Launch of a new startup hub in the Kempen region
Innovation Campus Geel joins forces with six strong partners
The Kempen is finally getting a fully fledged base where startups can anchor themselves in the region. In the recently renovated Campus INN building, Innovation Campus Geel — together with six leading partners, Start it @KBC, VITO, Voka Mechelen-Kempen, Startup 2440, Thomas More, and KU Leuven — is creating a place that offers the right conditions and dedicated support for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Kempen region is brimming with talent and ideas, but too often, new entrepreneurs move to other areas. “That’s what we want to change,” says Koen Snoeckx, Innovation Manager of the campus. “Our ambition is clear: to develop Innovation Campus Geel into the place in the Kempen where startups can grow and thrive.”
The Campus INN building, originally an educational centre and recently partly renovated into an incubator, is now opening its doors to young companies. For just €180 per month, startups can enjoy 24/7 access to shared offices and community spaces.
The strength of the initiative lies in collaboration. Each of the six partners brings its own perspective on entrepreneurship and contributes unique expertise. Startup 2440, Thomas More, and KU Leuven inspire students and young people to explore entrepreneurship at an early stage. Start it @KBC and Voka Mechelen-Kempen support entrepreneurs in later stages through accessible programmes and workshops. For technological know-how and content-based guidance, startups can rely on VITO, KU Leuven, and Thomas More — three knowledge institutions that are also a source of innovative spin-offs.
In the first phase, there is space for around 12 startups, with room to expand once capacity is reached. The focus is on recently established (or soon-to-be established) companies of one to five people who wish to use shared workspaces a few days a week. However, there are also options for startups or scale-ups looking for a private office. The first entrepreneurs have already moved in, laying the foundation for a vibrant and dynamic community.
Student entrepreneur Jade Daems, co-founder of the award-winning startup NoLobster, speaks from experience: “We’ve been based in the Campus INN building for over two years. The combination of knowledge, network, and central location makes this the perfect place to grow. With more startups joining, there’s even more cross-pollination and energy.”
Tom Corstjens, Alderman for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Geel, also highlights the importance of this milestone: “Since the end of 2022, we have been investing – together with IOK, HIKempen Foundation, Thomas More, KU Leuven, and Technologiehuis – in strengthening our position as an innovative city. Thanks to this partnership with six strong startup partners, entrepreneurs finally have a springboard within the region. I’m very grateful to all the partners for their trust and for helping to shape our shared ambition.”
More information and the full offering can be found at geel.be/innovatiecampus-geel.
