BREAK DOWN BARRIERS
TO EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
NEXT EDITION: FALL 2025
BeNeLux
Catalyst
Are you a founder from Belgium, The Netherlands or Luxembourg, looking to set clear international goals for your business and expand your business to the U.S. market?
The BeNeLux Catalyst is a no-equity accelerator program for high-growth tech startups working together to kick-start their international growth. During an intense two weeks, we will work with local experts, mentors and peers to validate your plans and fill in the blanks.
Immerse in a collaborative environment of experts, mentors & fellow founders.
Obtain an individualized business blueprint to guide international growth
Accelerate understanding of the American business landscape
Gain access to a network of successful entrepreneurs, investors and prospective clients
Validate expansion plans + business assumptions with the right information & resources
Validate expansion plans + business assumptions with the right information & resources
"Go big or go home!" - Kees Zorge, Omniboost founder
"I'm a huge fan of the program. It made us realize to go big or go home, causing a shift in mindset. After BeNeLux Catalyst, we decided to take a very active approach to the U.S. market, and were able to land some pretty big deals! Have an open-mind and accept the challenges, then BeNeLux Catalyst will be a real gamecharger for your expansion!"
THE PROGRAM
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Company-specific matchmaking
and personal introductions
Presentations and workshops by experts and service providers
Knowledge sharing and peer mentoring by fellow entrepreneurs
Access to the larger NYC entrepreneurial community through events
“Participating in the BeNeLux Catalyst program in New York City was invaluable for my company’s expansion into the U.S. market. The program provided critical insights from expert mentors, refining our market strategies and easing our transition into the American business landscape. One of the standout benefits was the opportunity to meet and collaborate with fellow Founders and CEOs from Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands. This collaboration fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas and strategies, offering fresh perspectives and forming a supportive network that continues to benefit our business endeavors. Finally, the immersion in New York's entrepreneurial ecosystem further expanded our network and inspired innovative approaches.”
“This program is a must for any leader from the BeNeLux region looking to access the U.S. market!” - Omar Qaise, CEO OQ Technology
2024 COHORT
Kurt Schütte, CEO Runeasi
“The BeNeLux Catalyst program will accelerate your US expansion plans. The program gets you in the room with inspiring entrepreneurs and quality investing firms that deeply understand the U.S. market and know what it takes to scale there successfully. But it will also reshape your strategic thinking, provide you with unique insights into American business culture, and give you better ballpark numbers to work into your financial plan. The BeNeLux Catalyst program gives you an overview on all the essential topics from brand building to hiring in the U.S., while also exposing you to the incredible networking mindset of NYC. The organizing team are full of energy, eager to help, and willing to open up their networks to you.”
2023 COHORT
2022 COHORT
2021 COHORT
2020 COHORT
Ruben Merre, CEO Ngrave
“In order to shape a strong plan and fill in the blanks regarding our expansion strategy into the U.S., the BeNeLux Catalyst program was a perfect match. The team has created an immersive program to aid you as an entrepreneur in testing and validating your assumptions. The program really aims to accelerate your understanding of the intricacies peculiar to the American market. It connects you directly with a network of entrepreneurs and facilitates a variety of speakers/coaches who can help dive deeper when it comes to your specific niche.”
2019 COHORT
NEW YORK CITY
#2 TECH ECOSYSTEM IN THE WORLD
7000+ STARTUPS
47 AMERICAN FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES
200+ VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS
250+ EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN STARTUPS HAVE LAUNCHED THEIR US ACTIVITIES FROM BELCHAM ATELIER
New York’s premier international launchpad for European startups
Co-working and event space
Access to purpose-driven community of European - American startup founders
2024 PARTNERS
THIS PROGRAM IS A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS FROM BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND LUXEMBOURG
APPLICATION
WHO SHOULD JOIN US?
The call is open to startups operating in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg
Each startup can select a maximum of two founders or executives
The Program Partners from each country will select the final participating startups
STARTUP SELECTION CRITERIA
Must have a demonstrated, scalable model
Must have intentions to expand to the USA (looking to incorporate within 1 year)
Member of founding/leadership team must be able to commit to joining 80% of the program
Must have achieved traction and revenues in home market
Must have a devoted and talented team, and committed founder
PARTICIPATION FEE
The participation fee for BeNeLux Catalyst 2025 is 9000 Euros per participant. This fee grants you access to all classes as well as numerous networking opportunities with your peers. A limited number of scale-ups may receive support from the BeNeLux Catalyst program partners to entirely or partially cover their participation fee. Get in touch with BelCham Member Manager, Anton Wouters via anton@belcham.org, for more information.
Note: flight, lodging and other travel expenses are not included in the participation fee.LOCATION
The seventh edition of the Benelux Catalyst will take place in fall of 2025! Selected founders are invited to join us in New York City for two weeks at BelCham’s Midtown co-working space for the duration of the program.
