Fundraising FoxLeuven · Pre-Seed
Not to be confused with imec.xpand (Venture capital · Leuven, BE)
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Investment thesis
Imec.istart is the accelerator arm of imec's venturing activities, supporting deep-tech entrepreneurs at the earliest stages. The program provides pre-seed funding to kick-start a startup's journey, one year of industry-specific and personal coaching, access to imec's expertise and technology infrastructure, and introductions to a broad network of business partners and investors. Startups apply through an open call held three times a year. The program acts as a gateway between the startup community and corporate partners, connecting established companies with startups offering promising solutions to their business challenges.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
What they invest in
from 2 of 3 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×2Advanced Manufacturing ×1Enterprise Software ×1Hardware ×1IoT ×1
HQs:Belgium×2
Portfolio companies · 3 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really likeAloxy develops industrial IoT solutions including sensors, gateways, and middleware for the chemical, oil and gas, and process industries.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareIoTAntwerp, BE
Maarten WeyninGlenn Ergeertsin
Co-investorsimec.istartQbic FundDow Venture CapitalInnovation Fund sa/nv
imec.istart is a university-linked accelerator program run by imec that supports technology startups.
Deep Tech
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Epihunter
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Imec.xpand invest at?
- Imec.xpand invests at the Pre-Seed stage.
- What sectors does Imec.xpand focus on?
- Imec.xpand focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Deep Tech, Hardware, Healthtech, Semiconductors.
- Where is Imec.xpand located?
- Imec.xpand is headquartered in Leuven, BE.
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