The City of Antwerp supports startups at every stage - from takeoff, to testing ideas, buying services, and helping companies grow. It offers programs like Startup Talks to launch students' entrepreneurial careers, business incubators and coworking spaces to test ideas, discounted services to buy what startups need, and grants/loans/mentorship to help companies grow. The city takes pride in fostering talent and startups from the initial launch all the way to helping them scale up.

1. ANTWERP.
CREATIVE
MINDS.
STARTUP
CITY
FOR

2. INTROINTRO
Intro.
//
Contrary and always up for something new.
They say that the people of Antwerp are
chauvinists. And they’re right. For centuries,
leading innovation(s) and ground breaking
trends have formed the heart of the city that
boasts a mere 516,000 residents. Creative minds
and entrepreneurs such as Rubens and Plantin
introduced our city to the Golden Age back in
their day.
Today, our entrepreneurs are forging a new
Golden Age. Atypically, and thanks to their
natural aversion to conformity, they prefer
seeking out disruptive technologies: new ways
of creating and doing business. Products and
technologies that turn the status quo on its head.
The people of Antwerp love it.
And it’s not just the people of Antwerp either.
Locally grown entrepreneurs, such as Dries
Buytaert with his Drupal software, are leading
the way in the Mecca of disruptive economy:
Silicon Valley. Discover several other names
to watch in this magazine. More and more
international conglomerates are embracing the
Antwerp rule breakers. And as icing on the cake,
Antwerp recently received an international award
for its vision and policy for startups: the Global
Startup Nation Award.
So why, do you ask, does Antwerp give birth to so
many new startups and creative entrepreneurs?
Because Antwerp is a healthy feeding ground
for creativity. It’s also a haven of traditional
entrepreneurship, with its global port and large
industrial companies. And because the city’s
policy is Open for Business.
Are we London, Paris or Berlin, one of the big
startup capitals? Certainly not. Will we become
the next London, Paris or Berlin? Nope. Don’t
need to. Don’t want to. Antwerp is a great city.
It’s a place where you can fall flat on your face,
dust yourself off and try again, a place where you
can learn and grow. Some will outgrow our city.
They’ll go on to conquer the world in the same
way so many people from Antwerp already have.
Take a walk with us through this magazine and
allow yourself to be surprised. Enjoy the inside
tips and discover a side of Antwerp you never
knew before. Atypical and Open for Business.
businessinantwerp.eu
ondernemeninantwerpen.be
borninantwerp.be
startupnations.org
WEL
COM
E.
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
3

3. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
5
CON
TEN
TS.
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
5
Antwerp Startup City.
//
ANTWERP STARTUP SCENE
// The Antwerp startup scene is bustling with activity.
TAKEOFF/TEST/BUY/GROW
// The city takes pride in supporting talent and startups every step of the way.
How can we help you?
CONTENTS.
Colophon.
//
The magazine “Antwerp: Startup City for creative minds” is a publication by Stad Antwerpen.
Stad Antwerpen cannot be held responsible for misprints or amendments. Nothing from this
publication may be used by third parties without prior consent from Stad Antwerpen. None of
the addresses published in this magazine have paid for their inclusion, in any shape or form.
Published by
Annik Bogaert - Grote Markt 1 - 2000 Antwerpen
Legal Registration Number
D/2015/0306/128
Paper
Arctic volume
FSC. Printed on paper from responsible sources.
March 2016
P6
P14
ANTWERP HUBS
// Explore Antwerp’s creative startup scene.
P20
HOT­­SPOTS
// Places to discover in Antwerp.
P34
CITY OF CREATIVITY
// Antwerp is your city of fashion, design, art, communication, screens, music,
books & architecture.
P18

4. 1
2
START IT@KBC
Once Europe’s highest skyscraper, the ‘Boeren-
toren’ houses the KBC bank. From its origin as
a farmers’ bank, KBC has always represented
the needs of the local population. In 2013,
the bank became a startup bank by opening
up 16 floors of its tower to dozens of aspiring
entrepreneurs and startups. This brilliant
move established the historical centre of
Antwerp as a hotspot for young entrepreneurs.
However, sometimes the best results come
from ­letting go. The Start it@kbc project is
governed by a network of other companies
that happily invest time and effort into the
individual startups.
startit.be
TELENET KICKSTART
& IDEALABS
Antwerp’s first incubator Idealabs is
home to several tech startups. Add a few
growth stage companies and a full house
is guaranteed in the four floor Idealabs
building – which is located in the absolute
centre of the city, just off the Meir, one of
Europe’s busiest shopping streets.
For the past year, TelCo giant Telenet has
hosted its own incubator programme at
Idealabs: Telenet Kickstart. Their mission
is to create the next generation of
multimedia technologies. Each year, eight
lucky startups are kickstarted with seed
funding and top notch coaching.
telenetkickstart.be
idealabs.be
CHECK OUT COFFEELABS WITH ITS
ROOFTOP TERRACE IN SUMMER!
FACEBOOK.COM/COFFEELABSANTWERP
INSIDE TIPIn the beginning there was nothing. Now, just over two years
later, the Antwerp startup scene is bustling with activity. Thanks
to a wide array of business incubators who have chosen the city
for its Beta quality, Antwerp is a thriving creative hub where
design meets development – a place for techies to explore brave
new worlds and civilisations.
Antwerp startup scene.
//
ANTWERP.
START
STARTUP
SCENE
GO
Boerentoren©VisitAntwerpen|PhotoDaveVanLaere
©InekeGebruers
TALK ABOUT YOUR GREAT STARTUP IDEA
OVER COFFEE AT MAURICE COFFEEBAR AT
THE GROUND FLOOR OF BOERENTOREN.
MAURICECOFFEEKNITS.COM
INSIDE TIP
Antwerp
Global Startup
City 2015
// WINNER OF THE LOCAL
POLICY AWARD IN 2015’S
STARTUP NATIONS
SUMMIT
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
7

