home for your startup?
Unlock infinite possibilities in a city where innovation flourishes. Reach out to Startup.Flanders – we’ll help you join this thriving community.
In Ghent, there’s more to life than business
According to The Guardian, the city of Ghent is ‘the unsung capital of cool’. Here’s why.
Your home away from home
Ghent is one of Europe’s greatest treasures – a place that offers both small-town charm and big-city excitement. A place where centuries-old architecture sets the stage for cutting-edge institutions, creating a sense of creativity, movement, and growth that attracts entrepreneurs from around the world.
Out and about
Are you in the mood for a night out in Ghent? Look no further! The city has a lot to offer, especially for culture lovers. You can explore numerous museums, theaters, and music companies. Don't miss out on visiting the Castle of Counts, a medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century, located in the heart of the city. And if you happen to be in Ghent during summer, make sure to join the 'Gentse Feesten', the largest free street festival in Europe. With so much to see and do, you might never want to leave!
Want to know all about Ghent’s incentives for startups?
Explore the city webpage. Or reach out to Startup.Flanders – we’ll help you connect the dots between your startup and Ghent’s buzzing startup scene.