Stories and news

The Beacon, the innovative hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), has launched a new concept - “Get Connected”.

One hundred years ago this year, Antwerp diamond cutter Marcel Tolkowsky published his thesis on the perfect round cut for diamonds: the Tolkowsky Brilliant.

A deep dive into the best of what Antwerp has to offer in terms of art, design, technology and innovation – that’s precisely what D.A.T.E. (Discover Antwerp Through Experience) offers creatives from around the world.

Between 7-9 May, Antwerp is the host city for breakbulk professionals from all over the world during Antwerp XL. This new three-day conference brings leading players and companies together from all around the world to show off new products, discuss trends and discover technologies and innovations. This showcase confirms Antwerp's role as the breakbulk port for Europe.

Antwerp is increasingly recognised as an ecosystem for digital innovation on a global scale. The recently published Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2019 (GSER2019) by Startup Genome defines Antwerp as an early globalising ecosystem for startups, with a global Top 30 position for funding and a higher than average ecosystem value. The report is a confirmation of the strong ambitions of Antwerp to become a reference hub for digital innovation in Europe.

In 2018, Antwerp had twice as many start-ups and scale-ups than in 2012. This is a remarkable finding: in 2018, these innovative companies raised up to four times more capital for their business growth than six years earlier. With this, the city of Antwerp demonstrates a clear ambition: within six years, the city wants to occupy a place in the European top 10 scale-up cities.

On 14 and 15 May international experts and entrepreneurs are coming together at FutureSummits in Antwerp to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence. FutureSummits is a technology event organised by the leading research and innovation centre imec. “Artificial Intelligence will make our way of working and living more efficient for entrepreneurs, residents and cities”, explains John Baekelmans, Vice President of imec. It’s no coincidence that FutureSummits is taking place in Antwerp. imec believes Antwerp has a pioneering role to play in AI as the smart city of Flanders.

The National Bank of Fujairah, a bank with years of experience in the diamond sector in Dubai, selected Antwerp as the place to expand its activities in the diamond industry. On the 7th of April 2019 it opened its first international representative office in Antwerp’s diamond district.

• Further investment in strategic position of Antwerp refinery, one of the most modern and efficient in the world.
• Meets the demand for cleaner fuels in the context of the new 2020 standards of the International Maritime Organization.
• Over the past 15 years, ExxonMobil has invested 2.6 billion euros in Belgium.

In 2020 BlueChem is opening its doors in eco-effective business park Blue Gate Antwerp. The incubator will offer a place to around fifteen young firms and SMEs which focus on sustainable chemistry. After Houston, Antwerp has the largest cluster of chemical firms in the world. The proximity of the Port of Antwerp, the central location in Europe and the large availability of expertise in chemistry in Flanders makes the old Petroleum South an ideal location for BlueChem.

VF Corporation, a global leader of iconic apparel, footwear and accessory brands, opens a new sustainable office in Antwerp. This move brings the Antwerp-born Kipling back home. In this way the Belgian based operations for Kipling, Eastpak, Lee and Wrangler brands will be shown from a new homebase, fashion city Antwerp, to customers worldwide.

Born in Antwerp in 1987 with the iconic nylon bags, Kipling is returning back to Antwerp, Belgium’s cradle of fashion. After 32 successful years in the accessories business, Kipling’s aim now is to unify the brand under one global creative vision.

Antwerp is a booming hub for digital innovation. The city was invited at SXSW (South by Southwest), a prestigious conference about music, film and technology in March 2019 to present the role of Antwerp as startup city.