5. 4
5
6
BLUEHEALTH ANTWERP
The e-health business is booming in
Antwerp. Tapping into one of the city’s
prime growth clusters, BlueHealth Antwerp
is a joint venture that links IT service
providers with university hospitals and
state-of-the-art healthcare technology
producers. This corporate partnership
coaches and houses tech startups as they
develop products that make everybody’s
lives easier and healthier.
bluehealthantwerp.eu
THE COFOUNDRY
It’s a common issue: entrepreneurs try their
best to grow, but lack the knowledge and/or
resources to achieve their goals. That’s where
the CoFoundry steps in, helping startups to
bring their product to a larger audience and
get a stronger foothold in the market.
Established and supported by the major
IT player, Cronos, the CoFoundry aims
to stimulate entrepreneurship and
intrapreneurship to enable startups to
grow effectively and efficiently.
thecofoundry.co
BLUECHEM
The chemical cluster in Antwerp is the
biggest in Europe. As part of an ongoing
innovation programme, the City of
Antwerp will invest 4 million euro in
BlueChem, an incubator for sustainable
chemistry. The chemical industry, the
Flemish government, the province of
Antwerp and knowledge institutions are
also investing money and/or expertise in
BlueChem. Together, these elements will
form the future of chemistry in Antwerp.
bluegateantwerp.eu/en/bluechem
MORE TO COME
THESE BUSINESS INCUBATORS HAVE A PROFOUND
EFFECT ON OUR ECONOMY.
SURE, THEY CREATE A POSITIVE VIBE, BUT THEY ALSO
CREATE COMPANIES, TURNOVER AND JOBS. AND THEY
ARE FUTUREPROOFING THE CITY ALONG THE WAY.
BY THE TIME THIS MAGAZINE IS PRINTED A NEW ONE
WILL PROBABLY HAVE POPPED UP.
DE STOOKPLAATS IS NEXT TO
‘THE JANE’, OFFICIALLY THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD.
THEJANEANTWERP.COM
INSIDE TIP
3
NETWERK ONDERNEMEN
// Entrepreneurship Network
It’s all about giving something back.
Netwerk Ondernemen selects promising
startups to be coached by dedicated
mentors who are established founders and
CEOs of large companies. These mentors
relish the opportunity to turn their minds
to a new venture. Netwerk Ondernemen’s
confidence in our Antwerp entrepreneurs is
so vast that they often offer them no frills
loans for company growth: “Here, we’ll give
you money. I’m sure you’ll give it back in
the future. No contract needed.”
netwerkondernemen.org
7
DUVAL UNION
After leaving Duval Guillaume, one of
Europe’s most successful agencies,
André Duval started looking for the next
generation of advertising companies.
He established Duval Union, a holding
structure for new marketing technology
companies that offers young marketeers
a chance to turn an outmoded advertising
service model into creative and scalable
products. These aspiring creatives are
based at ‘De Stookplaats’ (the fireplace),
a beautiful historic building inside an
old military facility near the dynamic
Zurenborg neighbourhood.
duvalunion.com
8
LOGIN
The digital revolution continues to have
a huge impact on the fields of logistics
and mobility, especially in Antwerp which
houses one of the world’s largest ports.
A new incubator – LOGIN (Logistics and
Mobility Innovation) – supports startups
working on more convenient, cheaper
and/or more environmentally friendly
transportation.
login.vlaanderen
©PieterBaert
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
9

6. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
11
Bart Van der Roost was always destined to
be an entrepreneur. After several successful
years as a musician, he moved into musical
management at the Brussels Philharmonic
before launching neoScores®, a web
application for the safe and legal use of
digital sheet music.
With neoScores®, Bart aims to turn the
world of music publishing on its head. How?
By simply making a musician’s life easier
when using digital sheet music. App features
include creating and sharing annotations,
transposing in a single click, a metronome
function and a tuning device. Brand new is a
commercial platform, Gustaf.
neoScores® was founded in July 2013 by
professional musicians with a passion for
new media. In 2014, neoScores® won the
Foxconn Prize for Most Promising startup
at the Startup Nations Summit in Seoul,
South Korea. neoScores® is also part of the
European Tech All Stars and is supported
by iMinds and Start it@kbc. It is lovingly
made in Antwerp by and for musicians.
BART VAN DER ROOST // FOUNDER & CEO OF NEOSCORES®
neoscores.com
gogustaf.com
ENTREPRENEURS
Antwerp startups are
working on cutting edge
business-to-business
products in a multitude of
sectors. While Silicon Valley
is busy developing the
next big digital consumer
product, Antwerp is happily
discovering other blue
oceans. From logistics to
health and from advertising
to payment technology.
©NoortjePalmers
The location of our HQ in the City
of Antwerp allows CMOSIS to easily
attract talented staff within a 50 km
radius. There is also plenty of high
quality office space available at
reasonable prices.
Our coolest piece of technology?
NanEye, the smallest image sensor
and camera module in the world.
It’s enabling the medical world
to evolve towards disposable
(imagine!) endoscopes.
ERWIN VANDENDRIESSCHE // GENERAL MANAGER CMOSIS
cmosis.com
The wonders of digital technology can be
a tremendous help for seniors and their
loved ones.
E-health or ‘health tech’ is an exciting and
growing domain, offering a blue ocean of
major business opportunities. The Cubigo
platform combines apps and data streams into
a fool-proof interface that is ready to conquer
the digital divide for every age. The elderly can,
for instance, book taxis, receive medication
updates or consult doctors through the
platform. And their children receive updates
or can check up on their parents via a video
link. In many ways, Cubigo is an alternative to
a care facility, extending the time an elderly
person can stay in their own home.
GEERT HOUBEN // FOUNDER & CEO OF CUBIGO
cubigo.com
©Lormeipsum
©GeertHouben
As an entrepreneur you have to
be some kind of a world changer.
Turning old business models
upside down is a thrill, especially
when customers enthusiastically
start using your product. The new
digital world allows people to
develop very creative solutions for
numerous businesses. Antwerp is
a creative city, and not only in its
creative industries.
LUC DE CLERCK // FOUNDER & CEO OF AVANTIDA
avantida.com
©KrisVanExel

