Brussels-based Syndicate One, an international network-driven investment firm, has closed its oversubscribed debut fund at €6.5 million.
The funding round, which builds on a €4.5 million first close in 2023, will enable the expanding investor network to identify, finance and support more Belgian stand-out founders. It was backed by more than 100 founders, operators, and entrepreneurial families, alongside support from governmental funds at a federal level and across Belgium’s three regions.
Laurens De Poorter, founder of Syndicate One, said: “Our journey at Syndicate One reflects the incredible potential of Belgium’s tech ecosystem. By uniting investors, operators, and founders, we’ve created a platform that not only finances ambitious startups but also provides the guidance and network they need to thrive. This €6.5 million close is more than just a milestone, it’s a testament to our collective belief in the future of Belgian innovation. Together, we’re empowering the next generation of global tech leaders.”
Founded in 2022, Syndicate One has quickly become a catalyst for the Belgian tech ecosystem, identifying and supporting high-potential startups. With investments in companies such as Techwolf, Aikido Security, Cosmic Aerospace, and Donna, the firm’s network extends to notable Belgian founders and operators, including individuals behind scale-ups like Collibra, Deliverect, and Showpad.
A key element of Syndicate One’s approach is its unifying strategy. By pooling expertise and capital from a wide array of contributors, it has created a robust platform to back Belgium’s standout founders and their ambitions.
More than half of the founders in Syndicate One’s current portfolio participated as investors in the fund, illustrating its expanding network effect and community ties.
According to Syndicate One, they are the first Belgian investment firm to attract capital from four regional governmental funds—PMV (Flanders), SFPIM (federal), Finance&invest.brussels, and Wallonie Entreprendre.
Roeland Delrue, co-founder and CRO/COO of Aikido Security, commented: “Syndicate One has been instrumental in Aikido’s rapid growth, providing not just capital but invaluable expertise and connections. Their support has helped scaling our business quickly and effectively. Investing in the fund myself was a no-brainer, it’s a way to contribute to the ecosystem driving our success.”
Syndicate One, alongside anchor investor Sofina and Bain & Co., also recently launched the inaugural State of Belgian Tech Report, detailing the growing maturity of Belgium’s tech ecosystem. Milestones like Odoo’s €5 billion valuation in a €500 million secondary sale and Lighthouse’s €351 million Series C funding round reflect this progress.
Matthias Geeroms, Co-founder and CFO of Lighthouse, said: “Achieving unicorn status with Lighthouse is a testament to the strength of the ecosystem around us. Belgium’s vibrant tech community and the collaborative networks within it have been instrumental in our journey. In this space, no company succeeds in isolation—it’s the support from others, from investors to fellow founders, that drives real growth. As an early supporter and investor in Syndicate One, I’ve seen how their efforts are building a thriving ecosystem that enables startups to dream big, scale fast, and compete on the global stage.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/12/belgiums-tech-ecosystem-gets-a-e6-5-million-boost-from-investment-firm-syndicate-one/
