First 90 Days at Atelier: A Belgian Incubator Space in NYC

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – New York City is the place to be for startups looking toward global expansion. The Belgians clearly know this as evidenced by the recent opening of Atelier, the brand new incubator for Belgian companies in NYC.

"One of the largest key markets to succeed in many sectors is the US market."

Sponsored by large Belgian corporations and run by the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce, this new program is targeted at Belgian startups and mid-caps who are looking to expand into the US via NYC. It is the first European country-specific incubator space in NYC. Atelier is the French word for "workshop" and the space lives up to its name as it functions both as a co-working space and as a place where young companies can get mentorship and support in their US expansion. The participating companies are selected based on three main criteria: they must prove that they have a sound financial plan; they must prove they have a solid concept; and they must have an economic multiplier effect in Belgium.Now, the 12,000 sq. foot office space is filling up with Belgian companies eager to start up in NYC. The space is primarily open-plan co-working desks to encourage synergy and communication among the companies in the space. Conference rooms and private offices are available as well.

WHY NEW YORK CITY? Access to clients: New York is the main US hub for many industries. Over the last 10 years, technology startups have increasingly built their homes in NY. Venture capital is increasing rapidly in NY. VC funding in NY increased by 33% from Q3 to Q4 2012. Government support. BelCham headquarters are based in NY, allowing to fully utilize the BelCham network. Location: New York has eight million residents and is situated in the middle of a megalopolis that includes over 40 million people, between Boston and Washington D.C. Most Belgian companies see NY as a first stop in the US. We agree with former New York Mayor Ed Koch: "NY is where the future comes to audition."

THE NEED FOR AN INCUBATORNew York International had a chance to visit Atelier during its grand opening event in March and speak with Bieke Claes, Managing Director at the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce who gave us a little insight into what it’s like to start an incubator program. The idea originated when Claes noticed that there were many Belgian entrepreneurs looking for support in their US expansion, and there was no framework in place for this in New York City. "To successfully stimulate economic development in Belgium, it is imperative to stimulate economic development of Belgian companies outside of Belgium.  One of the largest key markets to succeed in many sectors is the US market," she said. After receiving dozens of phone calls asking for help setting up in the city, and being unable to offer the services needed, Claes says her own entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and she decided to start a program that could meet the demands for co-working space and business support.The Belgian community came together behind Claes’s idea.  "It’s easy to say that you favor entrepreneurship and that you like small businesses but when it comes to actually giving support, it’s not always there. But with Atelier it was different - people really put their money where their mouth was. Literally everything you see here is sponsored […] all by Belgian companies," she said at Atelier’s opening event in early 2014.Three months since opening the space already has 23 companies occupying more than half of the available seats and is projected to be full by the end of the year. Among the companies which call Atelier home are IIID Evolution, a 3D imaging company which can capture a person’s image in seconds and convert them into a 3D model to be used in gaming, 3D printing and hologram creation among others; and FoodPairing, a food-tech company which has software that helps chefs and home cooks discover new flavor pairings that complement one another.“SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ALWAYS CO-CREATION”As with any international incubator the hope is that startups which enter the program grow and become successful business ventures which bring an economic boost to both their home country and the country they have expanded to. Atelier also strives to foster a community feeling between the companies in the program so that they can help one-another grow and achieve their goals.  "We believe meaning, and by extension a meaningful community, is created through involvement and action. A community is proved to be only as healthy, strong and successful as its members and the relationships between them."When asked what is next for Atelier now that it has successfully launched and is growing, Claes explained that she would like Atelier to only be the beginning. The goal is to build upon the entrepreneurial drive of the participating companies, use the lessons they have learned and allow them to share that knowledge in an educational format as a kind of masters degree in international entrepreneurship