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 as a ManuTech hub
Leuven is in a strong position for ManuTech start-ups and scale-ups. A recent study by Agoria and Sirris on the ManuTech start-up landscape in Belgium and Europe shows this. ManuTech start-ups and scale-ups develop digital solutions to optimise production in manufacturing companies. Leuven is in second place of the amounts raised.
"Leuven has a historically built up reputation in ManuTech, especially thanks to a number of fine spinoffs from KU Leuven and imec that have already been taken over in the meantime. These include LayerWise, LMS International, ICOS Vision and Metris", concludes Agoria.
"Leuven has a historically built up reputation in ManuTech, especially thanks to a number of fine spinoffs from KU Leuven and imec that have already been taken over in the meantime."
Growing in a sustainable and inclusive way
Economically, the Leuven Innovation Region is growing at a rate of 3% a year. Much of this is driven by knowledge activities: roughly 50% of the city's working population is employed in either research, education, or government.
Importantly, Leuven’s economic growth is inclusive: far from benefiting only high-skilled workers, it also produces high-quality jobs for low-skilled workers.
Crucially, Leuven has managed to grow its economy in a sustainable way: despite continued economic and population growth, carbon emissions have stayed flat. Though we need to do more, it is a first sign that efforts are beginning to pay off.
"The proximity of colleges and universities provides companies with well-trained employees, and Leuven is a world player in terms of innovation and development."
Despite the turbulence caused by the pandemic, Belgium maintained its fifth position in the ranking of European countries for foreign direct investment (FDI). That is the main conclusion of the 2021 Belgian Attractiveness Survey, an annual study conducted by EY that gauges the attractiveness of Belgium as a location for investment.
Some of the main sectors which are important for Belgium’s future growth are health tech, cleantech & industrial high-tech. These are also the sectors which are extremely well represented in the Leuven Innovation Region of Health, High Tech and Creativity.
This makes the Leuven Innovation Region the top high tech region in Belgium to invest in.
"The geographic location of the Leuven Innovation Region and the presence of both the university and talent convinced us to move our EMEA headquarters to Leuven."
imec.istart is one of the world's top business accelerators
Imec.istart, imec’s open accelerator program, offers tech startups pre-seed funding and tailored support to succeed and grow globally.
Since 2011, they have invested in more than 200 companies. Every year, imec.istart selects around 30 high-potential startups to join our 12-month program in Belgium.
imec.istart was recently ranked in the top 5 in the 'World Top Business Accelerator - Linked to University' category and No.1 in Europe. The ranking puts imec.istart at the top of the list of accelerators for technology startups.
Are you a Leuven-based student who dreams of being an entrepreneur or have you already started as an entrepreneur? In both cases you can come to LE(J)ON.
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.
