Scaleup Vlaanderen, the leading growth program by Agoria and Sirris, is evolving into Scaleup Flanders. With new partners Vlerick Business School and VITO, the programme is getting a fresh boost: its focus is expanding to include cleantech, and the range of services is significantly growing, allowing even more ambitious companies to be supported.
In a major step to reinforce its position as the leading support programme for scale-ups in Belgium, Scaleup Vlaanderen is relaunching as Scaleup Flanders, with new partners Vlerick Business School and VITO on board. This transformation not only brings a new international name and a refreshed visual identity, but also significantly expands the programme’s scope, with a dedicated focus on cleantech companies alongside digital growth businesses.
The relaunch, which began with a high-profile networking event on 10 October at Bluepoint Antwerp, introduces a new website and an even broader range of services designed to meet the needs of ambitious scale-ups. By combining Vlerick's academic expertise and VITO's scientific knowledge in cleantech and sustainable development, alongside Scaleup Flanders' renowned hands-on approach, the programme aims to become the go-to reference for scale-ups in Flanders and beyond.
The newly expanded service offering includes not only the revamped core acceleration programme (the ‘Scaleup Masterclass’) but also an international business mission and six 'deep dive' intensive day programmes. These deep dives will tackle key topics crucial for scale-ups, such as pricing strategies, attracting top talent, and scaling through industrialisation. In addition, a brand-new corporate partnering programme will connect scale-ups with interested corporates, creating valuable growth opportunities for both sides.
“The addition of Vlerick and VITO means scale-ups in Flanders now have access to unmatched resources that can help them accelerate growth”, says Frederik Tibau, Programme Manager at Scaleup Flanders and lead Scaleup Programmes at Agoria. “We are creating opportunities that will allow these companies to overcome challenges in leadership, culture-building, internal scaling, internationalisation, talent acquisition and even industrial scaling. With these partnerships, we are strengthening the entire ecosystem by combining top-level academic expertise with hands-on coaching and practical support.”
Vlerick Business School, the internationally renowned Belgian business school, brings academic rigor and a global perspective to the programme. "This partnership enables Vlerick to take the Scaleup Masterclass to the next level, providing fast-growing companies with both the strategic frameworks and practical support they need to scale globally”, says Sylien Kesteleyn, Portfolio Manager at Vlerick Business School. "Additionally, it allows us to significantly expand the services we offer to fast-growing companies."
In collaboration with VITO, Scaleup Flanders is addressing the increasing importance of sustainability by focusing on cleantech solutions. “Sustainability is at the heart of VITO, which is why we are excited about this partnership,” says Nils Wuytens, Programme Director of VITO4STARTERS. “Through this collaboration, VITO strengthens its VITO4STARTERS programme by extending support to scale-ups, significantly expanding and enriching our offering.”
VLAIO
Launched in 2016 by Agoria, the Belgian technology federation, and Sirris, the collective center for the technology industry in Belgium, Scaleup Flanders has been supported since its inception by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). The programme has assisted over 500 Flemish scale-ups in their growth journeys.
As Scaleup Flanders continues to grow and evolve, the programme is set to support even more companies in the coming years, particularly in the burgeoning climate tech sector. In 2026, Scaleup Flanders will celebrate its 10th anniversary, solidifying its role as a crucial force in Belgium’s scale-up ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.scaleupflanders.com.
