When Leuven innovates, we innovate for the better. We're a leading region in the creation of start-ups, research centers and numerous applications in the fields of health and climate.
Steeped in centuries of culture and history, the Leuven Innovation Region quickly captures your heart. It is an internationally oriented city and region, accustomed to accommodating companies and their employees.
Combined with an excellent education system and high standards of medical care, the Leuven Innovation Region has all the ingredients to be a great place to invest in, to study, to work and to live.
That's also why Leuven was awarded the title 'European Capital of Innovation 2020'.
A hub of key innovators in Health, High Tech and Creativity
In the area of scientific innovation, the Leuven Innovation Region is the home of three world-class institutions: KU Leuven, UZ Leuven and imec. The discoveries and insights of these institutions continuously result in new companies, corporate spin-offs and start-ups, proliferate in Health, High Tech and Creativity.
The favorable climate for knowledge-driven entrepreneurship has resulted in a dense network of innovative companies, who continuously evolve in world leaders in their area of expertise. That's why Leuven is referred to as 'the most intelligent square kilometer'.
"We are increasingly included in lists of cities and regions where it's good to work and to live. That is a recognition of the efforts of the entire Leuven Innovation Region."
What do you want to do in the Leuven Innovation Region?
The Leuven Innovation Region offers numerous possibilities for investments, alliances, co-creation, cross-pollination and partnerships. The European Capital of Innovation has never been a better place to invest in than it is now.
Leuven is an awesome place to study. Every year in September, the population of 100,000 inhabitants grows by over 60,000 future bachelors and master's students.
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The university library at the Ladeuzeplein in the center of Leuven
Boosted by the most innovative university of Europe
KU Leuven is one of the main motors of innovation in the Leuven Innovation Region. Together with its University Hospital UZ Leuven, it employs more than 24,000 people in the Leuven Innovation Region.
KU Leuven is consistently placed among the best 100 universities in the world according to the three major university rankings. Reuters even identified them as most innovative university in Europe, for a few consecutive times in a row now.
Over the past five decades, KU Leuven Research & Development (LRD) has launched a myriad of innovative technologies in society and the commercial market, allowing companies to create products that improve people's lives. LRD helps researchers to best leverage the societal and economic potential of their research and has developed a solid tradition of creating spin-off companies, securing and licensing intellectual property, and collaborating with industry.
Over the past four decades, KU Leuven has supported the creation of 142 spin-off companies, directly employing more than 7,000 people.
Located in the center of Belgium and in the heart of Europe, the Leuven Innovation Region is an ideal logistic hub for investors and companies. Only 15 kilometers from Brussels International Airport and 25 kilometers from Brussels, the capital of Europe. The Leuven Innovation Region is also a stone throw's away from France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
News
This is an overview of the innovative actions which have international momentum in the Leuven Innovation Region.
The Leuven Innovation Region plays a leading role in the European knowledge economy and has a solid track record in health and life sciences. Leuven’s healthcare and health science are some of the best in world.
The Leuven Innovation region is a hotspot for technological development and high-tech entrepreneurship. This favorable climate for knowledge-driven entrepreneurship has resulted in a dense network of high-tech companies.
More than ever, the Leuven Innovation Region is brimming with creative and artistic activity, while the city of Leuven is a cultural and creative city with international appeal.
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How can we help?
The Leuven MindGate team is at your disposal for any questions about the Leuven Innovation Region. Do you want to invest, work or study in the region? We can help you find your way.
We also facilitate collaboration and innovation between companies, knowledge institutes and government within the Leuven Innovation Region, and we are happy to guide any of these stakeholders towards innovation.
