Much like other European countries, Belgium has become an ideal place for investors and startups to collaborate and help each other grow. The start of the 2010s indicated an increase in funding from venture capital in Belgium and private equity firms. The amount reached up to €690,000,000 in terms of transactions and growth capital.

Venture Capital Belgium

Venture capital financing happens through a series of formal negotiations and transactions. By engaging in negotiations, shares of a company are created and auctioned off to interested parties. To make these deals come to fruition, firms prioritize small businesses or startups that are emerging and lucrative. Many business analysts see venture capital investing as a high-risk, high-reward practice. Still, a lot of investors are engaging in these deals due to the promising ideas that come from these startup owners.

Belgium is home to many businesses in various fields. These include medicine, technology, transportation, and lifestyle. With the diversity that the country offers in terms of startups, it’s no wonder investors continue to take an interest in supporting their ideas. In addition, financiers who take a chance on Belgian startups have begun to experience a return on investment. While there is concern over the amount of say that investors have in a startup’s products, their level of support is beneficial in the long run.

The country enjoys a free market, primarily due to its efficiency in industrial and service-oriented fields. As a whole, the country relies on both local and foreign investors. The government has supported efforts to empower businesses in cities such as Brussels. They have also refocused economic efforts to encourage investments in lucrative businesses. These practices have contributed to the rise of the venture capital economy in the country.

Well-Known Start-ups from Belgium

The start-ups in Belgium are incredibly diverse. Transportation, lifestyle, utilities, and many more fields are well-represented, with many businesses providing niche ideas and services to innovate these areas.

One very lucrative startup is Brikl. The company specializes in 3D designs and the development of e-commerce platforms. Their approach to design and production allows users to create their own collection of apparel. Designs can easily be exported as templates ready for printing, cutting down on unnecessary production costs. The company has secured €2M in funding.

For those who are interested in the future of food, the startup Mealhero incorporates food boxes and steamers into your eating habits. The application allows you to choose from different recipes and ingredients, even delivering the latter to your doorstep. By pressing the start button on your steamer, meals can be ready in a matter of minutes. Mealhero has raised €2.5 million in funds.

In the field of data engineering, Soda stands out as a company that values privacy and identity. Customer experience is at the forefront of this startup, which has allowed them to secure €11.5 million in venture capital funds. As for banking and finance, Cake analyzes a user’s habits to optimize their transactions. While the company only began operations in 2018, it has since attracted more than 50,000 users.

Another startup gaining traction in Belgium is Cowboy. True to the country’s commitment to transportation, the company is innovating the use of e-bicycles. Users can enjoy repairs, pedal assists, crash detection, and other features that uphold their safety and security.

Top Start-up Cities in Belgium

Belgium enjoys a lot of startup activity thanks to the number of brilliant minds in various fields like transportation, banking, and food. Most of the major startups can be found in three key cities. One of these is Brussels, the capital city of the country. Antwerp, a city known for housing a port, is another hotspot for startups. The last one is Ghent, home to Ghent University.

Venture Capital Exits in Belgium

The 2010s featured venture capital investments that amounted to €177M. In addition, Belgium was placed within the top twenty countries most ideal for venture capital investors. While the first few years of the decade had a lot of exits and negative events for Belgium in these types of funds, it was able to regain its footing due to increased startup interest. However, exits and buyouts still occur regularly within the country. The largest buyouts often involve venture capital.

Even as risks are present, venture capital financing still has a lot of merit as a source of funding for businesses. Loans have a lot of red tape and bureaucracy involved and can take a long time to be granted. That is why venture capital funds are a valuable alternative for people looking to kickstart their ideas and businesses. The people of Belgium have experienced a lot of success in this regard.

Furthermore, venture capital deals allow these companies more exposure and connections within the business world. It is important for startups to continue bringing their names out into the world for maximum exposure and support.