KBC's Shocking €100M Fund: Will Your Startup Survive or Thrive? Don't Miss Out!

The landscape of the startup ecosystem in Belgium is set to undergo significant changes as the KBC Group announces a substantial investment of €100 million through its accelerator initiative, Start it @KBC. This investment marks a pivotal moment for early-stage financing in Belgian startups, addressing a long-standing need among founders for more accessible funding options.

With this new financial backing, KBC is also launching the Start it Fund, specifically aimed at providing early-stage financing to top-tier startups emerging from its accelerator program. The fund is designed to support startups not just with capital but also with crucial guidance to accelerate their growth trajectories. Notably, the most promising startups will have the opportunity for additional follow-up financing as they continue to evolve, creating a unique pathway from initial ideas to a potential initial public offering (IPO).

“Start it @KBC originated eleven years ago within KBC itself—from the same entrepreneurial DNA that lies at the core of our organisation,” says Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group. “What began as a small initiative has grown into Belgium’s largest startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurship is in our genes: KBC was co-founded by entrepreneurs and stimulates innovation both outside and within the organization.”

The numbers speak volumes: every year, around 1,000 startups apply to join the program, a figure that continues to rise, allowing KBC to be increasingly selective in choosing the most promising candidates. Over the past eleven years, the organization has built an ecosystem that prioritizes founders’ needs, combining coaching, community, and a European network. However, as Lode Uytterschaut, founder and CEO of Start it @KBC, points out, one critical element was missing—direct investment in early-stage startups.

The Start it Fund maintains the program's original “no equity” philosophy. However, it introduces a new avenue for investment that directly addresses the needs of startups. Unlike other accelerators that provide small amounts of funding under fixed terms at the outset, the Start it Fund will only offer financing to the top 1% of applicants at the end of their program. This financing can range significantly, adapting to the specific needs and stages of each startup, with an average investment of €300,000.

For the select few that excel, the potential for follow-up financing can reach as high as €5 million, facilitated through KBC Securities. According to Tim Derycke, Head of Investment Services & KBC Focus Fund at KBC Securities, this comprehensive approach not only provides essential capital but also access to the venture capital expertise and technological knowledge of their investment team.

“With KBC Securities, we offer not only follow-up financing but also access to the venture capital experience and technological expertise of our investment team,” Derycke explains. “In addition, KBC Securities provides added value for the further growth of companies: from M&A advice and financing solutions to guidance during an IPO. With this integrated approach, we offer founders a unique ecosystem of support and financing—an offering unmatched in Belgium.”

Since the inception of Start it @KBC in 2014, the program has supported 1,923 startups. Out of these, 227 have successfully raised over €1 million, and 122 have surpassed the €2 million mark, cumulatively attracting more than €1.1 billion in investment and creating over 12,000 jobs. These impressive statistics position the initiative as one of the largest employers in Belgium.

The survival rates of these startups are also noteworthy: after five years, approximately 73% of them are still operational. This figure contrasts significantly with the international benchmark of 51% for startups that secure venture capital. Among the notable success stories are companies like Aikido Security, Bolt, Loop Earplugs, Conveo, Keyrock, Segments.ai, Crazy Games, and Wondr/Planet B.

The launch of the Start it Fund is poised to reshape the startup landscape in Belgium, offering not just financial support but a holistic ecosystem that can nurture innovation and entrepreneurship. As KBC continues to build on its commitment to fostering a thriving startup culture, the implications could extend well beyond Belgium, inspiring similar initiatives in other regions.