Hangar K, The Beacon, Leuven MindGate, WinterCircus Gent, and Limburg Startup are joining forces under the name Hubs4Growth. This new consortium aims to create a significant impact on the startup ecosystem in Flanders through this collaboration at the Flemish level. In addition to an extensive network and a wealth of entrepreneurial expertise, Hubs4growth offers a strong range of joint events, workshops, and accelerator programs supported by VLAIO, with the goal of helping startups navigate typical growth pains more quickly and facilitating the transition from a local player to an (inter)national player.
Hubs4Growth unites the major startup hubs of Flanders, with the joint mission of strengthening the competitive position of Flemish startups and scaleups and promoting future-proof innovation. “Besides benefits such as a larger network and more available expertise, collaboration at the Flemish level provides other important advantages for startups and scaleups,” says Jan Paesen, Managing Director of Leuven MindGate.
Marc Beenders, Senior Corporate Community Manager at Limburg Startup: “We have developed a great offer for startups and scaleups. For instance, we are now rolling out ‘Pitch your seat’ at the Flemish level. This is a 6-month program where 30 participants can count on 4 substantive sessions, focusing on product-market fit. Additionally, during this period they will have a fixed spot at one of the 5 incubators in the Hubs4growth network and individual guidance through the innovatrix (IMEC).” Startups wanting to participate in Pitch your seat can apply until September 15 via the website www.Hubs4growth.eu. Pitch your seat is the first concrete collaboration launched today. There is room for 30 startups to be taken under the wings of Hubs4Growth for six months.
International incubator network Furthermore, Hubs4growth collaborates with incubators abroad, such as Brightlands and Brainport in the Netherlands, Budding Innovation in Singapore, EuraTechnologies in France, Digihub in Germany, Belcham in the US, and Brinc in China. “Through our program Take a seat, startups and scaleups can operate from a foreign incubator for 30 days. We also provide the necessary guidance, support, and contacts from Hubs4growth,” explains Valerie Hellebuck, manager at Hangar K.
Brand new are the Spark! sessions, where 10 startups get to pitch to a jury of tech entrepreneurs. Startups seeking funding, customers, or talent can pitch their hearts out during these sessions. Finally, Hubs4growth will also organize 12 substantive sessions annually under the name ‘Techxperience’.
Ines Sylverans, General Manager at The Beacon: “You could say that this collaboration at the Flemish level is an important step towards a more integrated and powerful support system for innovative startups and scaleups, with a strong focus on experience sharing.”
“By joining forces, we indeed aim to strengthen the Flemish economy. On one hand, by guiding startups and scale-ups through overcoming the growing pains associated with strong and rapid expansion, and on the other hand, by supporting them in transitioning from the local market to the international market,” confirms Bruno Vandegehuchte, Head of Startup Campus Wintercircus Gent.
VLAIO, proud partner of Hubs4Growth Hubs4Growth’s great ambitions are also evident from the partnership with VLAIO. Marc Andries, Administrator General of VLAIO: “VLAIO wants to help entrepreneurs grow. Thanks to the partnership with Hubs4Growth, we can now also offer our services to startups through a network of incubators.”
