Unicorn Companies in Belgium 2024
Belgium known for its medieval towns and Renaissance architecture, is making waves in the European startup ecosystem. The Belgian startup scene has been rapidly evolving, with several unicorn companies in Belgium achieving this prestigious status in recent years, firmly placing the nation on the map as a notable player in the global tech arena.
As of 2024 Belgium has three unicorn companies. These companies are leaders in B2B solutions, with a focus on data management, enterprise software, and food tech. They are not only successful in Belgium but are also growing internationally and attracting investors and clients from around the world.
The Belgian government has played a crucial role in this success story, with initiatives like the Immigrant Entrepreneur Program and comprehensive support for startups, including funding and mentorship.
Lets explore the unicorn companies in Belgium.
Rundown
S.No | Name | Valuation | Unicorn Milestone Date | City | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Collibra | $5.25B | 2019-01-29 | Brussels | Enterprise Tech |
2 | Deliverect | $1.40B | 2022-01-24 | Ghent | Consumer & Retail |
3 | Odoo | $3.43B | 2021-07-29 | Louvain-la-Neuve | Enterprise Tech |
List of Unicorn Companies in Belgium
Collibra
- Valuation: $5.25
- Industry: Enterprise Tech
- Investors: Index Ventures, Battery Ventures, ICONIQ Capital
- Unicorn Milestone Date: 1/29/2019
About
Collibra is a Data Intelligence company that helps organizations make data-driven decisions by providing a comprehensive platform for data governance, catalog, privacy, and quality. Founded in 2008, Collibra achieved unicorn status in 2019 and has since grown to become a leader in the data management and governance space. As one of the prominent unicorn companies in Belgium, Collibra exemplifies the innovative spirit and rapid growth potential of the region's tech sector.
Target Audience
Collibra's solutions are designed for large enterprises across various industries, including financial services, healthcare, retail, and technology. The company caters to organizations seeking to improve their data management practices, ensure compliance, and derive more value from their data assets.
Business Model
Collibra operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering its Data Intelligence Platform to customers on a subscription basis. The company's approach is to provide a flexible operating model that allows organizations to define roles, responsibilities, and terms according to their specific needs. Collibra partners with its customers to guide them through the implementation process and help them achieve lasting Data Intelligence. The company generates revenue through software licenses, professional services, and customer support.
Key Offerings
- Data Catalog: Helps users find, understand, and access data across the organization
- Data Governance: Enables organizations to establish policies, standards, and processes for managing data
- Data Privacy: Assists in managing data privacy risks and ensuring compliance with regulations
- Data Quality: Provides tools for monitoring and improving data quality
- Data Lineage: Tracks the flow of data throughout the organization
- Flexible Operating Model: Allows customization of data governance practices to fit specific organizational needs
Key Management
- Felix Van de Maele: Founder and CEO
- Stijn "Stan" Christiaens: Founder and Chief Data Citizen
Investment Timeline
- April 2020: Raised $112.5 million at a post-money valuation of $2.3 billion, led by ICONIQ Capital, Index Ventures, and Durable Capital Partners LP
- 2019: Achieved unicorn status
- Total venture funding to date: $345.5 million
Deliverect
- Valuation: $1.40B
- Industry: Consumer & Retail
- Investors: Newion Partners, SmartFin Capital, OMERS Ventures
- Unicorn Milestone Date: 1/24/2022
About
Deliverect is a Belgian unicorn startup based in Ghent that provides software solutions for the food service industry. Founded in 2018, Deliverect has quickly grown to become a leading player in the restaurant technology sector. The company's main offering is a SaaS platform that integrates online ordering channels with restaurants' point-of-sale (POS) systems, streamlining the order management process for food businesses. Deliverect achieved unicorn status in January 2022 when it secured over €130 million in Series D funding, solidifying its position among the notable unicorn companies in Belgium.
Target Audience
Deliverect's target audience includes restaurants, ghost kitchens, convenience stores, and grocery stores that offer online ordering and delivery services. The platform caters to both small independent restaurants and large global chains, serving over 48,000 food businesses worldwide.
Business Model
Deliverect operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, providing its platform to food businesses on a subscription basis. The company generates revenue by charging fees for its services, which include:
- Integration fees: Deliverect charges for connecting restaurants' POS systems with various online ordering platforms.
- Subscription fees: Customers pay recurring fees to access and use Deliverect's platform and features.
- Transaction fees: The company may charge a small fee per order processed through its system.
- Additional services: Deliverect offers value-added services such as menu management, analytics, and dispatch solutions, which may come with additional charges.
Key Offerings
- Order Management: Aggregation and synchronization of online orders from multiple channels into a single system
- Menu Management: Tools for updating and managing online menus across various platforms
- POS Integration: Seamless connection with existing POS systems
- Analytics and Reporting: Insights and data analysis for business optimization
- Delivery Management: Solutions for managing last-mile delivery, including integration with on-demand delivery services
- Online Ordering: Tools for creating and managing direct-to-consumer sales channels
- Loyalty Programs: Features to help restaurants build and manage customer loyalty
Key Management
- Zhong Xu - Co-founder and CEO
Investment Timeline
- 2020: Raised €16.25 million for global expansion
- January 2022: Secured over €130 million in Series D funding, achieving unicorn status with a valuation of over €1.2 billion
- Previously raised $150 million in Series D funding, bringing total valuation to $1.4 billion
Odoo
- Valuation: $3.43B
- Industry: Enterprise Tech
- Investors: Summit Partners, Noshaq, Sofinnova Partners
- Unicorn Milestone Date: 7/29/2021
About
Odoo is a leading provider of open-source integrated business software applications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2002 by Fabien Pinckaers, Odoo has grown to become a disruptor in the global SME productivity software market. The company offers a suite of business applications that cover various aspects of enterprise management, from CRM and e-commerce to accounting and inventory. As one of the pioneering unicorn companies in Belgium, Odoo continues to innovate and expand its influence in the software solutions landscape.
Target Audience
Odoo primarily caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. Their software is designed to meet the unique needs of businesses looking for an affordable, integrated solution to manage various aspects of their operations.
Business Model
Odoo operates on an "open core" philosophy, which allows community developers to create applications for their platform. This approach has resulted in nearly 40,000 software applications available in their business application store, making it one of the largest in the world. Odoo's business model focuses on providing SMEs with a consolidated software suite at an affordable price point, eliminating the need for multiple, expensive point solutions.
The company generates revenue through various channels:
- Subscription fees for their cloud-based services
- Licensing fees for on-premise installations
- Professional services and support
- Revenue sharing with partners who develop and sell Odoo applications
Key Offerings
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
- E-commerce platform
- Accounting software
- Inventory management
- Point of Sale (PoS) system
- Project management tools
- Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP)
- Marketing automation
- Human Resources management
- Website builder
Key Management
- Fabien Pinckaers - Founder and CEO
Investment Timeline
- June 26, 2023: Odoo received a strategic investment of approximately €150 million from General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm.
