A tour in Antwerp

1. Diverse innovation hubs & networking opportunities

Home to multiple incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and vibrant networking communities, the city is an innovation powerhouse. Startups in Antwerp find themselves in a nurturing environment that catalyzes creativity, promotes cross-industry collaboration and that has broad business knowhow readily available.

2. Robust research & academic collaborations

Antwerp boasts a vibrant ecosystem of research and academic institutions that actively collaborate with businesses. The Valorization Office aims to strengthen UAntwerp as a research-intensive and entrepreneurial university and the Research Affairs Office supports both research policy at UAntwerp and researchers/research groups striving for research excellence.

Hubs like BlueApp facilitate technology transfers between companies and researchers to tackle future challenges such as climate change and the energy transition. They do that in close collaboration with strategic research centers like VITO, imec and VIB. Institutions like IDLab and Vaccinopolis spearhead innovative research in digital transformation and vaccine trials, respectively, promoting a culture of innovative thinking and technological advancement essential for startups.

3. Business-friendly investment climate

Antwerp clinched the runner-up position in the ‘fDi strategy’ category in the ‘European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024/25’ rankings by fDi Intelligence, a testament to its commitment to nurturing economic growth and strategic development. In addition to this score, Antwerp secures three other top-10 positions in the rankings, namely in the ‘overall’, ‘economic potential’ and ‘connectivity’ categories.

4. Specialized talent pool

Antwerp is enriched with a diverse talent pool thanks to various higher education institutions and renowned study programs covering domains ranging from applied economics, engineering, and medical sciences to port logistics, the diamond trade, fashion and retail, product development and sustainable chemistry.

The flexible and internationally focused mentality of the workforce, combined with workers’ multilingualism and excellent training, provides a dynamic, highly skilled human resource asset to startups, ensuring that they thrive in a global business environment.

5. Strong local government support

Antwerp’s local government offers substantial guidance for international startups through various initiatives such as soft-landing services, talent matchmaking, and financial support of up to EUR 100,000 for innovations in the digital, circular economy, health, and fashion/design industries. In addition, the province of Antwerp provides valuable support to startups to help them secure European funding.

Partners like Be Welcome and advisory services like Investdesk offer practical, legal, funding, and cultural integration support, ensuring that international talents and businesses can seamlessly transition and thrive in the city. To facilitate that even more, the province, city and their key partners are setting up a one-stop-shop for specific, customized services for foreign talents. This International House is planned to be operational in 2024.

Antwerp wears the crown of innovation and excellence in many industries – but these 3 focal domains are the true jewels of the city’s vibrant startup scene. With international recognition, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and vast networks of collaborating research institutions, corporates, public organizations and companies alike, they unfold as a canvas of opportunity for ambitious startups.

… an array of remarkable incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs in addition to The Beacon. To name just a few:

• imec.istart:an enriching 12 to 18-month journey powered by imec, world-leading research and innovation hub for nanoelectronics and digital tech. Offers essential pre-financing and tailor-made support to transform proof-of-concept innovations into market-ready solutions.
• Start it Accelerate:a free 1-year program designed to help motivated, business-minded founders realize their dreams by fast-tracking their growth and enabling them to move beyond borders.
• Plug and Play Maritime Innovation Platform:an accelerator program for innovation in the maritime sector, offering investments and matchmaking with corporates.

… multiple specialized incubators and accelerators that drive innovation in the industry. To name just a few:

• BlueApp:vibrant pre-incubator, open innovation hub, and technology accelerator. Promotes co-creation among companies, researchers, and investors, thus nurturing groundbreaking ideas in sustainable chemistry and materials.
• BlueChem:uniquely positioned as one of Europe’s few incubators focused solely on sustainable chemistry. It equips start-ups with state-of-the-art labs, vital financial support, and a fast track to market, and connects them to the powerful ‘Innovation Fund’, a notable VC for the chemical sector.
• Blue Gate Antwerp:the first eco-effective, water-bound business park in Belgium, reserved for innovative companies with a well-defined ambition – linear growth through circular operations.
• NextGen Demo:a circular hub in NextGen District at the heart of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, it’s where circular demo projects flourish. It’s an environment that encourages experimentation and nurtures innovation and growth while facilitating a vast network for idea and resource exchange.

… the numerous medical and research institutions in Antwerp’s hospital network and at the University of Antwerp, but also at a variety of health hubs and accelerators. To name just a few:

• Dunden:a 24/7 business environment curated for health startups, offering affordable office space and a readily available network of specialized knowledge and business expertise.
• Birdhouse’s AgeTech accelerator:leading Agetech accelerator program offering investments of up to EUR 150,000, intensive one-on-one mentoring sessions for 12 weeks, dedicated advisory boards, and more.
• BlueHealth Innovation Center powered by imec.istart:pre-acceleration program of 12 weeks powered by imec.istart in collab with the city of Antwerp which supports young HealthTech startups in taking their next steps and connecting with the healthtech landscape.
• Incubator Darwin:a life sciences incubator where you’ll make a professional start, join a dynamic community and enjoy a great workplace alongside fellow entrepreneurs.

No, this is not a typo: the city of Antwerp is part of the province of Antwerp in Flanders. With one third of startups and scaleups from Flanders located in the province of Antwerp, it’s clearly a popular launchpad for innovation and technological advances.

If you’re active in one of the above 3 key innovation domains, you’ll also find ample support, possible partnerships, and highly skilled professionals to work with throughout the province of Antwerp.

Next to that, the innovation-first province has lots to offer for startups excelling in many other industries:

• Cleantech

• Construction

• Logistics

• Circular economy

• Agriculture & greenhouse farming

• Creative industry

• Retail & fashion