This initiative was born out of a willingness on the part of Belgacom and the regional investment companies to continue to support the future growth of innovative companies in the domain of new digital applications. In addition to financing the development of young companies, the agreement aims to enable the strengthening and acceleration of the company's business plan by having Belgacom and/or a regional partner participate in their capital.
The role of the partners
1. Belgacom
Bolstered by its long-standing experience as Belgium’s incumbent operator and thanks to the expertise of its teams, the Belgacom Group is the country’s reference provider of integrated telecommunication services. In the framework of the Agreement, and beyond its capacity to finance these companies, Belgacom also wishes to act as a strategic investor. In this way, Belgacom could make some of its assets available (customers, distribution channels, sales, marketing and promotional teams, customer knowledge, billing, round-the-clock technical support, technical hosting, etc.) to the target company in order to strengthen and/or accelerate the company's business plan.
Didier Bellens, Belgacom's CEO, has this to say about the agreement: "Belgacom already supports the growth of young companies in Belgium, notably through its participation in the capital of companies such as Tunz, Dacentec, Awingu and the companies involved in the Belgacom Bridging ICT initiative. Moreover, the collaboration with our regional partners has already materialized through the joint participation of Belgacom and SRIW in the capital of the company Softkinetic. By providing €10 million, we reinforce our message of openness vis-à-vis young innovative companies and our conviction that Belgacom can help them speed up and improve their business plan. I can only urge young companies which meet the criteria to contact us."
2. Société Régionale d’Investissement de Wallonie (SRIW)
The mission of SRIW is to provide companies with long-term financing with the aim of directly or indirectly encouraging economic development in the Walloon region. SRIW TECHNO is a SRIW subsidiary specialized in technological investments, including in ICT. (www.sriw.be)
Olivier Vanderijst, Chairman of the Management Committee of SRIW, has the following comment on the agreement: "Our subsidiary SRIW Techno will invest at least €4 million in this partnership, which should accelerate the growth of the companies in which a stake is held. The financial leverage and industrial accompaniment will be better articulated in order to boost innovative production, in line with the objectives of the framework program "Creative Wallonia". That also fits in with SRIW's wish to collaborate with as many large players as possible, with a view to creating an ecosystem favorable to the growth of young businesses."
3. Société Régionale d’Investissement de Bruxelles (SRIB)
Serge Vilain, President of S.R.I.B., "welcomes the partnership with Belgacom, which allows S.R.IB. to pursue its mission to support Brussels-based companies. Given that the ICT sector is one of the priority sectors for the Brussels-Capital Region, the expertise of Belgacom specialists will only help to increase investment in innovative companies." (www.srib.be)
4. Participatie Maatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV)
PMV is an independent investment company. It invests in the economic fabric of Flanders. In doing so, the company acts as entrepreneur and market producer. It also provides financial leverage if the market needs support and the necessary private initiatives are not forthcoming. PMV collaborates closely with private partners via funds and public-private partnerships. Particular emphasis is placed on sustainable energy, biotech, cleantech, life sciences, ICT and the infrastructure for the future. PMV manages a portfolio of EUR 900 million in assets. PMV also undertakes commissions on behalf of the Flemish Region. (www.pmv.eu)
For Marcel Van Handenhoven, CEO of PMV, "collaborating with Belgacom in stimulating young growth companies creates a triple win situation. PMV will be able to expand its investments in promising businesses by relying on Belgacom’s extensive expertise in the ICT sector. Belgacom will be able to expand its scope of investments and innovative entrepreneurs who fit the description will find well-experienced and well-funded partners to boost their ambitions. We are all extremely looking forward to meeting them."