Belgium - Leuven

The city of Leuven has been named the Pearl of Life Sciences as it has a long tradition in the knowledge industry, a leading role the international high-tech and life science business development, and a strategic location in Belgium and Europe.

European Capital of Innovation

Based on Leuven’s outstanding innovation concepts in the fields of life sciences, nanotechnology, mechatronics and smart system, as well as processes and governance models that create a framework that brings ideas to life, Leuven was awarded the title of ‘European Capital of Innovation’ in 2020. Part of the success of Leuven is also its strategic location as it is close to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. Leuven is part of the so-called Flemish Diamond (Vlaamse Ruit). This is a network of four metropolitan areas in Belgium which are close to each other and form the four corners of an abstract diamond shape: Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven. It is the most urbanized, industrialized and prosperous area of Belgium with a large supply of highly educated, multilingual and flexible employees.