Public Affairs
Driving Sustainable Prosperity through Private Capital
The venture capital and private equity industry plays a key role in supporting a strong and agile economy in Belgium. No strong country without strong investors. We work to promote policies on local, regional and national levels that support venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investments. These investments are essential building blocks for sparking innovation, creating jobs, and boosting overall prosperity. Throughout the year, we host roundtables with government representatives, publish thought‑leadership insights and coordinate on‑site visits to high‑growth companies to give legislators the data and real‑world perspectives they need.
Our Commitment to Policymakers
Private Capital Belgium wants to be a partner for policymakers at all levels of government. We aim to offer valuable expertise and insights to help make well-informed decisions. By engaging in open discussions, we want to help shape the rules and regulations in a way that allows for long-term growth and attracts investment. Both domestically and from other countries.
Key Pillars of Our Advocacy
Our work to promote these goals is based on five main ideas, which we outlined in detail in our Memorandum (available here):
- Innovation: Venture capital and private equity are catalysts for innovation in Belgium. We support policies that encourage local talent and fresh ideas, promote strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and help fund the growth of innovative companies across many sectors. This includes supporting businesses developing AI-driven HR platforms, creating sustainable agriculture solutions, and working on breakthrough drug therapies.
- Job Creation: Investments from our sector are a powerful engine for job creation in Belgium. We advocate for policies that enable start-ups and SMEs to scale their operations and grow their workforce. Companies like Biobest, Odoo, and Teamleader exemplify this, as they have created thousands of jobs thanks to this crucial funding.
- Local Network & Domestic Investment: Private capital is key in strengthening Belgium’s economy by building strong local foundations. We support policies that help develop regional business clusters and innovation hubs, like the biotech ecosystem in Charleroi and R&D centres such as IMEC. These policies also encourage investment within Belgium, ensuring that financial expertise and capital stay in the country and contribute to its overall economic growth.
- Prosperity & Economic Security: Venture capital & private equity contribute to a stable and growing Belgian economy. We advocate for policies that foster long-term economic growth and resilience, as well as support strategic sectors that are vital for the future, such as the energy transition, which reduces Belgium’s dependence on foreign resources.
- Human Capital: People are Belgium’s most valuable resource, and venture capital and private equity are crucial in supporting them. We advocate for policies that help retain and attract top talent, preventing “brain drain” and encouraging the growth of ecosystems in high-potential sectors like gaming and artificial intelligence.
Our Policy Recommendations
To make these goals a reality, we focus our advocacy on these key policy recommendations:
- Strengthening domestic investment by creating a favourable investment climate.
- Supporting local ecosystems that foster innovation and boost productivity.
- Encouraging prosperity by directing private capital towards investments in Belgian companies.
- Ensuring a stable and competitive tax and regulatory environment to encourage investment in Belgium.
These recommendations will help create a vibrant environment for businesses to grow, lead to lasting economic growth, and strengthen Belgium’s position in the global economy.