Press30 June 20261 min

The AI Revolution is here: How It’s Reshaping Belgium’s Startup Scene

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In just two years, artificial intelligence has gone from a niche tech feature to the absolute default for European startups. The latest Start it @KBC barometer is out, and the numbers are nothing short of mind-blowing.

Here are the key takeaways you need to know:

  •  AI is the New Standard: A whopping 67.6% of startups in the newest cohort are building with AI, a massive leap from just 22.5% in 2024.

  • Rise of the Solo Founder: Who needs a technical co-founder when you have AI? Thanks to accessible new tools, solo founder applications have spiked by 17%.

  • Power Law is Real: Funding is more concentrated than ever. While alumni raised a record €252M in 2026, a staggering 85% of that capital went to just five companies.

  • Survival of the Fastest: Startups aren't failing because they lack a market need anymore. They're failing because they aren't moving fast enough against competitors using the exact same AI tools. Speed is the new moat.

Despite the intense competition, the Start it @KBC ecosystem is proving its worth: their startups boast a 73% survival rate after five years, crushing the 51% industry average.

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