KICKOFF DAY 2025: starting the academic year with a bang.

Antwerp is the most entrepreneurial student city in Flanders.That message came through loud and clear on Monday night at KICKOFF DAY 2025, where more than a thousand students, entrepreneurs, and partners came together to kick off a brand-new academic year for student entrepreneurs. The message? Uncertain times or not, entrepreneurship is a part of Antwerp students’ DNA.

Antwerp is the most entrepreneurial student city in Flanders,” said Mathias Mallentjer, coordinator of TAKEOFFANTWERP_. We’re living in uncertain times, but young people want to move forward. In Antwerp, there are now over 1,300 student entrepreneurs — twice as many as in other cities when taking population into account.

TAKEOFFANTWERP_, the platform that has been helping students become entrepreneurs for ten years, celebrated its busiest edition yet with KICKOFF DAY 2025. Even Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele couldn’t help but smile as he hung up the “Sold Out” sign.

"This event proves that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive among our youth,” said Diependaele. “Thanks to the student-entrepreneur status and the support of ecosystems like TAKEOFFANTWERP_, many are taking the step toward running a full-fledged business. Their courage and creativity are the driving force behind our future prosperity."

Herman Van Goethem, chair of the Antwerp University Association (AUHA), also highlighted the power of collaboration:

“Our campuses are right in the heart of the city, and that makes all the difference. Here, education, policy, and business truly work together as one ecosystem.”

Student entrepreneurs are now active in nearly every field: from tutoring to blockchain, from circular fashion to event production. Research by AUHA shows that students with an official entrepreneurship status even have higher chances of success.

There is still room for improvement when it comes to support. “Student entrepreneurs are full of drive, but they sometimes run into obstacles,” says Mallentjer. “Those who back boldness will soon reap innovation.”

Alderman Johan Klaps (Port & Economy) also sees this as an opportunity:

“Student entrepreneurship will become a real priority during this legislative term. Together with TAKEOFFANTWERP_, we are building a strong network that provides young entrepreneurs with the guidance, inspiration, and resources to turn their dreams into reality.”

KICKOFF DAY 2025 proved it: Antwerp has everything it takes to help student entrepreneurs thrive.

TAKEOFFANTWERP_ is the ecosystem for entrepreneurial students, made possible by the Antwerp University Association (AUHA), City of Antwerp, VLAIO, University of Antwerp, AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts, KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Antwerp Maritime Academy (HZS), VOKA- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp Waasland, and SINC.