Antwerp is Flanders' largest city and economic driving force. The Port of Antwerp with its strong chemical cluster and the renowned diamond industry are well-known and considered best-in-class throughout the world. As a result, the economic region of Antwerp accommodates several international players. In this era of frequent economic shifts, the city has a sound focus on innovation. It takes the lead in an open partnership between universities, privately owned incubators and international growth programmes. Meanwhile the city provides housing and state-of-the-art virtual incubators where startups can freely experiment with contextual data and Internet of Things sensor technology. The city caters to every startup need and matches them with investors and corporates. The dense city structure, the industrial complex and our thriving 10.000 strong creative cluster make for a perfect breeding ground. An ever growing number of startups is creating new ideas and new technologies, securing our future economic position. Antwerp is open for business.

DEME is a world leader in the highly-specialised fields of dredging, solutions for the offshore energy market, infra marine and environmental works. With more than 140 years of experience and 5,200 highly skilled professionals, we bring tailor-made solutions, innovation and new technologies to our customers’ projects, ensuring that they are performed safely, efficiently and cost-effectively. DEME’s vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions for global challenges: a rising sea level, a growing population, reduction of CO2 emissions, polluted rivers, seas and soils and the scarcity of natural resources.

Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. In response to the urgency of climate change, our ambition is to become the world leader in the zero carbon transition “as a service” for our customers, in particular global companies and local authorities. We rely on our key activities (renewable energy, gas, services) to offer competitive turnkey solutions.

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) promotes international enterprise in Flanders in a sustainable way as a key factor in the social and economic development of our region. FIT does so by supporting the international activities of Flemish companies and by attracting foreign investors to Flanders. We assist, support and stimulate companies in international business. Flanders Investment & Trade offers tailored advice and guidance.

Headquartered in Belgium, we are a fully independent gas infrastructure group with 1,300 employees active in gas transmission & storage and liquefied natural gas terminalling. We operate in Europe and are developing activities in South America and Southeast Asia. Where the market is ready, as a gas infrastructure company we are also ready for the transition to a hybrid energy future in which carbon-neutral molecules and renewable electricity complement one another in the energy system.

PMV is a do and dare company that is shaping the future of the Flemish economy. It provides funding for promising companies businesses, from the day they first open their doors, through their various growth stages and even on to operating internationally. Working with and for the government and other partners, PMV implements projects that are important for prosperity and wellbeing in Flanders.

As a port, we connect Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium and Europe with the world. We provide the infrastructure for transporting goods from point A to point B. But we don’t do it without careful thought. We do it with a weather eye on, working with the whole of the port community. The companies that operate at the port have to take measures to reduce pollution of the air, the water and the soil. They are constantly looking at their transport capabilities, their waste production and their consumption of energy so that they can ferret out more sustainable solutions.

Virya Energy is active in the development, financing, construction and operation of renewable energy sources, with a particular focus on wind energy. It was established at the end of 2019 by Colruyt Group and its majority shareholder Korys. The holding owns 100% stakes in Parkwind, Eurowatt, Eoly Energy and Sanchore and is set to advance wind energy technologies and storage.It was established at the end of 2019 by Colruyt Group and its majority shareholder Korys and currently operates over 1.2 GW of energy production capacity internationally. Virya Energy, owns 100% stakes in Parkwind, Eurowatt, Eoly Energy and Sanchore. The holding is set to advance wind energy technologies by integrating value chains between production, storage and distribution of energy often including community ownership. Based in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium, Virya Energy currently employs 15 professionals.

WaterstofNet unites the hydrogen industry in Flanders and the Netherlands via the Waterstof Industrie Cluster. Together with industrial partners, WaterstofNet initializes and develops hydrogen projects. The cluster also aspires to facilitate thorough knowledge sharing, acting as a representative mouthpiece that addresses authorities.