The Startup Ecosystem of Belgium

Supporting the Belgian startup ecosystem is Start it @KBC, the nation’s largest accelerator providing startups with the necessary resources to expand globally. Belgium’s prime location, home to numerous EU institutions and Europe’s second largest maritime port in Antwerp, positions startups for success in European and international markets. With access to 500 million consumers, Belgium ranks among the world’s top export countries according to the WTO. Despite its relatively small market size, Belgium’s global connections and favorable business environment make it an ideal test market for innovative concepts. Fueled by Belgium’s diverse cultural landscape and multilingual population, startups are primed for international expansion, particularly into neighboring countries like France and the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the attractiveness of other European locations poses a potential challenge for Belgian startups.

While Brussels remains the epicenter of entrepreneurship in Belgium, cities such as Ghent and Antwerp are gaining prominence, thanks in part to the proactive involvement of local government entities like Invest in Ghent and Business in Antwerp. Areas for advancement in Belgium’s startup ecosystem include streamlining labor laws, enhancing regulatory transparency, and adjusting corporate tax rates, all of which are recognized by the Government. Belgium is gearing up for a digital transformation across its public and private sectors in the near future, exemplified by initiatives like Digital AmBEtion, a collaborative investment plan between Microsoft and the Belgian government aiming to drive economic growth and bolster the country’s startup landscape.