ING partners with Belgium Startup Awards to empower starters

ING is proud to announce its partnership with Belgium Startup Awards, the first and unique national awards competition journey that aims to support the entire startup ecosystem. This partnership highlights the active role ING plays in empowering starters.

ING is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, making this partnership a perfect match. ​ ​ 

Raoul Morano, Head of Self-Employed and Micro businesses at ING Belgium: ‘Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Belgian economy. However, we understand that launching a business is not easy. That's why we are here to support our starters, with over 150 years of experience, deep sector expertise and a market-leading proposition. Now we are also providing them with a platform to shine. We are excited to sponsor the Belgium Startup Awards, empowering the next generation of Belgian entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential!’ 

Nicolas Debray, Startup Awards CEO: ‘For the Belgium Startup Awards, it was essential to join forces with a financial institution deeply rooted in the Belgian economic fabric, and ING was the ideal partner. Their knowledge of the local market and their commitment to entrepreneurship, combined with a shared conviction that banks play a decisive role in the development of startups, make this partnership a major asset for young companies. We're delighted to have them on board to help budding entrepreneurs realise their ambitions.’ 

About ING 

ING Belgium is a universal bank that provides financial services for private individuals, businesses and institutional customers. ING Belgium S.A./N.V. is a subsidiary of ING Group N.V. via ING Bank N.V. (www.ing.com). ​ ​ 

ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries. ​ 

ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ​ ​ 

ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. ​ 

About the Belgium Startup Awards  

The Belgium Startup Awards are a social media amplified competition journey that aims to crown the best Belgian startups. The methodology is a 5-month trajectory made up of a series of key moments: Call for applications, Selection pitches, Startup Masterclasses, Finalists' pitches & public votes - Awards full-day event. ​ ​ 

The goal is to connect, strengthen and create value for all the startup ecosystem stakeholders (startups, corporates, service providers, investors, talents, public entities, locations) by generating visibility, knowledge sharing and business and networking opportunities. Let's scale it up! ​