7. My biggest lesson? If you want to
compete with the big boys, you have to
invest in your own technology and focus
on attracting talent. Startups can’t grow
if you can’t engage the best of the best.
Yes, it is a heavy financial burden, but
in my experience, it is also key
to attracting top investors.
JORIK ROMBOUTS // FOUNDER & CEO OF ROMBIT
rombit.be
©ChakLopez
At Twikit, we are really passionate about changing
and customising the production process. We create
value by doing so. That excites us and makes us the
entrepreneurs that we are.
Our coolest feature? Users can personalise their own
3D product (jewel, lamp, interior item) on a screen
and they receive the unique physical product in their
hands just a few days later. That is the true power of
3D printing and makes it really cool.
For us, Antwerp is a perfect mix of design, retail and
creativity with a growing startup scene. And it is in
the centre of a 3D printing community that stretches
across Belgium into the Netherlands. This makes it
the perfect location for Twikit to grow.
MARTIJN JORIS // CO-FOUNDER TWIKIT
twikit.com
Playpass provides an unprecedented live event experience
at music festivals and in sports arenas by eliminating all the
hassle of access control and validation of on-site payments.
A live event is about the experience – not the technology.
So we aim to enhance the live experience by implementing
our technology flawlessly. Our coolest feature? Swiping the
Playpass festival wristband lets the outside world follow
you through social media channels.
DAVID DE WEVER // CEO PLAYPASS
playpass.be
Entrepreneurship is
fascinating, as it allows you
to be creative and productive
at the same time. And it
can enable you to become
a billionaire. Thanksys is a
cashless payment system
where drinking a coffee,
for instance, automatically
gives you more credit on
your phone.
JAN DE MEESTER // FOUNDER & CEO OF THANKSYS
thanksys.com
Interaction in the wrong context means irritation.
Interaction in the right context means return, conversion
and customer satisfaction. Sentiance excels in defining
the exact real-time context for interaction.
You have entrepreneurs who work to live and you have
entrepreneurs who live to work. I’m in the second category.
My vibrant team is full of interesting and intelligent people
who have vision and audacity.
Sentiance was born and raised in Antwerp. We have a good
relationship with the city services and our international
people like living here: everybody is happy.
TOON VAN PARYS // CEO SENTIANCE
sentiance.com
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
13

8. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
15
Antwerp Startup City! That all sounds very nice, but every self-
respecting city calls itself a Startup City. However, in Antwerp
there’s more to it than a cheap marketing slogan. The city takes
pride in supporting talent and startups every step of the way. So,
what exactly does the City of Antwerp do for you? And for young
aspiring entrepreneurs?
TAKEOFF /
TEST /
BUY /
GROW /
TAKEOFF
ANTWERP/
TAKEOFF /
TEST /
BUY /
GROW /
STARTUP
TALKS/
It’s a catchy phrase that does exactly
what it says: launching students’
entrepreneurial careers by activating
their entrepreneurship potential. This
joint venture between the City of Antwerp
and local academic institutions offers
workshops, lectures and coaching.
Its aim? To increase the percentage
of students that embark on a startup
voyage, generating a huge flow of talent
towards the growing incubator ecosystem.
Check out the cool new building near
the university facilities!
takeoffantwerp.be
gate15.be
Aside from activating the entrepreneurial
potential in students, the city offers
intelligent and tailor-made advice to
professionals thinking about starting a
business. These ‘Startup Talks’ take place
in incubators and other business hubs,
lowering the threshold for participation.
“If Moses doesn’t come to the mountain,
the mountain comes to Moses.”
STEP
01
STEP
02
STEP
04
STEP
03
TAKEOFF
TEST
GROW
BUY
Takeoff/test/buy/grow.
//
Virtually every industry will be
transformed by IoT (the internet
of things) and new manufacturing
models that use advanced
technologies like 4D printing.
In the slipstream of the so-called
‘new makers movement’, businesses
will seek attractive city locations.
Antwerp’s innovative atmosphere and
cultural wealth make it a sought-after
location for local entrepreneurs and
international companies. In recent
years, more than a quarter of foreign-
investment projects in Belgium have
been based in the city.
PHILIP HEYLEN // VICE MAYOR FOR CULTURE, ECONOMY,
CITY ­MAINTENANCE AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
4
steps to startup
in Antwerp
// WE GUIDE YOU
©LennDauphin

9. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
17
TAKEOFF /
TEST /
BUY /
GROW /
BUY
FROM
STARTUPS/
What can a city do for its startups? Buy their
products of course! The City of Antwerp and
Digipolis, its IT portal, activated the trendsetting
Buy From Startup programme, aimed at boosting
business for our local economy and, in particular,
for our startups. More than 2 million euro will
be spent on startup products. Other European
innovation capitals are following suit: Scandinavian
powerhouses Helsinki and Copenhagen are teaming
up with Antwerp to procure smart city projects from
local startups. ­­Co-creating the city of the future!
antwerpen.digipolis.be
TAKEOFF /
TEST /
BUY /
GROW /
STARTUP
VILLAGE/
This unique 18th century site in the centre of
the city is Antwerp’s startup heart, especially
for promising companies that have grown out of
the incubators and are on the verge of scaling
internationally. StartupVillage offers 24/7 business
vibes, affordable office space and a chance to join
international sales missions. It’s available for both
local and international startups.
Inside StartupVillage a business and event lounge
forms the beating heart for the companies in the
building, but also for the startup scene outside.
StartupVillage is being governed by a committee
consisting of entrepreneurs and representants of
the city. Both are discussing a blueprint for the
development of Antwerp as a startup city.
businessinantwerp.eu / ondernemeninantwerpen.be
TAKEOFF /
TEST /
BUY /
GROW /
CITY OF
THINGS/
Converting city buildings into harbours of
innovation and creativity is cool. But, Antwerp
goes one step further and has converted the
entire city into a massive testing ground for new
tech products. We’re a Beta city, remember?
City of Things, the largest living lab in the world,
offers a citywide network of sensors and beacons
and a strong mobile testing panel. Startups
willing to test a product or a piece of technology
can freely do so in Antwerp. It goes without
saying, that this drastically lowers costs and
improves the ‘go-to-market’ speed.
cityofthings.eu
©Cityofthings
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN IS A HIDDEN GEM IN THE
HEART OF THE CITY JUST BEHIND STARTUPVILLAGE.
IN THIS 19TH CENTURY GREEN PARADISE GARDENERS
TEST WHETHER NEW AND EXOTIC PLANTS CAN
ACTUALLY GROW IN OUR CLIMATE.
VISITANTWERPEN.BE/DETAIL/BOTANICAL-GARDEN
INSIDE TIP
©BartGosselin

10. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
19
Creativity in Antwerp is everywhere. It’s a fundamental part of
the city, just waiting to be explored. But what will you find? Ideas
and influences that defy the boundaries between disciplines and
mediums. A local community with strong networks that encourage
new concepts and flights of fancy. Training and education that form
the foundation of skill development. It’s a true creative ecosystem.
City of creativity.
//
City of creativity.
//
CITY OF COM­
MUNICATION.
Wherever you’re from, there’s a good
chance that you’ve come across ideas
from Antwerp on TV or a local billboard.
Antwerp creatives are often found
working on ideas and concepts for both
local and global campaigns.
Question: what do you get when you mix
over 174 nationalities with that most
quintessential Antwerp trait, a critical
attitude? Answer: the ideal focus group
for the multitude of communication
projects undertaken by Antwerp creatives.
Over the last few years, Antwerp based
communication agencies have won a
disproportionate amount of Cannes Lions.
And in December 2015, the city proudly
welcomed Eurobest, the European industry’s
celebration of creative communication.
It’s a fitting recognition for creative Antwerp
heavyweights such as Duval Guillaume,
Brandhome, LDV United, These Days, TBWA
Antwerp, Prophets, Dallas and Gonzales.
duvalguillaume.com / brandhome.com / ldv.be
thesedays.com / tbwagroup.be / prophets.com
dallas.be / gonzales.be
City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
SCREENS.
Antwerp doesn’t only breed
communication talents in its specialised
schools, there’s also a thriving
audiovisual scene in the city.
If it works for the local, critical Antwerper,
you can be pretty sure it’s good.
That’s why Antwerp is called home by
TV mavericks like Shelter – who have sold
TV formats in over 50 countries and have
won almost every prize in the industry.
The city’s film cell proudly supports local
production houses – such as Geronimo,
Caviar, Rococo, Sputnik and Initials L.A. – in
using the city’s idyllic setting as their décor.
geronimo.be / caviarcontent.com
rococo.be / sputnikmedia.be / initials-la.com
ANTW
ERP.
CREATIVITY.
OFCITY
©Medialaan
8// CREATIVE SECTORS
art · books
fashion · music
communication
screens · design
architecture

11. Growth spaces
1 // StartupVillage Lange Gasthuisstraat 29-31
2 // WATT Toren Mechelsesteenweg 271
3 // De Stookplaats Groen Kwartier
Incubator
1 // The CoFoundry Lange Gasthuisstraat 29-31
2 // BlueHealth Antwerp Lange Gasthuisstraat 29-31
3 // Start it@kbc Boerentoren, Schoenmarkt 35
4 // Telenet Kickstart / Idealabs Lange Klarenstraat 19
5 // Blue Gate Antwerp / BlueChem
6 // Innovatiecentrum Lange Lozanastraat 223
7 // Tech Transfer UA Middelheimlaan 1
8 // Netwerk Ondernemen Noorderlaan 139
9 // Login Noorderlaan 139
Smart City
1 // Digipolis Generaal Armstrongweg 1
2 // City of Things Lange Gasthuisstraat 29-31
Creatives
1 // HQ Born in Antwerp (2016) Kattendijkdok
Oostkaai 21-22
2 // FFI Nationalestraat 28/2
3 // House of Innovation Duboisstraat 50
4 // DE Studio (Studio Herman Teirlinck)
Maarschalk Gerardstraat 4
5 // De Winkelhaak Lange Winkelhaakstraat 26
6 // Antwerp. Powered by Creatives.
Located at De Winkelhaak.
7 // deSingel Desguinlei 25
8 // Studio Start Oosterweelsteenweg 3
9 // Trix Noordersingel 28-30
Startup services
1 // microStart Dambruggestraat 26
2 // City of Antwerp Francis Wellesplein 1
3 // Voka – Kamer van Koophandel
Antwerpen-Waasland Markgravestraat 12
4 // Unizo Oude Leeuwenrui 25
5 // TAKEOFFANTWERP Kleine Kauwenberg 17
6 // Kavka Oudaan 14
7 // Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)
Lange Lozanastraat 223
Business counters
1 // Acerta Groenenborgerlaan 16
2 // Formalis Groep S Arenbergstraat 24
3 // HDP / Partena Uitbreidingstraat 180/1B
4 // Securex Jan Van Gentstraat 3
5 // Xerius Brouwersvliet 4 bus 2
6 // Zenito Oudeleeuwenrui 25
ANTWERP
HUBS
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
21
2
1
3
4
5
2
7
2
3
4
5
6
2
1
8
4
7
3
8-9
4
5-6
9
3
3
5
6
7
1
2
6
1-2
1 2
1
36// CREATIVE HUBS
Add your startup
to our map of creative
hubs in the city.
__
Check the most
recent map on
businessinantwerp.eu
/startups

12. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
23
©MiriamLaubscher
City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
FASHION.
TRAINING GROUND
What do Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten,
Peter Pilotto and Veronique Branquinho
have in common? That’s right, they’re all
graduates of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine
Arts’ Fashion Department.
Attracting students from across the globe,
this academy is considered one of the
most important and influential fashion
schools in the world. Headed by Walter Van
Beirendonck, it combines rigorous training
in traditional skills (tailoring, pattern design,
etc.) with a marked emphasis on creativity
and individuality. The annual graduation show
is a highlight on Antwerp’s fashion agenda.
antwerp-fashion.be
BUSINESS COACHING
Flanders Fashion Institute (FFI) is housed
in the ModeNatie building along with the
Fashion Department. It’s the ideal location
for the FFI to supplement the academy’s
creativity-driven approach with business
coaching and support for upcoming
designers, including Mats Rombaut,
Ine De Haes and Devon Halfnight Leflufy.
ffi.be
DISCOVERIES
ModeNatie also houses MoMu, one of
the world’s leading fashion museums.
This dynamic and inspiring space presents
contemporary and historical fashion in
its social, political and cultural context.
Exhibitions feature the best of international
names and Antwerp-grown talent including
Haider Ackermann, Bruno Pieters, Dirk
Bikkembergs and Ann Demeulemeester.
momu.be
SHOP
The streets surrounding the ModeNatie
building form the heart of the city’s fashion
district. The area features flagship stores
of leading lights such as Dries Van Noten,
Christian Wijnants and A.F. Vandevorst,
renowned boutiques like Louis and Coccodrillo
and Antwerp-based brands including Essentiel
and Morrison. It’s the perfect place to find
your next outfit.
fashioninantwerp.be

13. After our studies, we felt that we
were Belgian designers. Antwerp
really is the perfect place to set
up a business. Space is affordable,
life isn’t too hectic so we can still
focus on our work, and it’s very
easy to meet other creatives and
business partners. And at the same
time, you’re never further than
1.5 hours away from Paris, London
or Amsterdam.
MATHIAS WEBER // WEBERHODELFEDER
weberhodelfeder.com
Karen Hendrix and Katrin Wouters from
the eponymous label Wouters & Hendrix,
met when studying jewellery design at the
Royal Academy in Antwerp. 25 years after
graduating, they’re still going strong in
Antwerp’s fashion district.
It’s an ideal home base. Antwerp
is small enough to find affordable
office and shop space, yet its appeal
is large enough for international
clients to find us. Being in Antwerp
definitely opens doors worldwide.
Another huge advantage is how
Antwerp’s creatives from all trades
find and support each other during
their careers.
KAREN HENDRIX // WOUTERS & HENDRIX
wouters-hendrix.com
We thought up our first sketches in
an Antwerp bar, and the city remains
a source of inspiration and an ideal
testing ground to discover if a new
idea works or not. Antwerp is also a
wonderful location to shoot in, with
some excellent spots for candid camera
work. It’s extremely easy to grab a
camera and shoot something – very
different from places like Los Angeles,
where a simple test shoot requires a lot
of planning, paperwork and permits.
Plus, local talent is excellent.
TIM VAN AELST // FOUNDER OF SHELTER
shelter.tv
CREATIVES
©WeberHodelFeder
WE LOVE MEETING UP AT LE JOHN TO TALK BUSINESS
OR JUST HANG OUT. IT’S A GREAT RESTAURANT WITH
A RELAXED BAR. (MATHIAS WEBER)
LEJOHN.BE
INSIDE TIP
I don’t think Antwerp needs promotion
as a literary city, it’s already held in
very high esteem as a dynamic and
happening place, a real powerhouse of
creativity, tolerance and individualism.
The city has less of a closely knit scene
than other towns in our language
region, but this is also an advantage:
writers can find and reinvent
themselves at their own pace, inspired
by everything the city has to offer.
BART MOEYAERT // WRITER
bartmoeyaert.com
In some places, magic just happens.
Antwerp South is that place for us and
Tomorrowland. It’s a vibrant neighbour-
hood, a constant source of inspiration
that we’ve integrated into the festival.
Tomorrowland has become an interna-
tional symbol of togetherness, a magical
place where more than 200 nationalities
gather to experience a fantastic week-
end. Our Antwerp office has become
the beating heart of our international
­festivals in the US and Brazil.
MANU & MICHIEL BEERS // TOMORROWLAND
tomorrowland.com
Mathias Weber, Niklaus Hodel and Florian
Feder, from Austria and Germany, met
at the Antwerp Fashion Department.
After graduating in 2011 and 2012,
they set up their own footwear brand:
WeberHodelFeder. Their shoes are being
sold in highly influential stores in Paris,
Tokyo, Beverly Hills and London.
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
25

14. City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
ART.
Over the centuries, Antwerp has been
at the forefront of the international arts
scene, largely thanks to its port. Traffic
from the port turned the city into a bustling
metropolis, where patrons supported artists
and inspiration (and customers) arrived from
all over the world. Gems from Antwerp’s
rich art past and present can be found in
the city’s many museums and galleries.
To whet your appetite, think of visual artists,
such as Pieter Paul Rubens, Antoon Van Dyck,
Jan Fabre and Luc Tuymans, choreographer
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and theatre maker
Guy Cassiers.
BRING RUBENS BACK TO LIFE
Rubens old and boring? Forget it. The Rubens
House Museum and Prophets Agency have
recently launched a mobile app to personalise
museum visits, with individual, themed tours,
interactive kids activities and extra information
about displayed or connected artworks.
rubenshuis.be
GALLERIES
Antwerp Art connects and promotes a selection
of quality contemporary art galleries, art
spaces and museums, as well as a brisk pool of
upcoming art initiatives and pop-up exhibition
spaces in Antwerp.
antwerpenkunstenstad.be / antwerpart.be
timvanlaeregallery.com / janfabre.be
luctuymans.com / east-man.be /
Middelheim©JorisCasaer
A gallery is a complex business
with many layers; acting as an
intermediary between collectors and
artists, museums and artists, etc.
But a critical factor in my gallery is
that our clients aren’t collectors. Our
clients are the artists. So we always
take care of the artists.
TIM VAN LAERE // IN PATRON MAGAZINE
narrowesthouseinthecity©LucRoymans
Architecture can be a great
communication channel with
the potential to improve social
interactions and revitalise a
community. It doesn’t have to take
up much space. For instance, our
Mondriaan house, RUST, at De
Coninckplein was designed as a living
painting, casting shadows and light
to create an interactive filter with
the neighbourhood. Another example
is the ‘narrowest house in Antwerp’
(Huikstraat, near the Schippers
quarter), which won the 2008 Belgium
Building Award and helped our agency
make its name.
SILVIA MERTENS // SCULP[IT] ARCHITECTEN
sculpit.it
Creativity is not only about thinking.
You have to get your hands dirty
too. Acting, making prototypes, role
playing, walking through the process,
sketching… All these elements give
you a richer understanding of the
issue at hand by slowing down the
process, giving you the time to dive
deep into the problem.
PETER VAN RIET // STUDIO PETER VAN RIET
studiopetervanriet.com
CREATIVES
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
27

