Reasons to invest in Ghent

Finding the right place to build your future is a difficult undertaking. To make the task a little easier here are 5 key reasons to invest in Ghent, from our physical assets and outside-the-box thinking to our growing ambition of becoming a global leader in technology.

Finding the right place to build your future is a difficult undertaking. To make the task a little easier here are 5 key reasons to invest in Ghent, from our physical assets and outside-the-box thinking to our growing ambition of becoming a global leader in technology.

Reason 1 - Location is key

Did you know Ghent was voted as one of Europe’s top 10 most accessible cities? We share borders with some of the wealthiest countries in Europe. We offer excellent infrastructure, surrounded by airports, seaports, railway lines and highways. In effect, we provide the perfect base from which to access over 500 million European consumers.

vrouw typt op computer
  • Reason 2 - We’re connected

    Collaboration is a fundamental part of our business structure. We value participation, co-creation, living labs and other initiatives that engage a wide range of industries and institutions. Our academic and research centres regularly work with businesses big and small to form partnerships and create solutions together.
    The Ghent Economic Board also has a role to play - facilitating collaboration between local business stakeholders, education & research institutions and the city’s policy makers. This in turn leads to progressive policies, flourishing businesses, new jobs and more prosperity for the people of Ghent.

    The Ghent Economic Board:

    • Advises on urban economic policy
    • Strengthens our city’s relationship with larger state authorities
    • Designs proactive acquisition strategies that attract foreign interest and investment
    • Advises on the use of our 4,9 million euro spearhead fund
  • We are very spoiled in Ghent to work on new products. There are not that many regions that can also support knowledge, innovation and partnership. Universities, government and industry work well together. Here you will find major players such as Monsanto, Basf and Bayer, but also many small companies that innovate and are trendsetting.

    Peter Roose, Eastman-Taminco Chemical Company (© image De Nieuwe Dokken)
  • Reason 3 - We’ve got talent

    Thanks to our distinguished educational institutions, Ghent has acquired a reputation as a place of knowledge and talent in Europe across the sciences, arts, and humanities. Speaking of our workforce, labour productivity in Flanders is one of the highest in the world. Not only do we have talent, but we know what to do with it. We understand the importance of actively validating new knowledge and converting it into working business models. The valorisation of information and ideas is a vital step toward generating new business.

    More on talent & knowledge

  • In Ghent there is a great willingness to work together. Networking, seeing connections and openness are strengths as an entrepreneur. They also typify the Ghent spirit. In other cities you will find good examples as well, but Ghent stands out.

    - Bernard Knockaert, former manager of the service-providing custom-made company Compaan

Reason 4 - Room to grow

  • Reason 5 - The next tech capital

    It’s important to have a vision of the future. Our vision is turning Ghent into a global leader in technology. We believe technological innovation will lead to a more prosperous economy, a happier society and a greener tomorrow. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

    • Targeting 4 technologies: cleantech, biotech, healthtech & digitech.
    • Investing in technologies that have a positive impact on society.
    • Developing flagship projects to help us build the ecosystem of the future.

    More on our tech revolution

Not yet convinced? Learn more about Ghent

  • Life in Ghent

    Ghent offers both small-town charm and big-city excitement, a perfect balance between tranquility and activity, history and modernity, tradition and innovation.

    Discover the Ghent lifestyle

  • A start-up and scale-up city

    We hold the Flemish title for the most international start-ups and for raising the most capital. We’ve been actively pursuing a solid start-up policy for years. 

    Discover our start-up and scale-up city

  • Acquiring targets

    We believe in strategic acquisition of new players to our city. The city of Ghent and the Ghent Economic Board are working together to target new businesses.