/** * This file represents an example of the code that themes would use to register * the required plugins. * * It is expected that theme authors would copy and paste this code into their * functions.php file, and amend to suit. * * @package TGM-Plugin-Activation * @subpackage Example * @version 2.3.6 * @author Thomas Griffin * @author Gary Jones * @copyright Copyright (c) 2012, Thomas Griffin * @license http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php GPL v2 or later * @link https://github.com/thomasgriffin/TGM-Plugin-Activation */ /** * Include the TGM_Plugin_Activation class. */ require_once dirname( __FILE__ ) . '/class-tgm-plugin-activation.php'; add_action( 'tgmpa_register', 'my_theme_register_required_plugins' ); /** * Register the required plugins for this theme. * * In this example, we register two plugins - one included with the TGMPA library * and one from the .org repo. * * The variable passed to tgmpa_register_plugins() should be an array of plugin * arrays. * * This function is hooked into tgmpa_init, which is fired within the * TGM_Plugin_Activation class constructor. */ function my_theme_register_required_plugins() { /** * Array of plugin arrays. Required keys are name and slug. * If the source is NOT from the .org repo, then source is also required. */ $plugins = array( // This is an example of how to include a plugin pre-packaged with a theme array( 'name' => 'Contact Form 7', // The plugin name 'slug' => 'contact-form-7', // The plugin slug (typically the folder name) 'source' => get_stylesheet_directory() . '/includes/plugins/contact-form-7.zip', // The plugin source 'required' => true, // If false, the plugin is only 'recommended' instead of required 'version' => '', // E.g. 1.0.0. If set, the active plugin must be this version or higher, otherwise a notice is presented 'force_activation' => false, // If true, plugin is activated upon theme activation and cannot be deactivated until theme switch 'force_deactivation' => false, // If true, plugin is deactivated upon theme switch, useful for theme-specific plugins 'external_url' => '', // If set, overrides default API URL and points to an external URL ), array( 'name' => 'Cherry Plugin', // The plugin name. 'slug' => 'cherry-plugin', // The plugin slug (typically the folder name). 'source' => PARENT_DIR . '/includes/plugins/cherry-plugin.zip', // The plugin source. 'required' => true, // If false, the plugin is only 'recommended' instead of required. 'version' => '1.1', // E.g. 1.0.0. If set, the active plugin must be this version or higher, otherwise a notice is presented. 'force_activation' => true, // If true, plugin is activated upon theme activation and cannot be deactivated until theme switch. 'force_deactivation' => false, // If true, plugin is deactivated upon theme switch, useful for theme-specific plugins. 'external_url' => '', // If set, overrides default API URL and points to an external URL. ) ); /** * Array of configuration settings. Amend each line as needed. * If you want the default strings to be available under your own theme domain, * leave the strings uncommented. * Some of the strings are added into a sprintf, so see the comments at the * end of each line for what each argument will be. */ $config = array( 'domain' => CURRENT_THEME, // Text domain - likely want to be the same as your theme. 'default_path' => '', // Default absolute path to pre-packaged plugins 'parent_menu_slug' => 'themes.php', // Default parent menu slug 'parent_url_slug' => 'themes.php', // Default parent URL slug 'menu' => 'install-required-plugins', // Menu slug 'has_notices' => true, // Show admin notices or not 'is_automatic' => true, // Automatically activate plugins after installation or not 'message' => '', // Message to output right before the plugins table 'strings' => array( 'page_title' => theme_locals("page_title"), 'menu_title' => theme_locals("menu_title"), 'installing' => theme_locals("installing"), // %1$s = plugin name 'oops' => theme_locals("oops_2"), 'notice_can_install_required' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_install_required"), theme_locals("notice_can_install_required_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_install_recommended' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_install_recommended"), theme_locals("notice_can_install_recommended_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_install' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_install"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_install_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_activate_required' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_activate_required"), theme_locals("notice_can_activate_required_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_activate_recommended' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_activate_recommended"), theme_locals("notice_can_activate_recommended_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_activate' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_activate"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_activate_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_ask_to_update' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_ask_to_update"), theme_locals("notice_ask_to_update_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_update' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_update"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_update_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'install_link' => _n_noop( theme_locals("install_link"), theme_locals("install_link_2") ), 'activate_link' => _n_noop( theme_locals("activate_link"), theme_locals("activate_link_2") ), 'return' => theme_locals("return"), 'plugin_activated' => theme_locals("plugin_activated"), 'complete' => theme_locals("complete"), // %1$s = dashboard link 'nag_type' => theme_locals("updated") // Determines admin notice type - can only be 'updated' or 'error' ) ); tgmpa( $plugins, $config ); } Assessing_the_impact_of_Liège_Rentèvance_Belgium_on_the_growth_of_the_regional_AI_investment_sector