15. City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
DESIGN.
Antwerp has a strong reputation for design
of all types, including industrial design,
thanks to the University of Antwerp’s
excellent course in product development.
Many Flemish (industrial) design studios
have been set up by Antwerp alumni.
DESIGNCENTER DE WINKELHAAK
Designcenter De Winkelhaak is an incubator
for creative entrepreneurs that also offers co-
working solutions for startups and ambitious
growth companies. Apart from studios,
meeting rooms and services for architects and
freelance designers, there’s also an original
design shop, an expo, an event space and one
of the best coffee bars in Antwerp.
dewinkelhaak.be / bardoffice.com
DESIGN AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Next time you use a (new) train or bus
look around and you will discover Antwerp
design. In the public transport sector,
Antwerp designers have made an impact
across Europe. In Belgium, Stefan Schöning
recently developed the new house style for
the national railway and MaximalDesign
created special rubbish bins for train stations
that encourage recycling. And further afield,
Studio Dott was shortlisted to work on
designing the new London buses.
stefanschoning.be / maximaldesign.be / studiodott.be
LOOKING FOR AN INSPIRING LOCATION FIT FOR
A SUCCESSFUL BRAINSTORM? JUST TRY AMS LAB
OR FRANK&BRUT.
AMS LAB
(DESIGNED BY HEIMAT)
AMS-LAB.BE
FRANK&BRUT
(DESIGNED BY PINKEYE)
FRANKANDBRUT.BE
INSIDE TIP
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
29
©Edmire©studiodott
ANTWERP. POWERED BY CREATIVES.
ANTWERP. POWERED BY CREATIVES.’s design
platform allows designers, companies,
schools and public authorities to join forces
to boost cross-pollination and collaboration
between diverse design disciplines and
industrial sectors. By enabling networking,
knowledge exchange and communication,
the platform aims to develop projects that
stimulate innovation and experimentation
in dynamic and inspiring businesses across
the Antwerp region.
apbc.be
ENTHOVEN
One of the oldest studios in Antwerp belongs
to Axel Enthoven, who has developed more
than 1,800 products over the course of his
career. His work covers a broad spectrum of
products, from his first designs for a pram to
the Memory Stone that he recently launched
with Serax, a design agency from Kontich.
And he is still brimming with ideas.
yellowwindow.be / serax.be
JEWELLERY DESIGN AND DIAMONDS
As well as a thriving diamond industry,
­Antwerp is also home to many jewellery
designers. One such project is the collabora-
tion between Diamanti Per Tutti and Nedda
El-Asmar, who has designed several ­collections
for big names such as Hermès, Eternum
and Demeyere. Nedda designed a capsule
­collection for Diamanti Per Tutti called
‘A diamond only for me’ which integrates
diamonds into the jewellery so subtly that
only the wearer can see them. This follows
her belief that diamonds should be functional
as well as beautiful.
nedda.be / diamantipertutti.com
©NeddaEl-Asmar
ABSINTT.BE
ALIAZDESIGN.BE
BUNDL.BE
CAVEMEN.EU
EDMIRE.BE
GBO.EU
GRIGRI.BE
KANDESIGN.COM
ORSO.BE
PINKEYE.BE
STUDIODOTT.BE
STUDIOPETERVANRIET.BE
VOXDALE.BE
…
…
MADE.BE
MAXIMALDESIGN.COM
OSKAR.COM
SMIDESIGN.BE

16. City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
ARCHI­
TECTURE.
DESINGEL
When you drive into Antwerp, you can’t
miss deSingel, a unique building that
strongly interweaves architecture, music,
theatre and dance into its infrastructure.
deSingel, originally designed by the
Antwerp architect Léon Stynen and
extended by Stéphane Beel Architects
in 2010, is also home to the Flanders
Architecture Institute.
desingel.be / vai.be
DeSingel©PaulRaftery
Havenhuis©ZahaHadidArchitectstCourthouse©RichardRogers
ARCHITECTURE IN ANTWERP
Besides a rich heritage of outstanding
historical buildings, including City
Hall, Plantin-Moretus museum and
‘Boerentoren’ (the first modernist high
rise building in Europe), Antwerp also
welcomes modern architecture. Iconic
buildings include the splendid Museum
aan de Stroom, designed by Neutelings
Riedijk architects, the courthouse
designed by Richard Rogers, the Theatre
Square by Secchi & Viganò, the Pulcinella
youth hostel by Vincent Van Duysen,
the community sports hall in Park Spoor
Noord by Verdickt & Verdickt architecten,
and the awning by B-architecten in
Antwerp’s Kiel neighbourhood.
The Umicore building by Conix
Architecten, located slightly further from
the centre, is also well worth a visit.
The Felix archives building is maybe one of
the best examples of how the city
succeeds into bringing together old and
new and combining it with a diverse
offering of music, food, seminars, parties...
How Atypical can a city be?
Antwerp has chosen a German architect,
Christian Rapp, as the new city architect
(January 2016 - 2021). With his
international experience and knowledge
of world cities such as Berlin and
Amsterdam, Christian looks forward
to achieving his goal of creating a
platform for cross-sector projects in three
areas: public space, urban design and
architecture.
Antwerp: the next architectural highlight?
Without any doubt when the new Harbour
House designed by Zaha Hadid will be
finished.
vincentvanduysen.com / verdicktenverdickt.be
b-architecten.be / conixrdbm.com
MuseumaandeStroom
©NeutelingsRiedijkarchitectsUmicore©ConixArchitecten
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
31

