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The startup scene in Belgium
The City of Antwerp’s technology guide lists local incubators and accelerators as sources of coaching, networks, capital, and workspace for founders. It identifies BlueChem at Blue Gate Antwerp as a sustainable-chemistry incubator, BlueApp as a sustainable-chemistry pre-incubator bringing companies, researchers, and investors together, and The Beacon as a community for internationally ambitious IoT and AI companies. The guide also lists De Winkelhaak for creative entrepreneurship and coworking, and Dunden as a hub for SaaS startups and scaleups in areas including healthcare, fundraising, B2B innovation, and social impact.
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The City of Antwerp’s technology guide lists local incubators and accelerators as sources of coaching, networks, capital, and workspace for founders. It identifies BlueChem at Blue Gate Antwerp as a sustainable-chemistry incubator, BlueApp as a sustainable-chemistry pre-incubator bringing companies, researchers, and investors together, and The Beacon as a community for internationally ambitious IoT and AI companies. The guide also lists De Winkelhaak for creative entrepreneurship and coworking, and Dunden as a hub for SaaS startups and scaleups in areas including healthcare, fundraising, B2B innovation, and social impact.
Business in Antwerp, citing Dealroom, reports 762 startups and a €3.4 billion ecosystem value, but does not state the figures’ dates. StartupBlink’s 2026 profile reports 182 startups, estimates ecosystem value at US$4.48 billion, and places Antwerp at 217 globally in its 2026 index. These are publisher-reported figures from different sources and are not directly reconciled here.
The City guide describes eligibility and support for several programs: Birdhouse includes ventures with a product or service and a prototype, proof of concept, or market-ready MVP; imec.istart is listed as a 12-month program for technology startups with a working proof of concept, offering pre-financing and tailored support; and Start it @KBC is described as free and taking no equity for ventures with an innovative, scalable business model or product. The guide links to the programs, but current application availability is not established.
Several companies provide dated examples of Antwerp-linked business activity. CNBC reported on October 10, 2023, that Loop Earplugs had 200 employees and its headquarters in Antwerp; it also reported the company’s 2018 product launch and a $1 million seed round in 2020. Business in Antwerp describes D-CRBN as a 2021 University of Antwerp spin-off based at BlueChem in Blue Gate Antwerp. D-CRBN announced a €17.5 million Series A led by Astaia on May 26, 2026, saying proceeds would support industrial demonstration units, team expansion, and commercial rollout of its CO₂-to-CO and syngas platform.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Antwerpen ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | Antwerp | #198 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2024 | Antwerp | 61 to 70 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
5 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Antwerpen
Accelerators 2
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Venture studios 2
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Your way in
Raising in Antwerpen
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Antwerpen
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Antwerpen
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Antwerpen
Business in Antwerp reports 445 were founded in the prior ten years.
Source: Thriving ecosystems offer great valueRombit announced a $25 million Series B in February 2022.
Source: Rombit raises $25 million to advance worker safetyThe City links to Start it @KBC’s program page; current intake status was not checked.
Source: Incubatoren en Acceleratoren voor technologische bedrijvenThe City links to imec.istart’s program page; current intake status was not checked.
Source: Incubatoren en Acceleratoren voor technologische bedrijvenThe City’s guide links to Birdhouse’s own site; current intake status was not checked.
Source: Incubatoren en Acceleratoren voor technologische bedrijvenD-CRBN says the round will support commercial rollout.
Source: D-CRBN Closes €17.5 Million Series A
Questions about Antwerpen
How does Antwerpen rank as a startup ecosystem?
Its best position is #198 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 2 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Antwerpen?
1 investor based in Antwerpen has a profile here: Capital-E Partners NV. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Antwerpen?
Yes. Antwerpen has 2 accelerators and 2 venture studios on record, including Idealabs and Bundl.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Antwerpen
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