Belgium’s largest financial institution just dropped a massive anchor for local entrepreneurs. KBC Group has officially unveiled a €100 million initiative designed to bridge the critical gap between a napkin sketch and the stock market. This ambitious “Start it Fund” promises to reshape how Belgian founders access capital without losing control too early.
The announcement marks a pivotal shift in the European venture capital environment. KBC is moving beyond simple mentorship to providing hard cash. They are offering a seamless financial lifeline that guides companies from their very first pitch deck all the way to a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Financial fuel for the top one percent
The core of this new initiative is the Start it Fund. This vehicle is designed to target specific pain points in a startup’s lifecycle. Most founders struggle to find funding after the initial “friends and family” round but before they are big enough for major venture capitalists. KBC is stepping directly into this void.
The bank plans to invest up to €300,000 in early-stage financing. However, this capital is not for everyone. It is reserved for the “top 1 percent” of startups graduating from their accelerator program.
This exclusivity ensures that funds go to ventures with the highest potential for scalability and survival.
Key Financial Highlights:
- Early Injection: Up to €300,000 per startup for the highest-rated graduates.
- Growth Capital: Access to follow-up financing of up to €5 million.
- Total Commitment: €100 million allocated to the fund and ecosystem operations.
- Flexibility: Founders are free to accept or reject the funding offer.
This structure allows startups to focus on product development rather than constant fundraising. The ability to secure €300,000 allows a team to hire key engineers or finalize a prototype.
Once a company proves its worth, the support scales up dramatically. KBC Securities steps in to offer up to €5 million in follow-up rounds. This creates a rare continuous support system within a single financial ecosystem.
KBC Start it Fund euro investment coin stack concept
Building on a decade of success
This fund did not appear out of thin air. It is the evolution of “Start it @KBC,” which has operated for eleven years. The program has grown from a small internal project into Belgium’s largest startup ecosystem.
Lode Uytterschaut, founder and CEO of Start it @KBC, emphasized that this move answers a direct request from the community. Founders wanted an investor who understood their history and culture.
“We already had coaching, community, and a European ecosystem. Only one thing was missing: investing ourselves at the early stage. We are now filling that gap, at the request of founders, and in a way that centers them.”
The accelerator maintains its unique “no equity” philosophy for the program itself. Startups do not give up shares just to participate in the mentorship phase. The equity discussion only begins when the Start it Fund cuts a check.
Program Impact by the Numbers:
- 1,923 startups supported since 2014.
- €1.1 billion raised by alumni companies.
- 12,000 jobs created within the ecosystem.
- 73% survival rate after five years.
These statistics paint a picture of stability. The international benchmark for venture-backed startup survival after five years sits around 51 percent. The KBC ecosystem is performing significantly above the global average.
From local ideas to global ipos
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to keep high-growth companies in Belgium. Too often, promising European startups leave for the US or UK to find capital. KBC wants to stop that brain drain.
By involving KBC Securities, the group offers a pathway that extends well beyond seed money.
Tim Derycke, Head of Investment Services at KBC Securities, noted that their involvement brings more than just cash. They bring M&A advice and technical expertise. They prepare founders for the rigorous scrutiny of public markets.
Successful alumni already prove the model works. Companies like Loop Earplugs and Aikido Security started small and have exploded onto the international scene.
Success Stories from the Ecosystem:
| Company | Sector | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Loop Earplugs | Consumer Tech | Redefined hearing protection globally. |
| Aikido Security | Cybersecurity | Rapidly scaling SaaS security solution. |
| Deliverect | Food Tech | Unicorn status managing online food orders. |
| Lanzfeld | Manufacturing | Innovative museum merchandise solutions. |
These companies represent the caliber of innovation KBC aims to replicate. The new fund ensures the next generation of “unicorns” has the fuel to run faster.
A strategic bet on innovation
Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, views this as a return to the bank’s roots. He describes entrepreneurship as being in the “DNA” of the organization.
The bank is betting that by nurturing these companies early, they will become loyal, high-value corporate clients later. It is a symbiotic relationship. The startups get capital and stability. The bank gets access to cutting-edge innovation and future market leaders.
“With the new fund, we can now truly support founders from idea to IPO,” Thijs stated. He believes this integrated approach is unmatched in Belgium.
The digital landscape in finance is competitive. Banks are no longer just vaults for money. They must be active partners in growth. KBC is positioning itself as a proactive co-founder rather than a passive lender.
This €100 million commitment sends a strong signal to the market. It tells investors that Belgian tech is mature, stable, and ready for serious capital. It tells founders that they do not need to cross the Atlantic to build a world-class company.
KBC has effectively closed the loop. They have connected education, mentorship, seed funding, and growth equity into one pipeline. For the Belgian economy, this could mean more jobs, more innovation, and a stronger position in the European tech landscape.
The Start it Fund is more than a bank account. It is a vote of confidence in the future of Belgian entrepreneurship.
The Start it Fund represents a major maturity milestone for the Belgian tech scene, providing a safety net and rocket fuel simultaneously. It challenges other financial institutions to step up their game in supporting local innovation. We want to hear your thoughts on this massive investment. Do you think this will stop Belgian startups from moving abroad?
Let us know in the comments below or share your opinion on social media using #StartItKBC.