17. City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
MUSIC.
Antwerp lives and breathes music.
From far-out avant-garde experiences
to top-notch classical concerts, from
jazz cellars to pounding dance events,
there’s always something happening.
And while some performances are small
and intimate, others have broader
appeal, like Tomorrowland, the world’s
largest dance festival.
Classical and jazz talent is nurtured in
institutions like the Royal Conservatory
(located in the arts centre deSingel,
which features two prime concert halls),
pop and rock performers gain experience
in music centres like Het Bos and Trix,
the latter of which offers everything
to guide productions from creation to
performance including rehearsal space,
studio recording and PA rehearsals. Rock
band dEUS is one of the best known
musical exponents of the city, operating
from their studio in Borgerhout.
Smaller rehearsal setups, independent
management agencies and record
companies are dotted throughout the
city, making it the ideal breeding ground
for musical talent. And at the same time
Antwerp hosts one of the most popular
concert halls in the world: Sportpaleis.
So while you try and decide which gig to
head to first, take a minute to listen to
one of the many buskers in town.
He might just be headlining a major
festival in a couple of years.
desingel.be / trixonline.be / deus.be
hetbos.be / tomorrowland.com / sportpaleis.be
©TomorrowlanddEUS©Uber&KosherTrix/SleaterKinney©SarahBastin
IN SEARCH OF VISUAL INSPIRATION,
A GOOD READ OR SOME ME-TIME TO
RELAX AND BROWSE THE SHELVES OF
A BOOKSTORE? LOOK NO FURTHER:
COPYRIGHT BOOKSHOP
NATIONALESTRAAT 28/A
COPYRIGHTBOOKSHOP.BE
PERMEKE LIBRARY
DE CONINCKPLEIN 26
PERMEKE.ORG
‘T STAD LEEST
STEENHOUWERSVEST 16
FACEBOOK.COM/TSTADLEEST
BUCHBAR
SCHELDESTRAAT 79
FACEBOOK.COM/BUCHBAR
MEKANIK STRIP
SINT-JACOBSMARKT 73
MEKANIK-STRIP.BE
CRONOPIO
KASTEELPLEINSTRAAT 19-21
DE GROENE WATERMAN
WOLSTRAAT 7
GROENEWATERMAN.BE
STANDAARD BOEKHANDEL
SCHOENMARKT 16-18
STANDAARDBOEKHANDEL.BE
INSIDE TIP
©‘tStadleest|Permeke
City of creativity.
//
CITY OF
BOOKS.
A is for ABC.
Antwerp Book Capital.
From Christoph Plantin establishing the
city as one of the world centres for printing
and publishing in the 16th century to being
crowned UNESCO World Book Capital in
2004, literature has always been welcome
in Antwerp.
And literature continues to hold a special
place in the city’s heart. Just take a look at
the comic and poetry walls that decorate
the streets as you wander between the
city’s many specialised bookstores like
Cronopio, Mekanik Strip, Copyright and
De Groene Waterman.
But there’s a lot more going on than meets
the eye. Antwerp is home to the boek.be’s
Boekenbeurs, Belgium’s largest book fair,
and still houses an impressive array of
the country’s most important publishing
houses, such as WPG or Vrijdag. Antwerp’s
contemporary authors are supported by
dozens of literary organisations as they
walk in the footsteps of literary giants like
Willem Elsschot, Paul van Ostayen and
Hugo Claus.
antwerpenboekenstad.be / boek.be
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
33

18. The city centre of Antwerp houses most of its creative entrepreneurs
and freelancers. Creativity fuels a perfect work-life balance: instead
of losing time in traffic jams, free time can be spent in jazzy bars,
breezy bistro’s, cool clubs or simply strolling around inspiring
neighbourhoods such as Zuid, ‘t Eilandje, Borgerhout and the
Fashion district. Let’s work and party all day and all night long.
Antwerp hotspots.
//
HOT
SPO
TS.
From being the port of Antwerp under Napoleonic
rule, ’t Eilandje is now a dynamic urban area
defined by innovative architecture, a yacht port,
excellent museums and some great places for
food and drinks, such as Felix Pakhuis, as well as
increasing numbers of creative companies.
Werner De Smet, co-founder of PR agency Oona,
knows some good spots in the area. “There’s lots
of great coffee in town, but you’ll find the best
at Broer Bretel. For a tasty and healthy lunch, we
often head over to Cordoba, while Klein is great
for more intimate dinners. And, if the occasion
arises, we love treating our team to burgers at
Ellis Gourmet Burger, behind MAS Museum.”
oona.be
felixpakhuis.be
broerbretel.be
facebook.com/foodbarcordoba
ellisgourmetburger.be
klein.agency
Borgerhout is one of Antwerp’s lesser-known
gems, but a true hotspot for creatives from all
trades. Culturally diverse, densely populated
and thriving, the multi-faceted district is now
firmly on the radar of entrepreneurs looking for
affordable space in a dynamic environment.
One the most prominent players in the arts
scene is Zeno X Gallery, founded in 1981 by
Frank Demaegd, who has close relationships
with artists such as Luc Tuymans and Anne-
Mie van Kerckhoven (who both also have their
ateliers in Borgerhout), Raoul De Keyser, Michaël
Borremans and Mark Manders. After more than
30 years in the Zuid district, the gallery moved
to Borgerhout, where it mounts more prominent
and larger productions.
DE ROMA // Turnhoutsebaan 286
A former cinema reconverted (by hundreds
of volunteers) into a concert and theatre hall
reflects the city’s diverse cultural scenes.
MOKKAKAPOT // Sergeyselsstraat 2
A wonderfully weird coffee bar and art gallery on
the Moorkensplein. It’s a no-nonsense place that
the locals flock to for its good coffee and cosy
atmosphere.
PLAZA REAL // Kattenberg 93
This busy bar, owned by dEUS violin player Klaas
Janzoons, is a fine place to start or end a night
out in Borgerhout.
deroma.be
mokkakapot.be
plazareal.be
zeno-x.com
©Sigridspinnox.com
‘T EILANDJE
Favourite hangouts of
WERNER DE SMET // CO-FOUNDER OONA
BORGERHOUT
Favourite hangouts of
FRANK DEMAEGD // FOUNDER ZENO-X
// ALL OVER ANTWERP
Discover inspiring
places in the city.
Meet people and
get inspired.
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
35

