Imagine a city where centuries-old architecture seamlessly blends with cutting-edge innovation—where creativity, dynamism, and growth are the norm.
Welcome to Ghent, the European technology capital that attracts entrepreneurs from around the globe.
Ghent’s strength lies in its strategic alliances across biotech, healthtech, digital tech, and cleantech. This collaborative community is dedicated to pioneering tomorrow’s breakthroughs, strongly emphasizing sustainability and job creation. The synergy between our tech industries and flagship projects has firmly established Ghent as the European technology capital.
Their success is built on collaboration. They work closely with local educational and knowledge institutions and entrepreneurs from various sectors. Thanks to intelligent local policies, Ghent has a robust start-up and scale-up ecosystem. This has consistently placed Ghent at the forefront of start-up activity in Flanders. Their efforts to enhance their (inter)national position attract and retain top talent.
Actively promoting four key technologies among students, young professionals, expats, and high-tech companies, the city has become a go-to destination for tech innovation.
Why Ghent? Its reputation as a hub of knowledge and talent across sciences, arts, and humanities is unparalleled in Europe. Secondly, the city’s focus on participation, co-creation, living labs, and other initiatives fosters strong industry and institutional engagement. Ghentians believe in the power of collaboration.
Moreover, local policymakers continually create new spaces and low-regulation zones for innovation and business to thrive. Their goal is to seamlessly balance life, work, and sustainability.
Ghent excels in four key innovation domains:
- Best in Biotech
With a rich history of biotech innovation since the seventies, Ghent combines expertise, talent, and experience to attract international investors and skilled professionals. Their biotech sector is globally renowned and continuously strives for excellence. - Healthtech Heroes
Thanks to strong links between research organizations and business solutions, Ghent is expanding its health district to gain global recognition. By establishing a test market and promoting the city’s expertise, Ghent is set to become a thriving international healthtech hotspot, meeting the growing demand for innovative healthcare solutions. - Cleantech Champions
As Belgium’s largest cleantech hub, Ghent drives innovation through a growing network of pioneers in materials, energy, water, and mobility. Local policymakers actively address knowledge gaps in its cleantech ecosystem, contributing to industry growth while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Together with North Sea Port, Ghent explores new technologies to enhance sustainability and citizen well-being. - Dominance in Digitaltech
Positioned as a prime tech investment opportunity and digital startup city, Ghent recognizes the importance of integrating digital products and services to improve quality of life. Supported by public policymakers and visionary entrepreneurs, Ghent fosters innovation to harness the exponential growth potential of the digital industry. The legacy of Netlog-mob has inspired many new companies and a strong commitment to paying it forward.
Ready to be part of Ghent’s innovation story?
Contact us to discover how we can help you thrive in this dynamic tech ecosystem
