Innovating today, creating tomorrow: the VIB Bio-Incubator
2024 marks a significant milestone for VIB with the inauguration of our new headquarters and bio-incubator, the result of a collaboration with infrastructure investor PMV.
Located on the new technology campus Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, Campus Eiland, the VIB Bio-Incubator is placed at the heart of the Flemish biotech ecosystem, with the University of Ghent, University hospital Ghent, and several VIB centers nearby. To attract biotech startups, spin-offs, and satellites of foreign biotech companies, the new incubator provides top-notch facilities for both biopharmaceutical and agro-biotech companies.
The incubator, with a capacity for 10 to 15 companies, is not only a launchpad for biotech ventures but is also a testament to sustainable practices, with its BREEAM certification – the leading method of assessing and certifying the sustainability of buildings – and carbon-neutral and energy efficient operations. Among other things, the ground floor has a large in-house bicycle storage with all the complementary accommodations to promote sustainable commuting. A shuttle bus that links the incubator to the train station Ghent Sint-Pieters stops at the doorstep, further enhancing the accessibility for visitors and employees.
Hub of collaboration
Hosting both bright-eyed biotech startups and VIB in the same building has another benefit: it fosters collaboration.
The facility is equipped with cutting-edge lab facilities and generous office space. The floors are not only interconnected by elevators but also by pleasant stairways with lots of natural light and great views. Moreover, the entire facade is an interactive shell and each floor has informal meeting corners and flexible workplaces. In short, the VIB Bio-Incubator does not only provide high-quality infrastructure but also cultivates a community of innovative thinkers.
The VIB Bio-Incubator builds on Flanders’ great biotech tradition to provide the next step for a thriving ecosystem, supporting visionary entrepreneurs. As both the campus and the building fill up with people eager to bring their innovative ideas to life, VIB and PMV are excited to play a pivotal role in facilitating these endeavors.
The architectural vision for the VIB Bio-Incubator was conceived by Modulo Architects and Stéphane Beel Architects in collaboration with the engineering firms Istema and Establis.