What's up

Turning a bold idea into a scalable company is one of the hardest steps in a start-up journey. To bridge that gap, Wallonie Entreprendre has launched StartUp Boost, a new early-stage investment program designed to help founders move from idea to traction faster.

With up to €100,000 in funding, a structured selection process, and access to a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, StartUp Boost is positioned to become a key pillar of early-stage financing in Wallonia. Its goal is clear, support innovative young companies in their earliest development phases and strengthen funding continuity between research, development, and market entry.

From idea to traction, secure up to €100,000

StartUp Boost provides funding through a convertible loan of up to €100,000, designed to be simple, transparent, and founder-friendly.

The terms are particularly attractive, with a 20% discount if the loan is converted within 12 months and a 25% discount if it is converted after 12 months.

Selected start-ups can use this first investment to accelerate development, validate their market, test core assumptions, and prepare for future funding rounds.

Fast. Structured. Founder-friendly.

More than funding, a launchpad for growth

StartUp Boost goes beyond capital. It’s designed as a true early-stage support mechanism within the Walloon ecosystem.

Selected start-ups receive:

• Up to €100,000 in funding
• A convertible loan structure
• A clear and transparent selection process
• Access to a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Structured support when needed

The philosophy is simple, invest in potential, not only in traction.

Backed by ecosystem experts

For its first edition, StartUp Boost relies on a jury of experienced founders and investors, ensuring a rigorous and market-driven selection process aligned with real startup challenges.

For this inaugural edition, the jury includes Sébastien Lebbe, Wooclap, Pierre-Olivier Danhaive, Verbolia, Olivier Simonis, ex-Qualifio, Myriam Blampain, Altavia Nord Europe, Maud Larochette, ex-N-Side, and Benjamin Renous, XAnge.

The jury composition may evolve depending on the themes of future calls.

Long-term ambition for Wallonia

StartUp Boost is not a one-off initiative. It is part of a broader ambition to strengthen innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship in the region.

From 2026 onward, the program aims to launch three to four calls per year, support around fifteen projects annually, and deploy an annual budget of €1.5 million.

The goal is to fuel the next wave of innovation in Wallonia and back innovations that create sustainable competitive advantage.

Who should apply?

The program targets ambitious early-stage founders ready to build scalable ventures.

You are a strong fit if your start-up:

• Is less than 3 years old
• Develops a digital and/or technological innovation
• Addresses a clearly identified market need
• Has a scalable growth ambition
• Is led by a team able to execute quickly
• is based in Wallonia or has its operating headquarters in the Walloon Region

The ambition is to support projects with high potential and foster the emergence of Wallonia’s future scale-ups.

How to apply ?

It is simple. Four steps. One call.

1. Apply
   Submit your pitch deck via the platform.
2. Get challenged by experts
   After an initial screening by the investment team, pre-selected projects take part in online pitch sessions.
3. Pitch to the Selection Committee
   Shortlisted start-ups present to an external selection committee, with a minimum of two start-ups selected per call.
4. Get funded
   Successful start-ups move forward with a first structured investment.

Each call is evaluated by a jury of external experts from the entrepreneurial and investment sectors, ensuring a rigorous selection process aligned with market realities.

The first call for projects is open until April 23, 2026, and the first selection committee is scheduled for May 19, 2026.

If you’re building an innovative start-up in Wallonia, this is a strong opportunity to reach an important milestone and accelerate your path to traction.

At A6K, we work hand in hand with such start-ups through our acceleration program for engineering & industrial tech start-ups, from go-to-market and commercial strategy to financial levers, and to connect key potential clients aiming to build a more efficient, sustainable industrial future.

If you’d like to learn more about the A6K ecosystem, our services for start-ups, or explore potential synergies, please feel free to reach out to Sébastien Lewy at sebastien@a6k.be.

Join us and take your start-up to the next level!