Often celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and strategic location in the heart of Europe, Belgium has had quite a vibrant startup ecosystem in recent years. The past two years have witnessed a dynamic landscape for Belgian startups, characterised by resilience, adaptability and a surge of investments.
One of the most significant indicators of the health of the startup ecosystem is its funding environment. The global interest in innovative solutions, combined with Belgium’s strategic position, attracted both local and international investors. Sectors such as fintech, health tech, food tech and climate tech garnered substantial attention, reflecting the broader global trends in sustainable and technology-driven investments.
Shining a light on Belgium’s thriving entrepreneurial landscape, we’ve curated a list of ten exceptionally promising startups to watch this year. Founded between 2021 and 2023, these ventures have captured our attention for all the right reasons.
Aikido Security: Based in Ghent, Aikido Security offers a developer-focused software security platform. It scans source code and cloud systems to identify critical vulnerabilities, streamlining the assessment process. Founded in 2023, they have raised a total of €7 million allowing developers to focus more on coding rather than security issues.
Arcadia Finance: Founded in 2021, Arcadia connects passive lenders with on-chain leverage strategists in the decentralised finance (DeFi) sector. Users have the option to earn passive interest or leverage their liquidity by up to 10 times for deployment across various protocols. Headquartered in Brussels, they have secured €2.3 million benefiting both lenders and leverage strategists.
AxonJay: Driven by the mission to democratise AI and machine learning, AxonJay is dedicated to making these technologies accessible and user-friendly for businesses of all sizes. Since its inception in 2021, the company has secured over €1 million in funding positioning itself as a dynamic force in shaping the dialogue around technology accessibility and real-time business insights.
Bizzy: Based in Ghent, Bizzy leverages advanced AI and machine learning to simplify the complexities of European business data into a seamless experience. Integrated with CRM systems and APIs, they offer quick company overviews, rapid target identification, and effortless record enrichment. Founded in 2021, they have secured over €2 million providing efficient solutions for business data interactions.
Intelliprove: Founded in 2021, this Ghent-based medtech has secured €1 million for its groundbreaking biomarker technology. This technology uses a simple optical measurement of the face to accurately determine health parameters. Their user-friendly SDKs and APIs facilitate fast, contactless integration into online platforms, apps, and websites, enhancing user attraction and engagement.
Mbrella: Established in 2021 and based in Brussels, Mbrella is revolutionising HR practices with a focus on eco-friendly objectives. The company has recently secured €8.5 million in funding. This investment underscores their commitment to guiding organizations towards greener, more sustainable commuting solutions, marking a transformative step in their journey towards a sustainable future.
Paybix: Based in Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Paybix provides an innovative SaaS payroll and Core HR platform known as Epix. They integrate and digitise payroll processes across multiple countries. Epix can interface with any in-country payroll provider (ICP) worldwide, serving as a centralised platform for streamlined cross-country payroll input and reporting. Founded in 2022, they have secured €2.6 million in funding.
Raito: Founded in 2021, Raito is reshaping data access management with its cloud-based solution, offering observability, collaboration, and automation for data teams. The company, backed by €4 million, provides a seamless platform for secure data sharing, allowing organizations to concentrate on their core objectives without compromising on security.
Sirona Technologies: Brussels-based Sirona Tech is dedicated to fostering a sustainable future. Founded in 2023 they secured €1 million to focus on the development of CO2 removal machines. Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis, they prioritise practical solutions, acknowledging that carbon removal is part of a broader strategy for substantial emission reductions.
Thrive beer: Founded in 2021 in Ghent, Thrive Beer pioneers functional alcohol-free beers, enriched with proteins. Their unique brewing process, which includes using special yeast to ensure alcohol-free status and infusing natural ingredients, is exemplified in products like Thrive Peak. The recent €1 million funding boost underscores Thrive’s role in driving a health-oriented shift in the brewing industry.
By the way: If you’re a corporate or investor looking for exciting startups in a specific market for a potential investment or acquisition, check out our Startup Sourcing Service!
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/01/rising-stars-in-the-heart-of-europe-10-belgian-startups-you-must-keep-an-eye-on-in-2024/
