Leuven.Inc was established in 1999 by imec, K.U.Leuven, Arthur Andersen (Deloitte), Fortis Bank (BNP Paribas Fortis) and KBC with the active support of Capricorn Partners, Easics, ICOS Vision Systems (KLA-Tencor), Krypton (Metris-Nikon Metrology), LMS International, Materialise and Option.

 

The link to high-tech entrepreneurship

The mission of Leuven.Inc was to build a permanent bridge between knowledge clusters, high-tech entrepreneurs, enterprises, students, researchers, young starters, socioeconomic partners and other interested partners.

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An eye for networking and contacts

More than 500 companies and individuals with areas of expertise ranging from micro-electronics, engineering, over health and medical research, to ICT, life sciences, food and materials were a member of the Leuven.Inc network. These like-minded people are the living proof that behind the exchange of knowledge and experience lie the impulses to continuously stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

Our networking events

Through its networking events and activities, Leuven.Inc aimed at creating a communication platform where young starters, scientists and technology growth companies meet and share knowledge and expertise.

 

The overall goal was to create a healthy and dynamic, future-oriented and expanding prosperity in the region of Leuven, Flanders and beyond.

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To meet this goal, Leuven.Inc organized and co-ordinated events and activities.

Yearly over 60 to 80 seminars were organized with a specific technology or management theme, based on present-day evolutions on the international market.

Some key products were:

• Entrepreneurscafés: The entrepreneurscafé combines a company visit with an interesting on-site discussion on a specific topic in the area of entrepreneurship. About 6 companies a year open their doors for this networking event.

• Visionary Seminars: The visionary focus of these seminars gives an insight into the expected trends of the near future. Participants can evaluate their present-day product or technology and steer its development in the right direction to keep up with their competitors.

      Leuven.Inc organised more than 72 visionary seminars since 2000. ​

• Management and Leadership Workshops: Based on the needs of the start-ups and scale-ups, workshops are organised to tackle the issues of growth, internationalisation, marketing, sales, human resources

 

Leuven.Inc actively participated in the international network of the knowledge community, forging bonds and opening new channels of communication beyond boundaries, always putting an emphasis on the advantages of the Leuven region as an essential junction of a global knowledge and network economy.