imec.istart.

Last updated: 13 August 2026

Details

URL: https://www.imecistart.com
What it is: imec’s pre-seed accelerator (open accelerator programme) for tech startups
Since: 2011 (300+ investments / companies worldwide)
Active in: Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain & Germany
Funding (core): €100,000 pre-seed via a convertible loan + in-kind support (with the possibility of additional funding up to €300,000 in later rounds)
Support (what you get): personal coaching (day-to-day sparring partner), workshops/mentors, founder community, international network connections, support towards becoming “investor-ready”
Who it’s for (high level): startups with a tech product + working proof of concept + a complementary founding team
Ranking: #1 accelerator “World Top Business Accelerator – Linked to University” (UBI Global)
Contact: Interested in the imec.istart programme? Feel free to book a meeting directly with Arantxa Wille, who scouts startups, via their booking link.

Autumn call Belgium: opens on 1 September — deadline 30 September (midnight)
Free webinar info session: Tuesday 8 September, 11:00–12:00
- Host: Arantxa Wille
- Sign up: 👉 Register for the webinar
- Can’t attend live? Still sign up — you’ll receive the on-demand recording afterwards.
What you’ll learn (incl.):
- Whether your startup is eligible for imec.istart Belgium
- How the €100k investment deal works (without “upfront equity”)
- What support/coaching/network you can expect
- How the application + selection process works
- Tips to submit a stronger application
- Live Q&A with the imec.istart team
More info: website
Talk in person: open office sessions

€100,000 funding via a convertible loan + in-kind support
Possibility of additional funding up to €300,000 in later rounds
Personal coaching with a day-to-day sparring partner, complemented by workshop experts and mentors
Tech community of 500+ like-minded digital tech entrepreneurs
International network to scale internationally
Backed by imec (connection to a globally recognised R&D and innovation hub)

imec.istart emphasises that the programme helps startups reach milestones such as:

Product-ready: towards a fully working solution
Market-ready: align the product with target customers + refine market and strategy roadmap
Growth-ready: build skills and know-how to scale
Investor-ready: define your funding mix and pitch to investors with a sharpened pitch

imec.istart states they are mainly looking for startups with:

According to the site, imec.istart and its alumni network continue to support founders after the programme (“in it for the long run”).

This article was written with AI and may contain inaccuracies. Visit the source website to consult the original information.