Wallonia has a network of seven science parks, brought together under the umbrella of Science Parks of Wallonia (SPoW).
These parks are tasked with supporting the development of technological activities, in collaboration with universities and regional economic development stakeholders.
Today, the network represents more than 670 companies established, around 15,300 talented professionals and nearly 80 university spin-offs, covering a total area of 600 hectares, of which around 150 hectares are still available.
A model based on collaboration
The SPoW network is based on a governance model involving:
- 7 economic development agencies: IGRETEC, IBW, SPI, BEP, IDEA, IDETA and IDELUX;
- 5 partner universities: UCLouvain, ULiège, ULB, UNamur and UMONS.
This organisation promotes links between academic research, businesses and local areas, encouraging knowledge transfer and the emergence of structural technological innovations.
Facilities dedicated to technological activities
Walloon science parks provide companies with facilities tailored to their needs, including specialised incubators, technology platforms, state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment and advanced connectivity, including fibre optics and digital infrastructure.
A shared quality charter governs the parks’ operation. In particular, it stipulates that at least 80% of occupants must carry out technology-related activities within the parks.
A collaborative and multidisciplinary ecosystem
The companies located in the science parks are active in various fields, including:
- information and communication technologies (ICT),
- engineering,
- biotechnology and life sciences,
- agri-food,
- ustainable development,
- aeronautics and space.
These areas of activity are explicitly highlighted in the SPoW charter, which emphasises the parks’ purpose of bringing together complementary technological players and promoting sectoral synergies.
A key role for Wallonia’s economy and attractiveness
Science parks play an essential role in:
- the creation and growth of technology companies,
- the transfer of knowledge between universities and companies,
- supporting companies (financing, coaching and networking),
- Wallonia’s international influence through economic missions and partnerships led in particular by AWEX and IASP.
They are also part of broader dynamics of cooperation, both at Belgian and international level.
Much more than just physical locations
Walloon science parks are not simply business parks.
They are real drivers of regional technological excellence, platforms where talent, businesses, researchers and investors come together.
Today, they are a strategic asset for strengthening the Walloon economy, attracting international projects, accelerating the technological transition and shaping the innovation that will drive Wallonia – and Europe — in the decades to come.
