The start-ups and scale-ups of today are the potential success stories of tomorrow. Recognising this, BNP Paribas Fortis launched Innovation Hub in 2014 to support these companies from the earliest stages of their growth. A specialised team of relationship managers focuses on the specific needs of start-ups in 5 key sectors. There are currently 9 Innovation Hub centres, strategically located throughout Belgium.
In a constantly evolving market, often disrupted by sudden external shocks, securing funding for scale-ups is no easy task. Investors tend to be cautious and scale-ups need to present a strong case to convince them. The relationship managers at Innovation Hub are constantly developing their knowledge and expertise, making them trusted financial partners who provide scale-ups with tailored advice.
5 key sectors
To qualify for the personalised support provided by Innovation Hub’s relationship managers, start-ups and scale-ups must offer innovative and disruptive products or services. They must also demonstrate a ‘market fit’, essentially that there is a market demand for their product or service.
The role of Innovation Hub goes far beyond simply extending credit. “Our relationship managers support the scale-ups at every stage of their development, and are the first point of contact for those on the verge of breaking through internationally,” says Stéphane Vermeire, Head of Corporate Banking at BNP Paribas Fortis. “They help companies define their financing strategies. For example, start-ups often have high financing requirements. Among other things, we help these companies to finance their investment plans in a thoughtful way and to keep their working capital under control.”
To provide the highest level of expertise, the Innovation Hub focuses specifically on 5 key innovation-driven sectors:
- Life sciences: biotech, healthtech, medtech, pharmatech;
- ICT & digital: AI, VR, IoT, big data, cloud, gaming etc.
- Fintech: insurtech, blockchain, payments, etc.
- Green & clean tech: low carbon tech, renewable energy, circularity, materials, etc.;
- Agri-food tech: urban agriculture, innovative pesticides, food tech, data, etc.
600 innovative companies
BNP Paribas Fortis Innovation Hub currently supports around 600 companies, with 34 relationship managers operating from 9 centres in Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels, Charleroi, Hasselt, Liège, Ghent, Kortrijk, Leuven and Namur). The total amount of loans outstanding with BNP Paribas Fortis from these companies is approximately €350 million.
Unique in Belgium
Innovation Hub has a unique position in supporting start-ups and scale-ups in Belgium for 2 main reasons:
Firstly, Innovation Hub’s relationship managers are specially trained experts in supporting start-ups and scale-ups. They speak the same language as these companies and understand their sometimes atypical needs. As integral members of BNP Paribas Fortis, they can seamlessly guide clients through the bank’s extensive range of services and products. They also hold regular strategic discussions with clients to provide the most tailored and effective advice.
Second, Innovation Hub benefits from access to a broad ecosystem. In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis has its own private equity division, which enables it to connect clients with relevant investment funds. The bank also offers advisory services in areas such as leasing and risk management.
As part of the BNP Paribas Group, active in 65 countries, Innovation Hub can establish connections abroad. Customers also have access to experts in Trade Development, further facilitating international expansion. Additionally, these companies also have access to both private and institutional investors.
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BNP Paribas Fortis (www.bnpparibasfortis.com) offers the Belgian market a comprehensive range of financial services for private individuals, the self-employed, professionals, companies and public organisations. In the insurance sector, BNP Paribas Fortis works closely, as a tied agent, with Belgian market leader AG Insurance. At international level, the Bank also provides high-net-worth individuals, large corporations and public and financial institutions with customised solutions, for which it is able to draw on the know-how and international network of the BNP Paribas Group.
BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 65 countries and has nearly 185,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group's performance and stability.
