Syndicate One

Syndicate One helps Belgian startups scale up their businesses through early-stage financing, relevant advice and mentorship.

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Updated: Mar 18, 2026 ·

About

Syndicate One operates as an investment management firm, a network-driven fund dedicated to bolstering the Belgian tech ecosystem. It provides early-stage capital to promising startups, leveraging a collective of experienced founders, operators, and venture capitalists. The firm offers seed capital, strategic expertise, and an international network to foster portfolio company growth.

Founded in 2022, Syndicate One emerged from a shared conviction among Belgian entrepreneurs and investors regarding the nation's potential as a European tech hub. Laurens De Poorter, alongside numerous seasoned professionals, united to form the syndicate. Their core insight centered on establishing a collaborative platform to channel collective experience and resources toward ambitious local ventures.

Syndicate One targets high-potential, Belgium-based tech startups seeking foundational financing and guidance. Its mission is to elevate the Belgian tech ecosystem's overall stature. The firm strives to create a dynamic environment where innovative companies thrive, helping ventures achieve full potential and solidifying Belgium's influence within the European technology landscape.

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Deep Dive

High-Level Overview

Syndicate One is a Brussels-based investment firm dedicated to accelerating the growth of Belgium’s most ambitious tech startups. Founded in 2022, Syndicate One’s mission is to elevate the Belgian tech ecosystem by providing early-stage capital, hands-on mentorship, and access to a powerful network of founders, operators, and investors. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on “smart seed capital”—combining financial support with actionable operational guidance and strategic connections to help startups scale efficiently. Syndicate One primarily targets high-potential Belgian startups in sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and deep tech. Its impact is already evident: by uniting regional and federal government funds, entrepreneurial families, and over 100 founders and operators, Syndicate One has become a unifying force in a historically fragmented ecosystem, empowering the next generation of Belgian tech leaders.

Origin Story

Syndicate One was founded in 2022 by Laurens De Poorter, Marie Van Rijckeghem, and Nicolas Vereecke, all experienced startup operators and founders. The firm emerged from a shared belief that Belgium’s tech ecosystem, despite its talent and innovation, lacked a cohesive platform to connect ambitious founders with the right capital, mentorship, and networks. The founding team rallied a group of 32 startup operators and executives to launch the fund, quickly attracting backing from Belgium’s four regional government funds—PMV (Flanders), SFPIM (federal), Finance&invest.brussels, and Wallonie Entreprendre—making Syndicate One the first Belgian VC to achieve this feat. Since its inception, the firm has rapidly built a reputation for hands-on support, investing in early-stage startups like Techwolf, Aikido Security, Sirona Technologies, and Donna, while fostering a community-driven approach that blurs the line between investor and founder.

Core Differentiators

Unique Investment Model: Syndicate One blends institutional capital with founder-led syndication, enabling startups to tap into both financial resources and real-world operational expertise.
Network Strength: The firm’s LP base includes over 100 founders, operators, and entrepreneurial families from leading Belgian scale-ups such as Collibra, Deliverect, Showpad, and DataCamp, creating a powerful peer-to-peer support system.
Track Record: Syndicate One has already backed a portfolio of standout startups, many of which have gone on to raise additional rounds and achieve rapid growth.
Operating Support: Beyond capital, Syndicate One offers mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a curated network of experts, helping founders navigate scaling challenges and global expansion.
Community Focus: More than half of the founders in Syndicate One’s portfolio have become investors in the fund, reinforcing a self-sustaining ecosystem of support and collaboration.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Syndicate One is riding the wave of Belgium’s rising prominence in European tech. The country’s ecosystem, though small, is increasingly “punching above its weight,” with AI and deep tech startups attracting significant investment and international attention. Syndicate One’s ability to unite regional and federal stakeholders is particularly timely, given Belgium’s historical challenges with political fragmentation. The firm’s success reflects a broader trend: the growing importance of network-driven, founder-centric investment models in nurturing innovation. By lowering barriers to capital and expertise, Syndicate One is helping to position Belgium as a more cohesive and competitive player in the global tech landscape, while also inspiring similar models in other fragmented markets.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Syndicate One is poised to play an even greater role in shaping Belgium’s tech future. As the ecosystem matures and more startups seek global scale, the firm’s blend of capital, mentorship, and network access will become increasingly valuable. The trend toward founder-led syndicates and community-driven investment is likely to accelerate, and Syndicate One is well-positioned to lead this movement in Belgium. Looking ahead, the firm may expand its fund size, deepen its international connections, and further institutionalize its support programs. Syndicate One’s journey is a testament to the power of collaboration in unlocking a nation’s entrepreneurial potential—and a reminder that even in a small country, the right network can have an outsized impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Syndicate One's core mission and operational model?

Syndicate One is an international network-driven investment firm founded in 2022 with a mission to elevate the Belgian tech ecosystem. It operates by bringing together experienced startup founders, operators, and venture capitalists to provide smart seed capital and hands-on advice to high-potential Belgian-based and Belgian-founded tech startups.

What stage of companies does Syndicate One invest in and what is their typical investment size?

Syndicate One focuses on early-stage investments in tech startups. Through its €22 million Fund II, it provides seed capital, typically ranging from €200,000 to €400,000, to support the growth of these nascent companies.

What support does Syndicate One offer to its portfolio companies beyond capital?

Beyond financial investment, Syndicate One offers operational guidance and access to its extensive network of experienced operators and industry experts. The firm also supports ecosystem initiatives, such as standardized convertible loan agreements and events designed to connect founders with mentors and investors.

Which notable companies are part of Syndicate One's portfolio?

Since its inception, Syndicate One has invested in over a dozen startups. Notable portfolio companies include Aikido Security, Techwolf, Conveo, and Sirona. Two early portfolio companies, Fundamental and Aikido Security, have achieved valuations exceeding $1 billion.

Who are the key contributors or partners in Syndicate One's fund?

Syndicate One's €22 million Fund II was backed by a diverse group of investors. These include institutional investors like Sofina, Finhouse, and COI, Belgian public funds such as PMV, SFPIM, Finance&Invest Brussels, and Wallonie Entreprendre, and over 120 founders and operators from the Belgian tech ecosystem.