imec.istart Fund

Overview

Imec.istart is a prominent accelerator program launched in 2011, dedicated to empowering early-stage technology companies with a focus on digital technologies. The program offers pre-seed funding ranging from €100,000 to €250,000, along with personalized coaching, access to imec's extensive network, and state-of-the-art facilities. Since its inception, imec.istart has supported over 350 startups and scale-ups, contributing to the creation of more than 2,800 full-time jobs and facilitating nearly €700 million in follow-up funding. The program operates in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs to thrive. In addition to its accelerator program, imec.istart manages the imec.istart future fund, an independent early-stage venture capital fund focused on seed and Series A investments. The fund aims to further support companies within the imec.istart ecosystem, offering investments up to €2.5 million per company. This initiative strengthens imec.istart's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital sector. Imec.istart's holistic approach combines financial support with strategic guidance, leveraging imec's expertise in research and innovation. This model has led to numerous success stories, with startups like Deliverect and UgenTec achieving significant milestones, including substantial exits and international expansion. The program's dedication to nurturing tech startups has earned it recognition as the number one startup accelerator by UBI Global in 2023, underscoring its impact on the global startup ecosystem.

Investment Focus

• Tech product
• Working proof of concept
• Complementary founding team

Portfolio Companies