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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
We're here to help
The Invest in Ghent team is ready to help you start or scale your business in Ghent through expert local guidance and introductions to growth opportunities.
Get in touchNot yet convinced? Learn more about Ghent
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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.
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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.
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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.