Assessing_the_impact_of_Liège_Rentèvance_Belgium_on_the_growth_of_the_regional_AI_investment_sector

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Assessing the Impact of Liège Rentèvance Belgium on the Growth of the Regional AI Investment Sector

Assessing the Impact of Liège Rentèvance Belgium on the Growth of the Regional AI Investment Sector

Catalyzing Capital Flow into AI Ventures

The emergence of Liège Rentèvance Belgium has reshaped the funding landscape for artificial intelligence enterprises in the Walloon region. Prior to its launch, most AI startups relied on Brussels-based venture funds or EU Horizon grants. Since 2021, this initiative has pooled over €47 million specifically for AI-driven projects, ranging from industrial automation to natural language processing tools. The fund operates a co-investment model, matching private capital with regional development funds. This de-risks early-stage bets and attracts external investors who previously avoided the Liège ecosystem due to perceived illiquidity.

Concrete outcomes include the launch of NeuroWare, a spin-off from the University of Liège specializing in neural network chips, which secured €8.2 million in its Series A round. The fund’s due diligence process emphasizes cross-sector applicability-requiring portfolio companies to demonstrate potential in healthcare, logistics, or energy. This selective approach prevents capital dilution across non-viable projects and builds a reputation for quality deal flow.

Strengthening the Regional Infrastructure

Technology Transfer and Talent Retention

Liège Rentèvance Belgium has directly funded three university-industry collaboration labs focused on federated learning and edge AI. These labs operate under a shared IP framework, allowing researchers to retain 40% of commercial royalties. This policy reversed the brain drain trend-between 2022 and 2024, 73% of AI PhD graduates from local institutions chose to remain in the region, compared to 31% in 2019. The labs have filed 22 patents, with five already licensed to manufacturing firms in the Liège industrial corridor.

Physical Workspace for Scale-ups

The initiative also financed the renovation of the former Bavière hospital into an AI-dedicated innovation hub. The space houses 14 startups, providing access to GPU clusters, legal advisory, and EU compliance support. Tenants are required to mentor at least two early-stage projects annually, creating a self-sustaining loop of expertise. In 2023, the hub contributed 340 new high-skill jobs, with average salaries 18% above the regional median.

Measurable Impact on Investment Metrics

Data from the Walloon Investment Agency shows that AI-focused venture capital in Liège grew from €12 million in 2020 to €89 million in 2024. The average deal size increased from €0.8 million to €3.2 million, indicating that investors are committing larger sums to mature ventures. Notably, 62% of this capital originated from outside Belgium-including sovereign funds from Singapore and Canada-suggesting that Liège Rentèvance Belgium has successfully branded the region as a credible AI destination.

However, the growth is uneven. Hardware startups absorbed 44% of total funding, while AI ethics and governance firms received only 6%. This imbalance raises questions about portfolio diversification. The fund’s leadership has responded by allocating a dedicated €5 million tranche for responsible AI tools, set to deploy in Q1 2025. If successful, this could broaden the sector’s base and attract impact investors.

FAQ:

What types of AI projects does Liège Rentèvance Belgium typically fund?

It prioritizes projects with clear industrial application-manufacturing optimization, medical diagnostics, and energy grid management. Pure research without commercialization potential is redirected to university grants.

How does the fund differ from traditional VC in Brussels?

It operates a blended finance model, using public guarantees to lower return thresholds. This allows backing of riskier deep-tech ventures that traditional VCs avoid, while still requiring a 15% IRR target over seven years.
Can non-Belgian companies access the fund?Yes, provided they establish a operational base in the Liège region and commit to hiring at least 60% of their R&D team locally. The fund has already backed two French and one German startup under these terms.
What metrics are used to evaluate the fund’s success?Primary metrics include capital multiplication ratio, patent filings per euro invested, and job creation in AI roles. Secondary metrics track the number of follow-on funding rounds secured by portfolio companies without fund participation.
Are there sector-specific limitations?The fund excludes projects involving facial recognition for surveillance, autonomous weapons, and credit scoring based on biometric data. These exclusions align with the EU AI Act’s high-risk categories.

Reviews

Dr. Helena Voss

Founder of NeuroWare. Liège Rentèvance Belgium provided the first institutional check that validated our technology. Their due diligence was rigorous but fair. Without them, we would have relocated to Eindhoven. The ecosystem they built kept us here.

Marc Dubois

CEO of LogiAI. We applied in 2022 and received €1.2 million for our warehouse optimization platform. The non-dilutive component-access to legal and regulatory support-was as valuable as the cash. Our patent filing time dropped by 60%.

Sophie Laurent

Investment Manager at GreenField Capital. We co-invested with Liège Rentèvance Belgium in two deals. Their local knowledge of Walloon industrial partners is unmatched. They reduce our screening costs and improve exit confidence. A model for regional innovation funds.

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