This is why aspiring entrepreneurs should study in Ghent
Want to study entrepreneurship in Europe? Look no further than Ghent. Belgium’s very own Silicon Valley has a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and innovation hubs (Ghent ranks 19th amongst the world’s densest start-up ecosystems, and 8th in Europe) – and it’s home to the Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Vlerick Business School.
Programme Director Professor Oli Mihalache explains why Ghent is the perfect place for budding entrepreneurs to study…
What opportunities does Ghent offer Vlerick’s Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship students?
The location really is ideal for our Masters students. Ghent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is active, it’s growing – and it’s a great source of internship and mentorship opportunities. Ghent founders have a strong culture of paying it forward – they want to support future entrepreneurs in any way they can, whether that’s through investment or sharing best practice.
We also partner with a number of influential Ghent-based tech and innovation hubs. Wintercircus hosts exclusive events for our Masters students – and invites them into its space to see entrepreneurs at work. And imec and Start it @KBC are a valuable part of our Start-up Accelerator, offering students advice and feedback on their pitches.
When you study with us, you can also tap into our vast alumni network – which includes many successful entrepreneurs. Five of Belgium’s seven unicorns are connected to Vlerick – and our alumni founded both Lighthouse and Collibra. Our alumni are always willing to lend a helping hand to the next generation of business leaders.
How does the programme prepare students for the world of entrepreneurship?
Everything in this programme is designed to give you real-world exposure – including tackling challenges for real organisations, building your own start-up and meeting seasoned entrepreneurs. Over the year, you’ll participate in:
- The Start-up Accelerator: Where you refine your idea into an actionable business plan – and pitch it
- The Innovation Challenge: Working with an organisation like KPMG to solve a real business issue
- In-company project: Building your own venture or working at an existing company
- An optional six-month Career Acceleration Track or other internships up to 6 months
We know that network is everything for entrepreneurs – so as well as integrating with the Ghent ecosystem, we check out other innovation hubs in Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona. And we make sure that our student cohort is a small, diverse group that brings different perspectives, ideas and experiences to the classroom.
In an increasingly uncertain world, how can your students make sure they stay one step ahead?
From geopolitical trends to AI rewriting the rules, we can’t predict the future. What we can do is instil an entrepreneurial mindset in our students.
To succeed, you need a global outlook. You need to be curious about what’s happening elsewhere and its impact on your business. You need to be open to feedback. You need a founder mentality – one that empowers you to take ownership, identify opportunities and pivot quickly when needed. You cultivate this mentality on the Vlerick Masters programme.
And from our base in Ghent, you’re surrounded by start-ups, scale-ups and entrepreneurs with the same mindset. There’s an energy that flows through our Masters students – and Ghent is the perfect place to amplify that energy and turn it into impact.
Ready to join Vlerick’s Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship?
Find out more – or book a call with the team.
