Doing business in Leuven
Leuven is a vibrant and innovative city in Belgium, famous for its old cozy city center and academic excellence. The city has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, with beautiful historic buildings. With the presence of the KU Leuven, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, the city is a breeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. Leuven has more than 100,000 inhabitants, with an additional 65,000 students.
Knowledge and University
Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is one of the oldest universities in Europe and plays a crucial role in the city's business climate. With approximately 65,000 students, of which almost a quarter are international students, and almost 8,000 researchers, KU Leuven is the largest university in Belgium and ranks 43rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2025. Its strong focus on research and collaboration with local companies makes it a crucial player in the European knowledge economy.
University Hospital
UZ Leuven is the academic hospital of KU Leuven and is known for its multidisciplinary patient care with more than 1,500 beds and innovative research methods. As one of the largest hospitals in Europe, it offers excellent opportunities for medical students and researchers to collaborate with experienced professionals in a cutting-edge learning environment. Located on the Gasthuisberg, the hospital receives 40,000 patients and staff every day. Campus Gasthuisberg, founded in the 1970s on the outskirts of Leuven, now covers more than 200,000 m² of hospital, research and training infrastructure. The Health Sciences Campus Gasthuisberg is a joint project of UZ Leuven and KU Leuven, which brings together ambulatory and general care, biomedical education and research.
Research and Development, Research Parks and Business Centers
Arenberg Research-Park
The Arenberg Research-Park, founded in 2004, is an important science park of 13 ha near the KU Leuven. The park offers space for biotech and IT companies and stimulates collaboration between startups and established companies. It also houses a bio-incubator that supports startups in biotechnology.
In the middle of the Arenberg research campus lies the world-renowned IMEC. With its 12,000 m² of cleanrooms, IMEC is a leading research center in the field of microelectronics and nanotechnology, based in Leuven. At IMEC, 5,500 employees from around the world and more than 600 companies work together on our R&D programs in the field of nanoelectronics innovation and its applications in health, automotive, AI, manufacturing, and more.
Haasrode Research Park
The Haasrode Research Park, with an area of 136 hectares, is home to numerous high-tech companies and innovative start-ups. This park is strategically located near the Brussels region and offers an excellent infrastructure for research and development.
Remy Campus
The Remy Campus is a modern business park that originated from the transformation of an old factory. This park, located on the Leuven canal, offers an inspiring working environment for technology companies and startups.
Leuven North
Leuven North is a new research park of 24ha to be developed through a collaboration between the city of Leuven, the NMBS and the KU Leuven. The site is located on the railway plateau between the canal, the Dyle and the Provincial Domain of Kessel-Lo.
Capital of Beer
Leuven is often referred to as the capital of beer, with a rich history of breweries. The presence of AB InBev, the largest brewer in the world, and numerous craft breweries offer a range of opportunities for hospitality entrepreneurs and beer lovers. The city regularly hosts beer festivals and tastings, which adds to the vibrancy of the local economy.
Shopping in Leuven
Bondgenotenlaan & Diestestraat
The Bondgenotenlaan and Diestestraat are Leuven's main shopping streets, with a mix of trendy boutiques, large chains and cosy cafés. Here, visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere and unique shopping offers. In addition to the main streets, there are plenty of other shopping areas in Leuven. The Parisian Street and Tripe Street offer a mix of cafes and specialized shops, while the Mechelsestraat and Vismarkt are known for their local artisan products and unique shops.