19. LeopoldDeWaelplaats©DavyVanLaere
Het Zuid is one of the most trendy places of
­Antwerp. It’s the centre for creative entrepre-
neurs, galleries, restaurants and cafés.
In this inspiring neighbourhood Deepak Mehta
brings 3D printing and innovation to creatives,
­entrepreneurs and educators.
“We located 3Dee, our experience store, in the
Zuid district, an area which attracts an interesting
mix of visitors, each with different needs. It’s an
ideal location for us to showcase the future of
the maker industry.”
“We’re surrounded by museums and galleries.
M HKA at the Waalse Kaai holds a special place in
my heart. How can a father not love the museum
that displays his son’s first 3D printed object?”
“For everyday eating, I love going to Burgers
and Booze - a local haunt that offers just that.
It’s good - even for vegetarians.”
3dee.be
mhka.be
burgersandbooze.be
Veerle works at Monkeyshot, an agency located
in the heart of the blooming and diverse 2060
district. Here are her favourite hidden gems
in the area.
“Discover delicious Moroccan fish dishes at
Calamares, located in the Handelsstraat, one
of the city’s most lively and ethnically diverse
streets. I recommend their fried delicacies.
At lunchtime I love to go to Shltr for ‘bao buns’,
fantastic Asian street food. And after work, I enjoy
Tarbouch, a charming Lebanese restaurant.
It’s difficult to choose between the abundant
buffet dishes, so I suggest returning as often
as possible.”
calamares2060.be
tarbouch.be
shltr.be
ZUID
Favourite hangouts of
DEEPAK MEHTA//FOUNDER 3DEE
DEN DAM 2060
Favourite hangouts of
VEERLE THIELEMAN // COMMUNICATIONS CAPTAIN AT MONKEYSHOT
“Since my office is in the city centre, next to the
Town Hall, I have had the joy of witnessing the
renaissance of the historical centre first hand.
Every day I see new shops and businesses
open up.”
DOGMA COCKTAILS // Wijngaardstraat 5
At the end of the day, there’s no better way to
unwind than with a delicious cocktail at Dogma.
DE GODEVAART // Sint-Katelijnevest 23
Closing business deals calls for celebration.
Lunch at this restaurant is a true treat!
dogmacocktails.be
degodevaart.be
HISTORICAL CENTRE
Favourite hangouts of
DAVOR MEERSMAN // PROJECT LEAD CITY OF THINGS
ParkSpoorNoord©VisitAntwerpen|PhotoDaveVanLaere
ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
37

20. ANTWERP. STARTUP CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS.
39
Student jobs tend to be tedious and under­
whelming, so Mattias started a business
­matching talented students with interesting
temporary jobs. Since he knows the university
quarter inside and out, here’s his expert view
of the hotspots.
VANDOAG IS’T // Prinsesstraat 2
Staff and students love the variety of coffee
brands and roasts available to take away at
Vandoag Is’t.
BON BINI // Paardenmarkt 72
Bon Bini is a Caribbean jewel where you can enjoy
tropical cocktails, spirits and the best Antillean
food. It’s a lovely and lively place.
’T LASTIG PORTRET // Blindestraat 1
Into the art scene? Check out ’t Lastig Portret,
where art students flock for a wonderful lunch.
vandoagist.be
bon-bini.be
STUDENT AREAS
Favourite hangouts of
MATTIAS VAN NIMMEN // FOUNDER & CEO HIGH POTENTIAL STUDENTS
ModeNatie forms the heart of Antwerp’s easily
navigable fashion district. Wander around the
unique mixture of flagship stores of locally
trained designers, major international brands and
innovative concept stores and you’re bound to fall
in love with a piece or two.
Ellen Kegels, one of Antwerp’s newest breed of
fashion entrepreneurs, offers alpaca knitwear
that is designed in Antwerp and manufactured
in Peru and Belgium. You can find LN Beanies
in the Leopoldstraat or Ellen at one of her local
favourites in the district.
BARBEL // Vrijdagmarkt 1
You’ll find a warm welcome with tapas,
a glass of wine or a coffee.
GARDE-ROBE NATIONAL // Nationalestraat 72
One of Antwerp’s most beautiful stores, where
Nathalie Lachat offers a wide range of strong
brands, including her own Magdalena.
PHIL’S COFFEE BAR // Nationalestraat - Schoytestraat 1
Does great coffee and its terrace is the perfect
place to sit and enjoy the first rays of light.
NATIVE // Muntstraat 8
A great spot for tasty and biological lunches,
with original dishes and a lovely sunny terrace.
From Thursdays till Saturdays, they’re open late
for an after shopping meal.
lnknits.com
flavoursofbarbel.com
garde-robe-nationale.be
nativefood.be
FASHION DISTRICT
Favourite hangouts of
ELLEN KEGELS // FOUNDER LN BEANIES
©Jokko
An ideal haven
for creative minds
to drop anchor.

21. ANTWERP.
STARTUP
CITY
FOR
CREATIVE
MINDS.
Antwerp is Open for Business - www.businessinantwerp.eu