The Startup Ecosystem of Brussels

Brussels has 175 startups in our sample database which represents about 33% of Belgium’s sampled startups. Brussels is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Belgium.

CITY RANKING

While Brussels decreased by 13 spot in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2023, its ranking in Belgium remained stable at 1 nationally since 2022.

National Ranking

1st
0
In Belgium

Regional Ranking

18th
-
6
In Western Europe

Global Ranking

72nd
-
13
Worldwide
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ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Brussels

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Brussels

Our startup ecosystem map for Brussels includes a sample of 175 tech companies. We have identified as unicorns 2 startups that have passed the USD 1 billion valuations. Contributing to the vitality of this startup ecosystem are the 1 pantheon member entity. Get the Pro account for unrestricted insights on this ecosystem.

Global Rank

Brussels is ranked within the top 100 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Brussels’s startups excel particularly in Software and Data where it ranks 48 and in Social & Leisure, and Health. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Belgium - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
72nd
-
13
8.730
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
131st
+
18
5.355
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
241st
+
14
2.046
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
0
289th
+
38
1.437
00.00
00.00
00.00
5th
+
1
447th
-
41
0.667
00.00
00.00
00.00
6th
-
1
551st
-
167
0.416
00.00
00.00
00.00
7th
0
562nd
-
9
0.399
00.00
00.00
00.00
8th
0
564th
+
26
0.395
00.00
00.00
00.00
9th
0
629th
-
31
0.327
00.00
00.00
00.00
10th
0
862nd
-
89
0.167
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Brussels
Itsme startup icon
Itsme
UnifiedPost startup icon
UnifiedPost
Urbantz startup icon
Urbantz

Startups

Successful Software and Data startups in Brussels
Itsme startup icon
Itsme
UnifiedPost startup icon
UnifiedPost
Urbantz startup icon
Urbantz

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Software and Data icon
Software and Data
#48 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 56 startups for Software and Data.

Social & Leisure icon
Social & Leisure
#80 worldwide

The Social & Leisure industry in Brussels is ranked 80 globally. There are 18 startups for Social & Leisure on our sample database and map.

Health icon
Health
#83 worldwide

Health is ranked 83rd in the world. Our database contains 15 startups for this industry.

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Brussels's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Brussels there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Software and Data, Social & Leisure, Health. These three industries represent about 51% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Brussels.

1st

National Rank

18th

Regional Rank

Overview

Brussels is Belgium's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 18th in Western Europe. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Brussels is ranked 72nd in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Itsme and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as GDPR and Spaces - Brussels, Tour & Taxis.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Brussels
With a large variety of initiatives, Brussels's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in Western Europe. Brussels offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Brussels's most prominent support initiatives:

Accelerators

WFP Innovation Accelerator startup icon

WFP Innovation Accelerator

Innotribe startup icon

Innotribe

EIT Digital Challenge startup icon

EIT Digital Challenge

Coworking Spaces

31 Rue Du Commerce startup icon

31 Rue Du Commerce

Botanic startup icon

Botanic

Regus - Groot-Bijgaarden, Dilbeek startup icon

Regus - Groot-Bijgaarden, Dilbeek

Featured Ecosystem Portals

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