Network and partners to help grow your start-up
Turn a complex ecosystem into tangible resources for your business
Funding, expertise, advice, market access, research or setting up: developing an innovative business requires knowing who to turn to, clearly articulating your needs and convincingly presenting your project. There are numerous actors and mechanisms within the Brussels ecosystem, but their roles and the eligibility criteria are not always obvious.
BLSI helps you clarify your needs, identify the relevant contacts, and align your project presentation with their expectations. Both within the incubator and through its public, academic and private partners, you benefit from a structured network that BLSI can mobilise according to your project. In this way, we facilitate targeted connections, some of which would be particularly difficult to make on your own.
Your first network is already at BLSI
By joining BLSI, you become part of a community of innovative businesses and an in-house team. Day-in, day-out, you will be working alongside business leaders facing similar challenges. This close proximity fosters trust, experience-sharing, and practical answers to the common issues that come with starting a business.
The ‘BLSI village’ also creates opportunities for collaboration and helps you identify business opportunities through these exchanges. On a demanding entrepreneurial journey, this peer network allows you to test your ideas, share your challenges and draw on the experiences of others.
Clarify your needs and draw on the right expertise
Depending on your project’s stage of development, it may be useful to supplement BLSI’s assessment with a more targeted analysis. The aim is to better identify the company’s needs, obtain an initial expert assessment, and gain more direct access to the services or expertise that can meet these needs.
BLSI then facilitates contact with the relevant point of contact within hub.brussels or lifetech.brussels, depending on the nature and sector of the project.
Funding innovation and the development of your business
The question of funding is unavoidable. However, you still need to identify the right funder and funding mechanism for your project, ensure that your application meets their criteria, and compellingly present your business.
BLSI helps you select the relevant funding mechanisms, strengthen your case, review your application and refine your pitch. In collaboration with certain partner organisations, BLSI also acts as an initial filter to help you assess whether the project is suitable for the proposed funding.
Innoviris.brussels, finance&invest.brussels and VIVES are funding bodies. Each assesses projects according to its own criteria and decides whether to award funding.
Draw on high-level scientific, technological and hospital-based expertise
Some projects require scientific expertise, a technological platform, a link to a research team or collaboration with the hospital sector. Thanks to its close ties with UCLouvain and the Saint-Luc university clinics, BLSI can facilitate meaningful connections.
BLSI also helps you to clearly articulate your needs so that LouvainTransfer can more quickly identify the right contact to address them.
Incorporate AI into your strategic thinking today
Artificial intelligence is transforming products, services, processes, customer relations and the competitive landscape. Every innovative business must now assess how these developments are impacting its operations, even if AI is not a core feature of its product or service.
BLSI helps you identify which issues need be examined and, where specialist expertise is required, and facilitates contact with SustAIn.brussels.
Grow at BLSI, continue your development in Brussels
At BLSI, you benefit from the environment, support and resources you need to set up your business and guide its first steps towards growth.
When the time comes to continue your development independently and you need more space or different types of premises, BLSI helps you prepare for the transition. We can then put you in touch with citydev.brussels so that you can find a suitable location and continue your growth in Brussels.
Surround your project with the right people
Come and present your project and priorities to BLSI. During this initial, no-obligation discussion, we take the time to understand your needs and explore how BLSI’s environment, expertise and network can bolster your development.