Charter signed for Antwerp as a strong international innovation hub

The City of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp, Voka - Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, together with partners from Antwerp’s innovation ecosystem, are signing a charter to structurally position Antwerp together as an international innovation hub.

With the signing of the charter, the City of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp, Voka - Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, together with all signing partners, are launching the Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse. This marks an important step in the shared ambition to turn Antwerp into one integrated innovation ecosystem in which companies, knowledge institutions, investors and governments will work more closely together on solutions to social and economic challenges.

Alderman for Innovation Ken Casier: "With this charter, we are expressing a feeling shared by so many entrepreneurs: that we want to work together on real, workable solutions. We are breaking down walls, connecting partners and putting a megaphone to the many successes our entrepreneurs and researchers achieve every day. Together, we are building an innovation ecosystem that not only shows ambition, but above all moves forward."

Alderman for Port and Economy Johan Klaps: "With the Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse charter, we are strengthening Antwerp as a dynamic knowledge centre driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and strong ecosystems. Antwerp is the economic engine of Flanders thanks to the world port Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe, our world class knowledge institutions, as well as a strong health hub, deeptech campuses and a creative sector that continues to renew our city. Together with them, the City of Antwerp continues to work on resilient innovation. I encourage entrepreneurs to participate in our new call for innovation projects. In this way, we show that Antwerp not only has ambition, but also the determination to work towards a resilient economy.”

Focus on strategic domains

The Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse focuses on three strategic domains in which the Antwerp region already excels internationally today: digital technology (digitech), sustainable chemistry (chemtech) and health. At the same time, the ecosystem remains deliberately open and future oriented, with room for emerging domains such as media & entertainment and resilience, for example.

Within digitech, the emphasis is on digital innovation for the port and the city of the future, with applications in, among other things, smart logistics, data and innovative port solutions such as drone and automation applications. Chemtech builds further on the strong chemical cluster and focuses on the transition to a sustainable and circular industry with initiatives such as BlueChem and the expansion to BlueChem XL. In the health domain, the focus is on healthtech and innovative solutions that contribute to a resilient healthcare system.

“The ambitions of Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse fit perfectly with our Route Plan 2030. We want to use digitalisation as a lever for the transformation of our port and industry. That requires strong cooperation between government, companies and knowledge institutions. This initiative can strengthen the cooperation within that triple helix and make it more visible internationally.” Luc Luwel, Managing Director Voka – Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland.

"Within the Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse, the University of Antwerp wants to actively contribute to a stronger and more connected Antwerp innovation ecosystem. As a knowledge institution, our mission goes beyond academic excellence: we focus on valorisation, whereby research and expertise flow through to concrete applications that respond to today’s complex challenges. Thanks to our growing spin off community, innovation hubs and strong collaborations within Antwerp’s network of entrepreneurs, companies and governments, we have a powerful foundation. From a shared ambition, we are joining forces to further increase and promote our social and economic impact in Antwerp, Flanders and beyond." Steven Van Passel, Vice Rector for Valorisation and Sustainability, University of Antwerp.

One ecosystem, one voice

A central pillar of the charter is the principle of presenting itself externally “with one voice”. The signatories commit to placing cooperation, pride and unity at the centre of the positioning of Antwerp’s innovation ecosystem during their international activities.

Through Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse, entrepreneurs get one gateway to the entire innovation ecosystem, allowing them to find the right partners, investors and knowledge institutions more quickly. This leads to less fragmentation, shorter lead times and a greater chance of successful scaling up. At the same time, AIP offers better data and market insights, creates new cross pollinations between sectors such as chemistry, health and digital technology, and gives entrepreneurs an active role in helping to shape the ecosystem.

"With Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse, we want to unite Antwerp’s shared innovative strength under one label. As a port, in recent years we have accelerated an unprecedented stream of innovative developments, from digitalisation and automation to sustainable energy applications. By establishing this label together with the City of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp and Voka – Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland, we are connecting our strengths and taking a clear step towards a future in which innovation is not the exception, but our standard.” Erwin Verstraelen, Vice President Innovation, Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Concrete actions and initiatives

In the coming years, Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse will be translated into concrete actions on the ground. For example, two major ecosystem gatherings will be organised annually, supplemented by targeted matchmaking events. In addition, Antwerp will be positioned more strongly internationally as a leading innovation hub.

During SuperNova, these ambitions immediately become tangible. AIP is organising substantive sessions on, among other things, digital technology, health and sustainable chemistry. At the same time, the city is launching a new innovation call for growth companies.

This call is aimed at projects within the digital, circular and health economy that contribute to growth, sustainability and digitalisation. Companies can receive financial support to realise their innovative projects. In this way, Antwerp wants to invest in a targeted manner in solutions that create both economic and social added value.

“SuperNova brings together the people who shape the Business of Tomorrow. The fact that this charter is being signed here underlines that commitment. Certainly in Antwerp, where innovation and entrepreneurship are deeply rooted, it is only logical that partners take responsibility and raise the bar together.” Jürgen Ingels, initiator of SuperNova and Managing Partner, Smartfin.

In the coming period, the focus will be on concrete collaborations, making joint projects visible and a targeted international presence. In this way, Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse aims not only to connect, but also to accelerate and realise tangible impact for companies, knowledge institutions and society.

More information via Antwerp, an innovation powerhouse - Antwerp Innovation Powerhouse