The Deloitte Scale-Ups Confidence Survey 2026 highlights the priorities shaping Belgium’s innovation ecosystem
How are Belgian startups and scale-ups preparing for their next phase of growth?
To answer this question, Deloitte Private has released the seventh edition of its Scale-Ups Confidence Survey, conducted in collaboration with Wallonie Entreprendre and PMV. Based on insights from 226 Belgian startups and scale-ups, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the ambitions, challenges and priorities that will shape Belgium’s innovation ecosystem in 2026.
The message is clear: confidence remains strong, but companies are becoming more disciplined in the way they scale. The focus is no longer on growth at all costs. Instead, founders are prioritising commercial execution, operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Key findings include:
- 80% identify customer acquisition and revenue growth as their top priority for 2026.
- 64% consider commercial execution their biggest challenge, ahead of fundraising and product development.
- 68% are planning to raise additional funding, although investors have become more selective and increasingly value profitability and execution.
- Artificial intelligence has become a strategic growth driver, helping companies accelerate product development, improve productivity and unlock new business models.
- International expansion remains high on the agenda, with North America standing out as one of the most attractive markets for Belgian scale-ups.
The survey also highlights a broader shift in the scale-up journey: the companies best positioned for long-term success are not necessarily those raising the most capital, but those able to convert innovation into revenue, strengthen operational excellence and build scalable organisations.
You want to discover the trends shaping the next generation of Belgian startups and scale-ups ? Explore the full report here