Syndicate One, a new Belgian investment firm, has launched a €6.5 million fund to support local startups. This marks the first Belgian fund backed by all four federal regions, a significant achievement given the country's regional divisions.
Investments and Backers
Since 2022, Syndicate One has invested in various early-stage startups, including Techwolf, Aikido Security, and Cosmic Aerospace. The fund's backers comprise over 100 entrepreneurs and operators from established companies like Collibra, Deliverect, and Datacamp.
Belgium's Startup Scene
Belgium's startup ecosystem is gaining momentum. In the first half of 2024, investments in Belgian tech startups neared €500 million, surpassing the €424 million invested in all of 2023. Early-stage funding rounds have been particularly strong, representing 77% of capital raised between 2018 and H1 2024. This contrasts with the European average of 42% during the same period. AI companies attracted over 70% of the investment in H1 2024, with significant participation from foreign investors.
For more insights into the Belgian tech scene, see Accelerating the Scientist-to-Founder Journey. Other relevant updates include a new $17.5M fund launch and Xiaomi's plans for global EV sales expansion.