imec.istart

About imec.istart

Imec.istart is a leading accelerator and venture capital fund, specializing in pre-seed to early-stage investments in technology startups. With a primary focus on fields such as Software, Media, Education, Business Solutions, FinTech, IoT, AI, Cloud Services, Medical Devices, Healthcare, and Wellness, they actively support and fund innovation within these sectors. As a pre-seed accelerator, imec.istart offers startups pre-seed funding and the necessary support to succeed and grow on a global scale. Since 2011, they have supported over 300 companies and annually select around 30 high-potential startups to join their 12-month program based in Belgium.Imec.istart's investment sweet spot is €55,000 with the possibility of an additional €150,000 for best-performing startups in their portfolio. As part of their program, startups receive not only funding but also personalized coaching from a day-to-day sparring partner, workshops, expert mentorship, and access to a tech community of over 500 digital tech entrepreneurs. They offer startups the opportunity to scale internationally through their global network and leverage connections with imec, a globally recognized research and development and innovation hub.The fund is celebrated for its impactful accelerator program, known for helping startups reach crucial milestones, such as product market readiness, growth, and preparing for further investors. The program's structure is designed to refine startups' target markets, strategies, business skills, and funding approaches. Imec.istart has earned the title of the #1 university-linked business accelerator worldwide by UBI Global.Imec.istart seeks startups with a working tech product, a proof of concept, and a complementary founding team. Not only does imec.istart invest in startups, but also fosters maturation into international tech companies. They emphasize the value of mentorship and strong networks, establishing a trusted community of corporates, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners who have been eager to engage with imec.istart companies since 2011.