Build your company with imec.istart in Belgium
Our call is currently closed. Your next chance to apply: May 2025
Next open call
What we do
Let's accelerate your business!
Let’s face it, building a company is tough. Especially in the beginning, with limited resources and support. When all you have is you, your co-founder and your belief that you’re onto something. That’s where we come in – to invest in your company. And more importantly, to be there for you.
As a scalable tech company with a working proof of concept, you have a natural fit with imec.istart. We prep you and your product for the market, growth and investors. Our ultimate goal? To get you into the scaleup club. To help you earn your alumni badge, get lifelong support and give back to our vibrant community.
Who are we looking for?
imec.istart Belgium welcomes startups who have a
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Tech product (this can be software or hardware, deeptech or shallowtech)
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Working proof of concept
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Complementary founding team
How it works
When joining the imec.istart Accelerator program in Belgium, you can expect the following:
Access to COACHING
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Personal coaching by your Venture Acceleration Manager, a sparring partner and trusted contact on a day-to-day basis
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A broad range of workshops and one-on-one follow-up tracks, given by topnotch experts
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Our inhouse-developed Innovatrix, the tool to monitor your progress
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A diverse network of 100+ experienced mentors
Access to FINANCE
- € 100,000 pre-seed funding
- Potential follow-up investments by the imec.istart fund (in total you can receive up to € 250K from the imec.istart Fund)
- An audience of 100+ investors at our biannual Investors Day
- Our continuous support in order to secure that next funding round
Access to TECHNOLOGY
- Imec, a globally recognized R&D and innovation hub
- A panel of imec domain experts to challenge your technical pitch
- An imec.istart liaison to guide you through imec’s collaboration opportunities
Access to COMMUNITY
- A community of 300+ startups and like-minded tech entrepreneurs
- Free office space, shared with other tech startups, during the program
- A long list of software and service deals, tailored to startup needs
- A wide range of various events
Access to TALENT
- Our support in the war for talent
- A dedicated Teamdynamics officer: focusing on the human aspect of entrepreneurship and offering 1-1 wellbeing sessions
- Various ways to strengthen your founding team (expert in residence, co-founder events, ... )
- Our guidance in developing your own talents that help your startup succeed
Access to REVENUE
- Our broad network of corporate partners eager to get to know you
- A dedicated internationalization officer, your advisor through our catalogue of partnerships, services and missions around the globe
- A large network of international accelerators, experts and partners to help you touch base in new markets
Access to COACHING
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Personal coaching by your Venture Acceleration Manager, a sparring partner and trusted contact on a day-to-day basis
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A broad range of workshops and one-on-one follow-up tracks, given by topnotch experts
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Our inhouse-developed Innovatrix, the tool to monitor your progress
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A diverse network of 100+ experienced mentors
Our selection process
Once you've submitted your application, the selection process goes like this. For our Spring 2025 call, these will be the important dates to note in your agenda.
When can you join our program?
The imec.istart accelerator program in Belgium launches 3 competitive calls with deadlines on the following dates:
You'll be in good company
Some notable startups that have followed our acceleration program
Vincent Franken
Adshot
Thomas Vanhove
Tengu
Jeroen Dille
DEO
Ludwig Dumont
Contento
Jonathan Schreiber
Helpilepsy